Beth Bloom, Board President (she/her)

An artist and a peer professional working with people struggling with mental health issues and substance use disorder, Beth came to Rochester 40+ years ago for college and didn't exactly decide to stay, but didn't leave either. Beth shares her life with her girlfriend of 9 years, Pat, and her 90 years old father, Edd, as well as a pack of geriatric pets including 2 cats and a dog.

Linda Donahue, Board Recording Secretary (she/her)

Linda H. Donahue retired from Cornell University's Labor Relations School in 2020 after several decades as a labor educator in Upstate New York. She is on the national executive board of Pride at Work, the AFL-CIO's constituency group for LGBTQ union members and has served the local labor community for many years on the central labor council's Pride at Work chapter, education committee, and Pettengill Labor Education Fund as well as on the Advisory Board of the Finger Lakes Occupational Health and Safety Clinic. 

Deborah Eaton, Board Treasurer (she/her)

Deb Eaton has lived in Rochester since 1978 and after raising her son Taylor, now age 28, wanted to get more involved in Rochester’s community. 

Last year when asked to be the Treasurer for Rainbow Seniors ROC, Deb gladly offered to help and has been an enthusiastic contributor to the organization saying: “I am so pleased with all we do for our seniors.”

Although she is 71, Deb remains a full-time employee with Wilmorite Corporation, the local mall owners. She looks forward to retirement, perhaps in 2022.

Anne Tischer, Board Member  (she/her)

A retired social services worker and longtime LGBTQ rights activist, Anne volunteered for years at Rochester’s Out Alliance before it suspended operations. She ran the SAGE senior program there, full time, for over 5 years and has been a key visionary in the formation of Rainbow Seniors ROC as the new LGBTQ+ senior organization, serving the greater Rochester area. Anne claims her intense commitment to Rainbow Seniors ROC is largely driven by her desire to avoid housework, much to the dismay of her long-suffering wife Bess Watts. Anne and Bess have spent 28 blissful years together.

Scott Fearing, Board Member (he/him)

A Rochesterian since 2006, Scott began his LGBTQ+ activism in 1985 where he focused on HIV/AIDS. In 1993, he expanded his efforts of community organizing, lobbying and education while working for OutFront Minnesota. In Rochester, he worked at the Out Alliance from 2007-2018 first as Education Director and then as Executive Director. He currently works at the University of Rochester where he coordinates Safe Space trainings for the Human Resource department.

Cory Cummings, PhD., LCSW, Board Member (he/him)

Cory is an active member of the LGBTQIAS+ community in Rochester and an assistant professor of social work at Nazareth College. Along with his work with Rainbow Seniors ROC, Cory also enjoys singing and dancing with the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, despite his two left feet. Part of Cory's scholarship involves research supporting the needs and celebrating the accomplishments of LGBTQIAS+ adults as we age.

Katy Allen, Board Member (she/her)

Always having had a love of older adults and an interest in society and aging, Katy has spent the last 30 years in Aging Services program administration developing and managing programs for older adults and care partners. At Lifespan of Greater Rochester since 2016, she oversees caregiver services and directs the Finger Lakes Caregiver Institute, which provides programs, services and supports to care partners of older adults in Monroe County and the Finger Lakes region. Katy has a long history of being engaged as a volunteer with LGBTQ+ organizations and has been facilitating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion trainings for over 25 years.

Valerie Hall, Board Member (she/her)

Valerie Hall is a Licensed Healthcare Representative specializing in assisting Medicare eligible individuals in understanding what their options are and the costs associated with those options. With over 30 years of Customer Service experience and facilitating training to clients in the field, she understands the value of relationships. Valerie believes that it takes a village and giving back benefits us all. By volunteering we’re able to foster and strengthen relationships with one another and with community organizations. A native Rochesterian, Valerie is the proud parent of one, her daughter Jordan. In addition to Rainbow Seniors Valerie has also participated in and raised funds for the Rochester Alzheimer’s Association and is a Member of the Greater Rochester Association Professionals for the Elderly (GRAPE). 

Keith Jensen, Board Member (he/him)  

Keith Jensen (He/Him/His) joined Rainbow Seniors ROC’s board after completing the United Way of Greater Rochester’s PRIDE leadership development program in 2022. Keith has a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Rochester (’16), and a Juris Doctorate from the University at Buffalo School of Law (’21). In law school, Keith was the Vice President of OUTlaw and he worked as a student attorney in civil rights litigation. Keith’s legal experience also includes public benefits litigation, elder law, disability law, and health law. In his spare time, Keith enjoys listening to music, dancing, running, playing tennis, photography, and being outdoors.