Dr. Gutierrez is an Advanced Assistant Professor in the Couple and Family Therapy Program at University of Colorado - Denver. She is devoted to working with BIPOC sexually and gender expansive communities and Women of Color in academia, with a dedicated focus on Latinx/e populations. Dr. Gutierrez is versed in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodologies and prioritizes a collaborative team approach. She has published and presented nationally on minority stress, intersectionality constructs of self and family systems, intercultural and interracial couple dynamics, cultural resiliencies, and multicultural humble care through an innovative intersectional ecological systems framework. 

Further, Dr. Gutierrez is dedicated to advancing diversity and equity initiatives, serving on the advisory board for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Minority Fellowship Program (AAMFT MFP) and the editorial advisory board for Family Process, a leading journal in family therapy. She uses a narrative, experiential, and feminist approach, incorporating techniques of advocacy and empowerment. 

In addition, Dr Gutierrez has served as clinical coordinator and family therapist for the LGBTQ Counseling Clinic in Iowa, and The Gender & Family Project at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York City. These experiences have laid the foundation for her interdisciplinary clinical work with BIPOC sexually and gender expansive communities nationwide.

Nat Roberts is the Research, Training & Special Programs Coordinator for the Ackerman Institute’s Gender and Family Project. He received his master's in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College in 2022, and now focuses on combining their activism and research expertise to expand resources and psychological literature on trans and gender diverse (TGD) individuals. In particular, Nat is interested in the unique stressors and challenges faced by TGD folx of the African Diaspora and other communities of color, including racialized gender norms, managing conflicts and allegiances to multiple communities, and the role of white supremacy in transphobia. He also seeks to expand his impact by mentoring other TGD researchers and creating spaces for collaboration. 

Courtney Rago is an assistant professor of Marriage & Family Therapy at California State University, Dominguez Hills and a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the state of California. Their clinical, research, teaching, and supervision practice are all rooted in social justice values. Dr. Rago is particularly passionate about working with sexual and gender expansive (SGE) individuals, partners, and communities to establish safe connections and embrace their full authentic self. Their research centers the voices and unique experiences of diverse SGE folks and endeavors to advocate for everyone’s right to exist in the world safely exactly as they are.

Andy Price, M.A., is a doctoral student in the Couple and Family Program at Alliant International University, Sacramento. Their research interests center on chosen families and applications of experiential therapy. Andy’s clinical work as a marriage and family therapist focuses on transgender and gender expansive clients, as well as LGBTQIA+ couples and partnerships. Andy uses awareness of broader systemic factors to enhance their work, informed by their background in legal and community advocacy.

Anthony is pursuing a Master of Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College. He previously interned with the Gender and Family Project at the Ackerman Institute for the Family under the guidance of Nat Roberts, gaining experience in research design, literature review, and qualitative analysis. He completed a clinical social work practicum placement at the B.R.O. Experience Foundation, where he provided mental health counseling for emerging adults, co-facilitated group support sessions, and co-developed CBT psychoeducational curriculum. He is currently completing a clinical social work practicum placement at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center working with LGBTQ+ adults. 

Stella is a researcher and advocate whose work is dedicated to counteracting stigma, ameliorating health disparities, and promoting competent, affirming practice with marginalized individuals and communities. In addition to zir position in the FLAIR lab, Stella manages the Hunter College Psycho-Oncology Lab, which advances research that aims to improve the quality of life and quality of care outcomes for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors. As a training associate with the Ackerman Institute’s Gender & Family Project, ze conducts gender inclusivity trainings for educators, social workers, and community organizations. Ze is also a co-researcher and analyst on a community-led study with sex workers and trafficking survivors at the University of South Florida.

Faith Wood is a senior at Barnard College studying psychology. Their research and academic interests revolve around positive queer identity development, the physiological and mental health implications of minority stress, and the intersection of social justice and psychology. Eventually, Faith would like to pursue a graduate degree in clinical or counseling psychology. Outside of academics, Faith is a peer educator at Barnard's Wellness Spot, where they facilitates wellness outreach initiatives that promote harm reduction, queer sexual health, gender affirming practices, and holistic mental health and physical well-being.