Amanda Gould
Senior Program Manager IPV - Los Angeles LGBT Center
Candidate Responses:
Please summarize the reasons you are submitting this
nomination
I am very appreciative that Jessica Merrill had encouraged me to
apply for the at large Board Member position. I have had the
privilege of working with CPEDV in our policy advocacy work at
the Los Angeles LGBT Center for the last three years on VOCA
funding and medical mandatory reporting. I have witnessed CPEDV’s
leadership in centering LGBTQ+ survivors and perspectives in the
work, and have been deeply appreciative of CPEDV leadership in
making sure LGBTQ+ led organizations had a seat at the table in
policy work that disproportionately impacts our communities’
safety. LGBTQ+ individuals experience domestic violence at rates
equal to or higher than their heterosexual and cisgender peers,
yet face significant barriers to accessing culturally competent
support. Many service providers lack the training, tools, and
resources necessary to adequately respond to LGBTQ+
survivors-particularly transgender people and LGBTQ+ people of
color-resulting in retraumatization, underreporting, and unmet
needs. As the Senior Program Manger of the National LGBTQ
Institute on IPV, it is my mission to improve responses to LGBTQ+
survivors and ensure that our community has the support in needs
to ensure safety and healing for LGBTQ+ survivors. A position on
the Board of Directors would allow me to center the unique needs,
perspectives, and voices of LGBTQ+ survivors in
California–something that is needed now more than ever as we are
seeing attacks against LGBTQ+ community and survivor service
provision unparalleled to anything we’ve seen before. LGBTQ+
people are fleeing to California in droves to escape LGBTQ+
hostile states, while at the same time we are seeing LGBTQ+
survivors trapped more deeply in abusive relationships as
protections and resources are eroded and risk and vulnerability
factors to violence increase. We need, now more than ever, to be
innovative, creative, and focused in our commitment to serving
and supporting LGBTQ+ survivors in the state. I would honored to
bring that perspective, drive, and focus to CPEDV’s Board of
Directors.
How does this person’s values align with the Partnership, including centering underrepresented voices?
My values are deeply aligned with the Partnership as someone who
has worked in the domestic violence field for over a decade,
working as a survivor advocate, crisis responder, case manager,
forensic exam accompanying advocate, violence prevention
educator, and support group facilitator for LGBTQ+ survivors of
domestic violence. Throughout my career I have worked with
domestic violence providers on a local and national level to
improve their capacity to better support LGBTQ+ survivors through
community-specific training, technical assistance, and changes in
policies and procedures. Now I oversee and manage the National
LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence where I create and
deliver training and technical assistance, organize policy
advocacy work, and develop research and resources that expand the
capacity of public and private agencies to provide
culturally-relevant, survivor-centered, LGBTQ intimate partner
violence intervention and prevention services. This work aligns
with the Partnership’s mission to eliminate all forms of domestic
violence, and advance the safety and healing of survivors.
Additionally, my focus on centering underrepresented voices is
the cornerstone of my approach to this work and I work every day
to intentionally prioritize the unique needs of
disproportionately impacted communities within the LGBTQ+
community, namely transgender, BIPOC LGBTQ+, and bisexual
survivors. As someone who works at a community-specific member
program, I am deeply connected to the issues LGBTQ+ survivors
face and the barriers the LGBTQ+ community uniquely experiences,
as well as best practices and innovative solutions that work best
for our community.
Describe your participation in the Partnership’s regional networks, policy committees, peer learning circles and other components of our Membership community.
The bulk of my work has been around policy advocacy in
partnership with CPEDV. I have sat as a member of the California
VOCA Advocacy Alliance since 2023. I also participated as a
co-sponsor for the Medical Mandatory Reporting bill in 2022-2023.
I’ve also been invited to present at CPEDV network meetings
on
issues impacting LGBTQ+ survivors.
Describe your skills, experience or interests that can benefit, strengthen or increase capacity of the Board.
I bring the experience of someone who has worked with multiple domestic violence service providers for over a decade, and understands the unique challenges and strengths that advocates and providers hold. Then as a federally funded domestic violence resource center, the National LGBTQ Institute on IPV, which I oversee and manage, is considered a leading expert in the field on best practices and strategies for serving and supporting LGBTQ+ survivors, which I believe would be of huge benefit to the Board. Especially in a moment where anti-LGBTQ+ attacks are shaping our field’s ability to serve and support LGBTQ+ survivors, I bring the experience of working for the oldest and largest LGBTQ+-specific DV service provider. We are no stranger to navigating these attacks, and I’m connected to an organization with unparalleled expertise in strengthening responses to LGBTQ+ survivors in the face of adversity.
What does leadership mean to you? How do you demonstrate leadership?
Leadership, to me, means using my position, influence, and resources to uplift others, especially those whose voices have been historically silenced or overlooked. True leadership isn’t just about guiding or managing; it’s about making space for those who often don’t have the platform to speak for themselves. It’s about listening deeply to the needs and experiences of underrepresented and marginalized communities, and taking intentional actions to create positive change, both in structures and in individuals’ lives. In my view, leadership also means prioritizing equity and inclusion, ensuring that decisions are made with the voices of marginalized communities at the forefront. This involves challenging systemic inequalities and advocating for policies and initiatives that directly benefit those who are most vulnerable or neglected without fear. Leadership, for me, is about being accountable to those I serve and recognizing the responsibility I have to help break down barriers that perpetuate inequality.
Describe how your relationships can enhance the work of the Partnership and the Board (for example, with policy-makers, media outlets, culturally specific communities, and the broader community). Tell us how you intend to cultivate those relationships on behalf of the Partnership.
My relationships with LGBTQ+ specific providers and organizations
are key to fostering a more inclusive and responsive environment
within the Partnership. These relationships allow me to bring a
deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and
opportunities within the LGBTQ+ community, helping the
Partnership and Board make informed, equitable decisions. Working
closely with LGBTQ+ providers, survivors, and DV-specific
programs, I have gained valuable insight into the issues that
affect this community, from healthcare access to policy gaps,
which allows me to advocate for actionable solutions that truly
reflect their needs. Additionally, my established relationships
with LGBTQ+ community leaders and advocates enable me to bridge
the gap between the Partnership and those directly impacted by
its work. These relationships allow for continuous dialogue,
feedback, and collaboration, ensuring that the voices of LGBTQ+
individuals are
always considered in decision-making processes. To cultivate
these relationships on behalf of the Partnership, I will focus on
continuous engagement and open communication with both LGBTQ+
providers and community stakeholders. This means attending
relevant LGBTQ+ events, facilitating regular meetings with key
community leaders, and ensuring that the Partnership’s
initiatives are actively aligned with the evolving needs of the
community. I also plan to create more opportunities for mutual
education and awareness, fostering a deeper understanding.
