Leslie (they/them/elle) is the Program Training Coordinator for the National LGBTQ Institute on IPV. A native from the Bay Area, Leslie received their bachelor’s from the University of California, Santa Cruz, double majoring in both Sociology and Latin American Latino studies. They are dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence and committed to addressing complex intersectionality for bold, complex, and radical solutions. As a survivor advocate, Leslie continuously works to uplift and empower the voices of BIPOC, LGBTQ+ community, and youth. Over the past 5 years, Leslie has focused on working in nonprofits, specifically in the field of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. During this time, Leslie has worked as a client advocate, case manager, crisis responder, violence prevention educator, client services coordinator, and support group facilitator for LGBTQ survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. Notably, Leslie founded and co-facilitated a Queer and Trans youth support group, which led to the opportunity to be the Keynote Speaker for a youth led, youth run conference called “Symbiosis, Teen Youth Virtual Summit”. As a former Client Service Coordinator, Leslie also provided opportunities for survivors to feel empowered, volunteers to provide crisis intervention, and staff to be supported in training during onboarding. During their experience in the field, they have actively collaborated simultaneously with survivors and service providers in facilitating workshops at the local level aiming to raise awareness, education, and best survivor-centered practices. They apply their knowledge and expertise from their direct service experience working with survivors towards the support and education of individuals and communities alike through community-specific trainings, technical assistance, and changes in policy and procedure. Empowering individuals and survivors in their community has been the driving force behind their work, with the ultimate goal of expanding the knowledge, understanding, and implementation of culturally relevant, survivor centered trauma informed services.