Chamber Staff

Jason Rae (he/him) is the founder and President/CEO of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, an organization of more than 600 LGBT owned and allied businesses from around the state. Jason founded the organization in 2012 and has seen it grow to record numbers and achievements, including winning the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber of the Year award in 2015. Jason is responsible for the overall direction and operations of the Chamber, as well as membership outreach and retention. He works to build inclusion and diversity through Wisconsin and make the state a truly welcoming & inclusive place.

With his role with the LGBT Chamber, Jason serves as the National Chair for NGLCC’s Affiliate Chamber Council, which works to support the work of local LGBT affiliate chambers across the country.

In addition, Jason serves as a partner at the public affairs consulting firm Nation Consulting in Milwaukee, WI where he focuses on non-profit management, corporate communications, and political campaigns. He is also the founder and managing director of True Compass Strategies, a certified LGBT Business Enterprise. Prior to these roles, he worked for People For the American Way, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Herb Kohl for US Senate, and more.

In his volunteer time, Jason has been a member of the Democratic National Committee since 2004, when he became the youngest person ever elected to the DNC. In 2017, he was elected as the DNC Secretary, one of the national officers. Jason has also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Fair Wisconsin and for the Milwaukee County Human Rights Commission. He currently serves on the Board of VISIT Milwaukee and the Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District.

Jason holds an Honors Bachelors of Arts degree from Marquette University in history and political science as well as a  Master of Business Administration degree from Drexel University. He presently lives in Glendale, WI with his husband, Phillip Bailey, and their dog, George Washington.

Nick Barth (he/him) is the Chief of Staff at the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. He assists the President & CEO in providing leadership and oversight for the Chamber’s day-to-day functions and staff.

A dedicated generalist, Nick holds a degree in mathematics and brings experience from an array of positions, most recently as the Chief Technology Officer at OnMilwaukee. With management experience in the retail, food service, media, and technology industries, he takes pride in using that varied history to help Wisconsin businesses thrive.

Nick proudly hails from the Riverwest neighborhood of Milwaukee, where he resides with his wife, Leslie, and dog, Lola.

Phillip Bailey (he/him) is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber. In this role, he is responsible for helping guide and ensure success of some of the Chamber’s larger signature events and programs. He has 14 years of experience in management of both key projects and events for major corporations. Phillip has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition, he has extensive experience in marketing and graphic design.

Phillip lives in Glendale, WI where he loves to spends quality time with his dog, George Washington, and his husband.

Jack Feria (he/they) is the Membership & Events Director of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. He started at the Chamber in June 2019 as the Membership & Events Coordinator and was promoted in January 2021 & January 2023. Originally hailing from Madison, WI, Jack moved to Milwaukee to pursue a career in community engagement.

Jack has served in various development, education and programming roles with the UWM LGBT Resource Center, Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival, Milwaukee Film, and In Tandem Theatre. In 2018, Jack’s work at Milwaukee Film helped launch GenreQueer, a program of documentary and fiction films spotlighting LGBTQ+ narratives at their annual film festival. They currently serve as Milwaukee Film’s year round GenreQueer and Shorts Programmer.

Areli Herrera (she/they) is the Supplier Diversity Program Manager at the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. They spearhead the development and implementation of the Chamber’s programs aimed at supporting and expanding the number of LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE) across Wisconsin.

Areli graduated from Marquette University with degrees in English and Secondary Education, working in various nonprofit and organizing roles throughout undergrad. Working as program assistant for Marquette’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center cemented their dedication to crafting community spaces and resources.

Areli has lived in Mexico and Illinois, but has felt most at home living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She’s bilingual in Spanish and English, and is equally passionate about representing the Hispanic community. In their free time, you’ll find them painting, reading books, journaling, or doing yoga.

Heather Tice (she/her) is the Marketing & Communications Manager of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She leads Chamber’s efforts to steward its reputation and communicate effectively with its members, the broader business community, public officials, and the public at-large.

Heather graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with degrees in Public Relations and Journalism. She has spent the last four years working with organizations on their social media presence as well as their digital marketing needs. Originally from Wausau, Heather moved to Milwaukee for a career in marketing and public relations.

In her spare time, Heather can be found creating on her sewing machine, reading, typing away on her vintage typewriter and going on adventures with her pup Lettie.

Lo Villarreal (He/She/They) is the BIPOC & Trans Program Manager for the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. He oversees the creation and implementation of the Chamber's events and programs to support and grow queer BIPOC and Trans businesses in the state.

Originally from Janesville, WI, Lo moved to Milwaukee to pursue a degree in Human Services and learn new ways to get involved in her communities. As a Gender-Fluid and LatinX person, Lo finds it very important to be visible and involved in the positive change in society. They are currently the Co-Director of Entertainment for Janesville Pride, a previous title holder for Wisconsin Drag Pageantry, and can be found volunteering in numerous events across the state.

Outside of work and volunteering, you can find Lo on many different stages across the midwest. She is known as a local drag entertainer by the name of "Lola Rome" and hosts and performs in numerous shows and events. He has also performed as numerous other characters on theater stages across the state of Wisconsin including Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka), Angel (RENT), and Audrey ll (Little Shop of Horrors). Lo also enjoys spending time with his bio and chosen families and his two cats Franklin and Nari.

Kristin Conway (she/her) is the Outreach Coordinator for the Central and Northwest Regions of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She serves as the brand ambassador for the Wisconsin Chamber in South Central Wisconsin by organizing and attending events in the region, and finding new and innovative ways for the Chamber to have a presence in the area.

Kristin graduated from St. Norbert College with degrees in Sociology and Religious Studies. After a brief time in Minneapolis, returned to the Northwoods to be near her family. She has spent her career working for nonprofits and political campaigns. Her most recent experience was as a Digital Marketing Consultant, specializing in maximizing social media campaigns.

Kristin loves everything about summers in Wisconsin and can be found camping, kayaking, swimming, or gardening with her spouse and 4 kids. She loves nothing about Wisconsin winters.

Areka (she/they) is the Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast Region of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She works with current and new Chamber members in the area to increase awareness and provide support for the LGBTQ+ community there.

Areka was born and raised in the Fox Cities and is passionate about community care and making Wisconsin a more inclusive and comfortable place for LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses. Her time in college at UW Oshkosh was expansive for her growth within and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, driving her to seek a career working with and for the community.

Areka lives in Neenah and is a cat parent to Savina, who she lovingly calls, Stinky Mama. She enjoys sitting down to a good book or listening to some of her favorite podcasts as well as getting out in nature and traveling.

Jenna Sterr (she/her) is the Outreach Coordinator for the Southeast Region of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She organizes and attends events in the region and connects with potential and current members to provide support.

Jenna grew up in a small town in northern Wisconsin and moved to Milwaukee to attend Alverno College. She quickly fell in love with the city and decided Milwaukee was where she wanted to stay. She has 12 years experience working in mental health programs where she discovered working with the LGBT community is truly where her passions lie. She is extremely excited to bring her skills outreach and community engagement to the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber.

Jenna and her wife enjoy spending time with their horses, corgi dog, and hairless cat while binge watching the newest Netflix series. She also is the president of the Walkers Point Gay Dart League and is on the programing team for PrideFest Milwaukee.

Kim Valenta (She/They) is the Outreach Coordinator for the South Central Regions of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. She works with current and new Chamber members in the Madison area to expand inclusivity and provide support to the LGBTQ+ community.

Kim graduated from University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with degrees in Sociology, Social Work, and English. They returned to Rock County after graduating to be closer to family and give back to her community. She has spent her career working with multiple populations; most recently with survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. Much of her career has been doing outreach, volunteer management, and client services with a core value of empowering others.

At home, she loves to spend time being artsy through theatre, crafts and singing. She is a proud cat mom to Shyanne and Sampson and loves spending time outdoors, listening to new music and going on adventures with her spouse.