Jean-Marie Navetta

Jean-Marie Navetta (she/her) is the Director of Learning & Inclusion for PFLAG National, leading its Straight for Equality project which aims to invite, educate, and engage new allies in the effort to achieve full inclusion for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+).

She has been the lead architect of the project since its 2007 inception. She was the primary author of the guide to being a straight ally (now in its fourth edition), Straight for Equality in Healthcare (2010), be not afraid – help is on the way: straight for equality in faith communities (now in its second edition), and the guide to being a trans ally (now in its fourth edition). Under her leadership, over 75,000 people have been trained, many in Straight for Equality in the Workplace events across the globe in more than 270 major corporations.

Jean-Marie is also the host of PFLAG’s first-ever weekly web series, Something to Talk About, an interactive discussion about current LGBTQ+ issues and culture. In 2011, she was the staff lead in developing and launching PFLAG Academy Online, a monthly web-based learning program for PFLAG chapters to build their skills and understand more about LGBTQ+ issues, build skills, and expand inclusion. And in 2012, she was named a finalist for the Outie Award in the Trailblazer category by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates for her contributions to LGBTQ+ inclusion and education.

Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, Jean-Marie became one of the lead organizers of the first ReconstruyeQ effort, a coalition effort of human rights organizations that sent volunteers to the island to assist Puerto Rico-based Waves Ahead in rebuilding the homes of LGBTQ+ people and their allies. In 2021, Jean-Marie appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for Waves Ahead, serving as the organization’s treasurer.

Jean-Marie is the former Director of Communications for PFLAG where she increased the organization’s visibility in outlets including The New York Times and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She was also Media Relations Manager for the American Association of University Women, where her work focused on issues such as discrimination in education, pay equity, and Title IX. Prior to that, Jean-Marie specialized in graphic design and visual communications, working for a number of nonprofit groups and corporations.

But Jean-Marie is, most importantly, living proof that Philosophy majors can get real jobs.