Leila Barazandeh – Field Organizer

Leila is a proud Iranian-American who was raised in Carrboro, NC. She now happily lives in West Asheville by the French Broad River. She brings to the team a strong background in campaign management, field directing, and community outreach throughout Western North Carolina.

Al Murray – Director of Engagement and Organizational Development

Al was born and raised in Western Kentucky and has made Asheville home since 2012. At CSE, Al has coordinated events to build and strengthen relationships within the LGBTQ community and amplify the voices of LGBTQ Southerners. When not in the office, Al operates a metalworking studio, creating steel sculptures and decorative architectural metalwork.

Liz Williams – Artist in Residence

Through means of photography, digital mixed media, and graphic design, Liz seeks to collaborate with her community and create uplifting artwork and conversation reflective of the LGBTQ identity and the nuances of it. In doing so, she hopes to create work that is a catalyst for empowerment and positive change. During her spare time she enjoys singing, dancing, and laughing with her wife Amanda, along with napping with her two cats.

Cenzontle – Bilingual Communications Consultants

CSE is excited to have expanded our work with Cenzontle Language Justice Cooperative to include coordinating interpretation and translation across all of our work. Cenzontle believes in language justice to uplift all human dignity. Cenzontle is a cooperative of interpreters, translators and consultants that strive to build bridges between communities working for liberation.