Out of Office: Pride 2026

About the Celebration

A Pride Community Celebration for LGBTQIA+ & Allied Students, Creatives, and Emerging Professionals

A Pride celebration for LGBTQIA+ and allied students, creatives, young professionals, and community members who want to feel more connected while figuring out what comes next. Through panels, lightning talks, creative reflection, and intentional connection, Out of Office brings people into a joyful room built for honest stories, shared support, and the kind of community that keeps moving after Pride weekend.

Audience gathered for a Pride community celebration

Speakers

Featured voices.

Barton Lee Jackson II

Executive Director, The National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce New York

Barton Lee Jackson II is Executive Director of The National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce New York, where he expands economic opportunity, visibility, and strategic connectivity for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses across New York. He brings corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector stakeholders together to strengthen inclusive business ecosystems and pathways to market access.

Terri Trespicio

Award-winning Writer, Speaker, Brand Advisor & Author

Terri Trespicio is an award-winning writer, speaker, brand advisor, and author of Unfollow Your Passion: How to Create a Life that Matters to You. Her TEDx talk “Stop Searching for Your Passion” has more than 8 million views, and her work helps leaders, professionals, business owners, and thought leaders stop waiting for perfect clarity and start making things happen.

Merrick Damon Williams

Founder, President & CEO, MerrickDamon Family of Companies

Merrick Damon Williams is the Founder, President, and CEO of the MerrickDamon Family of Companies and one of the Southeast's most successful real estate brokers. With more than 50 combined years of experience and more than $1 billion in sales, MerrickDamon Real Estate is built around customer-focused entrepreneurs dedicated to fulfilling real estate dreams.

Nitika Raj

Coach, Consultant, and Creative

Nitika Raj is a coach, consultant, and creative. As a queer South Asian immigrant, spiritual seeker, and lifelong learner, she is committed to shifting collective consciousness toward greater peace, connection, equity, and joy. In 2016, she founded Moksh Consulting, through which she expands this vision with individuals and organizations navigating transformation. Nitika’s career spans over two decades of organizing, arts activism, and leadership across racial justice, economic and gender justice, and anti-violence work. She is a teacher and mentor for Coaching for Healing, Justice, and Liberation. Nitika’s writing has been published in Tikkun Magazine, Queering Sexual Violence, When Language Runs Dry, and several anthologies.

Tearany Hardaway

Executive Director and Founder, Neighborhood Hope Inc.

Tearany Hardaway is the founder and executive director of Neighborhood Hope Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering young people through education, workforce development, housing stability, and creative expression. With a background in law, public service, housing advocacy, and community engagement, she helps underserved youth navigate complex systems and access opportunities for long-term success.

Jess McAvoy

Artist, Musician, and Voice Facilitator

Jess McAvoy is a non-binary artist, musician, voice facilitator, and performance-maker whose work explores music, identity, and truthful self-expression. Across performance, teaching, and facilitation, Jess helps people access a grounded, authentic voice and the courage to be heard.

Douglas “Coop” Cooper

Founder & Creative Director, CoopedUp

Douglas “Coop” Cooper is a communications leader, culture builder, and founder of CoopedUp with more than 15 years of experience across advertising and professional services. He has supported internal and external communications, culture change, transformation, storytelling, and brand narratives tied to major business partnerships. Through CoopedUp, he turns communications into connection and culture into a brand’s greatest strength.

Tina Beauchamp

Financial Representative, Forest Hills Financial Group

Tina Beauchamp, MBA, is a New York City-based financial professional, community builder, and advocate for financial empowerment. She makes conversations about money more accessible and inclusive for LGBTQ+ professionals, entrepreneurs, and first-generation wealth builders.

Demetrius Moore

Strategist & Account Manager, SiriusXM · Founder, Global Tunnel

Demetrius Moore is a strategist and account manager at SiriusXM with more than five years of experience across media, technology, and entertainment. He develops data-driven campaigns that strengthen audience engagement, brand growth, and meaningful connections, and is the founder of Global Tunnel.

Mitch Roy

Senior Consultant, AI & Financial Data Solutions, Sia Partners

Mitch Roy is a Senior Consultant at Sia Partners and a trusted advisor to financial services leaders working at the intersection of data, AI, and capital markets. He helps firms turn data into a strategic asset through market data optimization, data monetization, and applications of generative and agentic AI. Mitch began his career at Nasdaq and is active in philanthropic work focused on education, access, and opportunity for underserved youth.

Nick Grant

Content Designer, FanDuel

Nick Grant is a content designer at FanDuel with more than four years of experience across account, responsible gaming, casino, and other product areas. With a background in political science and NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program, he is passionate about the intersection of design and language.

Celebration Schedule

A joyful afternoon of stories, connection, and community.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Opening Workshop: Finding Your Voice Through Writing Terri Trespicio
1:10 PM – 1:40 PM Lightning Talks: Breaking Into the Room Nick Grant - Inclusive Language & Finding Your Place in New Industries Mitch Roy - AI That Amplifies Us: Designing for Judgment, Trust, and Human Strengths
1:40 PM – 2:25 PM Panel Discussion: Navigating Identity in Professional Spaces Tearany Hardaway, Jess McAvoy, Demetrius Moore
2:25 PM – 2:40 PM Break
2:40 PM – 3:10 PM Lightning Talks: Building Outside the System Douglas "Coop" Cooper - Playing the Game Without Losing Yourself Barton Lee Jackson II - The Cost of Invisibility: LGBTQ+ Business Tina Beauchamp - Building Wealth and Legacy While Living Authentically
3:10 PM – 3:55 PM Panel Discussion: The Future of LGBTQ+ Leadership Barton Lee Jackson II, Tina Beauchamp, Nitika Raj
3:55 PM – 4:10 PM Closing Reflection: Building Community Beyond Today Merrick Damon
4:10 PM – 6:10 PM Networking Reception

About the Room

Move through the day your way.

Front

Seated stage area

Towards the front of the room, seated areas near the stage give guests a comfortable place to settle in for talks, panels, and shared reflections.

Middle

Bar and standing room

Towards the middle, standing room near the bar creates space to mingle, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase, including teas and coconut water.