Our Team

Board of Directors:

Chairman – Charles A. Costen-Sumpter

Charles A. Costen-Sumpter, is a Manager in Deloitte Consulting’s Human Capital Practice. Costen-Sumpter comes to the board of Safe Space NOVA with a wealth of policy and advocacy experience.  He began his career working at the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY), the Government of the District of Columbia for Councilwoman Mary Cheh (Ward-3), Booz Allen Hamilton, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

In addition to his professional work, Costen-Sumpter is a local community activist in Alexandria, VA, having been appointed to several boards and commissions. He’s served on the Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS, Commission on Employment and several others. As former Chair of the HIV/AIDS Commission, Costen-Sumpter was an outspoken advocate working to increase support for prevention efforts and advocating for those hit hardest. In addition to sitting on the Board of Safe Space NOVA, Costen-Sumpter is also a founding board member of another local community nonprofit, Gay Professional Men of Color (GPMC).

Costen-Sumpter is a 2016 graduate of the Political Leaders Program at the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. In 2016 Costen-Sumpter was also recognized as part of the inaugural Top 40 Under 40 by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce and later by Leadership Arlington in 2017. A New York City native and Giants fan, Costen-Sumpter graduated from Union College in Schenectady, NY and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Founder/Board Member – Jordan L. Costen-Sumpter

Jordan L. Costen- Sumpter, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, received a bachelor’s degree in Television Production from Howard University, a master’s degree in Public Communications from American University, and a master’s in Clinical Social Work from The Catholic University of America. Prior to working in the social services and nonprofit field, Jordan enjoyed a thriving career in the Information Technology space as a Technical Account Manager. 

Jordan initially started working with local youth while attending college in Washington, DC. His first foray in this area was as a tutor at Maya Angelou Charter Schools. From there he went on to tutor youth with Horton Kid’s before becoming a mentor with the Space of His Own (SOHO) program in Alexandria, VA. Jordan’s other past volunteer efforts include being a Youth Facilitator with Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), a member of the Commission for Human Rights in Alexandria and the Gay Men’s Health Collaborative among others.

When not working with Safe Space NOVA, you can find Jordan working as a clinical social worker and volunteering his time as a Community Member of Alexandria’s LGBTQ+ Task Force and Board of Directors Member with SCAN of Northern Virginia and Kids Fashion Week DMV. Jordan also spends his time speaking on panels about issues that disproportionately affect the LGBTQ+ community including mental health disorders.

Board Member – Todd Cimino-Johnson

Todd Cimino-Johnson is a current Board Member of Safe Space NOVA.  He is excited to provide as much insight and guidance to an organization doing great things in our community.  Todd is a graduate of Shepherd University with a B.S. in Economics/Accounting, an MBA from Shepherd University, an M.A. in History from American Public University, a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Ph.D. from Old Dominion University.  Todd lives in Leesburg, Virginia with his husband, Tony, and Doberman, Sophie.  


Board Member – Mikami Puchon

Mikami Puchon, LCSW (they/them), joined the board of Safe Space NOVA in 2023. They are a practicing therapist in the LGBTQ+ community and are passionate about the work Safe Space NOVA is doing (uplifting LGBTQ+ young people!). Mikami is a graduate of Columbia University (MSW) and Arizona State University (BA). Currently, they reside in Falls Church, VA with their family. 

 

 Operations Team:

Executive Director/Former Board Member – Tyler Jensen

A native of McLean, Virginia, Tyler Jensen is dedicated to shining a light on and providing resources to individuals in the underserved queer community, particularly those struggling with substance abuse, mental health, and identity issues. His experience as an openly gay youth educated in Fairfax County in the 1990s gives Tyler first-hand knowledge of the persistent lack of resources for LGBTQ+ youth in Northern Virginia. After graduating from New York University in 2003, Tyler spent nearly 20 years working in the entertainment industry, developing marketing and communications campaigns alongside some of the world’s most recognizable music brands including Napster, Warner Music Group, Taylor Swift, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin, Beatport, and the estate of Frank Sinatra. In 2017, Tyler relocated back to McLean, VA where he currently works as a Personal Development and Life Coach. 

  • Chief of Staff – Chantel R.
  • Sr. Program Manager,  Social Activities – Amy C.
  • Program Manager, You + Me = We – Jerry S.
  • Program Manager, Social Support Groups – Wei L. 
  • Coordinator, Outreach – Antonio T.
  • Coordinator, Public Relations – Steven E.