About Us
About Safe Space Nova
Providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth
Providing a Safe, Accepting, and Supportive Environment for LGBTQ+ Youth is an initiative dedicated to ensuring the well-being and inclusion of LGBTQ+ young people. Our objective is to create spaces where LGBTQ+ youth feel valued, respected, and supported in expressing their identities authentically.
At the core of our efforts is the belief that all young people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, deserve to thrive in environments that affirm their identities and celebrate their diversity. We recognize the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, including discrimination, bullying, and a lack of understanding, and we are committed to addressing these issues through education, advocacy, and community-building.
Our approach is holistic and intersectional, acknowledging the diverse experiences and identities within the LGBTQ+ community. We work collaboratively with families, schools, communities, and policymakers to implement policies and practices that promote inclusivity, respect, and acceptance.
oUR tEAM
Tyler Jensen
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A native of McLean, Virginia, Tyler Jensen (he/they) 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 gender identity issues. His experience as an openly gay youth growing up in Fairfax County in the 1990s gives Tyler first-hand knowledge of the persistent lack of resources for LGBTQ+ youth in Northern Virginia. After attaining his B.A. from The Gallatin School at New York University in 2003, Tyler spent nearly 20 years working in the entertainment industry 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 the D.C. area where he resides with his soulmate, Billie Holiday the Cat.
Jordan L. Costen-Sumpter
FOUNDER & BOARD CHAIR
Jordan L. Costen-Sumpter (he/him), 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.
GEORGE LINO
BOARD VICE-CHAIR
George Lino – aka “Lino” (he/him) is a proud native New Yorker with legacy carried from Central America Honduras, and serves as our Vice President, Global People and Culture after over 20 years of distinguished service in the Human Resources field. As a dedicated Human Resources leader, George has built a reputation for his unwavering commitment to service and advocacy. From his early career, where he helped returning citizens find meaningful employment, he has consistently demonstrated empathy and determination to create opportunities for those in need.
Lino is celebrated for his reliability, compassion, and innovative thinking. His deep technical expertise, particularly with complex HR systems like Workday, ADP, Paychex and Paycom, has allowed him to streamline operations and boost efficiency, even in challenging times. His leadership in HR is marked by a strong sense of financial stewardship and a deep commitment to employee advocacy.
With a Masters and Bachelors in Organizational Leadership and Management, Lino excels at optimizing resources and enhancing staff retention by addressing their needs and concerns. His holistic understanding of HR processes, combined with his technical prowess has earned him widespread respect in the HR community. George’s legacy is one of compassion, innovation, and steadfast dedication to service.
leo augustus miller
BOARD SECRETARY
Leo Augustus Miller (he/ze/xe) is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at George Mason University and doctoral intern at Mason’s LGBTQ+ Resources Center. Prior to pursuing his Ph.D., Leo got his B.S. in Psychology and Neuroscience with a sexuality studies certificate and started assisting in research projects around LGBTQ+ mental health, policy, and adoptive families as zir continued to do LGBTQ+ advocacy work for national non-profit organizations (Trevor Project and Human Rights Campaign) and at the institutional level at University of Kentucky since 2018, where ze had a strong passion for assisting LGBTQ+ youth as they transitioned into college and building inclusive spaces. Currently, Leo works on research and clinical practices that center LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, and disabled experiences as well as assisting at the institutional policy level to ensure that spaces are affirming, inclusive, and equitable for marginalized communities.
Todd Cimino-Johnson
BOARD TREASURER
Todd Cimino-Johnson (he/him) has been a Board Member of Safe Space NOVA since 2022. 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.
RADHIKA GORE
BOARD MEMBER
Radhika Gore (she/her) is a musician, dancer, educator, and advocate from the DMV area. She has served as an elementary music teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools, Board Member of KhushDC, Events Chair for Rainbow History Project, and actively volunteers for local organizations such as A/PI Domestic Violence Resource Project, DCPL, QSN DMV, and more. Radhika enjoys bringing people together through enjoyable and educational events in hopes that people will find their callings, community, and resources. She is passionate about making sure that South Asian queer youth feel they have representation, support, and most importantly, a voice.
DWIGHT A. ANDERSON
BOARD MEMBER
Dwight Anderson brings over 20 years of experience in human capital management, with a specialized focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). His expertise lies in fostering inclusive workplace cultures and driving effective organizational change. With a proven track record in supporting organizational development across the HR sector, Dwight is adept at leveraging his communication and strategic planning skills to implement data-driven, method-based solutions. These solutions accelerate the pace, certainty, and sustainability of successful transformations within organizations.
NICK GOTHARD
BOARD MEMBER
Nick Gothard is a national public policy advocate, campaign strategist, and organizer raised in Northern Virginia. A proud product of Loudoun County Public Schools, Nick serves as Senior National Coordinator of Election Protection at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under law, where he advances voting rights nationally through advocacy, public policy, and litigation.
Previously, Nick served on the Loudoun County Community Services Board, collaborating with the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Developmental Services to address mental health disparities in marginalized communities. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Equality Loudoun, where he played a key role in organizing the county’s first pride festival.
He holds a Certificate of Public Policy from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Lewis & Clark College. Nick currently lives in Washington, D.C. with his partner Zachary.
joshua e. miles
BOARD MEMBER
Joshua E. Miles is our newest Board Member – bio coming soon!
Operations Team
Chantel R.
Amy C.
SR. PROGRAM MANAGER
Wei L.
PROGRAM MANAGER
Antonio T.
PROGRAM MANAGER
