Staff

Manny Vaz

Communications Director

(646) 336-6789 ext. 209

Ellen “Manny” Vaz joined FIERCE in 2009 as Communications Director responsible for the organization’s communications strategy and media advocacy initiatives.

Prior to joining FIERCE, Manny worked for five years as communications coordinator for Geoffrey Knox & Associates where she helped create and carry out progressive communication strategies for organizations working on issues such as sexual health and rights, education, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ rights, global health, human rights, disability justice and child welfare reform. Manny worked closely on national messaging campaigns, including the National Sexuality Resource Center’s Sexual Literacy Campaign and on media campaigns for Scenarios USA, the Black Youth Project, and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. She has also served as a communications consultant for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Ipas, and Center Lane: Westchester County’s only community center for LGBTQ youth.

Sometimes known as Manny Mango, he is a proud and active member of Switch n’ Play, a New York-based drag alliance dedicated to strengthening LGBTQI movements by fostering safe spaces for gender-based performance art.