Governing Board
Judy Shepard
Chair, MSF Governing Board
In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son, Matthew, to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Matthew’s death moved many thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in his memory. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew’s legacy. The Foundation is dedicated to working toward the causes championed by Matthew during his life: social justice, diversity awareness & education, and equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Judy Shepard is the founding president of the Matthew Shepard Foundation Board of Directors, and served as its first executive director as well, from 1999 to 2009. In her continuing role as board president, she travels across the nation speaking to audiences about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew,” exploring the family’s journey through the prosecution of Matthew’s assailants, the ensuing media coverage and their continuing work to advance civil rights. She and Dennis continue to make their home in Casper, Wyoming.
John Sullivan
In addition to providing legal guidance as a member of Imation’s executive operations team, John directs its worldwide legal staff and supports the Imation Board of Directors. He is also responsible for the Company’s Government Affairs and Community Relations programs. Before joining Imation, John served as Vice President and General Counsel at Silicon Graphics Inc. He also held numerous legal positions, including that of General Counsel, at Cray Research, Inc., prior to joining Silicon Graphics.
John was a founding member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Business Council in 1997 and served as its co-chair from 2001 to 2003. HRC is the nation’s leading civil rights organization working on behalf of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The Business Council is a national executive group that advises HRC and corporations on creating a safe environment, and equality-based benefits programs, for all employees. John previously served on the HRC Board of Governors from 1999 to 2003 and served on the HRC national Board of Directors from 2003 until 2007. He also previously served on the Board of Directors of OutFront Minnesota from 2008 to 2009. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
John is also active in local community organizations. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Jungle Theater. He previously served on the Board of Governors of The Children’s Theatre Company from 1985 to 1996; on the Board of Directors of James Sewell Ballet from 1993 to 1995; and on the Board of Directors for Grace House, an adult foster care facility for people living with HIV/AIDS, from 1996 to 1997. He continues to volunteer at Grace House.
John speaks nationally on issues of GLBT equality in the workplace and has been recognized for his work by receiving the 2006 Lavender PRIDE award; the 2007 Quorum Lifetime Achievement Award; in 2007, the HRC National Equality Award; and in 2008, the Because We Care “Tony” Award for service to the HIV/AIDS community.
John holds a doctorate of jurisprudence degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School and a bachelor of arts degree in quantitative methods from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
Greg Miraglia
Greg Miraglia is the Dean of Career and Technical Education at Napa Valley College. He served as the director of the Napa Valley Criminal Justice Training Center Police Academy for ten years. Mr. Miraglia has 27 years of law enforcement experience including 7 years as deputy chief of the Napa Valley Railroad Police Department. Mr. Miraglia has a Master of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Empire State College.
Mr. Miraglia is the author of “Coming Out From Behind The Badge” and National Program Coordinator for the Stop the Hate Program. He speaks across the country about hate crimes and bias incident prevention. He also designed and now instructs the only state certified online Hate Crimes Investigations course in California. He has been active with the Matthew Shepard Foundation since 2001.
Ron Werner
Ron Werner received his BA in Economics with a minor in Jewish Studies from Indiana University. Currently Ron serves as the President of HW Home, Inc., a Colorado based home furnishings and interior design retail. Ron co founded HW home in 1999. Today the company serves the Colorado market and beyond through a network of four retail locations, distribution and internet operations. The company has nearly 50 employees. Previous to founding HW Home He worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert and later Smith Barney as a Senior Vice President. Ron is the vice chair of the Alexander Muss High School in Israel and serves on the board of Directors of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. He was the previous Finance Director for Share our Strength, Chicago.
