We are excited to welcome our new Directors

Tom of Finland Foundation (ToFF) proudly announces the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Scott Beaird, Robert Knox Hayes, and Jesse (Jeffrey) Rosenberg.

“I applaud each and every one of you – not only for your commitment – but also your willingness to give your talent, and your time, to this very worthy cause.” said ToFF President & Cofounder Durk Dehner.

These new Directors bring greater community perspective and a wide spectrum of knowledge to ToFF leadership. 

Scott Beaird

Scott is an award-winning human resources talent executive, with a passion for employee engagement and supporting leaders to create a work environment that lifts people up. He has spent the majority of his professional career working in non-profit healthcare – on both the provider and payor sides, specializing in leadership coaching, leadership learning, and DEI/B.

In his spare time, Scott has founded and served as President of the Board of Directors of a non-profit focused on at-risk youth in the rural South and served as Board President and Chair of a local HIV/AIDS support organization in rural Tennessee. From this work, Scott developed an intimate knowledge and experience in Board dynamics and operations. Scott has continued to consult with many non- and for profit organizations across the US to strengthen their Board of Directors, develop their mission and vision, and align their organizational culture. 

Scott holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Mississippi State University and numerous professional certifications. Scott is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Certified Personal Trainer.

Scott lives in Long Beach, CA with Doug, his husband of 20 years and their son Issac. Scott and Doug were part of the first couples to legally marry in the United States, when Massachusetts legalized marriage in 2004.

Robert Knox Hayes

Robert lives on the upper west side of New York City with his partner Paul-Sebastian who is an artist. Originally from Rhode Island, Robert has always had a passion for the arts and continuously pushes for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Robert studied Philosophy at Hunter College and started his career as a Teller at Bank of America where he worked his way up to become an Advisor to ultra high net worth individuals.  Now at J.P. Morgan Advisors, Robert continues to focus on financial strategies for the LGBTQ+ community along with business owners, and individuals in the Fashion, Arts, Media & Entertainment space. 

Robert’s passions motivate him to be involved in the Arts and the LGBTQ+ space. When not doing CrossFit, Robert is working to create visibility for LGBTQ+ organizations and artists to be recognized and promoted while also lending his experience in the corporate space for over a decade to help others create structure for a long lasting legacy. 

Jesse (Jeffrey) Rosenberg

Jesse is a multi-cultural business and social entrepreneur. For 40 years, he has successfully led and participated in social, political and business ventures with varied stakeholders. Jesse built, operated and sold businesses in consumer products, telecommunications, life sciences and real estate industries. Harvard Business School cases were written and taught about three of his businesses. He was Michael Dukakis’ China advisor and translator during his 1988 presidential campaign and was cultural and business representative of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Asia for several years. He worked for several years at Cultural Survival focused on assisting communities in remote locations retain indigenous lifestyles and practices while neighboring areas transformed. Jesse has been an entrepreneur and life coach for urban youth and young adults for many years. He has taught yoga/energy wellness and been a reflexologist for decades. Jesse has helped non-profit organizations raise funds for operations for years, manages his family foundation with his siblings and The Alegría Fund with his husband.

Jesse was Mr. Providence Eagle, 2018 and is active in the kink/leather communities. He lives in Palm Springs and is married to Ken Avedisian. He is fluent in Chinese, French and Spanish. Jesse is a deep listener and effective cross-cultural communicator to individuals and groups, experienced public speaker, teacher and life long learner.

Published: 4th August 2024

Categorised in: News