Board of Directors

Samudra (He/Him)

Founder & Board Chair, TransCamp

Samudra feels immense joy when he’s grassroots organizing for queer and trans communities. While in India, he organized the first Pride Parade in the city of Hyderabad and was one of the founding members of one of the first queer non profits in the city. Currently, he’s an advisory board member at QT Center, an organization focused on providing safe and free temporary housing for LGBTQIA+ folks in India.

In his career spanning 15+ years at Google he gained a strong reputation for strategic thinking and solving complex problems through thought leadership. His proficiency in business development helped him execute quickly with an agile mindset, and influence without authority. Beyond his core work, he led the global LGBTQ+ ERG at Google and was instrumental in creating a safe work environment for LGBTQ+ employees.

Samudra moved to the Bay Area in 2014 and lives in Oakland with his partner. He has a Masters in Linguistics and is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Advanced Carpentry and Construction.

Never someone to sit idle, he fills his already busy schedule with yoga classes, long walks with his partner and building things for fun.

Kim (They/Them)

Board Treasurer, TransCamp

Kim Arezalez is a dedicated legal advocate with a decade of nonprofit experience, specializing in trauma-informed advocacy for immigrants, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, and survivors of violence.

Their passion for community work began early—at 17; they delivered a TED Talk on how success is rooted in giving back. Since then, they have contributed to local, state, and national human rights campaigns, including efforts to advance immigrant rights. They have led bilingual workshops on tenant rights and organized to address homelessness among low-income and undocumented students in California’s Central Valley.

Internationally, they worked on human rights initiatives in Argentina focused on eradicating child labor and preventing violence against children. Kim has also spoken at major conferences and community events, sharing the stage with world-renowned activists, including at WE Day in 2018.

In their free time, Kim enjoys swimming in lakes, reading fictional queer literature, and volunteering with grassroots organizations in Sacramento to provide legal support for the undocumented community. As a board member, they are excited to bring their expertise in community building, fundraising, and program development to TransCamp, helping create spaces where trans adults can celebrate trans joy, connect with nature, and thrive together.

Emmy (She/her/Ze Zir)

Board Secretary, TransCamp

Emmy Chan is a 29 year old San Jose native who has grown up hiking, climbing, and camping all over the California wilderness. An Eagle Scout and trained survivalist, Emmy sports knowledge on all things camp, from tying knots to backpacking. She is an avid mushroom forager, rock climber, and naturalist who seeks to build community with other queer nature lovers in the SF East Bay and LA areas.

Emmy is also a longtime community leader and event organizer, with nearly 10 years of experience coordinating large events. In undergrad, she spent all 4 years working at the UC Davis LGBTQIA+ Center planning events like Queer Leadership Retreat and Bisexual Awareness Day. In her career as a public school teacher, she hosted Gender-Sexuality Alliance meetings and camping field trips for middle schoolers.

Emmy believes that nature and community are our greatest tools in healing and wellbeing. She hopes that through TransCamp she can promote peace, connection, and resilience in our beautiful trans community. And to have a ton of fun camping and being out in nature.

Jesse (They/Them/She/Her)

Board Member, TransCamp

Introduced by a friend, I went on my first Trans Camp camping trip only 6 months into transitioning. That was the first time I had met so many other trans people and I was nervous and did not know what to expect. Surprisingly, on the second day, I found a sense of peace and joy that I had not felt since I was 14. Trans Camp magically transformed the campground we were in into a mini utopia where everyone could just be their most authentic self for a few days. I met so many amazing, talented, generous, and kind folks from our community on that trip that I felt proud of my trans identity for the first time. It was one of the most pivotal experience on my gender exploration journey.

As a Board Member, I want to help create that same joyous experience for other trans folks at different stages of their transition. Trans Camp has given me more than I could ever give back, but I hope I can serve my community by bringing my experience in leading camping trips as a Scout and in outreaching to the queer community as a volunteer HIV testing counselor. I am also excited to get to know better and work closely with my co-Board Members.

Rani (They/Them)

Board Member, TransCamp

Rani has worked with several community-based organizations in Spokane, WA and the Bay Area since 2014. As a first-generation graduate, Rani has found their purpose in returning to their hometown of East Palo Alto, and supporting local high school students of color in their journey to higher education. Rani has 10+ years of experience mentoring, managing programs, and creating spaces that center communities that have been historically marginalized.

In their professional career, Rani has been known to be a strategic thinker, an intentional planner, and a passionate leader. They are excited to bring these skills to TransCamp and work alongside the board to create spaces that celebrate trans joy and bring the community together.

In their free time, Rani enjoys going to cafes, touching grass, spending time with their family, and taking film photos.