ABOUT THE GLO CENTER
The GLO Center Today
The GLO Center Serves the LGBTQIA+ community in the Ozarks through support, resources, education, and advocacy, to create a more inclusive and welcoming community where all can thrive. With the help of our allies, GLO strives to make a positive impact on the community at large.
The GLO Center is a place to be yourself, a place to meet others in the community, and a place to find information about the community at large. In essence, the GLO Center is YOUR place for LGBTQIA+ community in the Springfield and the Ozarks region in Missouri.
Become a member today to help sustain Missouri's longest-running LGBTQIA+ community center!
History of The GLO Center
A group of local leaders recognized a need to establish a safe place for the entire LGBTQIA+ community to meet, receive support, and share resources; together they founded GLO in 1996. GLO is now the oldest operating LGBTQIA+ center in Missouri. GLO is staffed by volunteers and is open weekly to offer support groups, events, and a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ population. The GLO Center is governed by a Board of Directors, whose 13 members are elected to three-year terms and may serve for three consecutive terms. Volunteers are organized into committees, where they can hone leadership skills and meld their passions with the mission of GLO.
Our Staff
Aaron Kitchens
Executive Director
aaron@glocenter.org
Aaron joined GLO as its first full-time Executive Director at the beginning of 2024. His time as an LGBTQ+ advocate led to serving on the board of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO for several years, including two years as president. Professionally, before accepting this role, Aaron served the community in several roles at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and was the development director for FosterAdopt Connect. His goal is simple, to make southwest Missouri a better, safer place for all LGBTQ+ people. Aaron is also a small business owner, an award winning mead maker, and a foster parent.
aaron@glocenter.org
Aaron joined GLO as its first full-time Executive Director at the beginning of 2024. His time as an LGBTQ+ advocate led to serving on the board of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO for several years, including two years as president. Professionally, before accepting this role, Aaron served the community in several roles at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and was the development director for FosterAdopt Connect. His goal is simple, to make southwest Missouri a better, safer place for all LGBTQ+ people. Aaron is also a small business owner, an award winning mead maker, and a foster parent.
Aaron Kitchens
Executive Director | he/him
Emilia Stauffer
Community Services Specialist
emilia@glocenter.org
Emilia moved to Springfield in 2017 to pursue a degree in music, but after graduation, she realized that Springfield had become her home. Over the years, Emilia has dedicated herself to serving the community through various roles, including volunteer coach, family advocate, graduate assistant counselor, and patient navigator. Her work has impacted not only Springfield but the entire Southwest Missouri area and beyond. In May 2024, Emilia graduated from Missouri State University with a Master of Social Work degree. Her academic background, combined with her practical experience, makes her an invaluable asset to The GLO Center as we continue to address the critical needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
emilia@glocenter.org
Emilia moved to Springfield in 2017 to pursue a degree in music, but after graduation, she realized that Springfield had become her home. Over the years, Emilia has dedicated herself to serving the community through various roles, including volunteer coach, family advocate, graduate assistant counselor, and patient navigator. Her work has impacted not only Springfield but the entire Southwest Missouri area and beyond. In May 2024, Emilia graduated from Missouri State University with a Master of Social Work degree. Her academic background, combined with her practical experience, makes her an invaluable asset to The GLO Center as we continue to address the critical needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Emilia Stauffer
Community Services Specialist | she/her
Matt Brown
Operations Coordinator
After graduating from Missouri State University with a BFA in Graphic Design, Matt found community in The GLO Center through their monthly markets. During his summer internship with GLO in 2024, he helped manage the GLO Markets and did design work to promote the center. As a small business owner, Matt wants to use his skills to support fellow creators and contribute to the welcoming environment GLO has given him. Outside of work he enjoys cooking, queer-centric media, and going to local hardcore shows.
After graduating from Missouri State University with a BFA in Graphic Design, Matt found community in The GLO Center through their monthly markets. During his summer internship with GLO in 2024, he helped manage the GLO Markets and did design work to promote the center. As a small business owner, Matt wants to use his skills to support fellow creators and contribute to the welcoming environment GLO has given him. Outside of work he enjoys cooking, queer-centric media, and going to local hardcore shows.
Matt Brown
Operations Coordinator | he/him
Teddy Bennett
Program Coordinator
theo@glocenter.org
In the summer of '23, Teddy moved to Springfield, MO to live with his partner after graduating with a BA in English and an emphasis in Creative Writing. He was born in Colorado, grew up in Maine, and moved to Washington when he was 15. He is no stranger to starting fresh and planting new roots! Immediately upon his arrival, he sought ways to get involved with GLO and help advocate for his community. He started as an office intern that same summer, continued to volunteer as a youth facilitator, and eventually became a member of the Board of Directors. In his spare time, he loves to write, draw, play video/tabletop role-playing games, tend to his plants, and spend time with his pets: two cats named Jiji & Arrietty, and a ball python named Moose!
theo@glocenter.org
In the summer of '23, Teddy moved to Springfield, MO to live with his partner after graduating with a BA in English and an emphasis in Creative Writing. He was born in Colorado, grew up in Maine, and moved to Washington when he was 15. He is no stranger to starting fresh and planting new roots! Immediately upon his arrival, he sought ways to get involved with GLO and help advocate for his community. He started as an office intern that same summer, continued to volunteer as a youth facilitator, and eventually became a member of the Board of Directors. In his spare time, he loves to write, draw, play video/tabletop role-playing games, tend to his plants, and spend time with his pets: two cats named Jiji & Arrietty, and a ball python named Moose!
Teddy Bennett
Program Coordinator | he/him
Theo McCann
Youth Assistant
Arizona-born and Missouri-raised, Theo has lived in Springfield since 2023. Founding co-president of Ozarks Tech's LGBTQIA+You club, Theo has been involved in community outreach since his days in his local 4-H Club as a teen. He started volunteering as a youth facilitator with GLO in Oct '25 with the hope of bringing joy and fostering self-confidence in Queer youth. In his personal life, Theo enjoys many hobbies, including fiber arts, scrapbooking, and video games. Theo loves to seek out the hidden-gem restaurants that Springfield has to offer with his fiancé, Čhetáŋ, and spending time with his dog, Biscuit, and cat, Thorin.
Arizona-born and Missouri-raised, Theo has lived in Springfield since 2023. Founding co-president of Ozarks Tech's LGBTQIA+You club, Theo has been involved in community outreach since his days in his local 4-H Club as a teen. He started volunteering as a youth facilitator with GLO in Oct '25 with the hope of bringing joy and fostering self-confidence in Queer youth. In his personal life, Theo enjoys many hobbies, including fiber arts, scrapbooking, and video games. Theo loves to seek out the hidden-gem restaurants that Springfield has to offer with his fiancé, Čhetáŋ, and spending time with his dog, Biscuit, and cat, Thorin.
Theo McCann
Youth Assistant | he/him
Emma Datema
Practicum Student
Hi my name is Emma Datema and I am so fortunate to be doing an internship with GLO this semester! I am a Senior at Missouri State and am getting my bachelors degree in Social Work. In my free time I love playing with my cats, doing crafts, and cooking with my family. As someone who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am so grateful to be working with this organization and I look forward to continuing to build connections within the community!
Hi my name is Emma Datema and I am so fortunate to be doing an internship with GLO this semester! I am a Senior at Missouri State and am getting my bachelors degree in Social Work. In my free time I love playing with my cats, doing crafts, and cooking with my family. As someone who is part of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am so grateful to be working with this organization and I look forward to continuing to build connections within the community!
Emma Datema
Practicum Student | She/Her
Our Board
Caitlin Davies
President
president@glocenter.org
Caitlin was born in England but grew up in the southernmost part of New Zealand. In 2015 she moved to Long Island, New York to complete their PhD in Political Science. In 2020 she moved to Springfield to be a Professor at Missouri State University. She is the current Vice-President of the MSU Faculty and Staff LGBTQIA+ group. She enjoys combining their passions for sports and travel by attending various events including the recent FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa where she got to meet one of her LGBTQIA+ hero's Caster Semenya.
president@glocenter.org
Caitlin was born in England but grew up in the southernmost part of New Zealand. In 2015 she moved to Long Island, New York to complete their PhD in Political Science. In 2020 she moved to Springfield to be a Professor at Missouri State University. She is the current Vice-President of the MSU Faculty and Staff LGBTQIA+ group. She enjoys combining their passions for sports and travel by attending various events including the recent FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa where she got to meet one of her LGBTQIA+ hero's Caster Semenya.
Caitlin Davies
President
Linda Leicht
Treasurer
linda@glocenter.org
Linda Leicht is a retired journalist who covered the GLO Center several times while working at the Springfield News-Leader. During her years as a journalist, Linda interviewed many famous people, from Jerry Falwell to Bill Maher, but her favorite encounters had nothing to do with the news. She personally met Elvis in 1972 (then turned down an offer to ride in his plane) and Del Shannon in 1961. She also worked with START and EMBRACE to help put on Trans Day of Visibility and Trans Day of Remembrance in honor of her granddaughter, Amanda, a beautiful young trans woman.
linda@glocenter.org
Linda Leicht is a retired journalist who covered the GLO Center several times while working at the Springfield News-Leader. During her years as a journalist, Linda interviewed many famous people, from Jerry Falwell to Bill Maher, but her favorite encounters had nothing to do with the news. She personally met Elvis in 1972 (then turned down an offer to ride in his plane) and Del Shannon in 1961. She also worked with START and EMBRACE to help put on Trans Day of Visibility and Trans Day of Remembrance in honor of her granddaughter, Amanda, a beautiful young trans woman.
Linda Leicht
Secretary | she/her
Carolyn Esparza
Growing up queer and Hispanic in rural Missouri taught Carolyn the power of diversity and representation. Now an accountant for a local environmental agency, her social nature and passion for fashion and music keep her creatively engaged. Carolyn brings experience from volunteering on GLO's Pride Committee and its annual runway fundraiser to her role on the Board of Directors. She’s committed to fostering an inclusive environment, encouraging others to share their unique perspectives and experiences to strengthen the organization.
Carolyn Esparza
Treasurer | she/her
Jeremy Dean
Jeremy was born and raised in Springfield and loves to call this city my home. He is engaged to his wonderful fiance, Zion, and they have two beautiful dogs, Bentley (Goldendoodle) and Josie (Catahoula). Jeremy works in Operations for a local non-profit that aims to engage, support, and transform our community so we can all thrive. His personal mission is to make the Ozarks a place that everyone can call "home", and that's why supporting the GLO Center in every way possible is important to him.
Jeremy Dean
Member | he/him
Jodey Fulcher
Jodey is originally from the Atlanta area. He moved to Missouri in 2016 and to Springfield in 2023.
“I have always been my authentic self, even when it was not appreciated, because I only knew how to be me. I have never been afraid to face adversity head-on; for myself, friends, family, and my community. As we continue to stand for our rights, I am proud to be on the front line as a GLO Board Member & a representative for all of my LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC community.”
Jodey enjoys playing pickleball, bowling, and shooting pool.
Jodey Fulcher
Member | he/him
Rebecca Damron
Rebecca found community at the GLO Center during the pandemic and has been involved with the center ever since. After growing up queer in a disapproving home, being a part of the queer community in Springfield is so supportive and comforting. Their main goal as a board member is to make a safe space for those who haven’t had one before. Outside of the GLO Center, they have two awesome dogs, Sophie and Calcifer.
Rebecca Damron
Member | she/they
Nathan Harter
Nathan is the CEO at Stepping Stones, a service provider for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Greene and surrounding counties. A graduate of MSU, Nathan was on the Cheer Squad, serving as an ambassador to the university. He has been married to his husband Richard for 10 years and together they share their energetic French Bulldog, Wrigley. Creating safe spaces and advocating for inclusion in our community to allow others to thrive is a passion of Nathan’s. As a SHRM-Certified Professional, member of Starling Missouri, and a Springfield Business Journal 40 Under 40 Honoree, he hopes to leverage his experience and network to assist with the needs of The GLO Center and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Nathan Harter
Member | he/him
Libby Becker
Libby works as a Commercial Portfolio Specialist at Arvest Bank, serving farmers and ranchers, through the AgriFinance department. Libby is committed to serving her community through empowering and informing underserved segments of the population. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Libby is a member of ArPride, one of Arvest’s internal Associate Impact Groups, serving as chair in 2025. She is an active volunteer with health policy associations in Springfield, where she helps advocate for women’s health. Libby volunteers regularly in the crisis cold weather shelters and regularly serves meals at the Ronald McDonald House. Her personal mission is to create a Springfield where all are welcome and celebrated.