
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 and is the only LGBTQIA+ center in southwest 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 Schekorra
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 Schekorra
Executive Director | he/him
Collins Chetwin
collins@glocenter.org
Collins, who has been a dedicated volunteer at GLO since 2015, began working with the organization's youth group that same year and transitioned into a full-time position in 2024. In their career as a queer rights advocate they have worked on campaigns, testified in hearings at the capitol, served on local boards, and organized projects and events, including GLO’s first Queer Artist Showcase. GLO matters to Collins because it provides them with a sense of belonging and opportunities to build community. When they’re not at GLO, Collins invests in queer joy by playing Dungeons and Dragons and by playing ukulele in their trans folk band.
Collins Chetwin
Program Coordinator | they/them
Emilia Stauffer
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
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
Riley Sinkhorn
Riley is currently a junior at Drury University studying Elementary Education. She has many years of event planning experience, and is looking forward to using that experience to plan an amazing event to create an inclusive, uplifting environment for the LGBTQIA+ community! When she is not studying or planning events, Riley loves to sing, read anything and everything, and spend time with her family and friends.
Riley Sinkhorn
Intern | she/her
Zoe McIntyre
I'm currently finishing my journalism degree. I have lived in the Springfield area my entire life, and I love to connect and tell the stories of people in this area. It's a special joy for me to work with and serve other queer Ozarkers. Outside of work, I am a musician and I love cooking, thrifting, reading, traveling, serving in my church and doing crafty stuff.
Zoe McIntyre
Intern
Megan Grissom-Walbridge
Megan is currently a graduate student and she will graduate in May with her M.A. in Communication Studies. She is also a Graduate Teaching Assistant and teaches two sections of the general education public speaking course every semester. She enjoys connecting her students to resources, both on campus and within the community. During her time as an undergraduate student, she was on the leadership teams for four student organizations, but most notably, she was the President of Advocacy & Alliance, an LGBTQ+ and ally organization at MSU. Megan is thrilled to intern at the GLO Center, where she looks forward to gaining hands-on experience in nonprofit work and making a positive impact in her community.
Megan Grissom-Walbridge
Intern | she/her
Jay Augustine
Originally from St. Louis, Jay (he/him) came to Springfield to study at Missouri State University and is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work degree in May 2025. His identity as a queer trans man and passion for LGBTQ+ issues lead to his decision to seek practicum placement with the GLO Center. He has been a barista for 3 years and enjoys coffee culture. Jay also likes knitting, cars, and is an avid music listener.
Jay Augustine
Practicum Student | he/him
Our Board
Megan Baldridge
president@glocenter.org
GLO is extremely important to Megan because it provides essential resources for the LGBTQIA+ population, specifically locally. Safety is crucial; she has learned through her own past career as a teacher that it is incredibly difficult for people to grow and flourish without safe spaces to do so. Megan knows GLO provides that safe space for many. A fun fact about Megan is she has never lost at 90’s music trivia or Pac-Man. (Bring it on )
Megan Baldridge
President | she/her
Dr. Caitlin Davies
caitlin@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.
Dr. Caitlin Davies
Vice President | she/her
Linda Leicht
treasurer@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.