our team

The Founders

  • Kitty Kat Nguyen (she/her)

    Co-Director and Director of Communications

    Kat is a California-born creative who believes in the versatile power of art.

    She is a passionate advocate for all sex workers’ rights. Her love for artistic creation and social change has led to an eclectic background. She hopes to cultivate a culture of community and joy at Avril Heals.

  • Jaelynn Ortiz (they/she)

    Co-Director and Director of Operations

    Jaelynn is a lesbian Boricua artist committed to intergenational healing.

    They are passionate about fostering community arts spaces centering queer BIPOC survivors. As a practicing expressive arts therapy student, she hopes to learn, share, and cultivate with community.

Board Members

  • Taiwan Alvarado

    Taiwan (she/her) is a Mexican immigrant whose fascination with language lead her to a BA in English, an MA in English Literature with an emphasis in African American and Women’s literature and a 25+ year in k-12 education.

    She raised one beautiful daughter—Exene Avril.

  • Sasha Raee

    Sasha (she/her) is a multi-faceted entrepreneur who thrives in the creative realm. With her art business, podcast, personal assistant work, and award-winning cosplays, she continues to inspire others and make a mark in the creative community. She is a passionate advocate for important social causes, raising awareness and fighting for the rights of the BLM and all sex workers' rights.

  • Talia Tavo Estrada Holguin

    Talia (they/them/she/her) is a cheerful teacher and painter born to Huichin. Raised in a family of California Indian and Mexican community healers, teachers, inventors, and artists. Talia was set on studying studio art before stepping into a preschool classroom and became a teacher in the East Bay for 10 years. Currently the self-identified "Admin Fairy" at Peacock Rebellion.

    They can otherwise be found enthusiastically chattering about the importance of California native plants and child development, practicing one of 6 languages that they do not speak fluently at all, and can be quoted saying, "Ambition is a colonial concept."

  • Roque Rodriguez

    Roque (Pronounced: ROW-Keh) (he/him), is the son of Dominican immigrants, is a 500-hour trained Yoga teacher and proud co-founder of Suryaside Yoga in Queens, NY. He is a recipient of the Creatives Rebuild New York Artist Employment grant, co-founder of Abolitionist Educators, and recently co-founded Seed & Oil.

    Roque encourages folks to Practice Humanity as a way of life. Whether that be calling out injustices, helping to feed and care for your community members, or simply being compassionate with yourself and the people around you