Chloie Jönsson & Amy Mandelbaum Appointed President & Vice President by Board of Directors

The OUT Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Chloie Jönsson as President and Amy Mandelbaum as Vice President of the board of directors.The OUT Foundation’s Board of Directors is responsible for the health and effectiveness of the organization. The Board ensures that the organization achieves its mission in an ethical, transparent, accountable, and prudent manner. Additionally, the Board provides financial support through individual giving and strategic partnerships. The Board of Directors is made up of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and unique talents that further the advancement of our programs.Meet Chloie and Amy...Chloie Jönsson (she/her/hers)40 years oldReno, NVQ: Tell us about your work and background.A: Oh shit, this is a doozy of an answer... Currently I oversee operations for a few different businesses ranging from a fitness, apparel and outdoorsy stuff. I sit on the board of directors for 2 non-profits, and I also run my own business. I am extremely sex/sexuality & body positive and have a business where i am able to celebrate and normalize these things.Q: How did you get involved with The OUT Foundation?A: I don't recall if I had virtually met Will over the phone in NY or if I participated in an OUTWOD competition on LA first, but both of those things happened pretty closely to when I was very publicly outed within the fitness community. After participating in the event I was friggin blown away by the outpouring of support and love from everyone involved. Shortly after that my friendship with Will blossomed and I became far more involved with OUTWOD and The OUT Foundation.Q: Why did you agree to serve on the board of The OUT Foundation?A: The OUT Foundation brings something to the table that no other organization (that I know of ) does and I wanted to be part of it in any capacity that I could.Q: What do you hope to help achieve for inclusion in health, wellness, and fitness through The OUT Foundation?A: I really hope that we can just make a level playing field for all human beings regardless of what reproductive organs we were born with or who we choose to partner with.Q: Where can people find you on social?A: I’m on Instagram @chlojonsson-------------------------Amy Mandelbaum (she/her/hers)52 years oldWestport, CTQ: Tell us about your work and background.A: I grew up in Maryland, attended Towson State and lived in Baltimore until I was 25. I ran with a crazy crowd, worked on two of John Water's films in my late teens and put myself through college working in a gay bar. Spent my first 12 years post college in advertising where I produced commercials. Had my first child in 1998 and my second in 2001. Somewhere in the middle I started a cake baking company. It was great because I could be creative and be with my kids. In 2008 my husband, kids, and I moved to the suburbs. Two years later I found CrossFit, stopped baking, started training, made it to NorthEast Regionals twice on a team, qualified for the games six times (only went four), and somewhere in there, bought a gym and turned it into a CrossFit box... and now I'm five years into owning CrossFit Westport! My kids are in college (daughter Julia is a senior about to receiver her BFA in Musical Theatre) and my son Sam is a freshman studying Screen Writing. My husband I are empty nesters and life is damn good. I get to go to work everyday and help people. It's pretty awesome.Q: How did you get involved with The OUT Foundation?A: Chloie Johnsson brought me in! We've been friends for about four years and she finally got her hooks in me!Q: Why did you agree to serve on the board of The OUT Foundation?A: As I said, I spent my late teens and early 20's in Baltimore steeped in what was considered, at the time, "counter-culture". It was the end of the 80's and I saw the devastating effects that AIDS had on so many that I cared about. I've always been a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ community because, for as long as I can remember, although I am heterosexual, my world intersected with people who may have felt like they were different, but whom I considered just a part of greater humanity. For this and for so many other reasons, I am proud to serve on the board of the OUT Foundation.Q: What do you hope to help achieve for inclusion in health, wellness, and fitness through The OUT Foundation?A: I would hope that our initiatives help to pave the way for others. We help those in need attain inner and outer strength and, in turn, they hopefully pay it forward through leadership, mentorship, activism, developing programs, etc. I see us as a springboard and hope we can continue to provide a nurturing place for all to find their strength through health, wellness and fitness, regardless of gender or orientation.Q: Where can people find you on social?A: I’m on Instagram @AmyPistol