The Dru Project had been Drew's online name since high school, so it only made sense for us to use it for an organization honoring his memory. Meet the board and volunteers behind The Dru Project:
Photo courtesy of Albert Harris Photography
Sara Grossman | President
Sara Grossman (she/her)
Sara attended the University of Central FL with Drew, where they met the first week of classes at UCF's GSA and were close ever since. Sara graduated UCF in 2007 with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Writing, Psychology, Humanities) and then went on to The New School in NYC to earn her MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing.
She currently lives in Denver and runs a LGBTQ+ digital marketing firm, specializing in social media and social impact partnership work. After the Pulse shooting, she had a newfound sense of purpose and has put all of her efforts into making sure those who no longer have a voice have one–through advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth, common sense gun safety, and hate crimes justice. Sara handles all press and communications for The Dru Project.
Domenic Vermeulen | Board Vice President
Domenic Vermeulen (he/they)
Domenic didn’t know Drew personally, but has truly felt the “Spirit of Drew” throughout their time working alongside The Dru Project Board over the last few years, formerly overseeing the Development Advisory Board. They are elated to step into the Vice President position continuing to champion diverse voices and combat gun violence as well as spreading love and acceptance throughout our country.
Domenic currently works in Ground Operations Customer Service for Southwest Airlines and is the Vice-Chair of the airline’s newly formed employee resource group, Out & Proud @ SWA, where they aided in the development of the overall program and structure of the ERG.
Formerly, Domenic worked in Production HR for Lionsgate/STARZ Entertainment, where they worked to implement Harassment Prevention and Diversity Training for productions across the company’s Television and Motion Picture groups. They also partnered with Lionsgate/STARZ’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on the DEI Committee, and held a seat on the company’s Production Inclusion Coalition. Prior to that, Domenic was a Physical Production Coordinator for A+E Studios while also serving as the Founder/Co-Chair of Pride @ A+E Networks, Co-Chair of the Employee Resource Group Diversity Advisory Council, and a Board Member of the company’s Human Impact Team, assisting in the cultivation and shaping of community within A+E’s domestic and international offices.
A native Californian, politically active Leo, and avid theatre-goer, Domenic currently resides in Dallas, TX with their husthem, Matty, and Frenchies; Patricia & Frances.
Shawn Chaudhry | Treasurer
Shawn Chaudhry (he/him)
Shawn attended UCF in 2004 and earned his bachelor’s degree in Management-Entrepreneurship. He later obtained a Masters in Medical Informatics and an MBA in Healthcare Administration. He currently lives in Tampa and works as a consultant.
He and Drew met at UCF in 2005 and enjoyed going to concerts with one another. He inspired Shawn to always be himself and to always enjoy life to the fullest.
Geno Mehalik | Board Secretary
Geno Mehalik (he/they)
Originally from Miami, Florida, Geno graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2005 with a BA in Advertising/ Public Relations from the Nicholson School of Communications. A few years ahead of Drew at UCF, they shared many of the same friends and ran in the same small, Orlando circle – frequently geeking out over pop culture on LiveJournal well past midnight.
During his 10 years in Orlando, Geno was active in grassroots advocacy with Equality Florida, GOTV efforts for the 2008 Obama campaign, and for more than five years, he led corporate fundraising for the American Heart Association as part of his work at Florida Hospital. In 2010, he sought adventure out west, and moved sight unseen to Yosemite National Park, serving a year with AmeriCorps managing a water conservation grant in California’s Central Valley. After completing his AmeriCorps contract, he earned his MPA at California State University Long Beach and began work in student affairs in higher education. He is an active member of American College Health Association and recently presented on his work in queer visibility in student health with the Human Rights Campaign.
Geno now resides in Long Beach, CA, and will soon celebrate his 10th year at University of California Los Angeles in student health administration. In his free time, he is an unapologetic Swiftie, avid queer birder, and most importantly, he is passionate about his work with The Dru Project, specifically combating gun violence, lifting up queer folks through access to education and scholarship, and cultivating donor engagement for the organization.
Brandon Wolf | Board Member
Brandon Wolf (he/him)
Brandon met Drew in 2013, when they spent an evening debating the US healthcare system over Chinese food.
For the next 3 years, they traveled the country together, went to music festivals, and enjoyed unwinding from work weeks together. Brandon spent Drew’s last night on Earth with him, dancing and celebrating as always. Brandon moved to Orlando in 2008 after attending the University of Oregon for Political Science. After a stint in Tallahassee, Brandon is back in Orlando where he has become a leading activist for LGBTQ issues and minority youth.
Following the Pulse tragedy, Brandon has been inspired by Drew’s words: “We never say ‘I love you’ enough”. He travels the nation speaking on behalf of LGBTQ+ youth education, common sense gun legislation, and the future of intersectionality, spreading a message of unconditional love and inclusion.
Development Advisory Board
Richard J. Cross (he/him)
Richard Cross is a Sr. Product Manager at Amazon and is the official Amazon Community Representative for The Dru Project. Richard and Drew met while they were both studying at The University of Central Florida in Orlando. Richard has been an avid supporter of The Dru Project from the beginning and has made it a personal mission to drive awareness of our organization, the students it serves, and the mission to keep the spirit of Drew alive through this non-profit.
In addition to his job at Amazon, Richard serves as the Community Engagement Lead for the glamazon Global chapter.
