热点大瓜

This presentation explores how culture, background, and history played a roll in the life journey of the guest speaker.  First generation American-born, 2nd generation Holocaust survivor, member of the LGBTQ+ community…just some of the factors that contributed to the development of a his world view. Hear Ronald’s story as he traces his path to being a local LGBTQ+ community leader.

About Ronald Zenon Piaseczny, JD, LMHC
Ronald Zenon Piaseczny, BA '99, BA '04, MS '07, attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he double majored in English and Political Science. During college, he interned for the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, NYS Attorney General’s Office, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, and US Attorney General’s Office. Following college, Ronald completed Widener University School of Law (Wilmington, DE), specializing in civil rights law and criminal prosecution. In law school, Ronald founded the school’s chapter of OutLaw and served as President of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Additionally, during that time, Ronald interned at The Center of Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Internship at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office – Sex Crimes Unit. After law school, he returned to Buffalo and completed two more bachelor’s degrees (Psychology and Public Administration) before earning a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling.

Born the son of Polish immigrants, Ronald’s father was a Holocaust survivor and his mother lived in Communist Poland. Ronald has a strong passion for learning and teaching. He was an adjunct instructor, teaching undergraduate and graduate level mental health counseling. Prior to his current position at the US Department of Veterans Affairs as Continental District Team Lead and Senior EEO Program Manager for the Office of Resolution Management Diversity and Inclusion (ORMDI) VBA Liaison Office, Ronald was an ORMDI EEO Program Manager for the Buffalo Regional Office (RO). Before that, he was the Buffalo RO’s Director Office Management Analyst / Equal Employment Opportunity Program Manager / Harassment Prevention Program Coordinator / Public Affairs Officer. Ronald began his VA career as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor; where he worked with disabled Veterans to overcome barriers to employment. Prior to working at the VA, Ronald worked in the field of mental health/substance abuse for over 10 years, providing counseling and advocating for LGBTQ+ clients and individuals with HIV/AIDS. His clinical areas of expertise were individuals with severe mental illness, dual diagnosis, and LGBTQ+ mental health.

In 2020, Ronald founded Niagara Pride, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving LGBTQ+ families and individuals in Western New York. In that role, Ronald has created a number of programs focusing on improving diversity and inclusion with other local community providers, implementing new health and wellness programs, promoting LGBTQ+ owned businesses, providing outreach to historically underserved rural LGBTQ+ folks, and creating safe/affirming social events. Since 2021, Ronald has provided LGBTQ+ DEIB training to over 20,000 nationally. Additionally, Ronald serves on the board of directors of Pinnacle Community Services, an agency dedicated to help domestic violence survivors and homeless individuals. Previously, he was elected to the Board of Directors for the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, where he chaired the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Most recently, Ronald was invited to be part of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park. From May 2013 to May 2019, Ronald served on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Erie County. Ronald’s LGBTQ+ activism has led to him receiving several awards in recognition of his work.

Ronald is Senior EEO Program Manager / Continental District Team Lead – ORMDI EEO Liaison Office at VBA, Marketing Lead – VA National Virtual Pride Committee, Secretary - Federal Interagency Holocaust Remembrance Program Representative, Member – VA’s Combating Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and Other Religious Bias I*DEA Committee and EEO Program Manager for the St. Paul Regional Office.