Joy A Tomchin

A nationally recognized activist in the LGBT, women’s and children’s rights movements, Joy joined the Board of Directors of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in 1987, and served as GMHC’s Board President from 1989-1992, co-founding the Lesbian AIDS Project. In October of 1990, Joy was appointed by Mayor David Dinkins to the Board of the Economic Development Corporation of the City of New York and served for four years as the Board’s only openly LGBT member. Joy served as the national co-chair of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund (1992-1996) and received, among other awards, the Victory Award in recognition of her service. She now serves as the Co-Chair of the Sage National Leadership Council. A graduate of Syracuse University (BA in psychology) and Temple University (MA in psychology), she worked for some years as a psychologist specializing in vocational counseling and business consultation. For nearly 30 years, she has been a partner in Vanguard Investors Ltd., a New York City real estate firm engaged in the acquisition, development, renovation, and management of both commercial and residential properties. In that capacity she spearheaded the start of the Sutphin Boulevard Business Improvement District and served as chair for three years. In 2012, Joy co-founded Public Square Films, a social issues film and TV production company based in New York. Currently Joy is executive producer of the documentary, “How to Survive a Plague” directed by award-winning journalist David France. Joy lives in Chelsea with her 18-year old son, Evan.