About

James Shultis (he/they pronouns) is a community educator, advocate, & creative writer currently based in Western Massachusetts, where they live & work on the ancestral lands of the Pocumtuc, Nipmuc, & Wabanaki peoples. 

With over a decade of experience working in community non-profits, & before that, as a youth advocate, James has combined his passion of education & advocacy together to create innovative trainings for K-12 schools, universities, & a wide array of agencies (from health providers to youth-serving ones). They also offer consultation, technical assistance, & support. 

In addition to this work, James serves a Co-Director for Translate Gender, an organization centering trans & nonbinary youth as well as their families/caregivers. 

Experience

In the past, James has worked  for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Children & Families as Plans of Safe Care / Substance Use Coordinator. In this role, James provided support, training, & consultation to area office social workers & community based providers in the Western Region on issues related to substance exposed newborns & families impacted by substance use. 

Prior to that, James served the YWCA of Western Massachusetts as their Youth Project Director. In this role, James oversaw programming aimed at reducing instances of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, & stalking experienced by young people in Springfield, MA.

Before moving to Massachusetts, James served as Director of Programs at the Pride Center of the Capital Region, the country’s oldest, continuously running LGBTQIA+ community center located in Albany, NY. James also worked as the agency’s Youth Program Manager, where they provided oversight for all youth services including training for K-12 schools, leadership development, & supportive services aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth.

Additional information on LinkedIn.

Board Service

James is has served on a number of non-profit boards including but not limited to Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (Board Member, 2020-Present); GLSEN Massachusetts (Board Chair, 2021 – Present, & Treasurer, 2017-2021); & GLSEN Upstate NY (Board Co-Chair, 2015-2017, & Board Member, 2013-2015).

Education

James holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Queens College (2010) & a BA in English Literature & Gender Studies from Hunter College (2008). 

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