Board of Directors
Michael Knote
Founder / Volunteer Executive Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Michael Knote (he, him) founded Have A Gay Day as a social media presence February 25th, 2012. In 2016 Michael with the help of his friends and board turned the social media presence into a 501c3 non-profit organization. Michael has received multiple Community awards for his work including the Humanitarian of the Year award from the NCCJ of Greater Dayton, the Ruby Award from the LGBT Her/ History Project and the Daray Lorez Community Activism Award. Michael has had years of experience as a Community advocate and Community Servant. He devotes his time to personal growth in developing his knowledge to expand the work of Have A Gay Day.
Laura Gentner Hutchinson
Vice President / Board of Directors
Pronouns: She/They
Laura Gentner Hutchinson (she/they) is an LGBTQ+ allyship educator, consultant, and public speaker from Dayton, Ohio. Laura’s passion is empowering individuals to take action toward a world marked by radical inclusion, and her mission is to make “ally” a verb — literally. Through their focus on intersectional LGBTQ+ support, Laura helps communities practice proactive and authentic inclusion. Laura has two degrees from the University of Dayton, including a Masters of Science in Education, where they also spent 5 years establishing UD’s first LGBTQ+ student services program.
Dee DiVittis
Treasurer / Board of Directors
Pronouns: They/Them
Dee DiVittis (they/them) is an indirect tax senior at Ernst & Young, based in Columbus, OH, having earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Accounting and a minor in Public Policy and Leadership from Carlow University. As a co-chair of the Columbus Unity Group, EY’s internal LGBTA+ professional network, Dee directly supports the firm’s DE&I initiatives.
Dee is a life member of the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. As an alumni volunteer, Dee helps student members and advisors with chapter finance concerns and has presented at conferences on various chapter finance and leadership topics.
Dee joined HAGD’s board of directors after volunteering during food pantry open hours. Identifying as a nonbinary and pansexual person, Dee understands the value that HAGD brings to the community by creating a safe and supportive space for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
When Dee is not working or volunteering, you can find them spending time with friends around Columbus, their family in western Pennsylvania, or at home with their two orange tabbies.