I’m From Driftwood
The stories on I’m From Driftwood send a simple but powerful message to LGBTQIA+ people everywhere: You are not alone. I’m From Driftwood combats isolation and creates empathy to build a more understanding and accepting world. These are our stories, told in our own voices.
About I'm From Driftwood
The stories on I’m From Driftwood send a powerful message to LGBTQIA+ people everywhere: you exist, you matter, you belong.
IFD’s collection of more than 1,400 professionally-produced videos and user-submitted written oral histories are shared freely online – giving voice to and forging connections among often marginalized or silenced people, educating people about the joys and challenges, complexities and intersectionalities of LGBTQIA+ lives, and increasing empathy in IFD viewers.
IFD stories spark dialogue, and move people to action in their own lives and communities including living authentically, changing discriminatory policies and supporting LGBTQIA+ elders and youth.
I’m From Driftwood envisions a world where every LGBTQIA+ person feels understood and accepted, and every cisgender, heterosexual (cishet) person is an ally.
I’m From Driftwood aims to help LGBTQIA+ people learn more about their community, cishet people learn more about their neighbors and everyone learn more about themselves through the power of storytelling and story sharing.
Increasing empathy and empowering individuals is accomplished by creating a forum for LGBTQIA+ stories from every age, race, gender, background and culture. The stories deepen our understanding of each other, preserve history, and open hearts and minds.
The most personal and meaningful stories are shared when the storyteller is in a trust-worthy, welcoming, judgment-free environment. I’m From Driftwood strives to create that environment on every level, whether you’re a long-time supporter at one of IFD’s events or a first-time visitor to the site. Be yourself, be comfortable and let’s get to know each other.
A Letter From Founder & Executive Director Nathan Manske
I was inspired to create I’m From Driftwood after seeing a photograph of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States, riding on the hood of a car and holding a sign that read, “I’m From Woodmere, N.Y.” The sign showed just how far people came to attend the 1978 San Francisco Gay Pride march, but it meant something more to me: It meant that there are LGBTQIA+ people in every small town and every big city across America and the world. I knew how much that message would have meant to me as a gay kid growing up in Driftwood, Texas, and I wanted to share that message of belonging with the world.
Nonprofit Partners
Meet Our Team
Alex Berg
she/her Podcast Co-Host
Alex Berg
she/her Podcast Co-Host
Alex Berg is an on-air host, creative director and journalist telling stories from in front of and behind the camera. Over the course of her career, Alex has served as a morning show host, interviewing presidential candidates and Oscar-winners alike, directed short documentaries about LGBTQ+ people and social issues, produced and anchored content about pop culture and trending topics, and covered issues impacting women for a range of outlets. Alex is currently the host of Lambda Legal’s inaugural podcast, Making the Case, a producer and director of the documentary series Authentic Voices of Pride for LGBTQ Nation, and a creative director at Blink, where she helps brands tell their stories in documentary and narrative formats.
Antonia Colodro
she/her Producer, Videographer, Editor
Antonia Colodro
she/her Producer, Videographer, Editor
Antonia Colodro is a Chilean cinematographer currently residing in Queens, New York. With a background in photojournalism, Colodro has over a decade of experience as a filmmaker. Her passion in visual storytelling has allowed her to travel around the world shooting documentaries, short films, and music videos. She was selected to be the director of photography for the pilot "Half-Life" for the Made in New York Series Competition. Most recently she served as a documentary shooter for the feature film "Primera", which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2021.
Phil aka Corrin
they/them Podcast Co-Host
Phil aka Corrin
they/them Podcast Co-Host
A storyteller at heart, Phil is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community. Thus, they make use of their skills, talent, and experience to help others tell their stories. In that spirit, they lend their voice to narrate other people's messages as a voiceover artist. Hoping to help listeners connect with the moving stories, They are committed to telling each story with authenticity, honesty, and grace. Phil has always been interested in celebrating stories that connect people and ideas on multiple levels, but at the same time, challenge the way we think. As a black and trans individual, Phil had an intense desire to share their own journey and in 2018 began hosting their first podcast, Transition of Style, highlighting conversations about how some queer people use clothing to navigate the journey to an identity that feels most authentic. Phil is also the co-host of the I’m From Driftwood podcast, an organization collecting and sharing first-person LGBTQ+ video stories since 2009. Phil continues to participate in and moderate many panels, fireside chats, and trainings where they lend their insight on topics such as gender identity, style, diversity in technology, and podcasting. Currently, Phil is the senior producer with FC podcasts, a podcast production agency, and the creative force behind the New York Life Podcast, Love Takes Action, Pivot with Purpose with Meghan Houle and In Scope - The Healthcare Security Podcast.
Jason Costa
he/him Board Chair
Jason Costa
he/him Board Chair
Jason Costa is a New York City-based entrepreneur, investor and founding board member of I’m From Driftwood. He is the owner of Casa de Costa, a cutting-edge contemporary art gallery located in New York’s Upper East Side. Jason also runs The Costa Group, a boutique marketing, production and creative consulting agency. He previously managed the US media relations operations of DLA Piper, the world’s largest law firm. Jason is a graduate of the Stern School of Business at New York University.
Melissa Driscol
she/her Board Member & Event Producer
Melissa Driscol
she/her Board Member & Event Producer
Melissa Driscol, a Lorain, Ohio native, moved to New York in 2003. Prior to arriving in New York Melissa was an Actor’s Equity Member and had performed widely in the Los Angeles area theater. She has worked extensively with Kay Cole, original cast member of A Chorus Line, in productions of A Chorus Line, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, All That Jazz and Follies. Her additional theatrical credits are many, including The Last Five Years, Steel Magnolias, Merrily We Roll Along and Into The Woods, among others. Driscol has toured with the USO and has performed her One-Woman Cabaret on about 15 different cruise ships. Since 2007, she has been an Event Producer at New York’s The Stonewall Inn and has produced over 300 events and shows. In 2014, Melissa made a pivot into the Beauty Sector, she has worked for Estee Lauder Companies as an Executive Assistant and Event Specialist since 2015. She also is a Pillar Lead for the LGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group, where she launched partnered ERG’s for the community in the UK, Ireland, Dubai and Asia. Additionally, she has co-created the ELC Pride 365 Platform, where the mission is to bring programming and products to consumers all year round. During quarantine, Melissa developed an online series called Original Artist Series, wherein she interviews talent from all artistic arenas. Melissa is also an activist for LGBTQIA+ rights and supports Stonewall’s very own non-profit, Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, supporting rural, underprivileged youth.
Anddy Egan-Thorpe
he/him Podcast Producer
Anddy Egan-Thorpe
he/him Podcast Producer
Anddy Egan-Thorpe is a New York City-based podcast producer and comedian. He is the founder & host of Fruit Basket: A Queer Comedy Show that happens in Brooklyn, NY & Provincetown, MA. He currently produces podcasts for iconic New York City radio stations 1010 WINS & WCBS 880 where he also acts as co-host for the Audacy original It's OK to Say Gay podcast.
Todd Grasinger
he/him Board Member & Finance Committee Chair
Todd Grasinger
he/him Board Member & Finance Committee Chair
Todd Grasinger joined the Board of I’m From Driftwood in January 2020 and is chair of the Finance Committee. Prior to his involvement with IFD, Todd served as a member of the Board of the New York City Anti-Violence Project from 2011-2017, and as the Board Chair from 2013-2016. A native of Los Angeles, Todd has lived in New York City since 2004 and works in commercial real estate finance and investments. Todd received a BA from Pepperdine University and an MBA from The George Washington University.
Dr. Gennifer Herley, PhD
she/her Board Member
Dr. Gennifer Herley, PhD
she/her Board Member
Dr. Gennifer Herley, PhD is the founder and Executive Director of TransNewYork. Gennifer is a proud transgender woman who recently transitioned and earned her doctorate degree in 2014. TransNewYork’s mission is to bring awareness to the issues facing the transgender non-conforming (TGNC) community and give guidance and support to individuals and their loved ones within an open and safe environment. TransNewYork provides individual and group counselling and monthly meetings, in which it addresses issues such as gender dysphoria and encourage transgender individuals to share their stories.
Kathryn Hinchey-Wise
she/her Projects Manager
Kathryn Hinchey-Wise
she/her Projects Manager
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Nathan Manske
he/him Founder & Executive Director
Nathan Manske
he/him Founder & Executive Director
Nathan Manske is the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization I’m From Driftwood, an online archive of first-person LGBTQIA+ stories. In 2011, Manske completed a 4-month, 50-state story collection tour, which is now archived in the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. The stories on IFD are used by family counselors as well as educators to aid them in their work. IFD’s program, “What Was It Like?”, documents stories from LGBTQIA+ elders, and the IFD Podcast has aired 3 seasons. I’m From Driftwood has over 37 million views on YouTube alone. Manske grew up in Driftwood, Texas, where one of his weekly chores was burning trash in a burn barrel. He now lives in Austin where he sorts and recycles.
Marquise Lee
he/him Board Member & Programming Chair
Marquise Lee
he/him Board Member & Programming Chair
Raised in Garland, TX, Marquise Lee ventured to the Northeast after high school to attend college at Rutgers University where he studied Film & Video. Marquise created the idea of the I’m From Driftwood Video Stories and has been producing them from the very start. His commitment to IFD extends beyond the camera, as he’s been instrumental in planning several initiatives such as the 50-State Story Tour and the Black Community Spotlight. By day, Marquise is a Senior Operations Analyst for Comcast and the Community Service Co-Lead for Comcast’s LGBT Employee Resource Group. By night, Marquise can be found out and about in Philadelphia with his boyfriend Paul, promoting their monthly Queer parties, and recruiting out-of-owners to make Philly their new home.
Damien Mittlefehldt
he/him Program Director
Damien Mittlefehldt
he/him Program Director
Damien Mittlefehldt is a native of Queens, New York. He attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, where he earned an Honors BA in International Development Studies. Active in LGBTQ causes since he returned to the United States in 2003, Damien has been involved with I’m From Driftwood from its inception, assisting in the planning and organization of its earliest fundraisers and events before moving on to serve as Board Secretary and, later, Treasurer and Program Director, responsible for filming and editing the video stories produced by IFD. Damien currently resides in Philly with his husband Rafi, with whom he regularly enjoys watching awful, terrible movies.
Dimitri Moïse
he/him Board Member
Dimitri Moïse
he/him Board Member
Dimitri Moïse is an executive leader, award-winning editor, and nationally recognized HIV activist dedicated to the liberation of all people through storytelling, restorative justice, and strategic design. Dimitri advises and consults within the private and public sectors to confront systemic inequities and establish pipelines of transformative policymaking to forge institutional and long-lasting change worldwide. As a storyteller, Dimitri is a two-time Folio Award winner for his curation as Managing Editor of Chill Magazine: the national print, digital and social brand designed for the millennial man of color. Dimitri is also a co-founder of Broadway for Biden; and today, Dimitri serves as VP & Chief Operating Officer of Claim Our Space Now, a nonprofit organization saving Black lives of all intersections by emboldening anti-racist action and dismantling white supremacy. Featured in: Forbes magazine, GQ, Men’s Health, Thought Catalog, Teen Vogue, PAPER, Them magazine, Good Morning America, FOX 5 NY, Healthline magazine, Consciously Unbiased podcast, & more.
William Self
he/him Board Member & Secretary
William Self
he/him Board Member & Secretary
William Self joined the IFD Board beginning January, 2018. Bill is currently the Director for Library Services at Lenox Hill Hospital/Northwell Health. Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, he moved to New York from Austin in 1980, and he previously held the position of Executive Director of The Medical Library Center of New York, a consortium headquarters for over 70 metropolitan medical libraries.