About Us

Our Organization

Panhandle Equality is a non-profit organization located in the Nebraska Panhandle committed to full equality for residents of the Nebraska Panhandle region by advancing LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer) rights through advocacy, education and community service.

Our Mission

Panhandle Equality is committed to full equality for residents of the Nebraska Panhandle region by advancing LGBTQ+ rights through advocacy, education and community service.

Our Vision

Inclusiveness and equality for all.

Our Board of Directors

Megan Barhafer, BS

President

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Scottsbluff, NE

Megan moved to Scottsbluff, Nebraska for her first job out of college, in 2018. She has been committed to human rights from a young age. Growing up in Iowa and watching the evolution of LGBTQ+ rights was the spark for her commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. In college, at Iowa State University, Megan studied environmental science and community and regional planning which laid the foundation for her current position working in public health. Megan is passionate about the social determinants of health which include environmental factors of health like access to food, safe and affordable shelter, and preventing trauma.

Megan is very honored to serve as President of Panhandle Equality, which she sees as an amazing opportunity to do the work of creating inclusive communities. Megan enjoys singing, acting, hiking, and most especially knitting!

Brandi Ward, BA

Vice-President, Treasurer

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Mitchell, NE

Brandi is a Legal Assistant at Ellison, Kovarik & Turman Law Firm. She was born in Chadron but moved around a lot as a kid. Brandi moved back to Chadron in 2006 and began attending Chadron State College as a part-time student where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies – Legal Studies. She then moved to Scotts Bluff in 2013 to begin her career as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal.

Brandi looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors and hopes to help the organization achieve its goal of advancing LBGTQ+ rights. One of her favorite quotes is by Ella Wheeler Wilcox and states:

"To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men." ~Unknown.

LW, DVM

Secretary

Pronouns: He/Him

Hometown: Scottsbluff, NE

Jen Ponce

General Board Member

Pronouns: They/Them

Hometown: Alliance, NE

Jen has dedicated nearly 20 years to supporting survivors of domestic violence and advocating for social justice. With almost 15 years at the DOVES Program and 5.5 years at Family Rescue, Jen has been a steadfast champion for those in need. Beyond their professional work, Jen is an accomplished author and a proud mother of three incredible children, as well as a doting Grantasma to two equally amazing grandchildren.

Jen believes in the power of standing up for what is right, even when it’s difficult. In the face of oppression, silence is complicity. It is our responsibility to speak out, to act, and to create a world where justice and compassion prevail.