board & staff

Neo was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and emigrated in the U.S. as a college student in 2004.
He’s a Transman who began his medical transition in 2011. In 2014, he created the first international organization for Trans bodybuilders. In its second year, it was featured on major networks like CNN and Al Jazeera America.

In 2016, Neo published his first book “Right Mind Wrong Body – The ultimate Trans guide to being complete and living a fulfilled life.” In his book, he not only shares his experience as an African Transman, but also the lessons he’s learned throughout his life from a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual perspective.

Neo is the recipient of the Gentleman of Service Award from the Gentlemen Foundation for his contributions in the Trans community through his former organization, the FTM Foundation. In 2017, he proposed an app to relieve Trans homeless at the headquarters of Airbnb in San Francisco, CA.

Neo is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner through the Association for Integrative Psychology and a member of various organizations that align with his Mission. He has used his skills along with his passion for Emotional Intelligence (E.Q.) to empower people as a business consultant, a life (mindset) coach, a public speaker and in all the roles that he plays on a daily basis.

As a Soul who is always transcending societal barriers, Neo calls himself an alignment catalyst; in a sense, he’s a modern mystic who helps people find the Healer, Divine Creator and Problem Solver within themselves.

Bucky Motter brings years of experience as a competitor, judge and organizer to the sports of bodybuilding and powerlifting. He is a gender-queer male who dreamed about being a bodybuilder since he was 19 years old. He finally decided to compete in his first contest at age 45, and then competed in the National Physique Committee (NPC) competitions for over four years. In 2006 he brought home a silver medal from the Gay Games VI in Chicago for the over-40 physique Category. He also won second place at the NPC Atlanta Bodybuilding Contest in 2005. 

Bucky was Head Judge for the Trans Bodybuilding Competition in 2014, at the first annual TransFitCon, an event created by Neo Sandja, founder of FTM Fitness World. In 2016, Neo won a grant that birthed IATB (The International Association of Trans Bodybuilders). IATB became official in 2017 and Bucky Motter became the Executive Director in 2018. In 2019, IATB became IATBP to include the existing powerlifting meets. Shawn Stinson, winner of the first two bodybuilding competitions, took over Head Judge responsibilities in 2018.

As Executive Director for IATBP, Bucky brings not only leadership skills and compassion, but an unusual ability to multi-task, organize and pay attention to every single detail when it comes to overseeing the IATBP organization. Bucky is also a performing songwriter and gifted teacher of guitar and voice.

Nat Veiga is an amateur bodybuilder of over 6 years and has a nerd-like obsession with all of physical culture. Before bodybuilding, nat was an ITF-style taekwondo student of over seven years and an instructor for over five, earning the ranks of 3rd Degree Decided Black Belt and Level 4 Instructor.

nat has transitioned their obsession with learning about and teaching martial arts into a new dream of being a strength and physique coach, starting their online coaching business, Swol Boy Fitness, in late 2019. They hope to combine their Women & Gender Studies BA, their love of teaching movement practice, and their experiences being transmasculine non-binary in exercise spaces to change the way their clients experience strength training. nat’s goal is to empower people to not only become independent and educated lifters, but also turn lifting weights into a source of strength in all other areas of their lives.

nat had always assumed there was no space in bodybuilding for non-binary lifters until they discovered the IATBP and saw the potential there. They joined the board in 2019 with the explicit goal of ensuring there would be more space for non-binary lifters in the organization. nat is now on staff, first as the Social Media Director and now as the Assistant to the Executive Director. They continue working to spread the word to trans lifters everywhere that the organization exists as a space to compete while feeling respected and affirmed, and finding every way possible to best serve the community.

nat also has big dreams of pursuing a Masters in Communication & Advocacy and a Ph.D. in Physical Culture & Sports Studies. They also hope to one day open their own classic bodybuilding-style gym for queer and trans iron fanatics and physical culturists to lift in a space free of heteronormative expectations and toxic gym culture, that can also serve as a space for giving back to the community.

Outside of lifting, nat spends all their free time snacking, sleeping, and playing with spreadsheets.

Brandon Gray, MS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, HRPM, is a Senior Certified Human Resources Professional. He currently works as a Manager of People Technology at Colonial Pipeline, where he is responsible for supporting, maintaining, and optimizing the company’s HR systems to align with the strategic roadmap. He manages the design and implementation of innovative solutions, including a long-term support model, to provide value to the organization.

Brandon has been involved in LGBTQ+ initiatives since moving to Atlanta in November 2013. He joined the Atlanta Freedom Bands, Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ music ensemble consisting of a concert band, marching band, jazz band, and Colorguard. The Atlanta Freedom Bands is a member of the Pride Bands Alliance (formerly known as the Lesbian and Gay Association), which has member bands in cities across the world. After his first year of service, he began to take on leadership roles within the band to include Band Librarian, Member at Large, Vice-President, and President. During his time on the Executive Board, he led several initiatives to include an official AFB Member Handbook, new member orientation, new website, and Covid policy. He now serves as Co-Section Leader for the Flute Section.

Brandon has also served on the Board of Directors for the now Pride Bands Alliance (formerly known as The Lesbian and Gay Band Association) as the Director of Administration Committee. The administration committee was charged with handling mid-year planning, election/nominations, bylaw revisions (making language more gender neutral), and new board member orientation.

Brandon brings a lot of administration and human resources knowledge to the board and we’re excited to have him!

Maria A. Álvarez is the owner of My Virtual CFO – ATL, which provides unparalleled personalized accounting services to a broad range of clients across the Atlanta area. Maria is also the owner and art director of Nica Blue, creating nonbinary shoes for everyone. Maria is an energetic professional with over twenty years of accounting, finance, and executive experience in multi-million dollar companies, non-profits, government agencies, and native corporations. The majority of her career has been in leadership roles where Maria has increased efficiency to maximize profits and reduce costs while improving the quality of services. During her career, Maria strives to cultivate strong relationships with business owners, organizations, and government leaders by being a dynamic representative and spokesperson for her organization.

Since a very young age, Maria has devoted herself to volunteering. In college, Maria worked with the Women’s Center and organized the Take Back the Night 5K fundraiser, and multiple accompanying events. While living in Washington, DC Maria became involved with HRC and Capital Pride. During Maria’s residency in Alaska, they volunteered for Covenant House and became treasurer for two non-profits: Radical Arts for Women and Identity Inc., the main LGBTQ organization in Alaska. Maria also has helped organize Alaska Pride. Since moving to Atlanta in 2019, Maria currently serves as treasurer for organizations: International Association of Trans Bodybuilders and Powerlifters, Decatur Business Alliance, Placita Latina Georgia and the Decatur Land Trust. Maria is also on the board of Rotary, Decatur YMCA, and Comunidad Connect. Maria was also a recipient of the 2022 Decatur GA Hometown Heroes Award. Maria was also on the board of GALEO and was past president and Treasurer of OUT GA Business Alliance.

Maria successfully navigates diverse perspectives and anchors solid business relationships and partnerships. Maria is a firm believer of change through leadership. Throughout travels around the world, Maria has encountered many situations where people have been discriminated against and disenfranchised. These experiences have taught Maria to be more compassionate and accepting. Maria’s mission is to uplift others through the power of inclusion, inspiring them to find their voice and lead with confidence.

Mark L. Rosenberg is President Emeritus of the Task Force for Global Health. Rosenberg served as ​Assistant Surgeon General at the ​Center​s​ for Disease Control and Prevention​ (CDC) where he led its work in violence prevention and later became the founding director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Rosenberg is board certified in both psychiatry and internal medicine with training in infectious diseases and public policy.

He is on the faculty at Morehouse Medical School, Emory Medical School, the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, chaired the advisory board for the Georgia State School of Public Health, and served on the visiting committee of the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. He also serves as vice-chair of the Georgia Global Health Alliance. He is a photographer and has authored more than 140 publications, and four books: Patients: The Experience of Illness; Violence in America: A Public Health Approach; Real Collaboration: What It Takes for Global Health to Succeed; and Howard Hiatt: How this Extraordinary Mentor Transformed Health with Science and Compassion. 

Rosenberg has received the Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal and the Outstanding, Meritorious, and Distinguished Service Medals of the Public Health Service. Rosenberg is a director of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and served on the Executive Committee of the National Academy of Sciences Transportation Research Board. He earned his undergraduate, doctor of medicine, and master of public policy degrees at Harvard University. He has been married to Jill Rosenberg for 43 years and is the father of Julie and Ben and the grandfather of Maddie and Henry.

Siufung is a TEDx speaker, pioneer and activist in advocating gender fluidity, and a professional bodybuilder who has won multiple championships in bodybuilding. As the first visible professional nonbinary bodybuilder in the world, Siufung is the ambassador of International Association of Trans Bodybuilders and Powerlifters (IATBP), Athletes Ally, Gay Games Hong Kong, and Emory Diversifying Graduate Education. They have founded transgender training workshops to provide a safe space for trans and nonbinary folks to work out in 2019. Siufung was the 2022 bodybuilding judge of IATBP, the first and transgender-only bodybuilding contest in the world. They are currently a Ph.D. student at the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Emory University.

Dion is a lifelong athlete, dubbed “best teammate”, D2 collegiate basketball, NASM CPT, NASM CNC, and founder and CEO of the real estate company The Mayer Group, LLC. His passion for sports, fitness, and bodybuilding stems from a love of fullness of expression and the powerful combination of the spiritual, mental, and physical elements.  Dion’s background brings a wealth of experience as an athlete, trans man of color, membership development, sponsorship recruitment, board member, mediator, and team player.  

Dion served on the board for a WA based LGBTQ+ youth summer camp, spent 6.5 years working in membership development and premium seating with the 4x WNBA Champions Seattle Storm. He also worked for the largest LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce in WA – The GSBA – leading membership development.  

The consistent undertone of Dion’s life has been to be a catalyst for good, positive change for those who need it. As a man who enjoys being of service, Dion enjoys putting his effort into opportunities that uplift others and serves the greater good. 

Dion competed in ITABP’s 2022 Bodybuilding competition, placing first in his class and first overall. This had been a lifelong dream and further ignited his interest and passion for bodybuilding.  After living all over the US, Dion currently lives in Columbus, OH with his partner and twin tuxedo cats Basil and Stefan (yes, they run the show!).

Skyler Jay is a Trans activist and influencer from Athens, Georgia. He is most notably known for both his appearance on season two of Netflix’s Emmy award-winning show, Queer Eye, as well as for his groundbreaking lawsuit against the University Systems of Georgia to remove the policy’s Transgender healthcare exclusions for over 160,000 state employees. Skyler has a passion for fitness, community building, and LGBTQIA+ community work/history.

He has a background of many years in event coordination and management, public speaking, and fundraising.

Skyler has been an event manager for Trans Bodybuilding Competitions since 2015, and his talents and efforts have helped many LGBTQIA+ organizations across the country.

For his many contributions to the community, Skyler won the 2019 Community Leader of the Year Award, at the Trans* Advocacy Awards; an honor in the past bestowed upon trailblazers such as U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and actress Laverne Cox. In May of 2020, Skyler helped co-found Aadya Rising, an LGBTQIA+ run nonprofit that seeks to find and fill the gaps from within the LGBTQIA+ community through means of education, mentorship, support groups, and Trans surgery scholarships.

When not working for the LGBTQIA+ community, Skyler enjoys spending time with his friends and beloved cat Robot.

Poul Olson is Head of US Marketing for Initiative, one of the top media planning and buying agencies based in New York City. In this role, Poul leads the agency’s awards programs as well as internal and external communications.

Poul has worked in communications his entire career across diverse sectors including public health, academia, and nonprofit. He is also a professional fundraiser, having raised more than $20 million for global health and HIV/AIDS organizations.

Poul holds a master’s of strategic communication from Columbia University and a certified fund raising executive credential.

He lives in upstate New York with his partner and dog where he is an avid endurance cyclist and hot yoga practitioner.