Tristan Vaught | they/he | Co-Founder and Acting Executive Director

Tristan N. Vaught is the cofounder and acting executive director of Transform, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive youth, young adults, their parents, allies, and the larger 2SLGBTQ+ community through free, community-rooted care.

A longtime community organizer, educator, and advocate, Tristan cofounded Transform in September of 2019 as a response to growing gaps in affirming, accessible support for trans youth and adults. Under their leadership, Transform has grown into a seven-day-a-week community hub offering gender-affirming clothing appointments, peer-led support groups, youth and family programming, community meals, and creative and social connection.

Tristan brings a relationship-centered and trauma-informed approach to leadership, grounded in lived experience and collective care. Their work focuses on building sustainable, local systems of support that prioritize dignity, autonomy, and belonging, especially for trans youth, BIPOC community members, and those facing economic and physical barriers.

In addition to their work at Transform, Tristan is an educator, coach, and consultant whose teaching and facilitation explore sexuality, gender, identity, culture, and power. They are known for creating spaces that balance accountability with compassion and activism with care.

Tristan believes that thriving trans communities are built not only through services, but through consistency, trust, and showing up for one another.

Email Tristan here: tristan@transformcincy.org

Ella Dastillung | She/her | Co-Founder / Former Youth Director

Ella became the third founder of Transform through helping her mother Nancy with starting the organization. She quickly fell in love with it, and became the “final piece of the puzzle” through designing logos, appointment forms, and organizing teens. Ella previously was president of the Oak Hills High School Gay-Straight-Alliance for two years. She learned how to work with other LGBTQ+ teens and ran events, such as a counter-protest of the Westboro Baptist Church at her school in 2017. Ella graduated from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in 2020 and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2023. She loves movies, dogs, and collaborating with other people. Ella has moved on to her career as an incredible educator in a local school district. She will always be a part of organization and is invested deeply in the mission/vision of Transform.

Email Ella here: ella@transformcincy.org

Nancy Dawson | She/her | Co-Founder

Nancy Dawson, mom of five, founded and owned BRIDEface makeup and hair for fifteen years. Her experience with her own transgender daughter inspired her to create Transform. Nancy passed away from breast cancer in April 2020, and her legacy lives on through Transform Cincy and her five children.

Lillian jones | she/they | director of Legal Access and Advocacy

Lillian (Lily) (she/they), is the Director of Legal Access and Advocacy at Transform. She has been involved with Transform since its founding, starting as a volunteer in 2019.

Born and raised in Cincinnati, Lily feels a special connection with the city’s queer community, especially its youth. She has been an out member of the community since 2018 and wants to bring that pride to her career in the law and at Transform.

At Transform, Lily guides the Legal Access Clinic, supporting both the queer youth and the greater Cincinnati area. She also assists with mental health programming as a facilitator and with community events, eager to collaborate on all things Transform.

Lily is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at the University of Cincinnati College of Law with an expected graduation of 2028. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2024 with a BA in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude. At UC Law, she is currently a member of the Editorial Staff for the Human Rights Quarterly. She is also an advocate for the Hamilton County Youth Court, guiding at-risk youth through the legal system.

Contact: lily@transformcincy.org

Ruth-Hazel Hammond | She/They | Director of Resource and Community

Ruth-Hazel Hammond (she/they) is the Resource and Community Director at Transform, where she’s dedicated to fostering connections. With a background in higher education and behavioral health care, RH is committed to creating inclusive environments that empower people.

Ruth-Hazel has lived in Cincinnati for many years, most recently returning just before the pandemic. RH holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University, and has been fired from some very prestigious places. RH has been involved with Transform in various capacities since her first visit to the Brideface basement on Elm Street, where she quickly recognized the organization’s potential to make a revolutionary impact in the community.

Ruth-Hazel thrives on connecting people and resources, learning new things, and finding innovative solutions. Her unique perspective as an Autistic, queer, and non-binary individual enriches her approach to resource development and community engagement. This allows her to advocate for diverse perspectives and needs within the community.

In her free time, Ruth-Hazel loves to ride bikes, drink coffee, learn any craft, and spend hours practicing Duolingo. She is thrilled to continue her journey with Transform and eagerly anticipates collaborating with others to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.

Contact: ruth@transformcincy.org

Hayes hiLtenbeitel | they/them | director of Mental Health and Community Care

Hayes Hiltenbeitel (they/them) is the Director of Mental Health and Community Care at Transform, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive youth, young adults, their families, and the broader 2SLGBTQ+ community through free, community-rooted care.

Hayes helps to run Transform’s mental health programming for both youth and adults, supporting the coordination and continuity of weekly offerings that create consistent, affirming spaces for connection, support, and healing. Their work centers making ongoing care accessible, reliable, and responsive to the needs of the community.

Grounded in collective care and accessibility, Hayes approaches programming with an emphasis on trust, consistency, and collaboration. They work closely with facilitators, participants, and staff to support programs that are sustainable, relationship-centered, and rooted in dignity and belonging.

Through their role at Transform, Hayes helps cultivate spaces where trans and gender-expansive people can show up fully, build meaningful connections, and access mental health support within a community that affirms their identities and lived experiences.

Contact: hayes@transformcincy.org

Derek J guy | he/him | bipoc group Facilitator

Derek J Guy (He/Him/His) serves as the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for the Dean of Students Office of the University of Cincinnati (UC). Previously serving as the Program Manager for the LGBTQ+ Center at UC, Derek was introduced to the world of Student Affairs, a world he’d quickly fall in love with. He also spent the previous 12 years before his time at UC working in the social services field. his spare time, he volunteers and works with several organizations for social justice and change, he was the 2024 reigning Mr. Cincinnati Leather, he is father, a husband, a son, a brother, and most importantly a friend to many. He’s also the Legal Services Coordinator for TransOhio which is also a huge honor for him as a means of service. Service is a strong tenant to his life and being to serve the community in such a meaningful way brings him so much joy.