Advisor Spotlight: Don Hayden

Each month, we’ll be highlighting 1-2 different Nyah Project advisors with a short Q&A.

Advisors are crucial members of the Nyah Project family, supporting the organization and our Fellows in different ways: as coaches, mentors, and facilitators, and/or ambassadors.

This month, meet Don Hayden!

Don, can you briefly introduce who you are, what you do, and how you got here?

I’m a lawyer that specializes in commercial litigation and international arbitration.

I had the great opportunity to work with an amazing lawyer and overall wonderful human being for a few years named Leigh-Ann Buchanan.  She told me about this side project she was working on called the Nyah Project.  I went to a couple of the events and I was amazed by the students who had worked with the Nyah Project and all the good work that was coming out of it.  I have been a supporter ever since.  While Leigh Ann and I have gone in different directions, I wanted to stay in touch with Nyah Project so now I am an advisor and mentor to the students.

What did you study in school?

As an undergraduate, I studied Economics and Political Science in the Arts and Letters Program at Notre Dame.  I then went to Loyola Law School in Chicago where I received my JD. 

In addition to getting involved with Nyah Project, how do you serve?

I have been involved with a number of boards including the National LGBTQ Task Force board of directors.  The Task Force is one of the oldest organizations fight for gay and all human rights.  It is 50 years old this year.  With the Dobbs decision and what feels like repeated attacks on the rights especially of our youth, particularly trans youth, we are doing a lot of work in trying to protect rights and organizing young leaders to work on grass roots projects particularly in states where rights are being restricted. 

I am also on the board of an organization called Our Fund, which is one of the largest LGBTQ community foundations in the country.  It is based in Broward but services Miami-Dade and Broward.  We give out close to a million in grants each year and have significant donor advised funds and legacy commitments in excess of $25 million to not-for-profits in Miami-Dade and Broward.

I also do some pro bono in cases that hopefully will have some impact.  I am looking at doing a case with the Human Rights Coalition to address the restrictions being placed on gender-affirming medical care for trans teens and also for trans adults by the DeSantis administration here in Florida.  

How has travel changed your life?

I had the benefit when I worked for the world’s largest law firm of getting to travel all over the globe.  Travel is life-changing.  To experience different cultures and a diverse population gives you a better perspective on life and our global community. 

What are the top three (3) traits you value in a leader?

Compassion, drive, and humility.