Our Founders
Lali Safavi - President & CEO
As a native of Northern Virginia, Lali moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2020. With over twenty years of experience in small business, Lali founded SkirtSoFlo magazine in 2023. As publisher of SkirtSoFlo, a magazine dedicated to South Florida's LGBTQ+ women's arts and lives, Lali has forged strong ties in the LGBTQ+ community and is integrally connected to the women's community, its strengths and challenges.
Lali holds a B.A. in Economics from George Mason University, and a J.D. from American University with a focus on tax law. After several years of practicing law, she transitioned to small business ownership, which she remains in today.
For Lali, The Skirt Foundation is a highly impactful vehicle to further the mission set into motion by SkirtSoFlo: the creative and economic advancement of women in South Florida.
Diane Pappafotis, Treasurer & CFO
Diane was born and raised in Washington, DC. She attended American University, where she received a B.S. in Business Administration, and entered the nonprofit space after graduating. For the next 23 years, she helped organizations leverage technology to support their business operations. From 2020 until her departure 2023, Diane served as the Senior Vice President of Membership & State Relations for LeadingAge, a national non-profit membership association, where she developed and led the strategic priorities for enhancing member value and membership growth.
Upon moving to South Florida in 2020, Diane co-founded Friends of Wilton Manors Parks, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization based in Wilton Manors whose mission is the protection and enhancement of Wilton Manors city parks and waterways.
In 2023, Diane joined The Pride Center at Equality Park as the Coordinator of the Women with Pride program, where she is responsible for outreach, education, linkage services, events and social activities for LBT Women.
Also in 2023, Diane helped start SkirtSoFlo, a magazine dedicated to South Florida LGBTQ+ women's arts and lives, where she serves as outreach and marketing director.
Diane believes The Skirt Foundation will be an important resource for increasing visibility and supporting career development of LBT women who face many challenges including discrimination, gender disparity and violence.
Pamela Bausher, Secretary
South Florida has been home to Pamela Bausher for more than forty years. As a teacher and now managing editor for SkirtSoFlo magazine, Pamela has always been involved in the LGBTQ+ community. An advocate for youth, Pamela was an early supporter of the creation of the Gay, Straight Alliance and eventual Trust Counselor programs in our local schools. As managing editor for SkirtSoFlo magazine, Pamela focuses on the many untold stories of powerful and creative women artists and business leaders in our community.
Pamela holds a B.A. in Communications from Bowling Green State University and a M.S. in International Education from Florida International University. After thirty-two years of teaching in Miami, Pamela worked with a production company in Brazil and was the lead scriptwriter on a cartoon series, Nico o Mico, as well as the Amazon Prime in Brazil documentary series Cientistas Brasileiros entre os Melhores.
For Pamela, The Skirt Foundation is an essential pillar to supporting a growing body of forceful, productive women in the LGBTQ+ and allied community.
Our Board
Karen Kelley
Karen Kelley is a dedicated community leader and advocate with a lifelong connection to South Florida. Her family's history in Hollywood dates back to the 1930s, giving her a deep understanding of the region's evolution. After graduating from Florida State University with a B.A. in International Affairs/Political Science, Karen returned to South Florida and has been actively involved in the LGBTQ+ community since the mid-90s, including significant contributions to the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC), where she served as Board President during the acquisition of their Andrews Ave. building. Since 2021, Karen has volunteered with Stonewall National Museum, Archives and Library, serving as Chairwoman from 2022-2024, spearheading initiatives like the Women's Fund and events such as "An Evening with Rita Mae Brown." Karen is a South Florida Realtor with 20 years experience. She is married to Mikol, her wife of 28 years; and they reside in the Fort Lauderdale area and continue to dedicate their time to giving back to the community.
Guadalupe García
Guadalupe García is an art historian born in Mexico City where she held positions as Curator and Assistant Director at the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes, and Director of Exhibition at the Museo Nacional de Arte. In Miami, she worked as a consulting curator at the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami, and took the step of founding a non-profit organization, The Ant Project, focused on interconnecting artists, curators, and content creators horizontally to develop projects and create a community based on the value of collective interaction.
The goal of founding this organization is to have all the creators' voices heard at the same level, seeking to work collaboratively. The Ant Project has participated in Untitled Art Miami Beach and has produced several exhibitions in Miami and Mexico City.
Last year, García opened an artist residency at her space in Coyocán, Mexico City, where she currently resides, fostering cultural exchange between artists from around the world. She’s currently a board member of IKT, International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art, as well as The Skirt Foundation in South Florida.
Paula Lauriano-Stiehm
Paula Lauriano-Stiehm is a Native New Yorker-Turned-Floridienne, a seasoned events & marketing professional, and a lifelong ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
In New York City, Paula was an integral force in the production of iconic events such as New York Fashion Week, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Paula also taught event planning at the Fashion Institute of Technology School of Continuing & Professional Studies for more than a decade. Upon relocating to South Florida, Paula continued her professional journey by joining the productions of high-profile events such as Oprah’s 2020 Vision Tour, and the Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show. During the pandemic, Paula returned to the Fashion Institute of Technology to help rewrite and deliver a specially amended event planning certificate program to reflect the changes brought to the industry amid and following the crisis. The amended coursework was delivered virtually to a global audience across roughly twenty time zones. Paula also served as the first official events coordinator for The Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors.
For Paula, The Skirt Foundation is an extraordinary medium set to provide agency to a growing corps of LGBTQ+ and allied women for a unified strength and presence in South Florida.
Crystal Clark
They are a passionate animal lover living just outside the vibrant city of Miami. They grew up in a small town in Kansas with big dreams of building a career in San Diego. After graduating at the top of their class and completing their training, they had the incredible opportunity to design and teach a diversity awareness course to empower future participants.
Today, they bring their commitment to service and equity to the financial services industry. They firmly believe that everyone—regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances—deserves access to financial stability and the tools to achieve and sustain it.
As a proud community member, ally, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, they are dedicated to fostering inclusivity and providing resources that reflect the unique and diverse needs of the individuals and families they serve.