Meet your friend, Glen.

Glen Brown was a thriving, happy, healthy, and proud gay man. But he wasn’t always that way. He had his struggles, like so many LGBTQIA+ people do – especially young people. From striving to live a healthy life with AIDS to struggling with mental health issues. Glen thankfully overcame these hurdles and used what he learned to help others in his community.

Glen's guiding principle throughout life was simple but profound: Love above all else. He had a unique gift of making everyone feel valued, seen, heard, and loved.

In 2022, Glen joined 2,000 other cyclists raising money for AIDS charity, riding south along the California coast. In the final stretch of that epic ride, he lost his life in a tragic one-person accident.

Welcome, dear friend of Glen, to a community dedicated to spreading love and making the world a brighter, more compassionate place. Together, we carry on Glen's spirit of love and service, uplifting each other and fostering a world where love knows no bounds.

Inspired by the life he led and the lasting impact he made on all who knew him, we founded Glen’s Friends in his honor.

No matter who you are, no matter where you’re from, you’re home ... you’re a friend of Glen’s.

Bill McCarthy, Glen's Brother-in-Law

Our holistic approach.

Glen always wanted to write a book called “Pies Across America.” While cycling across the United States, he loved to enjoy small town diners and their homemade pies so of course we had to incorporate his love for pies into our founding approach: P.I.E.S.

We are focused on helping to meet the Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, and beyond. We are successfully building key partnerships and investing in meaningful programs and events that do just that.

Meet the Board of Directors

We are honored to serve Glen's Friends, and are leading with our whole hearts.

Janet McCarthy

Founder & President

Every not for profit is started with a personal story. And our story is about Janet's brother, Glen. Glen tragically lost his life in June 2022 as one of 2000 cyclists participating in a charity bicycle ride to support AIDS. Janet's passion and drive to be the founder of Glen's Friends has come from his passing and their beautiful loving relationship.

Janet has spent her professional career in the Senior Housing Industry as a leader in Business Development and Marketing. Along with owning and operating several brick/mortar Retail businesses. Her ability to lead a team and build a business has been at the root of her career. Her commitment to do good for others through the actions of Glen's amazing life, along with Glen's Friend's Mission Statement is at the forefront of all we will do.

Kevin Allender

Board Member

Kevin knew he wanted to be a part of Glen's Friends after learning about this amazing cause that connects and support the community.

Kevin has over 15 years of non-profit management and fundraising with local and national charities. He has a BA from Anderson University, a Master of Divinity from Anderson School of Theology and is an ordained Pastor.

Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and raising a diverse family, Kevin personally has a pulse on the needs of the community. From his personal experiences Kevin knows how important it is to have a safe place to be who you are and want to be. Everyone deserves love and through Glen's Friends we can share that love with more people in our community.

Diane Corbett

Secretary

Diane and Glen met in first grade. If they weren’t competing for chair positions in the clarinet section of the band, they were chasing each other around the playground and in the process became lifelong friends. Diane has treasured Glen’s friendship and the memories that they shared.

Her goal as a board member of Glen’s Friends is to combine her accomplished legal talents with her deep passion to share Glen’s story. Her hope is that others will benefit from the enduring love Glen showed all of his friends throughout his lifetime. Diane has developed an established professional career in the affordable housing and community development legal arena for over 30 years.

She is a successful attorney with Applegate & Thorne-Thomsen, P.C.

Juliet Kopulos

Board Member

Juliet and Janet have been friends for over 15 years and she loved getting to know Janet's brother, Glen. Glen was always welcoming, warm, and full of light and love and he extended that to everyone he met.

Juliet felt called to be a part of Glen's Friends out of her love of Janet and Glen and in honor of her late Uncle John and Uncle Kent. She knows that there is a need for support for the local LGBTQIA+ community and is proud to be a part of an organization whose mission is love.

Juliet spent 18 years in the pharmaceutical industry and held roles in engineering, program management, and marketing. She left those roles to become a caregiver to her mother and a stay-at-home mother to her son. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA, both from Northwestern University.

Heidi Wolter

Treasurer

Heidi and Glen met their first day of classes at Augustana College. They became Biology lab partners and life-long friends. She went on to receive a BA in Accounting and Business Administration as well as her CPA certification. Heidi brings career-long experience in healthcare and non-profits, both in the public accounting and private sectors, to her role as Treasurer for Glen's Friends.

She retired after 23 years as SVP Corporate Operations for the American Heart Association - Midwest Region, in September 2022. At AHA, Heidi was responsible for business technology, facility, finance, legal, and risk management matters for a 13-state region.

She is using her expertise to help bring Glen's Friends to life and to ensure its lasting impact and legacy.

Leslie Bottcher

Board Member

Leslie brings over 30 years of non profit experience, focusing on supporting and uplifting marginalized communities. She is a proud graduate of Carthage College.

For 17 years she served as a Case Worker and Director of Therapy at Mount Saint Joseph.

As a Board Member, Leslie is committed to promoting acceptance within the community by fostering meaningful dialogue and conversations. Her goal is to build bridges, break down barriers and amplify the impact of Glen's Friends in serving those who need it most.

Inspired by the organization's dedication to LGBTQIA+ community support, Leslie is thrilled to extend her love for non profit work in this role.

Our founding partners, our friends.

We are grateful for EVERY single dollar.

F

abulous

Joan Coleman, Lori Fellenzer, Chris Frederick, Gregg & Verone Hauptly, Melissa Hayes, Jill Jackson, Walter & Sandra Meyer, Kathleen & Brian O'Connell, John & Norma Shilkus, Ken Zoll

R

emarkable

Gordy & Suzanne Anderson, Deanna Baker, Will & Marybeth Beiersdorf, Lamar & Sally Brown, Chalmer & Kathyryn Taylor, Tim Cornillie & Christine Hardy, Rita Hamann, Susan & Rory Murtagh, Tom & Emily Goodwin, Norie Knezetic & Katie Mehrtens, Cheryl Kuba, Michelle & Bea McCarthy, Donna Murray, Sarah Oaks, Virginia Pace & Todd Wells, Nancy Pasiuk, Jana Seibt, Sam Stewart, The Vittore Family, Deborah Volpe, Terri Voss, Mary Whiteside, Michael Zoll & Richard Cole