CYBERSPACE — Pineapple Support has welcomed five new board members to the nonprofit organization: Legal Affairs Chair Corey Silverstein, Fundraising Chair Emma Rainville, Marketing and Website Chair Brad Mitchell, Treasurer Alison Boden and Social Justice Community Chair Tim Valenti.
The four new members join Client Support Chair Dr. Jena Field, VP and Secretary Lane Farin and President and Founder Leya Tanit.
“Our little seedling is turning into a tree,” said Tanit. “In the past four months, the amount we are investing into therapy has grown by nearly 600 percent. As we're growing at such a rate, it's important to have a strong team, our new board members are all exceptional members of our community, who can bring their knowledge and experience to the table. I am grateful and honored to be working alongside them.”
Boden is the CEO of Kink.com. “Pineapple Support is playing a critical role in supporting performers, who truly are the lifeblood of our industry. I look forward to working with the organization's incredible team and my fellow directors,” she said.
Mitchell echoed her enthusiasm. “Having experienced depression myself and lost many friends to suicide, mental health issues are near and dear to my heart," he said. "Pineapple Support’s mission is important, and I am thrilled to lend my support in every way possible.”
Valenti is the founder and president of NakedSword Network. "The progress that Pineapple has made in a relatively short amount of time to address mental health issues in the adult industry is both impressive and inspiring,” he said. “I am thrilled and honored to join Leya and her team to provide expansion and outreach to include LGBTQ models, sex workers and adult professionals — some of the most marginalized and at-risk members of our industry."
Rainville shares the commitment of her fellow board members. “Whenever I’m voting on a matter that will affect the people our organization has set out to help,” she notes, “I think of two things: first, what points have been brought to the table by the people who are here? And second, what hasn’t been brought to the table by the people we have set out to serve, but are not present? The voices that are not represented when we are making decisions, those should be the loudest in our ears as we vote.”
Silverstein, the founder of Silverstein Legal, is eager to lend his expertise to the cause. "It’s an honor to get to participate with Pineapple Support. Leya and her team have already done so much to help the industry as a whole and I can't wait to see how far this organization can go," he said.
Tanit founded Pineapple Support in 2018 after several high-profile losses in the adult community from depression and mental illness. The organization has connected over 400 performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost therapy, counseling and emotional support.
On the boards is the inaugural Pineapple Summit on October 30 and 31. The mental health summit is entirely online and free to performers. Registration is now open; visit pineapplesummit.org for additional details. For the latest updates, find Tanit and Pineapple Support on Twitter.
