Christy Whittlesey is an author, educator, public speaker and consultant who has worked in educational settings for over 17 years. She regularly collaborates with school districts and organizations to update policies and offer professional development to create gender-friendly learning environments and her first book, It's OK to Say They: Tips for Educator Allies of Transgender and Non-Binary Students, was a 2020 finalist for the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Program. It was also a 2021 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist (First Horizon Award, Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Short List) and Honorable Mention recipient, Culture Category.