Contributors

Amanda Schweder
Amanda Schweder (she/her/hers) is a social media creator and blog writer for Pure Romance. She loves covering topics of current lifestyle trends, pop culture, and sexual health. She considers herself a foodie and loves trying all the Cincinnati restaurants. She enjoys spending time outside and running her photography business in her free time.

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Ashley Townes

Ashley Townes

PhD, MPH, Sexual Health Researcher
Dr. Ashley Townes (she/her/hers), is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended Walnut Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati, where she received both her Bachelors and Master of Public Health degrees. She received her doctorate degree in Health Behavior and Epidemiology from Indiana University.

Dr. Townes has experience working as a Community Health Educator and Disease Intervention Specialist in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas. She has worked on several initiatives related to the dissemination of national HIV prevention and care campaign materials tailored for African Americans, Hispanic/Latinx, and transgender women of color. Dr. Townes has taught collegiate-level Human Sexuality courses, served as an Epidemiologist at the Ohio Department of Health, and currently works as a sexual health researcher in Atlanta, GA.

Ashley’s research background includes work on the sexual experiences of African American/Black women accessing health information and utilizing sexual health services. In 2018, she received grant funding from the Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health to translate sexual health research data into educational materials. Her career interests are aimed at providing quality sexual education and working towards health equity.

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Bri Rhone
Bri is an artist and writer living in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is an avid reader, lover of nature, and player of video games and tabletop RPGs.

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Christin Hardy
Christin Hardy (she/her/hers) graduated in May 2017 from Morehead State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. She has a profound love for writing, cosmetics, and adventure. She is originally from Detroit, MI where she spent majority of her childhood. She then spent the rest of her childhood in Covington, KY. She started her journey with Pure Romance in July 2022. In her free time, she enjoys watching documentaries and drama plays. One of her top goals is to use her personal life experiences to write screenplays. She would also enjoy traveling to various parts of the world to write documentaries about their ways of life.

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Chrissy Ramkarran

Chrissy Ramkarran

Program Manager
Chrissy is a Program Manager for the City University of New York - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Incubator. Chrissy also works as an editor with Kaleidoscope Vibrations LLC, which is dedicated to supporting and creating spaces for individuals to explore and find confidence in their personal identities, those that are permanent and those that shift, and in finding community.

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Dalia Kinsey

Dalia Kinsey

Dietitian
Dalia Kinsey is a queer Black Registered Dietitian, keynote speaker, the creator of the Body Liberation for All podcast, and author of Decolonizing Wellness: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image, and Achieve Body Liberation. On a mission to spread joy, reduce suffering, and eliminate health disparities in the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community, Dalia rejects diet culture and teaches people to use nutrition as a self-care and personal empowerment tool to counter the damage of systemic oppression. Dalia works at the intersection of holistic wellness and social justice, continually creating wellness tools and resources that center the most vulnerable, individuals that hold multiple marginalized identities. Dalia’s work can be found at https://www.daliakinsey.com/

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Deana Williams

Deana Williams

MPH, PhD
Dr. Deana Williams, MPH, PhD (she/her/hers) is a sexual and reproductive health researcher at the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University. Her research calls attention to systemic oppression and promotes the health and well-being of communities that are historically underserved. Dr. Williams’ specific research interests include health equity, racial justice and healing, queer liberation, diversity and inclusion within sexuality education, and the health and well-being needs, experiences, and strengths of LGBTQ+ communities of color. She has authored and co-authored multiple scholarly publications on health disparities and the social determinants of health. In addition to her work at Indiana University, Dr. Williams is an advisory board member for the HIV League, the only non-profit organization in the US that provides scholarships to students living with HIV. Dr. Williams has taught sexuality education for nearly a decade in collegiate, community, and clinical settings. She has also worked on several gender equity and sexual violence prevention and education initiatives spanning the Midwest as a skilled trainer, program planner, and workshop leader. She holds a Master of Public Health and a doctorate in Health Behavior from Indiana University.

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Josh O'Neill

Josh O'Neill

Social Media Coordinator
Josh O’Neill is a recently hired social media coordinator for Pure Romance. When he’s not in the office, Josh spends his time searching for Cincinnati’s best burger and doing standup comedy in various venues throughout the Midwest.

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Kaitlyn Craig
Kaitlyn (she/her/hers) recently graduated in May 2022 from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s in English. She loves reading, writing, and crocheting (specifically stuffed animals!) She is from Paducah, Kentucky, and has worked for Pure Romance since July 2022. She is very passionate about talking about books and the various impacts they can have. She even has a podcast called "The NeverEnding TBR." She would love to one day be an author and create characters that can impact others the way her favorite characters have impacted her!

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Kayla Hansmann

Kayla Hansmann

B.S., M.S., Dietetic Internship
Kayla Hansmann is a Cincinnati-area dietitian and fitness instructor working with individuals one-on-one, in corporate work-site wellness, as well as various community settings. With experience from Cincinnati Children's Hospital to adult chronic disease management, she is focused on providing comprehensive and personalized nutrition to all individuals in various stages of life to achieve their personal goals and best state of health.

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Katherine Kolios
Katherine is a global health and international development professional, who has lived, worked, and studied on 4 continents - delving deeply into the world and deeply into herself. Her interdisciplinary experience spans education, community health, and behavioral health, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health. Katherine aims to help others maximize their quality-of-life through education, empowerment to make healthy choices, and expansion of infrastructure. She believes health is a universal right that should not be limited to those who can afford to access care, healthy foods, and expensive exercise regimes. Beyond her day job, Katherine explores how she, and people more broadly, can realistically incorporate healthy decisions and healthy practices into their lives. Katherine believes in the power of language, the power of movement, and the power of connection. Katherine is a graduate of Brandeis University’s Health: Science, Society and Policy program and earned her 500-Hour Yoga Certification through Johanna Bell’s Illumina Training program.

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Liz Johanson
Liz Johanson has a master’s degree in psychology in Family Studies, Human Development & Couple and Family Therapy from North Dakota State University.

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Lauren Moore

Lauren Moore

Clinical Psychotherapist
Lauren Moore, MA, MEd is clinical psychotherapist in Northern Virginia specializing in non-judgmental sex and relationship therapy for couples and individuals. In a past life, Lauren was the inventory manager of a feminist sex toy store and still goes back to teach the kink classes. Lauren is non-binary, sarcastic, and like any true child of the 80’s, uses references that is almost always 10 years too late. Contact them to talk sex toys manufacturers, kink toys, crocheting, cars, movies, and/or food… mostly food.

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Michael Krychman
Michael L. Krychman, MDCM, is the Executive Director of the Southern California Center for Sexual Health and Survivorship Medicine located in Newport Beach California. He is the former Co Director of The Sexual Medicine and Rehabilitation Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer. He also is a clinical sexologist and has completed his Masters in Public Health and Human Sexuality. Dr Krychman has a degree in Erotology, Sexual Education and Forensic Sexology. Dr Krychman is also an AASECT certified sexual counselor. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California Irvine, Division of Gynecological Oncology and the Medical Director of Ann’s Clinic, a high-risk program for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Survivors.

His special interests include menopausal health, hormone therapy, sexual pain disorders, and loss of libido, chronic medical illness and medical devices and their impact on female sexual function. He is a well-known speaker who is featured locally, nationally and internationally. He has published many articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been featured in many scientific journals and lay magazines. Dr Krychman is an active reviewer for the Journal of Sexual Medicine. He was the Scientific Chairman for the 2010 International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health annual educational meeting. He is an active member in good standing in North American Menopause (NAMS), International Society sexual Medicine (ISSM), European Society Sexual Medicine (ESSM), International Society Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), American Society of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). He was a member of the Standard Committee for ISSM and has been a guest professor at the ESSM Sexual Medicine Summer School in Oxford, England. He was the creator of the recent WISH Initiative (Women’ Initiative on Sexual Health: www.yourvoiceyourwish.com) and the 2013 recipient of the WISH Outstanding Achievement award given by the ISSWSH. He is also on the professional advisory board for the Patty Brisben Foundation.

Dr. Krychman’s has published 7 books including his most recent one: The Sexual Spark, 20 Essential Exercises to Reignite the Passion, 100 Questions & Answers for Women Living with Cancer: A Practical Guide to Female Cancer Survivorship has been recently published, 100 Questions and Answers about Women’s Sexual Wellness and Vitality and Breast cancer Sexuality, Sensuality and Intimacy. He has been featured on the Today show and in the New York Times and US News and World Report World Report, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Health Magazine and many others. He was named one of Orange County Top Doctors for 2015 and 2016 in Menopause, Sexual Dysfunction and Vulvar Pain. In 2019 and again in 2020, he has been named an Orange County Physician of Excellence by Orange Coast Magazine in Survivorship, Sexual Medicine and Menopause.

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Melanie Lipps

Melanie Lipps

Dietitian, Sports Nutrition
My name is Melanie Lipps and I am a Registered and Licensed Dietitian. I received my undergraduate degree in Medical Dietetics from The Ohio State University and I hold my Master's in Sports Nutrition from Florida State University. I had a career change over 3 years ago and now teach nutrition courses at the collegiate level in a few different places, and have started working at Tri Health with Diabetic and Musculoskeletal patients as well a few months ago. I am married and have 4 little ones, along with 2 dogs and many other reptiles (all thanks to my husband and kids, ha!).

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Renée Burwell

Renée Burwell

LCSW, MPA, AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
Renée Burwell, LCSW, MPA, CST is a skilled psychotherapist and educator with specializations in sex therapy and trauma. Her practice, Pandora's Awakening, offers services and educational outreach that help destigmatize mental and sexual health services. She is a skilled facilitator offering trainings and workshops to healthcare and social services professionals on mental health, sexual health, and reproductive justice. In addition to her work at Pandora's Awakening, she is also the executive director of the Tennessee Alliance of Sexual Health, AASECT’s Mid-Continent Representative, an active member of the Association of Black Sexologist, and is a writer and educator for various mediums including Bedroom Kandi and CNN.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College, a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California, a Post Graduate Certificate in Sex Therapy and Education from the University of Michigan, and is AASECT certified as a sex therapist.

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Stephanie Auteri

Stephanie Auteri

Journalist, author, & sex educator
Steph Auteri has written about sexuality for the Atlantic, the Washington Post, Pacific Standard, VICE, and other publications, and has collaborated with folks at the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT), the Center for Sex Education, and Good in Bed. She is the author of A Dirty Word, a reported memoir about how female sexuality is so often treated like a dirty word.

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Serena Clement

Serena Clement

WORDSMITH & ASPIRING SEX TOY MAVEN
Serena Clement (she/her/hers) is a Senior Writer at Pure Romance and an aficionado of all things sextech. As a queer BIPOC with a B.A. in English and Minor in Creative Writing, Serena is a fresh, no-nonsense voice in the world of sexuality and wellness. In and out of the office, her interests include crafting engaging copy, celebrating diversity, and up-and-coming sex technology. Her years-long background in both product development and copywriting gives her a unique lens for her career at Pure Romance. And, when not at work on upcoming products, Serena spends time scribbling flash fiction or cozying up on her couch with the latest RPG.

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Tori Tromblay

Tori Tromblay

Special Projects Producer
Tori Tromblay (she/her/hers) is a book enthuisiast, cat lover, and Cincinnati native. She graduated from Ohio University with a degree in journalism. After traveling to New York, D.C., London, and Tulsa, she settled back home, where she lives with her husband and two cats. She has worked for Pure Romance for two years and loves to learn and teach about sex education.

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Trey Zink
Trey Zink (He/Him/His) is a writer at Pure Romance. With a degree in Graphic Design from the University of Cincinnati, Trey floated around the packaging and branding world for 10+ years, designing and writing for brands such as Tide, Welch’s, and Miracle-Gro. He eventually pivoted careers, trading packaging, logos, and signage for rhymes, puns, and alliteration. Outside of work, Trey enjoys video games, soccer, and melancholy songs.

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Vivien Fisher

Vivien Fisher

social media coordinator
Vivien Fisher (she/her/hers) is a social media coordinator and blog writer for Pure Romance. She loves covering topics like sexual health, lifestyle trends, and anything related to television and film. Her interests include spending time with her pet rabbit Bernard, creating amusing and educational content for the Pure Romance platforms, and exploring all that Cincinnati has to offer.

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Yael R. Rosenstock Gonzalez

Yael R. Rosenstock Gonzalez

Sex Educator, Researcher, Author, Speaker
I'm a queer, polyamorous Nuyorican (Puerto Rican New Yorker) Jewish pleasure activist (a term popularized by adrienne maree brown) who believes that sexual wellness and sexual liberation involve our WHOLE selves. I center identity, values, and social positioning work, playful exploration, and intimacy with self and others. I am here to support you in finding pleasurable, joyful, embodied experiences with self and sex through intentional practices geared towards your specific needs because sexual wellness and pleasure are for anyone who seeks them.

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