Work Ethic: Alumni Award Recipient Zander Keig works tirelessly for LGBT community

Though Zander Keig (’99, Interpersonal Communication) has three degrees and works full time in the Office Operations Supervisor Recruiting at the U.S. Department of Commerce, he still finds time to be an outspoken community advocate, youth mentor and diversity educator for the LGBT community.

Keig is passionate about LGBT issues because he identifies as a trans man and a man “with a transsexual history [who] grew up to be a man.” Zeig is now dedicated to facilitating change through transformative connections.

“There’s no one way to transition,” he says, and so his goal is to provide informal transition coaching services for trans guys around the world – online, face to face and in support groups. A self-described “networking fool,” Keig connects other FTMs (female-to-males) to important resources.

Keig also co-founded the Lou Sullivan Society, which strives to keep the life and spirit of Louis Graydon Sullivan alive in the hearts and minds of transgender, transsexual and gender/queer men by providing information, support, community building, education and advocacy for female to male persons and their loved ones.

It’s hard to believe Keig started out with the U.S. Coast Guard or that he was once an undercover narcotics agent before chucking his day job to go back to school at 30. That move led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in speech, a master’s in conflict analysis and resolution, a M.T.S. in world religion, tackling a year-long internship with National Conference for Community and Justice and earning certificates in massage therapy and holistic nutrition counseling.

Since 1987, Keig has also been involved with dozens of organizations and events including Lesbian Avengers, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Creating Change and LGBT student associations. He moderates the podcast TransAction, writes the blog Tao of Transition and is an ordained Humanist Celebrant.

Keig feels lucky to have similar support from his family. “I’m married to an amazing woman. I’m also very fortunate to have a very supportive family, especially my father, who has been extremely affirming and supportive of my transition, advocacy work and community organizing.”

To view a short video of Keig, click here. Keig also wrote the book, “Letters for my Brothers.”