The LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at MEA is more than just a community – it’s a sanctuary where people can come together to share their stories, support each other, and grow.
Under the thoughtful and compassionate leadership of Daniel Booz, the Director of MEA’s Advisory Team, the group is a space where LGBTQ+ alumni can feel seen and supported, and where their collective wisdom can be extracted and expressed.
An Unexpected Transformation
Daniel’s journey to MEA is a story of unexpected transformation, one shaped by both personal and professional challenges.
After a successful career in software technologies sales, Daniel was laid off at the end of 2022, a position he had entered thinking it would be his last big career move. “I had promised myself I’d do this last gig and then transition to something different,” Daniel shares. “But when I was laid off, I was cornered. It was like, you promised yourself you wouldn’t just settle into something forever, so now it’s time to make the leap.”
Time to Make the Leap
During this transition, Daniel dove into self-exploration. He worked towards his coaching certification, got certified in the Enneagram, and read extensively. What was meant to be a brief period of reflection turned into a year of self-discovery.
It was during this time, at a Memorial Day barbecue in 2023, that Daniel’s path to MEA truly began.“I was reading a book about midlife and mentioned it to the person next to me. This MEA alum asked if I had heard of MEA. The next day, I looked it up and saw that Russ Hudson was teaching the Enneagram that summer, and Dacher Keltner was teaching Awe later in the year.”
Since Daniel was already consuming the work of both of these brilliant teachers, this serendipitous encounter led Daniel to his first MEA workshop in Baja, where he became a cohort lead and connected with people like Leslie Bartlett, VP of Corazon, and a fellow Denver resident.
“Leslie invited me to go for a walk around Washington Park,and we immediately bonded about so many shared experiences.”
Unexpected Opportunity
What started as a journey of personal growth evolved into a professional opportunity.
As Daniel became more involved, Leslie tapped him to join MEA on a part-time basis, helping out with advisor calls. “At first, I was building my own business and only worked 20 hours a week. But 20 hours turned into four days a week, and then that became full time,” Daniel explains. “And before I knew it, I was leading the advisory team.”
Guiding Others
Today, Daniel’s leadership is deeply rooted in his personal journey of transformation. His experience with MEA has influenced his approach to guiding others and leading the LGBTQ+ Affinity calls.
“So far we’ve been toggling between expert guests and lively conversations,” Daniel says. “This balance encourages reflection and deeper engagement.”
During a recent session focused on “what grounds us now,” Daniel shared, “We started with three C words – Creativity, Connection, and Community. But as the conversation deepened, people kept asking, ‘What can I do?’ So a fourth C emerged – Contribution. From our discussion, it became clear that everyone felt it wasn’t enough to just reflect on these ideas or hide under our sheets; it was important to move into action.”
He continues, “People shared how they’ve been contributing to a better now. Some spoke about volunteering, while others discussed the need for mentorship, particularly for younger LGBTQ+ individuals who are struggling. There’s a growing need for multi-generational connections. Some MEA elders are mentoring LGBTQ+ youth and offering wisdom and support on an individual level.”
LGBTQ+ Camp Days in Baja
This year, all LGBTQ+ alumni are invited to participate in a new adventure, our LGBTQ+ Camp Days in Baja | July 13-17.
Designed as an immersive, rejuvenating experience, the camp will offer participants a space to explore creativity, build connections, and simply relax.
For Daniel, Camp Days represents more than just a getaway, it’s an opportunity for LGBTQ+ alumni to connect with themselves and others, away from our many stressors.
“It’s about creating space for self-care and connection – and fun! Fun is self-care,” Daniel says with a smile. “Dancing on the rooftop, laughing until it hurts, and just enjoying each other’s company is medicine we could all use right now.”
Your partners can join at 50% off, and the all-inclusive experience covers accommodation, meals, transportation, and activities designed for creativity, connection, and joy.
Daniel says the most important part is the opportunity to come together as a community, share in each other’s journeys, and celebrate who we are.
As the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group continues to grow and thrive, Daniel is excited about what lies ahead. “This is just the beginning,” he says. “We’re building something special here – a place where LGBTQ+ Modern Elders can share wisdom, inspiration, and joy.”
Join us for LGBTQ+ Camp Days in Baja | July 13-17
We’re bringing back that summer camp feeling for our LGBTQ+ alumni and their loved ones. Sunset conversations, starlit dancing, beach walks with new friends. The ocean’s waiting, and so is a community that feels like home.