The Kimberly Zieselman Award for Young Emerging Intersex Leaders was established in 2023 to be awarded to young intersex people (ages 13 – 29 years old) in the United States in recognition of outstanding work, leadership, and dedication to the intersex community. As a means of both investing in ongoing leadership development of dedicated intersex youth and centering intersex youth voices in our own organizational direction, interACT will also offer each awardee a special 1-year seat on our board and the opportunity to co-chair our Youth Advisory Council.

Kimberly Zieselman, interACT’s Executive Director Emeritus, is an intersex woman, lawyer, and nonprofit professional. In 2014, she assumed the role of Executive Director of interACT, then known as Advocates for Informed Choice; in 2015, she proposed initiatives leading to rebranding of the organization and expansion of its programs. With a commitment to both youth voices and increasing intersex visibility, interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth announced its new name – a name developed by our young leaders and one that both recognizes and honors intersex youth voices which are at the heart and soul of our mission.

Kimberly Zieselman

The Kimberly Zieselman Award for Young Emerging Intersex Leaders recognizes the 8+ years – 7 as Executive Director – that Kimberly Zieselman dedicated herself to interACT. During her tenure as Executive Director, her vision and leadership had a direct impact on both an increase in emerging young intersex advocates as well as intersex visibility in media.