Our
Board

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Cody

Chair

He/Him

It is important that we create safer spaces for the LGBTQ+ Community to foster connection and growth. I believe that we can accomplish this by using each of our unique skills together and understand that we each bring a different perspective and life experiences to the table.

I have volunteered with St. Cloud Pride since 2019. I am the Chair of CentraCare’s LGBTQ+ Ally employee resource group where we work to create safer spaces for both LGBTQ+ patients and employees.  I am a part of the team that worked to achieve the Leader HEI (Health Equity Index) with HRC (Human Rights Campaign) for St. Cloud Hospital. I lead the SOGI (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity) task force who has worked to include tools in CentraCare’s electronic medical record to document patient’s Gender Identity, Pronouns, Legal Sex and Sex Assigned at birth.  Along with continued enhancements to provide a safer patient experience for LGBTQ+ patients. I was recently nominated for CentraCare's Deb McCarl Diversity Award.

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Angel

Vice-Chair

She/Her

My goal is to serve our LGBTQ+ population with gratitude and purpose, so that they may feel supported and cared for. I appreciate my chosen family and our beautiful, adventurous life together. One of my favorite quotes is: "The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." -Vince Lombardi

I am a registered Nurse with 22+ years’ experience, who is Board Certified in Gerontological Nursing.  I work in Community Health and Wellness and focus on providing Safe Space Training for community members as well as businesses and professionals.  As a Registered Nurse, I want to improve the health and equity of our LGBTQ+ community by educating others on disparities that we face and teaching others to be more inclusive of our community.  I also serve on the CentraCare’s LGBTQ+ Ally resource group with Cody and too actively work at creating a safer, more inclusive experience for LGBTQ+ individuals. 

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Kristi

Treasurer

She/Her

I believe everyone deserves to be respected and accepted for exactly who they are. In joining the board of Saint Cloud Pride, I am excited to be a part of community and youth-focused events which continue to create a safe space for all LGBTQ+ people while also promoting education and acceptance within the greater Saint Cloud community.

I have a background in education and the arts and have worked in youth arts programming in the past. Due to somewhat frequent moves for my spouse's job, I went back to school for an accounting degree which is my current profession. My proudest and most challenging accomplishment is being the mom of two creative and witty kids. I've always tried to teach them the importance of making the world a better, more patient and understanding place for all people in any large or small way we can. I hope I can continue to fulfill these values through my role on the board of Saint Cloud Pride.

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Daniel

Secretary

He/Him

My name is Daniel, though I also go by Danny or Dan. I moved here to St Cloud from Southern California in January 2021. I went to my first Queer Connect that spring where I met some of the board and other people from the community, including family members and friends that were there to show support of their loved ones. It was a great day and I was made to feel welcome and a part of the community right away. I have been volunteering with the board since then. It has been, and continues to be my goal to help this organization succeed so that it may grow and reach more people, the way that it reached me.

I work in customer service and have been doing so for over 20 years. Working in various environments has taught me how to adapt and grow while maintaining a positive outlook and demeanor, I always strive to bring a positive attitude and energy to any environment I am a part of.

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Betty

Board Member

She/Her

My wish is for the LGBTQ+ community to be just as accepted as everyone else, and to feel welcome. I aim to be part of making that a reality for people in our community. It is very important to me that we all be seen and heard and feel safe to be who we are.

I am a Sales/Service Distribution Associate with the United States Postal Service. I have been with the USPS for the past 15 years. I enjoy working with the public and have been open and honest about who I am. I didn’t want to hide who I was and I also wanted people to see that we truly are in every day life. I take pride in my work and I take pride on our community. Just as I strive to make work a more positive inclusive environment, I will do the same in our community.

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Jessi

Board Member

She/Her

Jessi is passionate about helping and advocating for marginalized communities. After working in the mental health field for over twenty years, she returned to college to increase the services she could provide for her clients. Jessi has experience volunteering in leadership roles and sitting on boards that advocate and act for the equity of marginalized communities, including minorities, LGBTQIA+, people experiencing homelessness, and those with disabilities. Jessi strongly believes everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and maintaining humility and empathy is vital to leadership and the helping professions. Everyone deserves to not only feel safe, but experience joy and human connection.

Jessi lives in central Minnesota with her husband, two children, two rescue pit bulls, two rescue cats, and a corn snake named buttered popcorn. She enjoys playing board games, visiting theme parks, refereeing roller derby, roller skating, sewing, listening to audiobooks, and learning new things.

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Bambi

Board Member

She/Her

As a St Cloud Pride Board member, I hope to continue fostering a world where all LGBTQ+ youth are free to be who they are while feeling valued, supported and connected in every aspect of their life.

The human experience is complex and wonderful and I have had the privilege of working with people in numerous settings throughout my career including non-profits, government agencies and educational settings.  I currently work with teens, providing mental health support and advocacy.  Every day, I see how heavily kids are impacted and I also see their light and potential.  I have learned that connection to a supportive community is key to impacting positive change. 

St Cloud Pride has nurtured a beautiful, supportive community in the St Cloud area and I look forward to continuing to support youth and all members of the LGBTQ+ community as a part of this amazing organization. 

I currently foster and volunteer with Tri County Humane Society, am a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Advisory Committee and am a graduate of the St Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership program.  On a more personal note, I have two kids, am a huge animal advocate, love hiking and even climbed the Manitou Incline in Colorado, and am a yogi at heart.

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Victoria

Board Member

She/Her

I am the Program Administrator at the 180 Degrees St Cloud Youth Shelter.  My goals are to advocate for youth and to help them find safe places to go when home is no longer an option. I am very proud of the work I do and the people that I am able to help.

Victoria has completed the Not a Number Curriculum and is now able to teach youth signs of trafficking. She is an advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

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Leslie

Board Member

She/Her

Leslie hopes to foster a supportive, inclusive, and vibrant environment for the queer community in St. Cloud and its surrounding areas, where individuals of all backgrounds feel safe, valued, and empowered to express their true selves, find fulfilling opportunities to contribute, and be appreciated for their strengths and gifts. As a mother, she also advocates for awareness and support for neurodivergent children and their families.

Leslie brings experience in organization development (OD) and leadership coaching, focusing on team effectiveness and building inclusive, supportive communities. She holds a master’s in OD and has a background in career counseling and advising low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented college students. In 2018, she co-founded the Trauma-Responsive Church Initiative to address the impact of trauma, including religious trauma, and foster a compassionate, healing environment within churches. She also co-founded Parents & Allies of Trans Youth (PATY) in 2022, a St. Cloud support group for caregivers of trans youth, leading it through its first two years.

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Carly

Board Member

She/Her

Carly is committed to doing her part to build an equitable and just world that will last beyond her lifetime. She is passionate about supporting, protecting, and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community because she knows that community is essential to securing survival, quality-of-life, and joy.

Carly has been a licensed social worker since 2011 and has a background in medical social work (hospice and palliative care), mental health, and higher ed. She is proud of her work to support clients, families, communities, and students of all ages! In 2024, I became an inaugural inductee of the NASW Arkansas Hall of Distinguished Leaders.

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Kass

BOARD MEMBER

They/Them

As a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, Kass strives to foster environments where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered. Their guiding principle is rooted in creating connections and supporting communities that celebrate diversity in all its forms.

Kass has successfully transitioned to a leadership role in cybersecurity, leveraging a technical and -innovative mindset to solve complex challenges while mentoring peers in the industry.  Has contributed to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee at their previous employer, driving initiatives that supported underrepresented groups and fostered a culture of belonging. Kass has pursued advanced education in software engineering while balancing a full-time career and family life, demonstrating resilience and commitment to personal growth.