Our
Board
Cody
ChairHe/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.
Ben
Vice ChairThey/Them
My goal is to get people to just be okay with people and accept everyone for who they are! I am a lover and a fighter, LOL.
After being out of the work world for many many years, I am back into a lead position. I create a safe environment for everyone in my buildings. I was a licensed cosmetologist and focused on the LGBTQ+ community and kids. I’m looking to get that back!
Kristi
TreasurerShe/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.
Angel
SecretaryShe/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.
Dusty
Board MemberShe/Her
I have volunteered with numerous organizations over the years, but St. Cloud Pride is near and dear to my heart. I can't wait to plan more events to bring the community together.
Working with the St. Cloud Pride board has been a wonderful journey. This is a great organization, and I can't wait to grow more within the community.
Meredith
Board MemberShe/Her
It is important that LGBTQ+ people in the area feel safe and supported. I am privileged to help grow the sense of community and inclusion through St. Cloud Pride.
I am a Program Manager with ten years of experience in non-profits. I have worked with people in residential facilities, foster care, people affected by dementia, and people with disabilities. These roles have provided me with a unique look at how the challenges of life can impact people in different ways. The universal thread to my experience has been the need to support improved quality of life. I have found that nothing accomplishes that more profoundly than connection to a supportive community. I look forward to supporting other LGBTQ+ people in our area through my work with St. Cloud Pride.
Kelly
Board MemberShe/Her
I have joined the board to use my skills and energy to help build and maintain the vibrant queer community in Central Minnesota.
As a practicing attorney, I have endeavored to help people understand the complexity of the world we live in, and to come to reasonable solutions to their problems. I have served on several local non profit boards working on business, aging, and arts issues. I also currently serve on the board of directors for Project Stop Loss, which works to promote better youth mental health and gun safety in the Central Minnesota community. In my personal life I am a pansexual single parent, bibliophile and avid kayaker.
Sam
Board MemberShe/Her They/Them
I want to make sure that events are accessible for as many people as possible. Let me or another board member know if there are any accommodations you need in order to attend our events and we will do our best to accommodate you.
I have a chronic illness and I often stubbornly don't want to ask for help, so I know it can be hard to ask for help. But if you need it, please let us know.
I was a co-editor for a published anthology for Spoon-Knife 2: Test Chambers and was published in the first Spoon-Knife anthology
I am surviving day to day with a chronic illness and trying (and often failing) to thrive.
Betty
Board MemberShe/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.
Jessi
Board MemberShe/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.
Jessi is the director of the LIFT Therapy Program for Mama Dragons, Leader of the local Fee Moms Hugs chapter and receive a 4.0 in she Master’s in Social Work program.
Bambi
Board MemberShe/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.
Daniel
BOARD MEMBERHe/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.
Victoria
Board MemberShe/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.
Jamie
Board MemberShe/Her