Director at Large
Abby Lawal (She/Her)
I’m a vibrant black queer woman proudly celebrating my unique intersectionality. A sister, daughter, aunty, lover and friend. With a BSc in Economics and a postgrad diploma in HR Management focused on DEI, I lead as an HR Manager in non-profit.
Beyond my professional pursuits, I am a skilled creator, crafting stunning hairstyles, viewing the world through Mt photography lens, and fashion statements that reflect my boundless creativity. I embrace every opportunity for self-expression with passion and flair.
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Throughout my career, I’ve been privileged to support impactful organizations like BlackCap, FifeHouse, and Pride Toronto, where I’ve contributed across various departments.
Driven by a profound sense of purpose, my life’s mission is to make a difference, one person at a time. I have previously served on the boards of BlackCAP and currently on CalgaryPride, AfroCare Support Network.
In all that I do, I am guided by my commitment to serve, strive to create meaningful change and foster a more inclusive society, and advocate for inclusivity, social justice, and support. We are all similar, even in our differences.
Director at Large
Derrick Antson (He/Him)
Derrick Antson has a Master of Advanced Studies in Peace & Conflict Transformation and a Bachelors in Philosophy. He believes that this background equips him to deconstruct the secrets of the universe, while his husband often jokes that it just equips him to win arguments. A proud dog-dad to a beagle, a believer in the power of volunteers and a supporter of workers’ rights. Derrick lives his life out and proud, bringing a sense of humour and style to everything he does.
A strong proponent of volunteerism, Derrick has been active in a variety of organizations within the Lethbridge and Calgary communities, ranging from humanitarian/disaster services to 2SLGBTQ+ interests and to labour relations.
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When he is not working, Derrick fills his time playing D&D, running, walking his Beagle (Lilly), and enjoying the many activities his community has to offer with his husband (Nick).
Director at Large
Sab Labonté (She/Her)
Sab was born in Winterpeg, Manisnowba, a place that held little sense of home despite being her birthplace. Throughout the years, visits to Calgary stirred a deep connection, eventually leading to a compelling pull towards the city.
In 2019, she seized a job opportunity in Calgary, prompting a swift decision to upend her life. Within two weeks she resigned from her job, packed her entire life into an SUV alongside her loyal canine companion, embarking on a transformative journey to start anew. Initially delving into Retail Management, she later pivoted to become a Visual Merchandiser Manager. However, the challenges brought on by the pandemic sapped her enthusiasm for retail. This realization marked a turning point, prompting her to take a summer sabbatical and rediscover her passion through volunteering.
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It was during this break that Sab found Calgary Pride, an organization that became a pivotal force in her life. Inspired and invigorated, she decided to chart a new course. Drawing on her love for animals, Sab ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing and successfully operating her own pet care business over the past two years.
Today, she continues to thrive in Calgary, finding fulfillment through entrepreneurship and community engagement, driven by a newfound sense of purpose and belonging.
Director at Large
Norka Thompson (She/Her)
I am 34-year-old woman from Peru, I lived in Lima almost my entire life but in the beginning, as my father traveled for work we live in the Mountains in Puno, Peru, as I entered the time to choose my career I decided I wanted to be a psychologist, I obtained my bachelor in 2011 but started working before in Human Resources in 2010 as a FT trainee, I know it sounds funny but love what I do, I worked in large retail companies and move into more executive search, I was exposed to negotiations with clients, retention of candidates, development of HR and Recruitment Strategies, I build relationships with stakeholders, supported HR Events and evaluate employee performance.
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In 2013 I immigrated to Canada and my career took changed, I was not able to find a job as a recruiter so I worked as a Dishwasher, in total honesty, it did help me to improve my English and I met my husband, I worked many jobs during the time, in 2014 I returned to Peru and in 2015 I am back to Canada continuing my job at the restaurant but now in a supervisory role, until 2019 when I was headhunted by a small recruitment firm and my career in recruitment being here, I went through a lot during those years, it became clear the industry was not doing always the right thing and I feel happy my companies allow me to be vocal of my experience and allow me through their D&I policies to create change that will support candidates who were overlooked due to being part of a minority. as I always said my job is for my candidates, they are my reason, they are the ones who are the most important piece to my industry. I have been part of D&I commutes for the past 2 years but committed to inclusive practices for my entire career, I believe is time to take a new challenge, to be part of an organization like Pride Calgary, I am proud Latina, Gay women, I would like to continue to support and create initiatives that will create save spaced for our 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Director at Large
Dawson Thomas (He/Him/They)
My name is Dawson Thomas, and I am a full-time student in the Hospitality Management program at SAIT. My pronouns are he/him/they and I identify as two-spirit indigenous male. I am both Cree and Blackfoot from Mattagami First Nation located in Treaty 5 Canada.
I am now in my third year of student leadership, and I wear many hats such as. President of Saitsa where I represent and advocate for over 13,000 students, Chair of the Calgary Student Alliance (CSA) and I sit on the institutes highest governing body the Board of Governors. I am also the advisor to the Pride+ Club at SAIT.
I have always had a passion to volunteer, and I look forward to bringing my experiences, skills, and knowledge in my newest capacity to the Calgary Pride Board as interim-Director.
Director at Large
Kevin Jowsey (He/Him)
As a person who has fallen in love with Calgary since moving to the city in 2016, Kevin learned to be his full self and was given the opportunity to explore his full potential as a person. Kevin believes that everyone should get that opportunity and believes he can offer a meaningful contribution to what the landscape of Calgary can be.
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Kevin is passionate and willing to learn how Calgary can be a place that is inclusive, diverse and safe for everyone. Kevin has a background in sales and marketing and has always had roles that involved relationship-building with a diverse cross-section of groups and individuals. Kevin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Management.
In his spare time, you can catch Kevin having coffee on 17th, his weekly runs in the park or just relaxing on a Friday night watching Youtube videos and eating his guilty pleasure… chips!
Director at Large
Shelby Dewhirst (They/Them)
Shelby is a non-binary panromantic person born and raised in Calgary (Treaty 7 territory). In addition to their work with Calgary Pride, they have proudly volunteered with Amnesty International for more than 20 years, advocating for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. Their passion lies in the rights of the 2SLGBTQA+ community and Indigenous peoples, and they have dedicated a significant portion of their life to social justice, activism, and engagement in anti-racism and decolonial education.
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Professionally Shelby has worked in the public sector for the last 10 years. During that time Shelby was an active member of the Government of Alberta’s Women in Leadership Secretariat, where they worked to enhance public policy by actively incorporating diverse perspectives at all levels.
Director at Large
Colton Fagan (He/Him)
Hi everyone, I’m Coltan Fagan, and I was born and raised in Calgary. I have a passion for the city and have held various advocacy and leadership roles within organizations such as Tourism Calgary, The City of Calgary, and the Calgary Downtown Association.
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I am also an educator in Tourism Management and Business Administration, where I have pursued research relating to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I currently hold a Sociology Degree, a Masters in Tourism Management, and pursuing my Doctorate in Business Administration. I hope that my experience and passion can benefit the PRIDE organization.
Director at Large
Jacky Tran (He/Him)
Jacky Tran (he/him) is a Policy Analyst with the federal government, and has worked on a number of strategic policy files including health, natural resources, intergovernmental affairs, and major projects management. As demonstrated by his active community involvement in Calgary and Ottawa, Jacky has a strong sense of volunteerism and dedication to fostering community building. Particularly, Jacky is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion and building culturally competent organizations. Jacky holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University. In his free time, Jacky enjoys crossing off restaurants in his never ending list of “Must Eats” in Calgary. Also, Jacky spends most of his time with his fur baby, Tobie.
Director at Large
Holeigh Urquhart (She/Her)
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to help people and make an impact.
I found myself in the non-profit sector after deciding to volunteer at the Distress Centre & Calgary Communities Against Sexual Assault when I couldn’t find a job, only to be later hired on with both. The time I spent in non-profit organizations prepared me for my current career as a counsellor at Sip and Psych. Undoubtedly, my own LGBT journey has led me to this place, and I am honoured to work and support my community.
I believe in showing up as my authentic self in all areas of my life. For this reason, I based my business around my obsession with coffee and have specialized in supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. I’d considered moving west after completing my master’s degree however, I realized that in the Conservative political climate of Alberta, there is a need for people who will show up to support and advocate for our amazing and beautiful queer community.
Director at Large
Ijmal Haider (He/Him)
Ijmal Haider is a blogger, motivational speaker, writer, and founder/host of the Hidden Spoons Podcast. He is best known for his advocacy work for Crohns and Colitis, Chronic illness, and Mental Health. He has a degree in Urban Sociology and owns the creative design firm Haider Design Group. His focus across his many platforms is about building community through advocacy and design. He has been a featured writer and guest for over 20 organizations, publications, podcasts, and blogs, as well as a guest speaker at multiple summits and speaker events. When he is not building his design portfolio at his creative firm, he spends his free time advocating and volunteering with foundations to break stigmas, build community, and raise awareness.
Co-Chair
Luc DeGagne (He/Him)
Luc is a software developer and data engineering consultant. He is hoping to give back to the community by joining the Pride board. He was a founding member of his university’s Mental Health Committee of which he sat on the board for over 3 years and founded his school’s fraternity where he sat on the events committee and helped raise over $1,000 for ALS.
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Luc is most known for his empathy and authenticity and is hoping to use that to continue to build better relationships with the community and continue to develop Pride into a safe space.
Treasurer
Heather McKercher (She/Her)
My name is Heather McKercher. Professionally, I am a Financial Planner and CFP holder. Personally, I am passionate about holding a mirror to fear and working towards understanding and acceptance. I believe that a person’s sex and open expression of sexuality is a human right and all people deserve to feel safe, included and celebrated. I believe that it is my responsibility to build a community that represents that vision.
Secretary
Maxwell Bui-Marinos (He/They)
I am a queer, nonbinary research scientist who is ethnically Vietnamese-Greek, born and raised in Canada. I have engaged in social advocacy for many years, fueled by the adversity I’ve faced regarding my sexuality, gender identity/expression and race. I tend to be on the quiet side and very reserved, but I make up for it by being very detailed and verbose in writing that’s driven by my passion!
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My interests include gaming, instruments, language learning, rock/mineral collecting, cooking/baking, Drag Race, and karaoke!
Manager of Communications
Anna Kinderwater (She/Her/They)
Anna is a designer, illustrator, and maker based out of Calgary, with a childhood based in the Alberta prairies.
Anna’s contributed to developing several local community festivals over her career, such as Beltline Urban Mural Project (BUMP), and actively freelances with growing and established businesses and non-profits throughout Alberta, such as the Association of Communities Against Abuse. Anna’s marketing and design strategies focus on representing the subtle joys and nuances of the human experience, striving for emotional honesty and fresh designs that leave folks feeling connected, seen, and comforted.
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In 2019, Anna graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts with a Bachelor of Design and prioritizes her creative exploration by tabling at markets for creatives, where she can be spotted at local collectives such as Starry Dynamo, and Panel One. She is in the process of developing her first graphic novel.
Manager of Production and Programming
Sumit Munjal (He/Him/They)
Sumit (he/him) is an Indian-born Canadian with a diverse background in communications, marketing, retail development and design. As an avid supporter of minority groups and diversity in the workplace, Sumit takes a unique inclusionary approach to design and marketing that challenges the status quo high art. He believes that the narrative of Canadian diversity needs to shift from tokenism to shared beliefs of fundamental human rights and respect for lived experience.
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He moved to Calgary in 2012 from Toronto with a marketing diploma and finished his communications degree here at the University of Calgary. Besides his professional pursuits, he is working on a design & sustainability blog called ‘The Urban Paisley’ (that aims to bridge the radical approach to sustainability and design). Sumit is also an art enthusiast who loves murals and street art and appreciates the accessibility of colour and narrative at street level. His hobbies include photography, hiking and long walks in and around Bridgeland!
Manager of Membership & Fund Development
Taylor Sanford (They/Them/Any)
Taylor is a Calgary-born volunteer and hardworking professional with expertise in communications. With a background in electrical drafting and experience leading communication and graphic design initiatives across a variety of grassroots volunteer projects, Taylor brings a versatile skill set to Calgary Pride. Taylor holds an Honours B.A. in Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications from the University of Winnipeg, has a true passion for community outreach, and enjoys crafting content designed to engage a diversity of stakeholder groups.
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In their free time, Taylor can be found birdwatching, playing DnD, and making all kinds of fiber arts crafts!
Parade & Logistics Coordinator
Ari Goldstein (He/Him)
Ari is returning for his second year as parade logistics coordinator. He is a nearly lifelong Calgarian with a background in criminology and land use planning, and a love of community engagement. He is also an avid glam rock and Simpsons fan (including the new seasons!).
Festival Logistics Coordinator
Jayla Robertson (She/Her)
Jayla Robertson is a passionate and highly motivated creative based in southern Alberta. She has a professional background in event production for Calgary Pride’s annual festival and the Town of Strathmore’s Canada Day celebration.
Jayla is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine arts in the concentration of New Media, with a minor in Marketing, at the University of Lethbridge. She is a proud member of the university’s ladies curling team and is engaged in giving back to the curling community through coaching. She hopes to take an internship abroad to finish her degree and post-grad aspires to enter the field of marketing and communications to showcase her creative talents in video production, graphic design, and social media marketing.
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Her hobbies include going to live music events, cross-stitching, and dungeons and dragons.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayla-robertson-221718240/
Communications Coordinator
Matthew Magtoto (He/Him)
Heyyy! I am your local Calgarian, social media obsessed, fashionable communications icon.
My marketing journey began unexpectedly on Instagram (@mattheou). Creating content and collaborating with fashion brands led me to the business side of social media. After earning my Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing at SAIT and working with notable companies, I fell in love with marketing.
Seven years later, I’m part of the Calgary Pride team, helping others feel the same sense of community I felt at my first Calgary Pride Parade. Seeing the parade and festival grow year after year is nothing short of legendary.
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In my spare time, you can find me chronically online, experiencing brain rot on TikTok, taking editorial fashion photography, or at the mall spending my last dollar on the latest fashion trend and dipping into my savings account to devour some well-seasoned food.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-magtoto/
Volunteer Coordinator
Vicki Trask (She/They)
Vicki is a performer and creator based out of Calgary. Vicki has a long history centered around arts and education, teaching dance and working with several companies to make theatre more accessible. Their work with the size-inclusive dance company Fierce and Curvy Empire takes them across Alberta. They have over a decade of experience as both a volunteer and volunteer coordinator with Alberta Theatre Projects, Front Row Centre Players, and Vertigo Theatre (among others). Much of their passion lies in community engagement and accessibility within arts and culture, focusing on education as an introduction to the importance of creativity in all aspects of life.
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Vicki is an avid lover of Disney Villains and will perform nearly any of their songs upon request.
Knowledge Keeper
Warren Winnipeg (He/Him)
Warren Winnipeg aka (Kimmy) is Siksikaikiwan (Blackfoot), a proud Siksika Nation member but resides in Edmonton, Alberta. Warren’s traditionally from the Meat Eater’s Clan. Warren’s became a knowledge keeper since 2006, and has been gifted with cultural knowledge and has been in a leading role since and is presently a lead for the Awowaakiiks 2 Spirit Representative, His family is the McMaster’s, Winnipeg’s, Waterchief’s and de Perez Castaneda. His education background is Social Work, Trainer, Facilitator, Program Developer, Motivational Speaker and Consultant. Warren has obtained his own consultant business called Two-Feather’s Consulting. He graduated from The University of Calgary in 2013 with a degree and attained a diploma from Mount Royal College University.
Warren has extensive years of leading, coordinating Addiction and Mental Health programming. His employment and volunteer experience includes working collaboratively with community development initiatives, programs, addictions and mental health initiatives with local and provincial programs. Some of the prior and current committees that he serves on is the Awowaakiiks 2 Spirit Working Group, Aboriginal Day Culture and Committee for Stony Plain, and the 2 Spirit Circle of Edmonton Society as the Cultural Lead since 2006 and was a former President.
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Warren has worked extensively with provincial and federal governments to address youth issues as a former National Native Role for Alberta, Canada and continues to advocate for social issues and Justice.
Warren is passionate about embracing different cultures because, he is well travelled in his career and personal life. He is learning to speak a different language, Spanish, other than his own, to pursue his dreams and passion of travel. Some of his hobbies include adventure, travel and spending time with his family and friends.
Knowledge Keeper
Teddy Manywounds (He/Him)
My name is Teddy Manywounds. I am a two-spirited person from the Tsuut’ina Nation. I was raised on the east side of Tsuut’ina, on what is known as Two Crossings Road. I attended elementary and junior school on Tsuut’ina, until grade 9, from there attended Beaver Brook High School in the city of Calgary. Upon graduation I attended Mount Royal University until the journey took me to New York City in 2009, at the age of 22.
Having spent most of my adult life in New York City, and after graduating from Parsons the New School for Design, I worked primarily in the Fashion Industry. In that time, I also had the chance to experience many cultures, experiences, panels, talks, socials, and engagements which have given me a perspective that I continue to imbue to my First Nation(s), while also striving to be the best representation of our First Nations communities.
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Currently, I hold the position of Director of Justice for G4 SNTTC. Within my goal and scope of providing the tools and resources that would create inclusive equity to our Nations, I also strive to provide safe, respectful, equitable, and responsible spaces for our women and girls. Through sharing circles and moments of healing, I want to elevate our voices through engagement, while engaging in a manner that recognizes our traditional practices. Through my experiences and perspective, I wish to continue to build our societies, families, and communities into a future our ancestors would smile upon.
Sīyísgáàs (thank you).
Knowledge Keeper
Spirit River L. Striped Wolf (He/They)
I am from the Piikani Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. My Blackfoot name is Makóyioomaahkaa which describes a running wolf. I’m a second-generation survivor of the Indian Residential Schools, 60s scoop and the Indian Day Schools. I have found strength and healing through embracing exploration and growth. By seeking out new experiences and knowledge, I have challenged inherited beliefs and patterns, allowing me to rewrite my own story—a story that is separate from the trauma of the past.
Knowledge Keeper
Talenny Rose Heavy Head/Dividing Thunder (He/Him)
I am grateful for the rewarding experiences and insight of sharing Blackfoot cultural knowledge to others, to enhance understanding and community harmony. Sharing with others is one of our native core values. As a youth I began to acknowledge the ways of my Blackfoot beliefs and values from my many elderly relatives. My family has always been and is part of the Sundance ceremony in the Kainai Nation. In the early 1990s I did my 4 year vow as a piercing Sundancer, at Morris Crow’s Sundance, were I now earn the rights as a pipe carrier and sweat lodges keeper.
Talking with elders, I have a better understanding of myself as a two spirit person. With this knowledge I have been honored to share with others, in understanding and acknowledging our 2S unique community. Within the past 25 years I have been honored to be of support with presentations, pipe ceremonies, talking circles, and sweat lodge ceremonies for Calgary (Woods Homes), Kainai Children Services, Montana 2Spirit Society annual Gatherings, Calgary 2Spirit Society (Voices), Edmonton 2Spirit Society (YEG), Kainai 2Spirit support group (Awowakii), including Kainai Healing Lodge.(Addiction Treatment ), Centre for Sexuality in Calgary, (youth camp). Blood Tribe Social Services (life Skills Program), Lethbridge Correctional Center, Lethbridge MacMan 5th on 5th Community Services, and Calgary Pride.
