People

Staff

Joe Wickenhauser

Executive Director

Joe Wickenhauser is a passionate community organizer who has worked with schools, healthcare workers and community groups to provide diversity training on how to support LGBT+ people in an organizational setting. After completing his Master’s thesis on LGBT+ history in Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan, his work has focused on bringing communities together to support gender and sexual diversity in smaller centres. Joe regularly delivers presentations and workshops on LGBT+ issues and was nominated for a Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union in 2016. He was named as a CBC Future 40 winner in 2017 and was nominated as Citizen of the Year in Moose Jaw in 2018.

Laura Budd

Education Coordinator

Laura Budd is an impassioned Human Rights advocate and ally who is driven to create a society where all people are celebrated and respected. She has worked with students (from pre-K to University), educators, health care professionals, women’s shelters and service groups to offer diversity training on gender and sexual diversity which includes her own lived experiences. With the unique ability of speaking from her scars, not her wounds, Laura also does motivational speaking to dispel the myths and stigmas of mental health challenges and suicide.

Dexton Bourne

Program Coordinator

Dexton is a proud born-and-raised Saskatchewan resident who believes the road to success is paved through diversity. They strive to raise awareness and support for the Gender & Sexually Diverse (GSD) communities of SK through education, networking and fun! Dexton has dedicated much of their time to the local GSD community through events, presentations and workshops. They are particularly passionate when it comes to their work around gender diverse education and advocacy.

Board of Directors

Amanda Farnel, Acting Chair

Director since: September 29, 2016

Amanda was born and raised in Moose Jaw. She is Operations Coordinator at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words and has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Statistics.

Kelly Carty, Vice Chair

Director since: March 2017

Kelly grew up in Moose Jaw and is the HR/Cast Director/Ticket office manager of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. She has BA in Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan. She sits on a number of Boards within her community.

Michelle Blakley, Treasurer

Director since: March 2017

James Szwagierczak, Volunteer Coordinator

Director since: October 29, 2015

James identifies as a gay man and a former foster kid. Outside of serving on the board of directors for Moose Jaw Pride he is also President of the board of directors for Saskatchewan Youth In Care and Custody Network, as well as being secretary/public relations for the Gay and Lesbian Association of Moose Jaw (GLAMJ).

Jenn New, Member at Large

Founding Member

Director since: February 6, 2014

Jenn is is a person who copes with the impacts of ventilator dependent quadriplegia and has 24 hour care attendants. Jenn attends university part time and enjoys a variety of activities including art/drawing, listening and attending music events, and gatherings with friends. Even though she has physical limitations, Jenn actively strives to live with a barrier free attitude.

Cole Ramsey, Gender Diversity Representative

Director since: May 2017

Cole Ramsey was born and raised in Saskatchewan, and plans to stay here to enjoy and improve this wonderful province. After graduating from the University of Regina with a B.A. and a B.Ed., Cole moved to Moose Jaw to teach. They are a teacher both in and out of school, educating people one day at a time on the value and vibrance of queerness and gender diversity in the world.

PAST BOARD MEMBERS