Pride Foundation

Zoey Brodsky, Administrative Assistant

Caitlin Copple, Regional Development Organizer – Montana

Marie Gagnon, Database Manager

Farand Gunnels, Regional Development Organizer – Eastern Washington

Jeff Hedgepeth, Grants Program Director

A self-described “country girl” from rural Wisconsin, Kris Hermanns has nearly two decades’ experience and expertise as a program manager, fundraiser, and non-profit administrator. Before joining the Pride Foundation, Kris was the deputy director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, where she both led the development department, provided day-to-day internal management of the organization, and advised on strategic direction. Prior to that, she was a program officer with The Rhode Island Foundation, where she created Equity Action, a field-of-interest fund for LGBTQ concerns, and developed the grantmaking program for the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island.

As well, Kris worked for Brown University’s Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service, which builds links between the university and the local nonprofits by developing partnerships that address community-identified needs. She earned a Masters of Education in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University and a B.A. in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In addition to her professional work, Kris served on the board of directors of Funders for LGBTQ Issues and is a partial owner of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. An avid non-fiction reader and sports enthusiast, she is looking forward to further exploring every corner of the Northwest.

Contact Kris regarding: ideas for community partnership, suggestions for our work, to talk about collaboration, Pride Foundation’s strategic plan.

Steve Martin proudly joins Pride Foundation as the Community Development Organizer in Idaho after a 20-year career in journalism, and many years of social justice volunteerism for many LGBTQ organizations and events in Idaho, including chairing The Community Center in Boise, organizing activities related to Boise’s annual Gay Pride celebration, and leading a gay theater troupe, Spontaneous Productions. Steve has resided in the Boise area for 30 years, graduating from Caldwell High School, and earning a degree in English from Boise State University. Since 1997, Steve has lived in Boise’s North End, where he shares his life with his life partner, Jim Smith, a biology professor at Boise State.

Contact Steve for everything Idaho: grants, scholarships, donating and volunteering.

Growing up in humid, mountain-less St. Louis, MO, I never imagined I’d end up living in Alaska. But I’ve never felt more at home than I do in Anchorage and am excited that I’ve been offered the opportunity to engage my passion for social justice and community organizing while living in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Grants from Pride Foundation made possible many of the projects I worked on as the LGBTQ Public Policy Coordinator for the ACLU of Alaska and now I get to support the efforts of other activists, artists, and service-providers who are working to improve the lives of LGBTQ Alaskans. When I‘m not working, you can find me outside soaking up Alaska’s beauty, daydreaming about my next travel adventure, or hiding from the cold in a nice, warm movie theatre or bookstore.

Contact Tiffany for everything Alaska: grants, scholarships, donating and volunteering.

Anthony spent several years working in higher education at several universities across the county and has long been committed to social justice and education. He created the first LGBTQ student center at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Anthony also advised student government at Indiana University and worked with student leaders at University of Washington. Prior to joining Pride Foundation as the Scholarship Programs Director, he happily reviewed scholarship applications as a volunteer. When Anthony is not at work, he enjoys practicing Italian, making a huge mess in the kitchen, and traveling.

Contact Anthony regarding: Scholarships, Fellowships, and Internships.

I grew up with the baby boomers in New England, so right on cue in my young 20s, I became a feminist and came bursting out the closet ready to take on the patriarchy and have some serious fun at the same time. I’ve mellowed considerably over the years but that young woman lives on in my heart and she drew me to Pride Foundation long ago. This is my third time on staff in a management role – and I know that when I look back on the three, I won’t be able to tell you which position my favorite was. They are all gifts. When I am not working in the nonprofit sector, I am trying to figure out how to get my long historical novel, The Spirit Room, into print or not doing that at all and enjoying time with my partner, Margaret, and my very dear friends.

Contact Marschel

I grew up in Virginia and came to the beautiful Northwest in 2004. It’s hard to leave once you get here, isn’t it? I’ve been passionate about anti-violence and social justice movements for 13 years. My passions have been fed by my mentors and peers, as well as my family and South Asian community. My roles have been to organize communities, serve on boards, train, and to raise funds. I currently serve on the board of directors for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the Western States Center. I believe that stronger movements include grassroots philanthropy, community based strategies and leadership development – all things that Pride Foundation does! Aside from working for change, some of my most favorite things include hot cups of chai tea, great stories and dancing to loud music in the mornings.

Contact Uma regarding: Western Washington grants and scholarships, or volunteering and donating in this area.

Christina is an Arizona native transplant to Seattle, Washington who firmly believes that equality and higher education access are two of the most pressing issues today as they both are vital in creating a socially just society. With that in mind, she considers herself incredibly lucky to take her extensive higher education organizing background and put it to good use at Pride Foundation. Besides pursuing social justice, Christina loves exploring everything from new cities to new restaurants. She’s most happy when working-out, dancing, or wearing a particularly fierce pair of shoes.

Contact Christina regarding: a gift to Pride Foundation, hosting a house party, comments about our eNewsletter stories or our online events calendar.

Originally from Detroit, we can talk cars or casseroles. A Seattleite since 1997, I’ve had the privilege of raising resources and building friendships for great organizations including Women’s Funding Alliance, Child Care Resources and the Girl Scouts of Western Washington. Where values, action, joy and possibilities intersect – that is best part of philanthropy! Away from work you can find me laughing loudly in public, digging in a thrift store, watching PBS, researching my cookbooks, volunteering for a political campaign or playing with Maple, the Super-Dachshund (and ruler of my world).

Contact Jody regarding: a gift to Pride Foundation, starting a donor advised fund, making a gift of stock, hosting a house party or starting a giving circle.

Amy grew up in Sheridan, MT, population 700 and after moving from Montana to Minnesota, eventually graduated high school in Cheney, WA.  Over the past few years, Amy has held a variety of leadership positions within the YMCA of Greater Seattle and has taken an active role in diversity and inclusion issues within the Greater Seattle community. She has expertise in organizational management, program design and evaluation, and fundraising. She is a founding member of the YMCA of the USA National GLBT Affinity Group and serves on the Seattle Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign.  One of Amy’s favorite volunteer experiences was working as “Sammy the Camel” for the Seattle Art Museum’s grand opening and on the weekend you will find her at estate and garage sales in search of the perfect vintage treasure.

Contact Amy about leadership and organizing throughout the Northwest.

Jack of All Trades. Renaissance Man. The Catherine O’Leary of his time. These are a few of the ways my professional life has been described. I prefer when things run smoothly and I find I have a knack for making that happen (except for that one time…). I grew up in New York and I adore the east coast, but Seattle is my home. The University of Washington was only going to be a place to pursue my degree in Architecture, but once here I just couldn’t leave. I love the fact that my job involves helping people pursue higher education. It was the first step for me getting out in the world and a wonderful one at that. I like long walks on the beach, dinner by candlelight and my humor dry. Did I mention I’m a Sagittarius?

Contact Craig regarding: humor, sarcasm, credit card gift renewals & changes, or updating your address.

Communicating an idea is as important as having one to begin with. This notion makes my work a true joy because Pride Foundation is one heck of a great idea that almost speaks for itself. I come from the far off land of Toronto, Canada. I’ve worked in the LGBTQ sector for many years; running a youth peer-based helpline and Toronto’s LGBTQ community foundation, as well as, chairing a LGBTQ philanthropy conference aimed at helping nonprofits succeed. Aside from talking and writing about community issues, you’ll find me reading transportation system schematics and memorizing US state capitals.

Contact Philip for media inquiries and questions about our eNewsletter, website, social media, the Shareholder Advocacy Program, and anything Canadian.

Order. I love order. If it can be alphabetized, color-coded, or aligned, I’ll probably go there. I left the tornados and black widows and rattlesnakes of my Arkansas dairy farm for Washington State over twenty years ago. When I’m not counting numbers and paperclips, I write and record music, work on my little orange house, and play with my adorable puppy, Bodie. Oh, and I love peanut butter. Mmm, peanut butter.

Contact Jimbo regarding: Financial Documents, Fund Balances, Accounts Payable.

While easily distracted by sunshine spots on the rug, squeaky toys and treats – Bodie (one cute Westie) and Maple (one smooth Dachshund) provide Pride Foundation with essential hospitality and security services. Known to also run through the halls, nap under a desk and help with “clean up” after lunch meetings, Bodie and Maple each bring a commitment to full equality for all people, families and canines. Bodie’s favorite Pride Foundation value is: “Fun” (since he is always having it!) and Maple’s favorite Pride Foundation value is: “Listening” (since she’ll make you listen to her bark before she licks your face!). They are hopeful to become CPR trained and gain Sheriff status in 2012. If you ever visit the Seattle office – you will get a chance to shake paws!