Meet our new regional staff team!
From Anchorage to Bozeman, to Eugene to Idaho Falls – Pride Foundation is deeply committed to building and sustaining local leaders and organizations to increase visibility for LGBTQ people across the greater Northwest. Over this past year, staff, volunteers and donors have been working together to determine how to best leverage and increase Pride Foundation’s prior work in regional and rural communities. We’re so excited to expand our regional commitment.
By investing in full-time staff members in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Western Washington to lead our philanthropic and community development strategies, we know that we can increase our understanding of local issues and work better and even more collaboratively to build the future of equality in the Northwest.
We thank you in advance for your hospitality and support of these incredible individuals.
You will have a chance to meet these amazing new additions to our team once they all start in January 2011. In the meantime, please take a moment to learn a bit more about the entire regional team:
Tiffany McClain – Alaska
Growing up in St. Louis, MO – a humid, mountain-less city of brick and concrete, where two weeks of Girl Scout camp seemed like the roughest of adventures – 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.
Steve Martin – Idaho
Steve Martin proudly joins the Pride Foundation as the Regional Development Organizer for the State of 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.
Caitlin Copple – Montana
Caitlin Copple has been a volunteer with Pride Foundation’s Montana efforts since 2006. She has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Montana and is a co-founder of Out Words, Montana’s LGBTIQ newspaper. Previously, Caitlin has worked as a massage therapist, Pilates instructor, freelance writer, and more recently as the marketing and communications coordinator for YWCA Missoula and the associate director of the Montana Innocence Project. Caitlin enjoys volunteering with causes committed to equality, enjoying Montana’s great outdoors, and spending time with her partner, Katherine, and their pooch, Chekhov.
Karen Petersen – Oregon
Karen is a fairly rare type of Oregonian – one born and raised here. I’ve split my life pretty equally between small town Oregon – how small town? I didn’t live within 50 miles of a McDonald’s until I was 20 years old! – and big-city Oregon, having lived in the Portland-metro area now for the last 14 years. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, and I’ve spent the last nine years of my life working for and volunteering with nonprofits that strive to make Oregon a place where its citizens are open-minded and accepting, and treat each other with fairness, equality and respect. And when I’m not doing that, I can probably be found reading, watching movies, or shoe shopping.
Uma Rao – Western Washington
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. I believe that stronger movements include grassroots philanthropy, community based strategies and leadership development – all things that Pride Foundation does! I’m excited to be on this team and look forward to meeting you soon! 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.
Farand Gunnels – Eastern Washington
Farand Gunnels, a long-time Pride Foundation employee, joins the team as the Regional Development Organizer for Eastern Washington.
I was born in Crow Agency, Montana in 1972 and raised in Billings, Montana. I identify as a Native Two Spirit from the Crow Nation. In 1993 I moved to Spokane, Washington where I met my partner, David, three years later. I began my journey with Pride Foundation serving on the local steering committee which led to my employment in 2002. I am passionate about the work I do at Pride Foundation, whose mission, vision, and values ring true to my heart. The most inspiring part of my job is meeting with and hearing the stories of such talented, hardworking people and organizations throughout the regions that are making such a difference in their communities. Outside of Pride Foundation I serve on the board of the Montana Two Spirit Society. I enjoy geocaching, riding my scooter, watching movies, singing, dancing, fine food, and fall weather.
Read more about all Pride Foundation staff.
Loading ...
Many congrats to the new staff! May 2011 be a year where much is accomplished.
I am so very glad to see all these beautiful people forming our Pride Regional staff group. Hurray! Great work Amy!
All the best,
jackie O
Congratulations to all, go forth, and do well!!
[...] as Alaska’s new Regional Development Organizer! As you probably know, Pride Foundation recently hired five new staff members to expand our outreach efforts throughout the [...]
[...] of the ACLU of Alaska, was hired by the Pride Foundation to fill a newly-funded staff position as Regional Development Organizer for Alaska: From Anchorage to Bozeman, to Eugene to Idaho Falls – Pride Foundation is deeply committed to [...]