2025-2026 Board Applications

Below are all the applications that have been submitted from the community to be a member of the next Kamloops Pride Society board. Applications are listed in order of submission.

Currently Held Positions:

President: Alyssa Christianson (starting year 4 of 4)

General Director: Riann Munro (starting year 2 of 2), Teresa Donck-Matlock (starting year 2 of 2)

Bella Gray

Pronouns: they/them

Position(s): Director of Resources

About Themselves: I am 22. I am a lesbian Two-Spirit person, and my fiancee is a wonderful trans woman who is also heavily involved in our community. My past career experience includes childcare, case management, outreach, advocacy, safety planning, referrals and support services specific to children and families, especially our unhoused and Indigenous populations. I also coordinate a variety of events and community opportunities. I currently work with the Friendship Society and volunteer a lot of my time there. I also volunteer in large awareness events and protests for the LGBTQ2S+ and Indigenous communities. In my free time, I'm active in nature, I act, and I craft. I pay close attention to details, am organized, and I love to learn and am very open to criticism. I work well with others, but am very capable of independent tasks.

Contributions made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community: Besides my career work, I advocate and have a presence online. I also support my partner with her work with the Kamloops LGBTQ2S+ Discord Server. I also make waves wherever I am to make every space safer for everyone.

Why they want to join the board: I want to take further steps to connect with other community members. I also want to support and advocate. I thinks it's more important than ever to have a strong support presence for our marginalized communities. I want to contribute any way I can.

Skills: Team leadership or supervision, Written communication, Verbal communication, Experience with the 2SLGBTQPIA+ or other marginalized communities (programming, events, projects, etc.), Organizational skills, Event planning, Passion for volunteerism, Admin skills (documentation, filing, emailing the public), Google Drive/Gmail experience, Policy development, Interpersonal skills, Technology and internet literacy, Social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.), Graphic design (Ex. Canva), Media relations/communications, Youth outreach, Advocacy, Training/Education, Community networking, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.

Eliana Baboiu

Pronouns: she/her

Position(s): Director of Resources

About Themselves: I am applying for another term as the Director of Resources on the Kamloops Pride Board. In my two years on the Kamloops Pride Board, I have tabled at events such as the Farmer’s Market and the Thompson Rivers University Student Union (TRUSU) Pride Parade. I was also a guest speaker at a lecture at TRU and I assisted law students and nursing students on their practice placements. Before my two years serving the Kamloops Pride Board, I was the president for the TRUSU Pride Club. While I was attending TRU, I also represented 2SLGBTQPIA+ students on campus as the LGBTQ+ representative on the TRUSU Board of Directors. I currently work as a registered nurse at the Royal Inland Hospital. When I am not working or volunteering for Kamloops Pride, I sing with the Kamloops Pride Choir.

Contributions made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community: When I was the president of the TRUSU Pride Club, I organized and facilitated a bi-weekly social group called Queer Connections. I also began advocating and petitioning for TRU to set up a Pride Centre on campus. In the last two years as the Director of Resources, I facilitated for Rainbrews and Espressso Yourself. I also helped to organize and facilitate different events for Pride Week. I worked with TRU nursing students as a field guide to create the SOGI guide for parents, and a 2SLGBTQPIA+ healthcare guide. In my previous role as the president of the TRUSU Pride Club, I organized a series of socials called Queer Connections for 2SLGBTQPIA+ students and allies on campus. I also started a petition for a Pride Centre on campus. In response to the increasing hate towards the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community, I worked with people from the community to organize counter protests against the Two Million March for Children.

Why they want to join the board: I would like to continue with my position on the Kamloops Pride Board because I enjoy working with other board members to make Kamloops a safer place for members of the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community. Through this role on the Kamloops Pride Board, I hope to be able to continue to advocate for this community in Kamloops.

Skills: Team leadership or supervision, Written communication, Verbal communication, Previous experience on a Board of Directors, Experience with the 2SLGBTQPIA+ or other marginalized communities (programming, events, projects, etc.), Organizational skills, Event planning, Google Drive/Gmail experience, Board governance, Interpersonal skills, Social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.), Graphic design (Ex. Canva), Media relations/communications, Advocacy, Training/Education, Community networking, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people, Pride Choir member (more than 1 year).

Dutch Dion-Glowa

Pronouns: they/them

Position(s): Director of Grants

About Themselves: I'm a 40 year old 2S Métis parent. I have a career in 2SLGBTQPIA+ rights and advocacy. I have served on the KSACC board of directors as their Vice-president in the past. I have been in the non-profit sector for over 10 years and have spent much of that time seeking, applying for and reporting on grant funding. I have also sent the bulk of my career working with children and youth, and would be happy to consider either the Director of Youth Engagement role or the Director of Grants role, but have a great deal of grant writing experience, so thought I'd stick with that. I am an artist and poet, and I love music. I teach fitness classes (kickboxing) and love the Kamloops landscape, so being in nature is a fave of mine.

Contributions made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community: I work in 2SLGBTQPIA+ human rights at the National level, ensuring the K-12 education sector is safe, welcoming and respectful of students of all sexual orientations and gender identities. I present at National conferences on the SOGIE sector and the political and social barriers it faces. Navigating shifting legislation and policy impacting 2SLGBTQPIA+ human rights is a daily part of my life, and supporting allies and community members in their own advocacy work is a huge part of my work.

Why they want to join the board: I love the work Kamloops Pride does, and how often we are able to connect with one another even though we might be a small group. I think the variety of events and connection offered are incredible, and those connection points to the this community have helped me blossom into who I am. I want to make sure it can continue.

Skills: Team leadership or supervision, Strategic planning, Staffing/Human resources, Written communication, Verbal communication, Previous experience on a Board of Directors, Experience with the 2SLGBTQPIA+ or other marginalized communities (programming, events, projects, etc.), Organizational skills, Event planning, Passion for volunteerism, Admin skills (documentation, filing, emailing the public), Google Drive/Gmail experience, Fundraising, Board governance, Policy development, Interpersonal skills, Technology and internet literacy, Social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.), Graphic design (Ex. Canva), Media relations/communications, Youth outreach, Advocacy, Grant writing, Training/Education, Community networking, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.

Kenneth Okolie

Pronouns: they/them

Position(s): Volunteer Coordinator

About Themselves: 46 years old am working at kaltire and I had volunteering experience and I was one of the leader of my LGBTQ community in Nigeria Abuja and I am good at managing and organizing events and I like spending time with people with different visions

Contributions made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community: I am a new in Kamloops and I want to meet with you guys one & one. I have a whole life of contribution.

Why they want to join the board: I was the leader of the community back home and I want to join to community to serve my people well.

Skills: Team leadership or supervision, Organizational skills, Event planning, Fundraising, Policy development, Interpersonal skills, Training/Education, Community networking, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.

Shantelle Bishop

Pronouns: she/they

Position(s): General Director

About Themselves: Im 25 years old, i am a child protection social worker for SCFSA and have volunteered my entire life either at the hospital or for non profits. I take interest in helping others, connecting with the land and my support network.

Contributions made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community: I started the first diversity club in my highschool in penticton, the club fought for the first gender neutral washroom and was able to paint a rainbow cross walk in front of the school. In university i was vice president Equity and help continue doing campaigns like end the blood pan or the period promise campaign through united way.

Why they want to join the board: I would like to be apart of a community that is inclusive, safe and celebrate the beauty of queer people for who they are.

Skills: Team leadership or supervision, Strategic planning, Verbal communication, Previous experience on a Board of Directors, Experience with the 2SLGBTQPIA+ or other marginalized communities (programming, events, projects, etc.), Organizational skills, Event planning, Passion for volunteerism, Admin skills (documentation, filing, emailing the public), Google Drive/Gmail experience, Fundraising, Board governance, Policy development, Interpersonal skills, Technology and internet literacy, Social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.), Media relations/communications, Youth outreach, Advocacy, Grant writing, Training/Education, Community networking, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.

Neevesha Panjawani

Pronouns: She/Her

Position(s): General Director

About Themselves: I am 26 year old. I work with children and families. I have been on the board of Kamloops pride for a year. I am interested in building a community that supports and celebrates the queer folks of Kamloops. I love picnics, reading and making seasonal bingo cards. I also am passionate about gratitude and love hosting gratitude circles.

Contributions made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community: I have been an active part of the community, I have showed up for rallies, hosted events, been part of queer advocacy. As part of the board last year, I have worked on bridging different services with the board of Kamloops pride to widen our reach in the Kamloops community.

Why they want to join the board: I have not grown up with a lot of Indian/brown queer representation. My hope is, with a platform like Kamloops Pride, I can not only give back to my community but also be the representative that I didn't grow up with. I am a social person who is passionate about spreading awareness and joy about and for queer community. With my one year of experience on the Kamloops pride board, I feel better equipped to manage my commitment to the board and the community in a way that is meaningful to me.

Skills: Written communication, Verbal communication, Previous experience on a Board of Directors, Experience with the 2SLGBTQPIA+ or other marginalized communities (programming, events, projects, etc.), Event planning, Passion for volunteerism, Interpersonal skills, Youth outreach, Advocacy, Training/Education, Community networking, Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.

Lina McCoy

Pronouns: She/Her

Position(s): Pride Choir Representative

About Themselves: I'm 43 years old and currently work as a Team Lead at BCLC. In addition to my professional role, I volunteer as the Treasurer for my child’s parent support group, in my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends

Contributions made to the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community: I haven’t made formal contributions, but I see myself not just as an ally, but as a friend. I aim to support the 2SLGBTQPIA+ community by fostering a respectful and safe environment for everyone.

Why they want to join the board: I want to join the Kamloops Pride board to help out in an official capacity and serve as a bridge between our choir and Kamloops pride.

Skills: Team leadership or supervision, Staffing/Human resources, Written communication, Verbal communication, Organizational skills, Event planning, Passion for volunteerism, Admin skills (documentation, filing, emailing the public), Fundraising, Policy development, Interpersonal skills, Technology and internet literacy, Social media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.), Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people.