Our mission is to celebrate, honor, and support Wyoming's LGBTQ+ community while centering the legacy of where Pride began, the 1969 Stonewall Riots

Meet the Board

  • Nicholas Jesse (he/him)

    Board Chair, Fundraising Committee Chair

    Born and raised in Laramie, Nicholas has a long history of advocacy and engagement in the community. After moving back to Laramie in 2022, he joined the board of Pridefest to continue fostering an inclusive and empowering community for all. He is passionate about promoting strong public education and works as a Project Coordinator for the Wyoming School-University Partnership. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree in public administration at the University of Wyoming. In his spare time he loves growing plants, traveling, the great outdoors, and playing video games.

  • Rose Gardner (she/her)

    Treasurer, Public Relations Committee Chair

    Born and raised in Laramie, Rose is a multifaceted individual with diverse talents. She holds a Masters in Economics from the University of Oklahoma and a BA in International Studies/Religious Studies from UWYO. After a decade in various fields, she turned to visual art due to health challenges. Now, she specializes in spiral inkwork, acrylic flow painting, and kawaii digital art. Rose also teaches yoga and volunteers her graphic design skills, particularly for the Laramie Jewish Community. Passionate about queer and disability activism, she spreads joy and loves dancing like an alligator.

  • Rachael Liang (they/them)

    Board Member

    Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Rachael moved to Wyoming in early 2020 to work for the University of Wyoming as a digital archivist project manager. Their background is in history, and they have many years of experience volunteering for state and local nonprofits in the local history sector. They look forward to helping serve the queer community as a member of the Laramie Pridefest board. They love going new places, seeing new things, and meeting new people and stealing their hobbies.

  • Kellie McCleary (they/she)

    Board Member, I.T. Administrator

    Kellie has a strong interest in queer and disability activism, and is committed to making Laramie a more welcoming and inclusive place for all. They have previously volunteered with a variety of social justice and community service organizations, as well as political campaigns for progressive candidates. As the organization’s I. T. Administrator they are working to help Laramie Pridefest improve its technological presence and internal information organization. They have far too many interests and hobbies including art, history, music, and writing letters to pen pals.

  • Anna B Rader (she/her)

    Board Member

    Anna is a born and bred Wyomingite, currently working as the Engagement Editor for WyoFile. She was the digital media manager at Wyoming Public Media for several years, including being the digital producer for multiple award-winning podcasts at the station: HumaNature, The Modern West, and Carbon Valley. When she's not geeking out over sci-fi/sci-fantasy pop culture, or playing Dungeons and Dragons, she enjoys being a cinephile, hiking, and going to concerts.

  • Courtney Titus (she/her)

    Board Member

    Courtney was born and raised in Cheyenne, WY but considers Laramie her true hometown. She is a UW alum with degrees in Secondary English Education and Psychology.  She has been an advocate and activist for 2SLGBTQIAP+ issues across the state of Wyoming for almost a decade now. Coalition-building, community engagement, collaboration, and care are values she holds dearly both personally and professionally. You can find Courtney planning Queer Joy in Laramie, WY events and projects; listening to live music; DJing at various venues across town; or reading a book from her never-ending TBR pile. 

  • Ariel (she/her)

    Board Member

    Ariel is passionate about advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and visibility; she is simultaneously dedicated to addressing intersectionality with the myriad identities that have been systematically marginalized in the United States. She has a variety social justice projects (both volunteer and professional) under her belt and an unquenchable eagerness to collaborate with other people on the road to community healing and liberation. Ariel appreciates opportunities to learn from others, express herself creatively, and be outside.

Emeriti Board Members

  • Kevin Rossi

    (2022-2024)

  • Koraline Wolfgang

    (2022 - 2024)

  • Cameron McCrea

    (2022 - 2024)

  • Jordan Bishop

    (2022 - 2023)

  • Daniel Galbraith

    (2021 - 2022)

  • Tami Schroeder

    (2021 - 2022)

  • Ember Ayala

    (2021 - 2022)

  • Naomi Boldon

    (2021 - 2022)