BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Hope Jamieson (they/them) is a queer, nonbinary researcher and consultant based in St. John’s. Hope holds an MBA with a specialization in social enterprise from MUN and is a PhD candidate at MUN’s Faculty of Business Administration, studying critical management approaches to increasing the supply of affordable housing. They are president of Annex Consulting, a queer-owned consulting firm focused on research, policy, and fund development in the social purpose sector. Hope’s recent work with Annex includes leading projects developing capacity building resources for the community housing sector, supporting local organizations with fund development work, and compiling an extensive report on rural housing insecurity in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Hope served as Ward 2 councillor in St. John’s from 2017-2020, where they were council lead on inclusion, housing, and other community-focused files, as well as representing the City on numerous boards and committees including the Living in Community steering committee and the St. John’s Transportation Commission (Metrobus). They sat as chair of the St. John’s Status of Women Council board of directors from 2021-2023, and chaired SJSOWC’s governance committee from 2020-2021. 

Outside of work and volunteer pursuits, Hope is a burlesque performer and dancer, occasional contributor to The Independent, and adoring parent to three excellent tiny humans. 

Meet Eddy St. Coeur (he/they), a passionate advocate and dedicated member of the St. John's queer community for nearly two decades. Eddy has an impressive career spanning student leadership roles, communications, and board memberships. Known for his willingness to support educators nationwide and connect them with valuable resources, Eddy is committed to giving back to the community that has fostered their personal growth and continues to be a source of support.

As the Co-Chair External, Eddy leads the team in engaging with the public, which involves handling media, social media, events, branding, and ensuring the board's accountability and honesty.

(Photo Credit: Ashley Harding Photography)

Meet Danielle Babstock (she/her), a Project Finance Lead in the not-for-profit sector with a passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work. Danielle has ample experience in the finance industry across private, public and not-for-profit sectors, has sat on social committees, DEI committees and occupational health and safety committees throughout her employment. She is excited to use her financial and committee experience to create positive change for the St. John's 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

As Co-Chair Finance, Danielle brings a keen, detail-oriented eye to the board which will help to manage the organization's finances, while providing quality events and services to the community.

Meet Jenna Slaney (she/her), a fat, femme, queer, woman who is a fierce advocate, feminist, and harm reduction enthusiast. She has completed studies in Community Leadership and Therapeutic Recreation, and has extensive professional experience working in community outreach, youth engagement, program development, inclusion support, and recreation. Jenna also resides on two community boards, Fat Babes of NL and Saltwater Gems Burlesque, and takes pride in her direct connections within the community. Jenna can be found in her free time entertaining audiences as a local burlesque and heels dance performer, and has been focusing on sharing her learned performance skills, with a sprinkle of body positivity, confidence building, and self love. 

As Advocacy and Inclusivity Coordinator, Jenna is eager to listen to the voices of minority groups and underrepresented folks within the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. She hopes to hear what needs, wants, and ideas folks have and learn how she/the board can support the folks who are directly impacted by barriers to participation and exclusion. Jenna’s passion for her community, expertise in identifying barriers, creative problem solving skills, and lived experience will be used to make participation in pride possible for all folks, regardless of age, ability, size, spirituality, ethnicity, or orientation. 

Meet Ellen Davis (she/her), a communications strategist and marketer with a decade of experience across a variety of sectors. She has worked in strategy development and content creation in B2B, private and non-profit organizations. Ellen volunteered as a member of the board of directors of Halifax Pride for four years and developed understanding and experience in community organizing.

As communications lead, Ellen aims to bring strategic communication approaches to support programming in the St. John’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community through empathy, accountability, and transparency.

Craig Murphy is an all in one event and logistics planner. After returning to St. John's in 2009 he managed events for The Johnson Geo Centre, until 2017. He went on to focus on large-scale event consulting and execution, non-denominational funerals, and his passion - working with couples to personalize and plan their marriage ceremonies in his roll as a Marriage Commissioner in Newfoundland and Labrador.

After supporting St. John's Pride during the 2023 & 2024 festivals as a volunteer, Craig's honoured to be able to build on an organization like so many before him as St. John's Pride gets ready to offer up another parade and festival to the community.

Meet Megs Scott (they/them), originally from Channel Port aux Basques, they came to the city to pursue education in 2023, and has since found community here. They are a marine biology masters student at MUN, Co-president of Fridays for Future St. John’s, a member of MUN Students for Palestine and Queers for Palestine. When not at school, they are usually apart of community organizing, whether that be protests or elections matters, they are proud of their ties to organizing. They are also a beginner photographer, and love to make crafts! 

As Volunteer Lead, Megs hopes to make volunteering accessible and fun, as we all know the events wouldn’t run without the volunteers! 

Nic Ryan (she/ they is a queer human primarily based in St. John's. Nic is a Red Seal refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic by trade. They have taught the trade both professionally and on the job apprenticeship mentoring. Nic's recent experiences as both teacher and student have been very rewarding, especially as a representative of women and the queer community in the trades. 

Outside of work and volunteer pursuits, Nic is a outdoor year-round swimmer and adventurer, avid batik egg artist, and adoring guardian to one very large cat. 

Kassie Drodge (she/her) is from St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador and brings over 10 years of leadership, advocacy, and community engagement experience.

Working directly with communities, from clinics to natural environments, Kassie has experience with trauma informed approaches to consultation and support, while being formally equipped with innovative research strategies that center community action, art, and academic development to compliment and progress existing policies and funding practices.

Holding a bachelor and masters of social science and humanities, Kassie has taught both qualitative and quantitative social theory, critical theory in economics, and the history of social justice movements in Canada and the globe. Kassie has presented at the University of Toronto, Oxford University, and the University of Ottawa, on her research regarding climate change and industry based solutions for sustainable development in fisheries and renewable energy; and has worked on advancing LGBTQIA+ newcomer leadership in professional fields; and currently focusing on queerness and concerns related to climate emergency preparedness and evacuation planning in NL.  

Em is a queer Engineering Student originally from Labrador City, and now based in St. John’s.

Em volunteered as a teen starting in 2018 with the Lab West Pride Committee, before joining the board as Media Director at 18. Currently, they are serving as Co-chair of the Lab West Pride Committee, as well as a director on the Quadrangle Community Advisory Board.When not working, studying or volunteering, Em can usually be found with a paintbrush, ball of yarn, or sketchbook in hand working on one of the twelve art projects they’ve got going at any given moment. 

 Holland Fox (they/he), a fat, trans masculine, intersex, and queer artist, researcher, and community organizer. Originally from rural Nova Scotia, they moved to St John’s in 2016 to study and work in a number of academic and community-based research settings. They have been supporting and leading projects on topics related to political behaviour, leadership, gender and politics, access to 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare, collaborative research in healthcare, and more. Currently, Holland is working with a local community organization on a project related to equitable employment policies and practices.

Beyond their professional interests, community care and mutual aid is a major pillar in Holland’s life. They are a co-founder of Fat Babes of NL and have a long history of working and volunteering at community organizations in the city. In their free time, you can often find Holland refilling the bird feeder, playing piano/keyboard, crafting, or watching reality tv with their orange cat — Seth!

As director-at-large, they hope to weaponize their wide range of knowledge/experience and channel it into supporting last year’s Board of Directors. They’ll be able to float between multiple roles as necessary to ensure all aspects of Pride run smoothly. Holland also hopes to be an additional touchstone (friendly-face) for trans masculine, intersex, fat and otherwise marginalized people to communicate and resonate with at St John’s Pride.