Toby Whitfield (he/him) brings over a decade of experience in managing and working in progressive non-profit organizations of various sizes, in both Toronto and Ottawa. He has extensive experience leading teams; providing strong representation and advocacy; and managing events, programs and services. He continues to support leaders of non-profit organizations with matters involving board governance, human resources, and financial management.

Toby has been involved in Capital Pride in various roles since 2016, when he first joined the Board of Directors. Since then, he has served as Treasurer (2017), Chairperson (2018), and Festival Director (2019). In these roles, he led the organization through significant growth, including expanding summer festival programming, introducing new signature events, and developing new community and corporate partnerships.

Toby is committed to continuing to deliver on Capital Pride’s mission with a focus on continuing the organization’s work to create spaces for marginalized voices within our community.

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A proud queer and non-binary Franco-Ontarian, Francesco joined Capital Pride’s Board of Directors in 2019 as the Director of Francophone Affairs. Since then, they have sought to expand the organization’s French-language programing while promoting advocacy efforts to improve the lives of gender-diverse people in the National Capital Region, where they have lived since 2014.

As a current PhD student at Concordia University, Francesco studies the citizenship and political representation of trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people in Canada at both the federal and provincial levels. Always eager to promote queer and trans civic engagement, Francesco has worked for a number of non-profit organizations, both as a Board member and an employee.

In their day job, Francesco promotes the health and well-being of gender and sexual minorities as the Community-Based Research Centre’s Francophone Content Strategist. They are also involved in multiple research projects that seek to empower marginalized people to facilitate lasting change within their communities.

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Victoria (she, her) works as a management consultant advising public sector organizations on business, technology, and organizational strategies to improve the lives of Canadian citizens and communities. She looks to leverage her skills and experience to increase the reach and capacity of Capital Pride and partner community organizations to drive positive change for the National Capital Region’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.

An advocate for the improved representation of queer people of colour in all realms of public life, Victoria avidly supports and promotes the sharing of diverse 2SLGBTQ+ experiences through art and storytelling, and is dedicated to amplifying such voices as a member of the Board of Directors.

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Mj (they/them) is a bisexual genderqueer Filipino from Ottawa. They're currently enrolled at Carleton University with a Minor in Sexuality Studies.

Mj first started volunteering with Capital Pride in the summer of 2018. Since then, they've continued to take part in volunteer positions every festival, culminating in joining the CPYC at the start of 2020, where they currently act as Operations Lead, helping to organize community-focused events and designing graphics used by the committee.

They're constantly exploring new ways to support and advocate for intersectional prejudiced identities - especially relating to sexuality, gender, race, disability, and class.
Notable examples during their time in high school include founding their schools' 2SLGBTQ+ club, and organizing a musical event to raise charity for local youth support organizations.

Their passions lie in queer theory, music production and graphic / interactive media design, but they're constantly exploring new fields. In their free time, they're most often making music and creative content, but that won't stop them from binging McElroy podcasts.

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Isabelle Mills (she / her, they / them) is a high school student attending Lisgar Collegiate Institute. They have worked closely with the clubs, Me to We, Leaf, and Rainbow Alliance at their school, which has helped them associate with a variety of causes and different techniques to achieve a collective goal.

Isabelle has always had a strong passion for helping people and fighting for equal rights no matter: race, gender, sexuality, religion, social class, etc.

Their goal with joining the Youth Committee is to help create spaces for all to feel welcomed and included, no matter one’s differences. They also hope to use their experience of being part of the committee to enhance Ottawa’s high school students. By having accessibility to knowledge, and understanding of the 2SLGBTQ+ community for all.

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Gillian (jill-e-in) is a proud genderqueer femme lesbian who has lived in Ottawa (the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg people) her entire life. She recently finished her Honours BSocSc in Public Administration with a minor in Women’s Studies at the University of Ottawa and will be graduating Magna Cum Laude. She looks forward to soon studying Community and Justice Services at Algonquin College, along with taking FSL courses.

Gillian is always looking to increase their involvement in the local 2SLGBTQ+ community and beyond. Their passions lie especially in: intersectional feminism, body acceptance, sapphic representation, and making pride more accessible for youth with disabilities and mental illnesses. They are a self-described lavender menace with a devotion to social justice.

In her high school years, Gillian helped re-found her school’s GSA and was its co-chair for two years. In university, she was a strong advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ members in her sorority. Gillian currently works as a federal public servant in public opinion research. In their free time they love cuddling with their two cats Milo & Joey (IG: @gillieskitties), reading and talking about sapphic & feminist books (IG: @gillesbianreads).

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Jonathan (he/him) moved to the National Capital Region in 2013 to pursue a business degree at the University of Ottawa. After completion of his degree, Jonathan joined a multinational accounting firm and completed his CPA designation and has since worked in providing external audit and consulting services to a variety of entities. His experience varies from large listed companies to small not-for-profit enterprises and everything in between. Jonathan is known for his technical acumen and his ability to approach problems with a solution mindset.

Jonathan joined the Capital Pride Board of Directors in 2020, stepping into the role of Treasurer to bring a financial and analytical perspective to the organization.

As part of his involvement, Jonathan is dedicated to ensuring the longevity, financial accountability, and prosperity of the organization to allow the organization to actualize its mission for its numerous stakeholders.

Cooper is a proud trans, non-binary, queer professional who is eager to contribute to the Capital Pride community. They have a proven track record of representing their peers and engaging in transparent decision-making while recognizing and respecting diverse needs and perspectives. They began their career working closely with queer and trans youth, evolving into an almost decade of experience in non-profit management. This includes their deep roots in the student movement, having worked at six different university and college campuses across Canada.

Cooper holds degrees from Carleton University and the University of Toronto Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Throughout their studies and years of community activism, Cooper has developed a deep understanding and respect for the history of Pride and will work tirelessly to ensure their work embodies its roots of resistance and celebrates those in the community who made Pride what it is today.

Cooper believes strongly in the power of collective action and is committed to investing in initiatives that are anti-racist, anti-colonial and inclusive of all marginalized identities in all their complexities. Deeply invested in the growth and improvement of Capital Pride as a Board member, Cooper will be focused on increasing the accessibility of Pride and supporting the most marginalized in our community.

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Hallie is a communications and issues management professional with over 5 years of experience working in federal politics. Raised in rural Quebec, she came to Ottawa a decade ago to study at the University of Ottawa. She holds a Joint Honours and Masters in Political Science and Gender Studies. Since moving to Ottawa, she has been active in the community, supporting a number of local feminist causes and not-for-profits. Hallie is passionate about the empowerment of young women and girls, particularly through peer-to-peer mentorship and skills building. She also serves on the board of the Empow(Her) Network.

A proud queer intersectional feminist, Hallie is eager to leverage her skills and network to support Capital Pride’s growth while engaging further with the local 2SLGBTQ+ community and finding her place within it.

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Hi! My name is Ava, I’m a high school student here in Ottawa. I hold a lot of passion for learning about, and destigmatizing discussions of menstrual, sexual and mental health, particularly when it comes to queer sex ed. Subjects such as 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships and the effects growing up queer and surrounded by heternormative culture can have on your mental health ones that are so often overlooked in health curriculums. I equally love studying history, languages and politics and do my best to express messages of acceptance and the beauty of diversity through my writing.

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Eliza Aguhar (she/her) is queer Filipino whos passionate about science, writing, music, and creating POC/BIPOC representation within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. She is currently studying Biochemistry at the University of Ottawa, but she loves to explore creative passions on the side.Eliza’s life goal is to provide equitable resources, information, and support to those of oppressed and marginalized communities (whether that be race, class, sexuality, etc.), which is why she joined CPYC.In her free time, Eliza loves writing about science and social commentary, musical theatre, and making music/music content!

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Hello! My name is Anika (she/they) and I'm a high school student at Colonel by Secondary School. I love being outside, if I'm not studying you can probably find me camping or on a run-in nature! I'm a junior executive at my school's Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) where I've worked closely with the Feminism Club and Black Excellence Club to bring intersectionality to 2SGBTQ+ representation. I love to bake, dance, act, draw and do anything in nature and I can’t wait to be a part of the CPYC!

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Teia Maracle or "Tay", is a high school graduate who has a passion for civil rights, sexual health and education. They are apart of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and identify as two-spirited. They are proud to say they are a femme non-binary lesbian!
They joined CPYC in hopes of broadening their knowledge on different topics in their 2SLGBTQ+ community. They hope to be able to not only educate themselves but others around them. Their goal is to become more active and present in their 2SLGBTQ+ community. They will be attending Carleton’s Indigenous Enriched Support Program in the fall to eventually pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender studies. Teia currently works in the service industry as bartender and manager. In their spare time you can catch them at their local art museum or nose-deep in their favourite book.

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Cameron Jette is a proud disabled butch lesbian, born and raised on unceeded Algonquin territory in Orleans. As a Carleton University Alumni, who is currently studying at Algonquin College in Child and Youth Care he focuses on the intersections of 2SLGBTQ+ youth and other marginalizations, including BIPOC, and disabled youth. They have previously been involved with Capital Pride as the Volunteer and Youth Events Coordinator during the 2019 Summer Festival and 2020 WinterPride and are excited to start this new journey withthe Capital Pride Youth Committee.

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Hi!! I’m Gaby, I use she/her pronouns and I’m a high school student at Nepean. I was born and raised here in Ottawa. I’m super passionate about the environment, educating others about queer mental health and promoting the use of an intersectional lens in all settings. I love to make and observe art; I’m all about incorporating creative approaches to my activism and uplifting other queer artists. I am a person with a disability and I am excited to bring my unique perspective in order to make pride events and initiatives as accessible as possible. I’m honestly so happy that I get to contribute and make a difference in the community.

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Coming from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jaden is an upper year communication and media studies student and advocate for The National Capital Region’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Having served on the executive teams for various non-profit organizations, Jaden has always aimed to create safe and inclusive programming for Queer and Trans identities. This past October, Jaden coordinated the first ever Pride Festival at his University and through his experience, he has gained the skills to foster an inclusive community, through events that celebrate our diversity and cater to underrepresented communities.

Jaden has been employed with Capital Pride for over 2 years, majorly involved in the planning of the Summer Festival and the lead in coordinating The Capital Pride Pageant in 2020 and 2021. He was thrilled to continue working for Pride as the programming coordinator for Capital Pride’s Queer, Trans, Black and Proud celebrations this past February in recognition of Black Queer and trans identities for Black History Month and happy to be back as the Programming coordinator for the 2022 Summer festival!

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Originally from Toronto, Massimo is a student at the University of Ottawa studying world cultures and linguistics. As part of his studies, Massimo researches mainstream cultures and how they evolve in relation to queer countercultures, with special focus placed on the language varieties spoken by queer individuals. He is elated to be working with the 2022 Capital Pride team, a position where he hopes he can give back to the same community that showed him the importance of living one's life authentically.

When not working or cramming for exams, you'll most likely find Massimo in the gym weightlifting, where he strives to prove that you can perform just as strongly listening to Doja Cat as you can to Kanye.

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Kate is a proud pansexual regional operations manager with many years of experience building and leading teams in both Ottawa and Toronto. Kate is passionate about her involvement in 2SLGBTQ+ communities, restorative justice, anti-racism, intersectional feminism and body positivity. She co-leads a Diversity & Inclusion Committee across the company she works for and is currently working towards her professional co-active coaching certification to help others reach their goals. After 3 years in Toronto, Kate is back in Ottawa and ready to help with the success and growth of Capital Pride!

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Taib is an Ottawa based consultant, facilitator, speaker, and anti-racism educator. An ardent advocate for human rights and social justice, he has 10 years of experience working through a variety of local and international organizations and collectives to advance the rights of Black and LGBT+ minorities and other oppressed communities. He leads his own firm, TKB Consulting, where he provides consulting and training for a wide variety of organizations in the public and private sectors.

Taib draws upon both lived experience and his educational background – he is currently a master’s candidate in sociology with a specialization in feminist and gender studies at the University of Ottawa.

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Sean brings experience in the education, sports media, youth sports, marketing and sponsorship sectors to the Capital Pride Board of Directors. He also has extensive experience working as a volunteer for community-based initiatives and non-profits. These include championing initiatives such as a local fundraising event to advocate for youth mental health services, being a board member of the pride & remembrance run in Toronto, and co-leading 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives in university athletics. In addition, Sean has a passion and love for storytelling and brings a personal commitment to lifelong learning.

Sean completed his MBA with a sports business focus and presently works as a Marketing Director for a youth baseball organization. Through his recent education and work, Sean has been dedicated to advocating for increased equity and inclusion education, creating safe spaces, enhancing marginalized voices, and improving mental health awareness. As part of his involvement, Sean is dedicated to fulfilling the mission of Capital Pride to create opportunities to celebrate, advocate, educate and connect people, respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Sean passionately supports and advocates for spaces in sports that celebrate all experiences and everyone's voices.