Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Fierté Simcoe Pride includes individuals who are committed to the LGBT+ community of the Simcoe County area. Members are residents or professional workers of Simcoe County. Official elections are held each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Preference is given to individuals who identify as Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD) or allies. Other community members who are interested are able to volunteer or participate through sub-committees.
To learn more about founding members, including the founding chair and past presidents, please visit the Founder's Circle page.
To learn more about founding members, including the founding chair and past presidents, please visit the Founder's Circle page.
Members
The following members were elected at the Special General Meeting on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
Colin Nelthorpe - President / Secretary
Colin Nelthorpe (he/him pronouns) is a long time resident of Barrie. He is always looking for new ways to get involved in the community and engage others. He attended Georgian College for Mechanical Technician Precision Skills and graduated in 2018. While attending college he ran successfully to become the Vice Chair of the Change Makers, a group dedicated to using technology to solve environmental and manufacturing issues.
Always needing to be part of something, Colin joined the Fierté Simcoe Pride Barrie Subcommittee in early 2019 and served as the Vice Chair and then went on to join the FSP Board of Directors as vice chair in late 2019. More recently he has been appointed Chair in January 2021 and then gone on to become the President in July 2021. He plans to continue supporting harm reduction strategies, mental health support, and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. His interests are in science, politics, handyperson skills, environment activism, and progressive social activism. Being a rather talkative person he is always willing to engage in conversation and discuss any topic to the best of his abilities.
Colin was elected to the Board as Vice Chair in December 2019, appointed to Chair in January 2021, and elected as President July 2021.
Always needing to be part of something, Colin joined the Fierté Simcoe Pride Barrie Subcommittee in early 2019 and served as the Vice Chair and then went on to join the FSP Board of Directors as vice chair in late 2019. More recently he has been appointed Chair in January 2021 and then gone on to become the President in July 2021. He plans to continue supporting harm reduction strategies, mental health support, and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. His interests are in science, politics, handyperson skills, environment activism, and progressive social activism. Being a rather talkative person he is always willing to engage in conversation and discuss any topic to the best of his abilities.
Colin was elected to the Board as Vice Chair in December 2019, appointed to Chair in January 2021, and elected as President July 2021.
Aleesha Gostkowski - Chair of the Board
Aleesha was appointed to the Board as Director in October 2021, and appointed Chair in October 2021.
Vacant - Vice Chair of the Board
This position is currently vacant.
Chris Sheriden - Treasurer
Chris was elected Treasurer July 2021.
Christian Kenehan - Social Media Director
Christian Kenehan (they/them) is a Barrie-based non-binary asexual individual. They have volunteered with organizations like Asexual Outreach, Asexual Visibility and Education Network and the trans pride subcommittee of FSP. They currently serve as a facilitator of TransQ and founder of OpenspACE Simcoe. In their spare time, they are an avid reader, nerd, and tabletop game fanatic. They also enjoy spending time taking care of their gerbils and chinchillas. Christian is pursuing a degree in accounting and plans to become a CPA. They are excited to serve the pride community and further the work being done by FSP in their position as Director.
Christian was elected to the Board as Director July 2021, and appointed Social Media Director October 2021.
Christian was elected to the Board as Director July 2021, and appointed Social Media Director October 2021.
Jason Payette - Director
Jason was elected Director in July 2021.
Tavish Rebidoux - Director
Tavish was elected Director in July 2021.