Jim is honored to be a member of the Wichita Pride Board, joining in late 2018. He is a military brat, who came to Kansas as a child. He graduated from Derby sometime during the last century, followed by KU and KUMC. He lived in Houston for 36 years, retiring from U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 2017. Jim and his husband George moved to Wichita in 2017. Jim's goal for Wichita Pride to evolve to a more year-round organization, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community 365
Jordan is in their second year on the board and first year as Vice President for Wichita Pride. Jordan identifies as Non-binary Transmasc and uses they/them pronouns. They are excited to take on this role to help create safe spaces for their community as Wichita was the first place they felt safe to be their authentic self. Jordan also serves on the DEAI committee at Sedgwick County Zoo and heads the Pride efforts to make the zoo a safe place for all. If Jordan isn't at the zoo you can catch them reading or buying more plants for their home.
Chris was born in Virginia, and has lived across the country before moving to Wichita in 2014. He joined the Pride Board as Treasurer in 2022, and daylights as an accountant. Chris joined Pride to use his professional skills for the benefit of a marginalized community. When not doing accounting work, he can be found at music festivals or reading.
Evelyn has been living in Wichita for one year with her wonderful girlfriend, and has enjoyed serving on the Pride Board since February of 2023. She is excited to utilize her education to serve her community as a recent graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Sociology and minors in Music, Psychology, Women & Gender Studies, and Ethnic studies. She currently works as a Research Assistant with the KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Outside of work and board, Evelyn enjoys crafting earrings, cooking, singing, and spending time with her big orange cat O’Malley.
Emerson Ross joined the Pride Board in 2023 and is delighted to be the Entertainment Director for Wichita Pride 2024. As a performing artist and a Wichita native, Emerson has found great joy in amplifying local queer art in the community through Wichita Pride. He is a graduate of Wichita State University. Emerson strives to embrace activism, acceptance, and accessibility throughout his artistic endeavors, and is grateful for the opportunities to do so on the Pride Board.
Joseph is a seasoned professional and native Wichitan and seamlessly intertwines his extensive background in the automotive collision industry with a heartfelt commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy. Graduating from Maize High School in 2015, he established a solid foundation of character that propels him as a respected figure in both the community and his chosen field. As a valued member of Wichita First United Methodist Church, centrally located in downtown Wichita, Joseph harmonizes his faith and community engagement with finesse. Currently embarking on his first term as the Fundraising Director for Wichita Pride, he applies a thoughtful approach to cultivate meaningful relationships and partnerships within the community. Joseph's strategic endeavors aim to bridge gaps and fortify support for Wichita Pride throughout the year. His dedication and adept maneuvering between professional and community spheres mark him as an influential force in propelling the organization's objectives forward.
Anders has been volunteering with Wichita Pride since 2016 and this will be the third year he has served as Parade Director. He currently works in the field of medical social work. Volunteering with Pride is important to him because he has seen how much joy the parade, festival and other events bring to people each year, and being able to contribute to it is highly rewarding. Outside of work, he is passionate about strategy games and art history.
Kelsey is a Fort Hays State University graduate, and has been residing in Wichita for nearly eight years. As an outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys spending time kayaking, traveling, and camping with wife, Ali. When they aren’t paddling down a river together, they enjoy hanging out at home with their rescued fur babies, two dogs and four cats. Her passion for wanting to help make Wichita a safe and inclusive space for all humans is what led her to join Wichita Pride. She is people-focused, results oriented, and widely recognized for the trusting, collaborative relationships she builds. Kelsey actively champions diversity and inclusion in her everyday life and is an active member of her workplace’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness and Belonging (DEIB) committee at The University of Kansas Health System.
Natalie is a proud member and mother to a member of the LGBTQIA2+ community. Being born and raised in the Wichita area, she is focused on making Wichita a place for LGBTQIA2+ families to live, work and play. Her day job at Textron Aviation involves creating an inclusive environment where employees can come to work as themselves and be respected, creating an environment of success for all. As Chair of Fusion, the Employee Resource Group for Textron Aviation LGBTQIA2+ employees and allies, she focuses on education, advocacy and community. She co-leads SafeZone training to educate employees on LGBTQIA2+ topics and creating a space for open conversations. She joined the Wichita Pride board to carry on this work outside of her day job and fill her own bucket. On the homefront, Natalie enjoys assembling jigsaw puzzles, watching college softball, camping, and reading with her wife, Lisa; daughter, Luna; granddaughter, Siccorah; dog, Bodhi; cat, Aura; and attack cat/dog Piko.
Ollie is in their second term on the board after joining in 2023 to connect with the community in Wichita. They graduated from Kansas State University where they were involved with Sexuality and Gender Alliance as treasurer. Since then, they felt they needed to do more for their community than just passively participate, and hope to serve Wichita in the same way they served KSU. Ollie is also an amateur drag king, performing under the name "Dougie No-Nuts" wherever has an amateur night. Outside of drag, Ollie enjoys reading and playing dungeons and dragons with their friends and partner.
Sheila is a native of Topeka, KS and a proud daughter of a member of the LGBTQ community. All of her life she was surrounded by their chosen family. Sharing life with these amazing folx lit the fire in her heart for doing all she can to help others feel safe, loved and have equal rights. After earning her BSN degree from Washburn University she earned her graduate degree in 2002, Wichita State University, Family Nurse Practitioner program. During the day you will find her seeing patients at M-Care Healthcare where she provides primary care, gender affirming care and aesthetics. She is happy to be able to serve a community close to her heart by working at a place that provides affirming, equitable and safe healthcare for all. When she is not in clinic you can find her guest speaking at events about LGBTQ healthcare, attending sports events cheering on her oldest son, Wyatt, cooking and hanging out with daughter, Jolie, or learning the art of gaming with her youngest son, Hudson. Her mom, Shirley, is her best friend and she is blessed to have her help raising her kids and fur babies. Sheila is excited to be serving Wichita Pride as Youth and Families Director. Her vision is to have a safe place for kids and families to come together, meet new people, make friends, have fun experiences and make memories that they will think back on and cherish for years to come.
Logan Bruyr-Geist joined the Pride Board in 2023. He grew up in a small town in Western KS and moved to the Wichita area for college where he was first exposed to the LGBTQ community and his journey to understanding himself truly beg He finished college at Wichita State University, and is now the general manager of a locally-based Internet retail company. When he is not working or volunteering for the Pride Board, Logan enjoys spending time with his husband in their hot tub, enjoying his friends, and watching his backyard chickens while imagining his next garden project. Logan is inspired by one of President Jim Hall‘s favorite quotes: Remember, “every pride is somebody’s first pride,” so get out, introduce yourself, include others, and make Community happen.