Board Member Profiles
The Premier Association Supporting & Enabling Pride Organizers in the United States
Executive Committee
Jordan Braxton, Pride St. Louis
Co-President, (Male -, Trans -, Nonbinary -,Identified)
Jordan Braxton has been an Activist in the St. Louis LGBTQIA community for over 35 years, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, Transgender, and Intersex Rights. Jordan is on the Board of Pride St. Louis, Inc. as the Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach and the Vice President of St. Louis Black Pride and TransParent, an organization that supports and advocates for the parents and caregivers of Trans children of any age. Jordan is also the chair of the City of St. Louis Mayor’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board. Globally, Jordan has served as a member of the InterPride Board of Directors. Jordan has served as a District/Region 4 Representative to InterPride for several years. In 2023, Jordan founded the InterPride Global Transgender Task Force of which now she is the Co-chair. Jordan currently works at Vivent Health as a Prevention Supervisor doing education and outreach for the prevention of HIV/STI. She recently celebrated her 5-year anniversary with Vivent. However, she volunteered there 37 years before becoming an employee. Jordan is also a member of the Metro St. Louis HIV Health Services Planning Council where she serves as a co-chair of the Minority AIDS Initiative Committee.
Eve Keller, Indy Pride
Co-President, (Female - Identified)
Eve Keller (she/her) has been with Interaction Associates, a 53-year-old learning and development organization, since December 2017 and currently supports the company as the Director of Client Solutions and International Partnerships. She began using her instructional design experience as the product development project manager. By 2019, she was promoted to Director of Project Management after successful project work with the CEO and the leadership team. She successfully created project plans and led stakeholders on high-level strategic business projects surrounding five key results areas: product development, quality leads, sales engine, high-quality services, and performance management. Prior to Interaction Associates, Eve served on various local, state, and federal contracts under two separate consulting firms for over 10 years as an instructional designer. In 2015, Eve obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and was immediately promoted to project manager on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) contract. She successfully completed both Medicare and Marketplace training projects on time and within budget with high yearly performance reviews. With a strong background and passion for education, she brings multiple layers of experience that allow efficient ideas to flow freely, along with the agility to tackle many projects and tasks. Eve continues to have positive relationships with her past supervisors in her network. Eve’s volunteer work includes local, regional, national, and international non-profit organizations centered around human rights activism in the form of organizing LGBTQIA+ Pride festivals, events, protests, and educational opportunities.
Email Eve
Derrick Jones, Pride Lafayette
Secretary
Derrick Jones (he/him) is the executive director of Pride Lafayette in Lafayette, Indiana. He is also executive producer of the organization’s annual OUTFest pride festival and chair of its annual Rainbow Gala. Prior to coming to Lafayette, he spent 25 years in Washington, D.C. working on communications, marketing, fundraising, advocacy, and political strategy in the non-profit and public policy sector. Born and raised in the “City Lincoln Loved,” Springfield, Illinois, his storytelling experience is diverse in size and scope: national, state, and local branding and advertising campaigns, promotional materials, programming materials (including political mailers and direct mail packages), and membership materials (including newsletters and other member-oriented communications.) Since joining Pride Lafayette in 2022, Derrick more than tripled the organization’s sponsorship base and has grown the organization's budget from $50,000 in 2021 to nearly $500,000 in 2026. Under his leadership, the organization launched the LGBTQ+ Health Equity Project, a health and wellness navigation program to increase community access to affirming providers and raise awareness about chronic disease prevention in the queer community. In addition to his work with Pride Lafayette, since 2010, he has served as the convention director and event producer for NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists. He is also the founder and creative director of Vine Street Creative, a marketing and consulting firm that works with clients tell their unique stories through marketing and fundraising campaigns, conventions, and other events. Derrick is a life-long Chicago Cubs fan (and long-suffering one until 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series). He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America with a degree in drama (specializing in production and stage management), and a proud defender of the Oxford comma.
Cristal Robinson, Union County Pride
Treasurer
Cristal Robinson (they/them) is an attorney, business owner, and educator dedicated to championing the rights of neurodivergent, queer, and diverse individuals. As the founder of Robinson Law, Cristal specializes in discrimination law under civil and disability rights, while also advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion across various sectors. With a Juris Doctor, Master of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, Cristal brings a wealth of expertise to their practice. Before establishing Robinson Law, Cristal owned American Real Estate Services in Amarillo, Texas, and held a certification as a Montessori teacher. Upon relocating to North Carolina, Cristal streamlined their legal focus, transitioning away from family, bankruptcy, and criminal law to prioritize their core areas of expertise: education, employment, and entrepreneurship/non-profit. Their firm operates in a paperless, virtual, and mobile capacity, reflecting a commitment to efficiency and accessibility. Active within various organizations, Cristal holds positions such as Founding President of Union County Pride, Inc., and serves on the boards of RevUp NC, Inc., the National Organization for Women - Charlotte NC Chapter, the Pauli Murray LGBTQ Bar Association, the NCDP Disability Issues Caucus, and the North Carolina Bar Association's SOGI Committee. Additionally, Cristal is honored to be recognized as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a distinction reserved for the top one percent of lawyers in each jurisdiction. Beyond their legal career, Cristal finds fulfillment in family life, cherishing moments with their autistic son and spouse while navigating their own journey of self-discovery as a late-diagnosed autistic professional.
District Representatives
Central District
Jonathan Balash, Spencer Pride
Jonathan Balash (he/him) is a native-born Hoosier & self-identified gay man who currently serves as President of Spencer Pride, Inc., one of the most successful rural LGBTQ+ organizations in the Midwest. Jonathan received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Indiana University Bloomington and has spent the past 14 years in a variety of leadership roles within biotechnology companies. Jonathan & his husband Jacob are strong, vocal allies of LGBTQ+ equality and are two of the founders of Spencer Pride. Jonathan was also a founding member of USAP.
Dave Wait, Motor City Pride​
​Dave Wait (he/him) served as secretary of the U.S. Association of Prides from its founding through 2025. He also serves as co-chair of the USA Prides annual conference. He began his involvement in the pride movement in 2004 when he volunteered for a shift at Motor City Pride. That four-hour shift lead to his serving various roles, and now as the chairperson of the Motor City Pride. With his event planning and advocacy experience, Motor City Pride has grown from an afternoon street fair attracting 10,000 people into a regional weekend festival that attracts over 55,000 participants each year.
In addition to Motor City Pride, heserved eight years on the board for Equality Michigan: Michigan’s statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization. At a national level, he have been a member of the National LGBT Task Force Creating Change Conference’s Management Team. Dave employed as Executive Director of three career and technical student organizations: DECA, SkillsUSA, and FCCLA, which annually provides leadership and career development conferences for over 14,000 Michigan high school students.
Eastern District
Jeremy Williams, Philly Pride
Jeremy Williams (he/him) is the Chief Operating Officer of PhillyPride365, and with nearly three decades of experience across nonprofit programming, public events, and the marching arts, he am deeply committed to advancing the mission and reach of USA Pride. Since 2022, he has helped lead PhillyPride365 through a transformative period—expanding its calendar to include the Philly Pride March & Festival, Pride Promenade, Pride Around the City, and OURfest. Theirteam has focused on equity, visibility, and joy—building sustainable systems while honoring the legacy of Pride in Philadelphia. His experience in large-scale production began in 1998 with an internship on Philadelphia’s televised July 4th Parade. Since then, he spent over 20 years with Under the Sun Productions contributing to some of the region’s highest-proKile televised events, including the 6abc Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Miss America Show Us Your Shoes Parade, and Independence Day parades in both Philadelphia and Washington, DC. He has also produced programs and conferences for Philadelphia FIGHT, HDSA, and other major nonprofits throughout the country. In addition to his Pride and production work, he's been an educator and designer in the marching arts for nearly 30 years—working with teams and organizations across the country and founding Guard Closet, a business dedicated to serving performance groups with accessible, community-driven solutions.
Edwin Ivey, Connecticut Pride
Edwin Ivey (he/him) is from Hadlyme, Connecticut. He has strong ties with the LGBTQIA+ community in all Southeastern, CT and strives to expand his network regionally and beyond. Using his background in Television Production/Broadcasting he began by producing Public Access television shows and events that highlight local LGBTQIA+ people and businesses in Connecticut. Edwin spent 7 years on the OutCT board of directors including serving as the OutCT board President and 5 years as member of OutCT’s Youth Group Board of Directors. OutCT’s mission being dedicated to creating a network of people, programs, and experiences that celebrate our growing understanding of sexual and gender identities. In 2018, Edwin attended his first InterPride Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. As a Scholarship recipient helping to pay for part of his trip to Canada, he gave back by serving on InterPride’s Scholarship committee in 2019-2020. Edwin has organized large groups of volunteers to help other pride events including NYC’s Pride March 2018 and World Pride in 2019. During the pandemic Edwin spearheaded, along with some members of the outCT board of directors, efforts and was able to pivot and create a virtual NERP (Northeast Regional Pride) conference in 2021. In addition, Edwin is a founding member of “Connecticut Pride” which currently brings together over 40 Pride organizers across the State of Connecticut to share resources, ideas, and talents for local Pride events
Southern District
Jeremiah Hance, Ozark Pride
Jeremiah Hance, the youngest of ten siblings, was born and raised in a rural area of Arkansas, known as the "heavy Bible belt." Growing up in a community deeply rooted in traditional values, Jeremiah faced unique challenges due to his family's diverse experiences. Three of his siblings came out as gay or bisexual, and it was against this backdrop that he embarked on a courageous journey of self-discovery and advocacy. In 2021, he founded Ozark Pride, a local pride event that takes place every third Saturday in May. The event aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community in their small town. Ozark Pride quickly gained traction, attracting people from various backgrounds who shared a common goal of celebrating diversity and fostering acceptance. Fueled by the success of Ozark Pride, Jeremiah realized the importance of empowering younger generations to take charge of their own advocacy efforts. He expanded the initiative by establishing a junior Pride group, allowing middle school and high school students to form their own Pride board. This empowered the youth to make decisions regarding events and fundraisers, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the community. Jeremiah's commitment to inclusivity extended beyond his local community. He took Ozark Pride on the road, participating in other pride events such as Batesville Pride and Central Arkansas Pride. By connecting with neighboring communities, Jeremiah aimed to spread the message of acceptance and support to a wider audience, creating a ripple effect of change. Through his efforts, Jeremiah Hance has become a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ individuals in the conservative heartland of Arkansas. His personal journey of acceptance, supported by his mother's open-mindedness, has inspired others to embrace their true selves and fight for equality. By founding Ozark Pride and empowering the youth, Jeremiah has created a lasting impact on his community, fostering a sense of belonging and celebration for all. His advocacy efforts continue to illuminate the path towards a more inclusive and accepting society, one small town at a time.
Vanessa Rodley, Mid-South Pride
Vanessa Rodley is a distinguished figure in the LGBTQ+ community, known for her leadership and innovation. As a board member of Mid-South Pride since 2012 and its Festival Director since 2011, she has impressively grown the event's attendance from 4,000 to 58,000. Her adaptability was especially evident during COVID-19 when she led her team in delivering 20+ hours of virtual content over two years. This period saw the birth of "Drag N Drive," a popular drive-in event combining movies and drag shows. Her activism extends to Friends of George's, a drag-centric theatre company, where she's been a board member since 2011. In 2023, they won a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee to stop a Drag Ban, highlighting her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. Originally from Los Angeles, Vanessa moved to Memphis, TN, 17 years ago and has been happily married to Jennifer Murry-Rodley for 22 years. Her achievements in LGBTQ+ advocacy earned her the Focus Publishers Award, recognizing her work with Mid-South Pride and her role in the legal victory against the drag ban. Professionally, Vanessa was the Outbound Shift Manager at AWG for a decade, leading a team of about 200. She left AWG for a less stressful role, joining New Urban Media as the Operations Manager in 2021, where she oversees operations at this online business management company.
Western District
Trevor Harder, Henderson Pride Fest
Trevor Harder (he/they) is a fierce advocate for inclusion. They have worked with numerous community organizations and schools to create inclusive youth programming for all students. They have also increased youth engagement at the Henderson Pride Fest by creating programming featuring the youth in the community! Their proudest achievement is championing a bill in the 2021 legislative session to include the histories of all minorities to be included in the Nevada state standards!
Chad Call, Utah Pride
Chad Call (he/him) serves as the Executive Director of Utah Pride, and the Utah Pride Center, where he leads a dedicated team in advancing the mission to unite, empower, and celebrate Utah’s diverse LGBTQIA+ community. Chad began his journey with Utah Pride as a volunteer parade director, coordinating one of the state’s largest community celebrations. His passion for inclusive event production and community engagement quickly led him to broader leadership roles, culminating in his appointment as Utah Pride Center’s Executive Director in 2024. In this role, he oversees all organizational operations — from programs and outreach to finance and development — ensuring that the Center remains both a creative and fiscally responsible cornerstone for Utah’s LGBTQ+ community. With an Undergraduate Degree in Innovative Design and a Masters in Business Administration, Chad approaches leadership with equal parts creativity and strategy. Prior to working in non-profit, he spent a 12-year career as an executive producer for corporate and sporting events nationwide, working for clients like the New York Marathon, Samsung, AT&T and the Superbowl. Under his guidance, Utah Pride has been able to recover from a 1.5 million dollar loss, and expand statewide initiatives through strengthened community partnerships. Beyond event production, Chad is deeply committed to long-term sustainability and stewardship within the nonprofit sector. He has worked to strengthen internal governance, diversify revenue streams, and foster an organizational culture grounded in authenticity, and care. Raised in Kaysville, Utah, Chad has deep roots in the state he now serves. He’s passionate about creating spaces where everyone can see themselves reflected in the Pride movement. Whether he’s working on a national collaboration, mentoring emerging leaders, or producing a community event, his guiding principle remains the same: to bring people together for a shared purpose of love, celebration, and progress.
