It Gets Better Canada held a special meeting recently in Toronto to appoint ten leaders from Canada’s LGBTQ2+ community to the not-for-profit organization’s Founding Board of Directors. Sky Bridges, Andrew Chang, Jillian Dilts, Sean Kavanaugh, Bruce Glawson Dr. Rylie Moore, Kirstin Rankin, Omid Razavid, Victor Ryan and Juan Tria were all appointed to the Board for terms ranging from two to four years. The Board appointments have been formally ratified at IGBC’s AGM on May 22.
- Sky Bridges is COO of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. He’s also worked with PrideVision TV and the CBC and served as Vice-President of Business Development at the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
- Andrew Chang is COO of Pink Triangle Press one of the world’s leading LGBT+ media organizations (DailyXtra.com news, PTP social sponsorship program, Squirt.org, GuySpy). He’s also served as CFO of OUTtv Network, and Executive Producer of the award-winning gay travel series Bump!
- Jillian Dilts is a Research Analyst with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, an active member of the Ontario Public Service Pride Network, and an advocate for trans rights and recognition.
- Bruce Glawson is Executive Producer, Original Programming at Bell Media’s television channels and platforms. Previously Bruce was Vice President of Programming at PrideVision (now OUTtv), the world’s first LGBT national television network.
- Sean Kavanaugh is Vice President and Director at Aon Inpoint Canada, Sean is the driving force behind Aon’s diversity and inclusiveness initiative.
- Rylie Moore is a clinical Neuropsychologist who works at the Adult Gender Clinic at CAMH, the premier psychiatric teaching hospital in Canada. Dr. Moore is also serving as the IGBC Founding Board’s Interim Chair.
- Kirstin Rankin is the founder and Executive Director of The Dresscode Project, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing LGBTQ2+ people with safe, welcoming hair salons and barber shops. She is also a committee member for the East Side Pride Festival and is on the screening committee for the Inside Out Film Festival.
- Omid Razavid isMarketing and Communications Manager at Swim Drink Fish Canada, a national not-for-profit dedicated to protected and revitalizing Canada’s inland waters and serves on the board of Pflag Canada as Communications Director.
- Victor Ryan is Associate Council with Burchells LLP in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and has worked with Pink Triangle Services in Ottawa, UBC OutLaws and Vancouver’s Queer Arts Festival. Victor is a member of the NunatuKavut of northern Labrador.
- Juan Tria is a Certified Professional Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant, working with as Manager, Assurance and Accounting for MNP, a full-service chartered accountancy and business advisory firm.
Special Thanks to…
The It Gets Better Canada Founding Board replaces the organization’s Interim Board of Directors, which was created to provide oversight and direction to the organization leading up to its inaugural AGM. While most of the Interim Board members have now been appointed to the Founding Board, Paul Bellini and Gayle Farrell were unable to make the transition to the new board because of other ongoing commitments.
“We can’t thank Paul and Gayle enough for their tireless efforts on behalf of It Gets Better Canada… and in support of LGBTQ2+ youth across the country,” said Christopher Gudgeon, President and CEO of IGBC. “Their collective wisdom, insight, passion and energy have made a huge contribution to the organization; we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”
Gayle Farrell is President of Siena Consulting, a private company that provides public, private, and not-for-profit sectors organizations with advice on strategic development and community engagement.
Paul Bellini is a three-time Emmy-award-nominated writer (for his work on the legendary comedy series, The Kids in the Hall), Gemini-award winner (for his work on This Hour has 22 Minutes), actor, teacher and Canadian gay icon.