board of directors

Each member of the board of directors is elected on a two-year term. This team will oversee the 28th annual pride & remembrance run.

Help us achieve our goals of making the pride & remembrance run the most fab event in the city! Reach out to info@priderun.org for general inquiries.

Jonathan iu (he/him)

secretary

Jonathan Iu returns to the Pride and Remembrance Association for the second year, previously as Registration Manager and now as Secretary. Jonathan is passionate about mobility training and staying active. After taking a break from running for over a decade, he reconnected with the community in 2022. Jonathan enjoys volunteering for different running groups in the city is a fan of trail races held in Southwestern Ontario.

Jonathan brings experience in event planning and customer service as a result of his involvement in various fitness communities over the years, including aerial fitness, yoga, pole sport, and dance. He's previously worked as a biomedical researcher and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering from the University of Toronto. When not paying his running dues, he's mostly on the floor doing mobility training or stretching.

Gilbert lam (he/him)

treasurer

A seasoned financial services professional, Gilbert Lam returns to the Pride and Remembrance Association as Treasurer. Gilbert comes armed with more than 10 years industry experience with a focus on non-profit, corporate finance, and financial operations. He was previously the Finance Manager of a major Toronto hospital, and prior to this role, he held key roles in the entertainment and manufacturing industries.  Gilbert holds the designation of Certified Management Accountant in Ontario.

When he’s not working, Gilbert enjoys fitness, whether it be strength training, playing volleyball, or running.

Olivia levy (she/her)

marketing director

Olivia Levy returns to the Pride and Remembrance Association as Marketing Director. Olivia works in marketing and is passionate about creating running related content on TikTok. 

Over the past four years, Olivia has made extensive contributions to Toronto’s running community as a pride & remembrance run Ambassador and as an administrator for the “Runners of the Six” instagram. In this volunteer role, she wrote more than 100 feature articles for runners in the GTA and lead discussions on intersectionality and anti-racism. Olivia has discussed these issues on the Women Run Canada Podcast and The Longest Stride Podcast, in addition to contributions to the Toronto Star and SportsNet X Black History Month 2022.

Through all these experiences, Olivia has combined her educational background in sociology (University of Toronto) masters in socio-legal studies (York University) and her masters in management (Schulich school of Business) with her love of running to lead meaningful discussions and foster 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC inclusion in running spaces. Olivia’s love of running spans all distances from the 5K to the marathon!

Yeswin Gutta (he/him)

marketing director

Yeswin is a seasoned marketer with a wealth of experience across multiple industries, consistently placing the audience at the core of his messaging. As a recent convert to running who has savored the exhilaration of a runner's high, Yeswin is deeply passionate about the vibrant community that forms the backbone of the pride & remembrance run and the noble cause it represents.

In 2023, Yeswin participated in his first pride & remembrance run and was profoundly moved by the unwavering support and camaraderie demonstrated not only by those partaking in the race but also by those cheering on the runners and supporting one another on this special day. Drawing from the extensive skills and expertise he has honed in his diverse marketing career and his technical knowledge gained from earning his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Schulich School of Business, Yeswin aspires to contribute to the association's mission of broadening its impact and spreading love and awareness for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Eddie Hanson (he/him)

social media director

Eddie is joining the Pride and Remembrance Association for the first time to get to the front of the line of registration this year. But in all seriousness, Eddie has been a passionate participant in the pride & remembrance run for many years and credits a great deal of his health journey to the run and is currently training to increase his running distance.

He brings nearly a decade of marketing and social media experience to the association, working for companies like eBay and ecobee. Other than running, Eddie likes to have fun socializing with friends, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and reading sci-fi and fantasy novels. While this is the first board he’s sat on, Eddie is an active member of the Toronto community, volunteering at organizations such a Daily Bread and A Greener Future.

gus lima (he/him)

social media director

With a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Marketing diploma, Gus joins the Pride and Remembrance Association as Social Media Director. His experience in these fields spans over three years and has sharpened his knowledge of marketing strategies, consumer behaviour, and business operations. His unique background has instilled in him the importance of diversity and inclusion making him resilient, adaptable, and culturally sensitive individual.

As a proud Brazilian immigrant, member of the Latinx community, and an advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, Gus has embarked on a multicultural journey taking him to Australia, the US, and now Canada. Embracing the opportunity to bridge cultures and perspectives, Gus has chosen to split his time between Canada and Brazil. In the summer and being an early bird, he loves to spend time outside going to beaches and exploring nature while running, biking, hiking, practicing meditation, and also doing some indoor activities during the winter like working out and boxing classes.

Adam fernandes (he/him)

website director

Adam Fernandes returns to the Pride and Remembrance Association for the second year as Website Director. Adam is a technology professional with more than 15 years experience as a software developer and manager of software delivery teams. He currently works on their Digital Team as a Manager of Wireless Shop & Buy at TELUS, and has taken on leadership roles in “Spectrum”, TELUS's internal employee resource group where he's promoted awareness and support for 2SLGBTQ+ team members in the workplace.

Adam is currently pursuing his Masters of Business Administration at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. He is also the Spectrum Global Community Prime supporting TELUS team members across the globe to support fundraising and volunteer work in the communities where they live and work. When he’s not working, Adam is a member of Frontrunners Toronto, plays dodgeball, and enjoys giving back to his community. In 2022, Adam participated in the pride & remembrance run for the first time, joined the board in 2023 and is excited to be involved in the Run again this year.

Diana Pearson (they/she)

beneficiary director

A settler of mixed European ancestry, Diana grew up in Port Alberni, BC, a town that resides on the unceded territories of the Hupačasath and Tseshaht First Nations. Diana has a masters in gender studies and social justice, and is a published creative and academic author on feminist, sexuality and critical pedagogy topics.

In 2022, Diana moved to Toronto to work at the University of Toronto Scarborough as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. Since then they have become actively involved in trail running in the GTA, including as co-founder of The Trail Collective, a run group committed to improving inclusion in trail running. Diana also serves as an executive board member for the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education (CAPDHHE). Diana loves the energy and community element of the pride & remembrance run and can’t wait to support the 2024 event!

richardt scholtz (he/him)

fundraising director

Richardt Scholtz, a South African native, embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery when he decided to immigrate to Canada in November 2019, escaping an emotionally abusive relationship. In Toronto's 2SLGBTQ+ community, he found not only acceptance but also love, marking a fresh start and the fulfillment of a long-held dream. This newfound love became a pillar of support as Richardt pursued professional success and became a dedicated advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights.

In Canada, Richardt's career soared as he rose through the ranks of EY Canada's Financial Services Risk Management Consulting practice. His expertise in areas like anti-money laundering and risk management policies showcased his commitment to excellence. Beyond his professional success, Richardt became a pride and remembrance run Ambassador and a trusted advisor within the Unity Executive team, passionately advocating for inclusivity and support for 2SLGBTQ+ colleagues.

Richardt's life journey serves as a powerful testament to resilience, empowerment, and the profound impact of embracing one's true self. His story not only inspires personal growth and professional achievement but also highlights the importance of advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, creating a beacon of hope for those seeking authenticity, love, and success.

Ally McGibbon (she/they)

director at large

Ally McGibbon holds a degree in social work and is currently a graduate student at TMU. Interests at the intersection of social justice and paths to wellness are what brought Ally to the Pride and Remembrance Association, as they continue to involve themselves in community building through activities that bridge nature and spirit.

Ally is a freshly hooked cold therapy enthusiast, and forever (un)learner who loves to stay curious, create connections and encourage other humans to be their weird, wild, fantastically imperfect, perpetually healing selves.

Being a part of the queer, mad community, Ally hopes to inspire others to get involved in running as a way to find wellness and community, and radical self-discovery. Let’s reimagine running without the gatekeeping of body shaming, ableism and other harmful norms.

“Smash the Stereotypes - run as you are!”