Who is Up North Pride?
WE ARE A COLLECTIVE OF 2SlgbtQIA+ humans & Allies looking to build a more inclusive and welcoming Northern Michigan.
We come from several walks of life. Near and far. Our aim with every event is to educate, celebrate and advocate. From humble beginnings to the largest Pride March in Michigan, we’ve been fortunate to find great people to take leadership roles and embrace the Up North Pride mission.
OUR BOARD
ANNA DITURI
SHE/HER
PRESIDENT & ADVOCACY CHAIR
It has long been Anna’s belief that there is far more that connects us than divides us, and she constantly strives to illuminate those threads that stitch us all together. She also serves as the weaver of connections between people and communities, such as voters to politicians, citizens to elected officials and individuals to attorneys, when necessary. Her ultimate goal is to create inclusive environments in which people build each other up rather than knocking others down to get ahead. Anna has sought this ideal through her work as county-wide Organizer at the ACLU, where she successfully recruited for and organized a myriad of events that required regional community members to publicly advocate, lobby, and testify for changes in county policies and statewide legislation. In addition, Anna’s work as a Court Recorder and legal secretary has given her first hand experience with the challenges and adversities faced by locals and especially marginalized groups in the community, all of which has motivated her even more to stand up for and protect the rights and freedoms all humans deserve. Anna has also served as the Planning Commissioner for the City of TC since 2019, and as Treasurer and team member for four political campaigns at the city, state and federal levels. Anna is convinced she’s found the perfect “secret beach” in all of Northern MI (which she may or may not share with you), and she lovingly refers to her three cats as her Tabby Rainbow.
Email Anna at
community@upnorthpride.com
KRISTEN STEWART
SHE/HER
SECRETARY & MARKETING CO-CHAIR
Kristen is a certified weirdo who wears many hats. She's an artist, photographer, actor, and marketer who has called Traverse City home for the last nine years. Kristen is very passionate about creating inclusive, welcoming, and safe spaces in her community. She achieves this through her work at Cherryland Electric Cooperative, her performances in Mash-up Rock & Roll Musical, Old Town Playhouse, and Parallel 45 Theatre, as well as through her photography business, Harpe Star. Kristen is thrilled to be serving on this board and is excited for what the future holds. She's also the proud cat mom of two fur babies, Indiana and Watson, and she loves to share stories about them whenever she can.
MATTHEW GLENN
HE/HIM
VOLUNTEER COORINDATOR CO-CHAIR
Matthew Glenn is a strong advocate for creating positive social change through community involvement. With a background in management, administration, and performance, he enjoys rallying a team together towards an organized goal… and doing so with a creative and exciting energy to inspire others to join! He and his husband, Ramon, live in East Bay, where they are busy creating a home that is inviting and comfortable to all who have felt pushed aside by their communities.
Email Matthew at volunteer@upnorthpride.com
AARON WRIGHT
HE/HIM
DEVELOPMENT CO-CHAIR
Aaron comes to the UNP board with a passion for fostering a positive and inclusive community everywhere he goes, where everyone feels invited, welcomed, and wanted. He doesn't sit still well, which has led to life experiences all over the world meeting a wide range of people who all live life a little differently. He passionately embraces the weird, and knows that to change one life is to change an entire world. He is a 911 dispatcher in Grand Traverse County and spends his free time with his charming husband Trenton and his 2 sweet sweet kitties Arbee and Sandy.
JES RYAN
SHE/THEY
WEBSITE & PHOTO CHAIR
Jes is an Aries who prefers being near water (for the cool down) amongst other fiery souls (for the inspiration). Having primarily grown up on Michigan’s west coast, and after traveling and living away for a decade, coming back to Traverse City in 2020 with their partner was a given. Jes has worked as a professional photographer since 2013, finding joy and creative outlet in working closely with families, individuals, and businesses. Her excitement and drive for seeing Northern Michigan grow and change into a more inclusively vibrant city drew her to join UNP.
Email Jes at photo@upnorthpride.com
KENDALL KOTCHER
SHE/HER
VICE PRESIDENT &
MARKETING CO-CHAIR
Kendall is a professional Theatre Educator and Social Media Manager from Clarkston, Michigan. She has been working in Traverse City for 5 years on various projects including volunteering for Up North Pride, the Traverse City Film Festival, and Parallel 45 Theatre. When she’s not working on a project you’ll find her going on a jog, singing, making videos, and watching her favorite LGBTQ humans on Twitch.
Email Kendall at marketing@upnorthpride.com
KATELYN JOHNSON
THEY/THEM
TREASURER
With degrees in accounting and sustainability, Kate believes in creative approaches to complicated issues. At work and at play, they use their skills as a capable and dedicated problem-solver to get sh*t done. Kate is the controller and sustainability manager for a local digital marketing agency. They are happiest when fully involved in a house project, biking and kayak camping in NoMi, or sipping drinks with friends and family. Kate has lived in TC since 2017 with their wife, Alice, and their Welsh terrier Alfalfa.
Email Katelyn at finance@upnorthpride.com
KRISTEN MESSNER
SHE/HER
PROGRAMMING CHAIR
With a life-long love of party planning and magic making, Kristen is excited to get more involved with UNP's impressive event lineup. Following some time away after several years of directing and hosting events for The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, and the Traverse City Film Festival, she has come to realize that organizing and coordinating is just in her blood, and is ready to jump back into the fun.
Kristen is currently serving as an election official, working to ensure that anyone who wants to vote, gets the same opportunity and consideration as everyone else.
CHELSEA RICHARDSON
SHE/THEY
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR CO-CHAIR
Chelsea has always experienced a strong pull towards helping those in need, bringing people together, and connecting with fellow members of the community. Through her volunteer work with local non-profits, a passion was ignited and has been a driving force in her life to continue to be an advocate for change, social justice, and equality.
With her vast and varied background being involved in project management, aviation, administration, and customer service, she feels that this diversity has given her the experience to not only help coordinate events to ensure that they run smoothly but also help engage and connect members of this growing 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
In her spare time, you can find her hiking/exploring northern Michigan with her dog Rue, spending quality time with her partner Rory and their three children, or being mistaken for another lesbian around town (if you know, you know).
Email Chelsea at volunteer@upnorthpride.com
KAREN ROOFE
SHE/HER
MERCHANDISE CHAIR
Karen Hilt is the owner of My Secret Stash, which supports sales of Up North Pride merchandise to create liquid funds and visibility for Up North Pride. Karen grew up in a diverse culture and enjoys bringing people together and uplifting the community.
Email Karen at merch@upnorthpride.com
OUR STAFF
NICK VIOX
HE/HIM
STAFF MEMBER - DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING & OPERATIONS
Nick is a Northern Michigan native with a business degree and a passion for the arts. He worked eight years at the Downtown Development Authority where he nurtured his love for bringing community together. Through event planning, Nick has coordinated major community events throughout his career including the Downtown Light Parade, the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market, Art Fairs, and more. He works with Parallel 45 Theatre as their Producing Director since the summer of 2021. He loves to use his passion for connecting arts within the community by volunteering with a number of organizations as board member, performer, and planner. These organizations include Mashup Rock and Roll Musical, Fox and Fern Events, Commongrounds Cooperative, City Opera House, Old Town Playhouse, and more.