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Kim holds a BA in Sociology from The Univeristy of North Carolina Asheville. Kim is a Hendersonville native, and has enjoyed watching Hendersonville change throughout the years. Kim is passionate about social justice and advocacy work. She enjoys using her knowledge and abilities to obtain equal rights and opportunities for all, including those who are unable or unwilling to speak up for themselves.

Kim has worked in the non-profit world for many years. Kim has served on various non-profit boards and committees focusing on early childhood education, homelessness, queer advocacy, and equity in the community. In 2023, Kim was awarded The President's Volunteer Service Award. She was also spotlighted by Hendersonville's Progressive Alliance group.

As a nature-lover, Kim’s downtime is spent hiking, people watching, rescuing animals, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying music. Kim’s mission, in her own words; “I am a fierce advocate and will stand up or help anyone who needs me. We need each other now more than ever. Offer a smile. Help a neighbor. We do not have to agree on everything to offer love. As the song says, “what the world needs now is love.”

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Alex is a life-long resident of Hendersonville, NC. He is dedicated to a life of advocacy for the LGBTQIA2S+ Community all across North Carolina.

Alex began his life of advocacy as an undergraduate at App State through working with the LGBT Center and as the Vice President of the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA).

Alex has been a member of the Hendersonville Pride Board since October of 2023 and is proud to be part of the work of creating safe spaces of inclusion in his hometown of Hendersonville.

In his free time, you can find Alex hiking local trails, gaming, or traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway with his dog Todd!

(she/her)

Margina (Gina) works in the family support field with an educational background in Human Development and Family Studies and a concentration in early childhood education. Growing up as a queer youth in Henderson County, adult allies felt few and far between, so she is delighted by the growth of the local Pride community.

She is excited to serve as secretary of the Board of Hendersonville Pride, as well as the GSA liaison to Henderson County Public Schools for the Board of PFLAG Henderson County.

She lives in Hendersonville with her husband and their dogs and chickens.

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Jennifer is originally from south Louisiana and has lived in Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee prior to relocating to Western North Carolina. Jennifer struggled from a young age to understand her gender identity. That struggle eventually led her into the ministry.

She holds a master’s degree in theology and is a former evangelical pastor and church planter. Through therapy, Jennifer had the courage to embrace her true self. Her interest lies at the intersection of gender, sexuality, and spirituality. Jennifer has been a guest on several podcasts and has spoken in churches on issues of sexuality and gender.

Her passion is to help people deconstruct their faith into something that is life-giving and affirming of their personhood, sexuality, or gender. Jennifer loves visiting with anyone exploring these issues.

In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the mountains, taking scenic drives, and visiting with friends.

She can be contacted at jennifer@hendersonvillepride.org.

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Leslye grew up in rural Ohio. She graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Business Administration. Leslye’s career in non-profit work began when she took on a job at her local YMCA. Years of work with youth, in aquatics, and in management took Leslye to Orlando, FL. Being an animal lover at heart and from an early age, Leslye eventually landed her dream job at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

She later went on to become a foster care coordinator with a well-known animal shelter in West Palm Beach. Leslye has strong family roots in our local area. She decided to leave the swamps and beaches of Florida and move to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here Leslye has worked several years in non-profit animal rescue. She is now a practice manager at a veterinary hospital in Mills River.

In her free time, Leslye paints and sells pet portraits, grows large vegetables, and loves to spend time with her own family of cats and dogs.

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LaDonna identifies as queer. She has been a civil servant in many aspects of her evolving professional career that spans from working in North Carolina as well as working in federal government in Washington, D.C. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Brevard College in the field of Exercise Science and a master’s in public health degree from the University of North Carolina – Gillings School of Global Public Health. LaDonna feels lucky that she has been able to impact her community as a foster parent, working in community mental health companies in western North Carolina, providing COVID-19 response at the NC Division of Public Health, and now works in the diversity, equity, and inclusion field.

Being on the Board of Directors for Hendersonville Pride helps her stay grounded in the community she calls home. She looks forward to working with other board and community members to ensure that we create a safe place that all can call home.

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