BID COMMITTEE

Ron Byers is a community leader, storyteller, Queer historian and Pride Promoter with Pride Edmonton. Decades of work in Edmonton’s non-profit and festival sectors have given him an extensive resume of community service and a unique viewpoint on our city and its history. Ron has been actively involved in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for over 55 years. These days he is also involved with HIV Edmonton as a Positive Speaker and was the 2023 recipient of HIV Edmonton’s Community Leadership Award. Ron is also actively working to research, educate and share the oral histories of our Queer Community through Rainbow Story Hub Foundation.

Dr. Kristopher Wells is an Associate Professor in the Department of Child and Youth Care, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, MacEwan University. He holds the Canada Research Chair (Tier II) for the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth and serves as the founding Director for the MacEwan Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity. Dr. Wells’ scholarly work specializes in sexual and gender minority youth, health, education, sport, and culture. He is one of the driving forces behind the creation of many ground-breaking initiatives including PrideTape, Camp fYrefly, and the Edmonton Queer History Project. He has 13 served as an expert scientific consultant to the Government of Canada, Canadian Senate, Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Canadian Teachers’ Federation, RCMP, Public Health Agency of Canada, UNESCO, World Health Organization and many provincial and municipal governments across Canada. Currently, Dr. Wells serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of LGBT Youth, which is the world’s leading research publication on 2SLGBTQ+ youth. His work has been recognized with over 50 scholarly and community awards and recognitions including the Alberta Teachers’ Association’s Public Education Award, University of Alberta’s Alumni Horizon Award, Alberta Centennial Medallion and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Rob Browatzke has been actively involved in Edmonton queer nightlife for over twenty-five years. Currently, he is one of the owners of Edmonton’s only year-round gay bar. He is also actively involved with multiple Edmonton queer non-profits as well as working to queer up Edmonton’s amazing festivals.

Current President of Team Edmonton, Edmonton Rage Hockey Player, Proud 2SLGBTQIA+ Personal Trainer. Advocacy work dedicated to getting our queer community more active in sports and activities. Ensuring inclusion of EVERYONE in our community for sport.

Corey is an experienced event manager with a rich background in managing national and international major sports events, specializing in competition management and athlete and event servicing. As a proud participant in Gay Games X, where he competed in both the Olympic Distance Triathlon and water polo, Corey brings a valuable perspective to the table. Corey has strong ties to Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ and is deeply committed to advocating for inclusivity and fostering a supportive environment for all community members.

Wes (they/ them) is the Communications Director with Team Edmonton. Originally from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, Wes is a nonbinary, transmasc creator, advocate, Tom chose to be a part of Team Edmonton to help the LGBTQIA2S+ community find and coach. They are an educator in transinformed care, passionately dedicated to fostering wellbeing and community connection. A proud dog dad with a big smile and an even bigger heart, Wes brings compassion and encouragement into every encounter. Their signature phrase is, “I’m proud of you.”

Ella is a TwoSpirit Michif person originally from Treaty one territory (Winnipeg Manitoba), in addition to being a team Edmonton board member they are a student in the faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta, and an emerging artist. In their free time they enjoy reading queer and Indigenous books, playing sports and spending time with their dog Kookum.

Tom is a Director at Large enjoying his third year with Team Edmonton. He grew up on a farm in rural Alberta and came to the city to study computer science. He is now a software programmer for a video game company. Tom chose to be a part of Team Edmonton to help the LGBTQIA2S+ community find joy in sports and recreation in a safe and inclusive environment.

Martin is a Director at Large with Team Edmonton. Martin’s current project is acting liaison with Rainbow Refuge. Rainbow Refuge is an organization promoting safe equitable migration and communities of belonging for people fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or HIV status. Martin was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and came to Canada in 2018 as a refugee. Martin is passionate about fitness, mental health and nature. In his free time, you can find him hiking the Edmonton River Valley, journaling and running awareness campaigns on mental health.

Barry (he/him/his) is Team Edmonton’s treasurer. He has participated in Team Edmonton activities since 2007 and been a board member since 2019. He is also the activity lead for weekly inclusive yoga. Born and raised in the Edmonton area, Barry joined Team Edmonton and took over leading yoga to create safe places for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to find community. Barry is passionate about the Edmonton region and loves promoting its warm people and beautiful landscapes. On warm sunny days, you’ll find him on the river.