Pictou County Pride serves the 2SLGBTQIA+ population of Pictou County. We work to support and advocate for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and gender diverse, agender, intersex, or other identities related to sex and gender. This population is traditionally underrepresented in communities, resources, and funding initiatives. Pictou County Pride strives to ensure that 2SLGBTQIA+ people have access to inclusive programs, safe community activities, and social opportunities. We also strive to serve the greater Pictou County community at large by promoting diversity and inclusion around gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression.
Board of Directors
Carissa - Board Chair
Carissa is a Queer creative community arts organizer, project manager graduate of OCAD University’s Material Art and Design: Fibre program. She has a special interest in connecting artists and creatives with opportunities, spaces and networks.
Over the past ten years, Carissa has worked with artists across various mediums in a variety of spaces from professional gallery’s to pop up exhibitions across Canada and the US.
Her experience with the Feminist Art Collective in Toronto from 2013-2020 made her realize her love of fostering creative community partnerships, and supporting artists by providing platforms for their work and development. Carissa took on the role of coordinator for the 2022 and 2023 Antigonight: Art After Dark Festival which introduced her to local artists upon arriving back home in Nova Scotia.
She is currently the executive director of Creative Pictou County as well as the owner of The Meadow Retreat and Creative Space, a rural artist residency.
Carissa is most excited to support fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs as well as use her connections in tourism to ensure Pictou County is a welcoming place for rainbow visitors.
Lucy - Community Engagement and Governance/Treasurer
I am grateful for the opportunity to support the work Pictou County Pride and our partner organisations do in the community. As a trans woman who grew up in rural Mi’kma’ki, I know that having supportive spaces and the opportunity to create connections is so important (but often lacking). I host our monthly Two-Spirit, Trans, & Nonbinary Drop-Ins, and manage board onboarding, governance, and finances. In my spare time, I like to garden, spend time with my cats, and take photos.
I have a professional background in service, administration, and human resources, with experience in the banking, insurance, and real-estate industries. I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2025, majoring in Nonprofit Leadership and Strategic Human Resource Management. Through past volunteer work, I have gained experience with event-planning, fundraising, advocacy, and education in spaces that foster DEIAB, environmental activism, and social justice.
Ashlyn - Secretary
Bio coming soon
Stacey - Director of Support and Accessibility
As a queer resident of Pictou County, I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with Pictou County Pride. I am deeply committed to building a safer, more inclusive community for 2SLGBTIA+ community members. As the Director of Support and Accessibility, I strive to ensure Pictou County Pride prioritizes diversity and inclusion in events, practices, and philosophy. As a Social Worker, it’s also extremely important to me that 2SLGBTQIA+ community members are informed of resources, support services, and initiatives. In my spare time I enjoy reading, travelling, and going to concerts.
Amanda - Director of Events and Socials
After living in Pictou County for a few years, I wanted to get involved with our local Pride Board, primarily to help create more spaces be it permanent or temporary for 2SLGBTQ+ community members since those spaces are few and far between. As a Queer creative, it really fuels my position as Director of Events and Socials to have different types of events for everyone. Being on the board for Pictou County Pride has been such an amazing experience that I am forever grateful for.
Travis - Director of Youth and Families
I am honoured to work with Pictou County Pride. Seeing the lack of resources and community in rural spaces, where it is most needed, I saw an opportunity to try to forge connections and friendships in our community. I wish to bridge the gaps between LGBT+ people and their families/loved ones, and to make our struggles more understood by the people who do not face them.
I have a lot of experience in educating about LGBT+ issues, and will soon be attending school for Mortuary Sciences. I am a local artist, selling prints at many local art shows and expos. Outside of art, I spend my time writing poetry, crafting stories, and playing music.