MEET YOUR BOARD

Jaydee is an events and marketing leader based in New Westminster, working at the intersection of culture, community, and civic life. As Events and Marketing Manager for Downtown New West, they design experiences that bring people into the streets, spark local economic activity, and strengthen connection to place.

Whether building festivals, supporting small businesses, or contributing to city-wide conversations about the future, Jaydee approaches the work with clarity, conviction, and a deep belief that communities thrive when people feel seen, supported, and invited in.

The Wizard on your Team, Madeleine “Mad Betty” Gwynne is a systems designer, compliance professional,  artist and gardener living in the Riparian community along the Fraser River. With over ten years of experience in regulations and compliance, and over 20 years in Arts and Cultural spaces, Madeleine brings a practical, creatively-oriented approach to systems and process improvement. Her professional focus has been on operations, administration, licensing, and quality control/ quality assurance, driven by a commitment to thoughtful systems change in complex and evolving environments. 

Working across many stages of the operations life-cycle, from early development to expansion, Madeleine brings practical experience to production, governance, documentation, quality control, communications, and security. Madeleine’s background in fine art and cultural programming have shaped a collaborative, adaptable, and people-centered approach that prioritizes clear communication, inclusive systems, and respectful engagement.

Ren is grateful to live on the traditional territories of the Qayqayt, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations in what is known today as New Westminster. Ren is a proud non-binary person who believes that visibility, equity, and action saves lives. For many reasons, community building and advocacy is important to Ren. This passion extends into their personal life and their career in healthcare. Currently working on their Masters degree, Ren hopes to create safer healthcare spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as well as for other marginalized or vulnerable people whose voices may not always be heard. When they're not eyeballs deep in textbooks, you'll find Ren performing as a Drag Thing (not a Queen or King, but a Thing), checking out local events, or spending time outside with their dog. 

Marina (she/her) is an immigrant of Jewish & European descent for whom New Westminster, a stolen land of the Qayqayt, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) nations, has become the first place that truly felt like home. Alongside her work as a counsellor, community involvement is a core part of her life.

Marina is passionate about creating spaces where people feel they belong and their differences are valued and celebrated. She balances her enthusiasm for work and volunteerism with numerous hobbies (neurospice alert!), music, amazing friends, good coffee, and cats.

Lorena Browne is a proud Two-Spirit, mixed Indigenous who believes community is everything. Living with mild cerebral palsy, they advocate for underrepresented voices and create spaces where people can show up, shine, and celebrate each other. Working in the non-profit event sector, they bring people together through inclusive, meaningful experiences. Lorena also loves good music, karaoke nights, quality time with family and friends, and enjoying life with two cats who keep things interesting.  

Valkyrie Fox Morningstar (they/she) is a proud trans woman that brings over 16 years of nonprofit experience rooted in frontline service, advocacy, and community care. Their leadership is shaped by lived experience inside the systems they now help govern. Equity is not theoretical for Valkyrie; it's personal.

They work to model the way via transparency and accountability, and are willing to challenge the process when policies and practices fall short of the communities they're meant to serve. They believe governance should be structured, responsible, and bold enough to evolve. Comfort does not build equity; courage does. Their work spans supportive housing, harm reduction, peer research, and systems advocacy.

In addition to serving on the board of New West Pride, Valkyrie contributes lived experience insight to national health research through the Community-Based Research Centre. They are committed to ensuring Pride remains community driven, accountable, and fiercely inclusive, especially for trans, HIV positive, and otherwise marginalized members of our community. Valkyrie brings steady leadership, sharp analysis, and strategic goblin energy to the table.

They believe Pride should be joyful, yes, but also brave.

Patricia Morales represents the Newcomer community of New Westminster. She holds a degree in Business Administration and brings more than 15 years of experience as a business advisor, supporting organizations in aligning their strategies with mission and vision, achieving goals, and fostering systematic continuous improvement across diverse business models. In 2021, she established her own corporation, providing a variety of services to homeowners and small businesses in New Westminster and throughout the Lower Mainland. Alongside her business career, she actively contributes to the PRIDE NEW WEST, helping to strengthen community engagement and inclusion.