Executive Board

Martha Mills

President 

Martha A. Mills (they...etc.[gender is hard, y'all]) has lived in Champaign since 2007. They work as an Office Support Specialist University Laboratory High School. When not working, they can be found hanging out with their amazing kid, partners, and fur-babies. They've been in the activist community for a number of years, and are passionate about dismantling the systems of oppression that hold back members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. They are a founding member of CUTENet, and have always been an admirer of the work Uniting Pride does in the community. They are currently taking classes in Labor & Employment Relations and Social Work in the hopes of furthering their ability to advocate for this and other communities.

Hannah Sheets

Vice President

Hannah (she/her) has been a resident of Champaign-Urbana since 2009. She has a masters degree in Therapeutic Recreation from The University of Iowa and is the Associate Director of Community Choices in Champaign. There, Hannah focuses on building inclusive community relationships, supporting opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to have leadership roles and influence in their communities, and on working with people with I/DD to strengthen the connections and relationships in their lives. Hannah, an LGBTQ+ community ally, first became involved with the UP Center as a pride planning committee member, then joined the center's board of directors in March 2019.

Courtney Cuthbertson

Secretary​

Courtney (they/them/theirs) lived in Champaign County from 2001-2014 and is excited to be back to after living in Michigan for 5 years. Courtney is currently an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois. Their research is about social determinants of mental health and substance use, including among LGBTQ+ people. Courtney enjoys traveling, board and video games, and spending time with their dog. They look forward to serving the community through their position on the board.

Members at Large

Valena Hedin

Valena (she/they) has been a resident of Champaign County since 2012. They earned their Master's Degree in Social Work from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. They has been involved in non-profit work since moving to Champaign and is currently employed as a Trauma Therapist at R.A.C.E.S. (Rape Advocacy, Counseling, and Education Services). In their work and personal advocacy, they strive to exemplify feminist, anti-racist, and gender and sexuality affirming values. After years of attending Uniting Pride events, Valena became involved with the Pride Committee and co-facilitating UParent in 2021 and found a welcoming, inclusive, affirming community that she wanted to continue to be a part of, and from there joined the board in 2022. When they are not involved in community projects, they can be found playing board games with their partner and friends and cuddling with their three cats.

Jacqueline Kalipeni

Jacqueline (she/her) is the Chief Executive Officer of The Kalipeni Foundation, a 501c(3) organization dedicated to serving the communities of Luncheza, Malawi by providing water, education, and safe spaces for girls. Jacqueline was born in Malawi, Africa, but raised in America with her five siblings. The value of helping your fellow man came from the old African teachings that were instilled by her parents. Jacqueline attended the University of Illinois at Urbana, where she learned the power of using her voice. She is passionate about teaching people the power of only one human, importance of community, and that even as one, you can stand for one thousand. Jacqueline is one of the warmest examples that ordinary people can do extraordinary things if only given the opportunity to dream further than what they can see. Jacqueline has vast experience in education, international relations, social services, and volunteering. She is also a dynamic speaker offering workshops, trainings, guest lectures, and keynote addresses at churches, organizations, and academic institutions.

Alli Nisley

Alli (she/her) has been a resident of Champaign County since 2008. Her professional life has spanned across industries and positions in retail, service, and food and beverage, and now Alli works for the City of Champaign. Walking through so many different parts of this community over the course of so many years gives Alli a unique perspective she can bring to her work with Uniting Pride. She's also been an active volunteer with UP since nearly the beginning of UP's history. This means she's gotten to watch the organization grow and change, and is honored to step into this new leadership role as Uniting Pride embarks on the most ambitious period to date. In particular, you may recognize Alli from her deep involvement with Pride Fest, serving this year as the operations and logistics manager for the program (and being given the honorary title of "Head Lesbian In Charge").

Teneka Richardson

Teneka (she/her), a Doctoral Student at the University of Illinois, is majoring in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership. Teneka has been working locally in Champaign School District #4 since 2007. She currently works as a math teacher at Edison Middle School and is the founder of Edison’s Minority Action Council, a student-led social justice club. Upon graduation, her goal is to further her career through administration and eventually become a college professor.​

Dane Rivas-Koehl

Dane (he/him) moved to Champaign-Urbana in 2021 with his husband and two dogs, Jayce and Louis. He moved to the area from Texas where he received a master’s in Human Development and Family Sciences from Texas Tech University. In Champaign-Urbana, Dane is pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on LGBTQ+ individuals and families in different contexts and he hopes to use his research to create a more equitable and joyful society for queer folk. In his free time, Dane enjoys exploring new cities with his husband, Matthew, and being with his friends and colleagues. Dane joined the board of directors in June 2022.

M. J. Salas

Originally from Los Angeles, California, M.J. Salas (they/elle) is currently a graduate student in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois. Their research and passions reside in health equity and advocacy. Specifically, they aim to address and dismantle power gaps that persist within healthcare institutions in hopes to create more culturally responsive healthcare for LGBTQ+ BIPOC. After earning their Ph.D., M.J. aspires to become a university professor and continue community engaged work in support of equity and justice.

Staff

​Nicole Frydman

​Director of Operations

Nicole (she/they) started on her journey of volunteerism, advocacy, and action at a very young age. Her first experience was going along with Mom to the picket lines when Mom’s teachers union was close to striking, and as she knocked doors for political candidates - something Mom did a lot. This helped Nicole get an incredible lesson in direct action at a very early age that left an indelible impact. And then, after their middle school class did a day of service at a local homeless shelter, she and some school friends started their own action group called Kids Who Care in order to continue contributing to solutions to a vast array of problems. That would be the first time Nicole took a leadership role in what would become a long list.

Since then, Nicole’s work has spanned performing arts, political and social advocacy, education, administration and operations, fundraising, and programming and events. While studying classical acting at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, they explored history, sociology, psychology, literature, political science, and art across a variety of mediums, to deliberately and purposefully become the kind of producing, teaching, and performing artist who affects the world around her. She still practices their craft today. But alongside her work as an artist, they discovered a love for the mechanics of how things work, and how a better functioning system can make a bigger impact on the world. This appreciation for organization and structure, while deploying the creative process at its best, is what brought her to nonprofit management and operations.
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Now with 20+ years of adult work in this world, and 40+ years of participation when including work as a young person, they join Uniting Pride at a pivotal moment. UP is on a massive growth trajectory and Nicole is honored to be tasked with harnessing its potential to the greatest effect. An organization like this one always hopes our work results in us being out of a job, because there is no longer a need. Sadly, we’re seeing renewed energy in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, bigotry, and violence that makes our work even more relevant than ever. Nicole welcomes the partnership of anyone interested in tackling the challenges we face today, with a commitment to integrity, transparency, kindness, and respect. 
To better understand Nicole and how she approaches their work, think of this quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Joshua Gavel

​Operations Manager

Joshua Gavel (he/him) grew up in Champaign County before graduating from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelors in Fashion Design & Merchandising in 2018. After some time in Chicago, he returned to the 217 eager to get involved. Josh has long been passionate about volunteering, advocacy, and program development, being actively involved in leadership in multiple student and community organizations and volunteering with Planned Parenthood in high school to leading Styling for a Cause, the Fashion Design and Merchandising Association, and Alpha Rho Chi as President during his time at SIU. After college Josh worked with Macy’s midwest flagship as a member of their leadership team, managing their children’s division, SantaLand, their seasonal onboarding, and serving as the Manager in Charge of Community Outreach and Giving. In this role Josh was fortunate enough to expand his passion for community outreach and development while raising funds for local and national philanthropies such as Bernie’s Books, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Center on Halsted, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Trevor Project. He continued his path into nonprofit work by serving as a Regional Director with Alpha Rho Chi’s national leadership team, helping to develop young leaders in the art, architecture, and design fields. When not working or volunteering Josh loves to spend his time watching movies with his partner and their dog, Ralph, as well as continue exploring his passions for fashion and graphic design, music, and literature. He is excited to continue serving and advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community in his role as Operations Manager. ​

​Aiden Novinska

​Operations Coordinator

Aiden (he/him) graduated from Illinois State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Mass Media and moved to Mahomet shortly after. His work experience spans marketing, events, and food and beverage, and he's excited to begin the rewarding journey of non-profit work. Aiden served as the Marketing Assistant in the ISU Dean of Students office while in school, spent time volunteering with the Humane Society of Central Illinois, and holds a certificate from the American Red Cross in Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR. He is eager and honored to give back to a community that has given so much to him. Outside of work, you’ll find him traveling, making art, or playing with his dog. ​

Committees

Uniting Pride committees address many important issues of interest to the Champaign County LGBTQ+ community. Our committees have helped to implement and organize pride festivals, develop and create fundraisers, and foster a warm and welcoming environment for all. We’re in the process of expanding our committees in a large way. If you are interested in learning more about what it means to serve on a committee, please email info@unitingpride.org.

Advocacy Committee 
Events Committee
Finance Committee
Fundraising and Outreach Committee
Training Committee
​Youth and Family Committee