board of directors
Each member of the board of directors is elected on a two-year term. This team will oversee the 29th annual pride & remembrance run.
Help us achieve our goals of making the pride & remembrance run the most fab event in the city! Reach out to info@priderun.org for general inquiries.
Jonathan iu (he/him)
president
After serving as registration manager for a year and secretary for another, Jonathan returns to the Pride and Remembrance Association for the third year as President. Jonathan ran cross country in high school for a period of time and did not become reacquainted with running until the summer of 2022 after a break well over a decade long. Now Jonathan spends most of his athleisure time in movement and mobility training, and is a seasonal runner with the Trail Collective and Toronto Trail Runners. Leading the Pride and Remembrance Association as president weaves together his passion for running with his heartfelt commitment to serving the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Caroline McLean (she/her)
secretary
Caroline is a values-driven professional, with a demonstrated track record in championing principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity over the course of her career. She is passionate about mentorship, training, and continuous learning for herself and the teams she works with.
Caroline is a Partner at Griffith Group Executive Search and has built a career in academic and non-profit recruitment. Caroline holds a BA in Human Sciences from the University of Oxford and is currently pursuing a Masters in Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto. In addition to her work with Pride Run, Caroline is also an active volunteer with The 519 Community Centre and Friends of Ruby drop-in centre in Toronto.
Gilbert lam (he/him)
treasurer
A seasoned financial services professional, Gilbert Lam returns to the Pride and Remembrance Association as Treasurer. Gilbert comes armed with more than 10 years industry experience with a focus on non-profit, corporate finance, and financial operations. He was previously the Finance Manager of a major Toronto hospital, and prior to this role, he held key roles in the entertainment and manufacturing industries. Gilbert holds the designation of Certified Management Accountant in Ontario.
When he’s not working, Gilbert enjoys fitness, whether it be strength training, playing volleyball, or running.
Eddie Hanson (he/him)
marketing director
Eddie has been a passionate participant in the pride & remembrance run for many years and credits a great deal of his health journey to the run and is currently training to increase his running distance.
He brings a decade of marketing experience to the association, working for companies like eBay and ecobee. Other than running, Eddie likes to have fun socializing with friends, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and reading sci-fi and fantasy novels. While this is the first board he’s sat on, Eddie is an active member of the Toronto community, volunteering at organizations such a Daily Bread and A Greener Future.
geoff gunn (he/him)
marketing director
Geoff is excited to be joining as a Marketing Director with the Pride and Remembrance Association. He took up running to improve his physical and mental wellness and has participated in the pride & remembrance run every year since, finding a strong sense of community with Frontrunners Toronto along the way. With digital marketing experience from roles at the Toronto International Film Festival, Rogers, and TD, Geoff is excited to help grow and promote the association’s mission. When recovering from running, he enjoys cooking for friends and family, photography, and serenading his two cats with piano music.
dee (Diana) Pearson (they/she)
beneficiary director
Diana (Dee) Pearson has a masters in gender studies and social justice, and is a published creative and academic author on feminist, sexuality and critical pedagogy topics. In 2022, Dee moved to Toronto to work at the University of Toronto Scarborough as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator. Since then they have become actively involved in trail running in the GTA, including as run lead for Toronto Trail Runners and as co-founder of The Trail Collective, a run group committed to improving inclusion in trail running. Diana also serves as an executive board member for the Canadian Association for the Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment in Higher Education (CAPDHHE). For Dee, serving as the Beneficiary Director for the pride & remembrance run is a way to combine their love for running with the goal of contributing to the success, well-being and resilience of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Adam fernandes (he/him)
website director
Adam Fernandes returns to the Pride and Remembrance Association for the third year as the Website Director. Adam is a technology professional with more than 15 years experience as a software developer and manager of software delivery teams. He currently works for TELUS as a Manager of Retail Sales Systems and has taken on leadership roles in “Spectrum”, TELUS's internal employee resource group where he's promoted awareness and support for 2SLGBTQ+ team members in the workplace.
Adam is currently pursuing his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. He is also the Spectrum Global Community Prime supporting TELUS team members across the globe to support fundraising and volunteer work in the communities where they live and work. When he’s not working, Adam is a member of Frontrunners Toronto, plays dodgeball, and enjoys giving back to his community. In 2022, Adam participated in the pride & remembrance run for the first time, joined the board in 2023 and is excited to be involved in the Run again this year.
richardt scholtz (he/him)
fundraising director
Richardt Scholtz grew up in a small town in South Africa, where he learned the value of resilience and community. In 2019, he made the courageous decision to immigrate to Canada, seeking not only new opportunities but also an escape from an emotionally abusive relationship. It was here in Canada that Richardt found not just a fresh start but also the love of his life, marking the beginning of a journey filled with hope, joy, and self-discovery.
Passionate about life and deeply committed to fostering connections, Richardt is the kind of person who always finds a reason to make you smile. As a seasoned financial crime and risk management professional, he has built a successful career specializing in anti-money laundering and compliance, combining strategic thinking with a commitment to excellence.
His experiences have instilled in him a profound appreciation for the importance of inclusion, acceptance, and the power of community—values that drive his involvement with the Pride and Remembrance Association. Now in his second year as Fundraising Director on the Board, Richardt brings his energy, empathy, and expertise to supporting causes that empower the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Richardt’s story is a testament to the strength of embracing one’s true self and creating spaces where others can thrive. Whether through his professional achievements, personal advocacy, or simply sharing a smile, he is passionate about making a difference and inspiring others to live authentically.
Gail j. Cohen (she/her)
media & communications director
Gail J. Cohen is an award winning journalist, editor, and communicator who also was the owner/designer of a company that made women's running gear. She is a respected Toronto-based legal journalist, currently reporting for Law.com International on Canadian legal developments, law firm dynamics, and regulatory issues. With over 30 years of experience, she previously served as editor-in-chief of Canadian Lawyer, InHouse, 4Students, and Law Times. Gail is known for her deep insights into the Canadian legal landscape, covering crucial industry trends and challenges such as mental health and legal technology. Her reporting continues to impact and inform the legal community across Canada.
sam montgomery (she/her)
social media director
After six years of running the race, Sam joins the Pride and Remembrance Association for the first time as one of the co-Social Media Directors.
Sam has been a member of Frontrunners Toronto for three years, and is also on the executive committee as the Social Media Director. Sam created and leads a monthly run series called the WNBT+ for the club’s women, non-binary, and trans members. She’s passionate about helping to organize running and social events, bringing the queer community together, and having fun with friends while running.
If she’s not training for a race, you’ll find her trying to read, drinking a beer while watching hockey, or eating a breakfast sandwich, preferably all with a cat at her feet.
caleb downs (they/them)
social media director
As a passionate advocate, Caleb joins the Pride and Remembrance Association in a new capacity as Social Media Director, bringing over a decade of experience in leadership of youth advocacy, creative development, and community engagement. Since moving to Ontario as a youth in 2005, Caleb has built their foundation in arts and cultural work. They hold a Bachelor’s degree from Lakehead University and have contributions in roles such as Youth Facilitator, Program Director, Performer, and Stage Manager.
Participating in the pride & remembrance run for the past 4 years, they are excited to accelerate and augment the reach of their impact and joy. Caleb respectfully acknowledges they live, work, and play on the traditional territories of many Indigenous communities including the Anishinaabe peoples of Parry Sound and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Haudenosaunee Confederacy in Toronto. In the spirit of reconciliation they are committed to working in solidarity and love in service and support of social Justice, Human rights, and Indigenous sovereignty.
Currently, they are an Operations Coordinator at Toronto Metropolitan University, unifying organizational excellence with a commitment to supporting inclusive, safe spaces. As an independent Musician/DJ and music curator, Caleb channels their love for music and storytelling into dance spectacles and community events for enthusiastic audiences.