Evanston Pride is entirely volunteer-run.
Our team donates our time and energy because we are passionate about building LGBTQIA+ community and making a difference in Evanston.
That means that every dollar raised by Evanston Pride goes directly into supporting resources and programming.
Interested in joining us, as a Board Member, or Volunteer? Email us at EvanstonPrideParade@gmail.com
We work, and love harder!!
Current Evanston Pride Board
Patty Finley
Founding Member (she/her)
I am a first generation Mexican American, born and raised in Brownsville, TX. I moved up to Chicago in 2002 to attend DePaul University. In 2006, I graduated with my degree in Finance and Spanish and met my partner, Jackie. I'd say that was a pretty good year. When 2017 rolled around, I was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, which, fortunately, landed me in Evanston. Today, I run my financial planning practice with Edward Jones on Church and Oak.
Being a Latinx, queer woman has driven me to be a visible resource for my communities. There is a need to lift ourselves in a positive direction by building camaraderie, supporting one another, both personally and professionally, and continue to make impactful strides together. When I started my practice, I noticed that need within the LGBTQIA+ community, which led me to start my own networking group, Out in Front, in 2018. I am elated to be a part of Evanston Pride because I get to meet you, and you are amazing.
Rada Yovovich
Founding Member (she/her)
Rada is a queer cis white millennial woman and is the co-founder of The Darkest Horse, an Evanston-based consulting firm focused on inclusion and equity work. Rada grew up in Evanston and attended Lincolnwood, Kingsley, Haven, and ETHS. She has stayed involved with Evanston community efforts, particularly with the high school. In addition to her leadership coaching and facilitation work, Rada is an active advocate for LGBTQIA+ equity, and diversity efforts more broadly. At athenahealth and Oak Street Health, she proudly founded and led LGBTQIA+ employee resource groups and has since gone on to deliver customized LGBTQIA+ inclusion workshops for organizations/teams around the country.
She earned her BA at the University of Chicago and her MBA in Health Care Management at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Margaret Marnell
BIO COMING SOON
Tyra Poindexter
Tyra Poindexter is an Illinois Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer and owner of Poindexter Funeral Services, Inc. and First Call Responders, Inc.
Tyra grew up in Evanston. She attended Evanston Township High School where she was an honor student, an Evanston NAACP and Chessmen Unity Scholar. Upon graduating high school, she went on to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service. As a student at SIUC, she was a member of the Dean’s List, a member of Queer People of Color (QPOC) student support group, Chair of Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society, Chair of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, Treasurer for Sigma Phi Sigma Business Organization, and a Residence Hall Assistant.
In her free time, Tyra enjoys writing, reading, listening to music, and participating in sports. She is known for her hard work, commitment, warm demeanor, positive mindset, and her sense of humor.
Mariana Bojorquez
BIO COMING SOON
Kellye Fleming
BIO COMING SOON
Anna Brenner
BIO COMING SOON
Agito Abbott
Graphic Design (he/him)
I am an illustration major at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Queer representation is vitally important to me and to the world in general. I want to touch other hearts with my art. I want to learn more about art and expression, history and experience. I want to get the experience I need to make positive change.
PAST MEMBERS OF EVANSTON PRIDE
Jackson Adams (Founding Member)
Ruth Armstrong
Carl Branch
Kurt Condra
Sandie Elliott
Katherine Gotsick (Founding Member)
Frederick Moore
Robert Sparadoski
Ben Ward