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Board of Directors

Wendi Nicholson

President

Wendi has been actively involved with Windsor-Essex Pride Fest for 6 yrs. She has been the parade coordinator for the past 3 yrs and a board member for 4 years. Wendi’s primary goal is to bring happiness and joy to everyone around her. Wendi also coaches children for Windsor Soccer Club in her spare time. She enjoys educating and supporting others. Wendi owns her own business in glass block design. She is a serious handywoman and knows how to get things done.

In her role as Co-Vice President & Logistics, Wendi’s role is to ensure everyone in the crowd is having as much fun as possible and everything running smoothly for all aspects of the festival and for the year-round events for the organization.

Wendi believes the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest aims to create a safer place for the LGBTQ community. She also believes the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest encourages diversity in Windsor Essex and creates a better understanding of being a part of the community.

Robert Vitella

Vice President

In 2004 Robert was invited to join what was then simply the Pride Committee. Acclaimed as Chair, he saw an opportunity to reinvent the organization, thus Windsor Pride was born. Robert oversaw its legal incorporation and launched the process for eventual charitable registration. He rebranded the organization by directing a new logo and website while standardizing communications, challenged some elements of the planning process, and inspired new thinking which culminated in a higher standard for both the festival and the organization. He introduced best practices and set the organization on the course of providing social programs.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the field of advertising and marketing, he has held key positions with some of the country’s largest advertising agencies and sat on a number of charitable boards. Robert has since changed careers and is now licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada to provide legal services. These days Robert is the owner of United Legal Services of Windsor, where he is focused on doing what he can to promote justice for the disadvantaged.

Today Robert sees an opportunity to grow this festival into a premier event by expanding its appeal. Like David, he believes this can be accomplished through strong partnerships and by enhancing the festival year after year.

David Lenz

Community Development / Treasurer

David Lenz has been volunteering with the LGBT+ community for the last 16 years. In 2004, when the Pride Festival was canceled due to lack of funding, he along with Robert Vitella, Dani Bobb, Marc Dubois, and others reorganized the festival. David Lenz created and introduced the first sponsorship package for the organization as well as revised and introduced the new “Pride Guide” publication. Over the years, he has served as sponsorship coordinator, pride guide coordinator, Board member, and festival chairperson.

He is also heavily involved in grant writing and the success of the organization’s social programs for the community.

In addition to his role as Past President / Treasurer with the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, David is currently employed with Windsor Regional Hospital in the Public Affairs/Communications department. He has also served as a Fund Development Officer with Easter Seals Ontario and as Director of Development with the AIDS Committee of Windsor.

David strongly believes in the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest’s mission of strengthening the sense of community and contributing to the vibrancy, health, and overall well-being of people in the LGBIQ2S+ community in Windsor-Essex.

Ginny Lundgren

Board Member

Ginny has been involved with Windsor Pride for many years in many capacities. She has run the Pride Bowling Event for at least a dozen years. She loves this event for its focus on LGBT as well as the community at large. Ginny was on the board of Windsor Pride Community when it became incorporated, and has volunteered at many other events.

She is a full-time school bus driver and she actively volunteers as a current member and former President of the Windsor Lawn Bowling Club, as well as volunteers with the Windsor-Essex County Senior Games.

Ginny is married to her partner, Paulette, of 31 years and helped raise 4 children. She and Paulette are very involved with the 50+ Proud Committee with Windsor Pride Community, as well as the Women’s Monthly potlucks.

Sidney Wright

Board Member / Communications

Sidney is the young blood of the board. She has been involved with the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest for the past 3 years behind the scenes. She has assisted with the Pride Fest parade and has sat as the youth chair on the board as well as social media coordinator.

Sidney is currently enrolled as a student at St. Clair College in the program and she is also involved in volunteering coaching with the Windsor Soccer Club.

Sidney encourages people to be diverse and live life to the fullest.

Jonathan Levidis

Board Member

Jonathan started as a vendor with a non-profit restaurant in 2011 and has ever since been with Windsor-Essex Pride Fest doing whatever it takes to make sure everything is going to plan and jumping in whenever needed.

Jonathan is an outgoing caring person who accepts everyone as who they are and believes you can be anyone you want to be. In his grade 12 year, Jonathan, with some friends, founded the first GSA at Catholic Central High School as well as involved with We Shine. The GSA is still running to this very day.

He is always willing to try new things and very passionate about the LGBTQ+ Community. He has been active in different events throughout the year. He will continue to work hard alongside his colleagues and volunteers. Jonathan wants everyone to know to be who you are and love you for who you are.

Ashton Baltzer

Board Member

Ashtyn has been a volunteer with Windsor Essex Pride Fest since 2016. She is a hard-working and caring individual who will do anything to make you smile. Throughout high school, Ashtyn was a GSA member trying to make her school a safer and more accepting space for LGBTQ+ youth.

When it comes to Pride, she’ll be there and always willing to lend a hand when needed. Ashtyn never says no when it comes to trying new things. She is always doing her best to encourage others to do the same.

“Wherever you go, go with love!”

Joey Wright

Board Member

Since then he has been involved in numerous events, sitting as a former Board member of Windsor Pride Community and former Chair of the Research and Education committee. If you recognize him it’s because he has been a vocal advocate and participant in local theatre and politics for many years. Currently working as a bartender and cook, he looks forward to continuing to develop and volunteer on the Pride Fest Board for many years to come.

Happy Pride