2026 Speakers & Presenters
Nicole Morrison - 2026 Keynote Speaker
Nicole Morrison is an award-winning author, speaker, professor, entrepreneur, and human potential strategist from Bismarck, North Dakota. She is the author of Growing Up Happy in a Lonely World: A Mixtape Memoir, winner of the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Award in the LGBTQ+ category.
Through storytelling, education, and personal development work, Nicole helps individuals and organizations build stronger minds, stronger relationships, and stronger communities. She has worked with hundreds of clients and students and is known for her engaging blend of vulnerability, humor, practical insight, and hope.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Nicole brings both lived experience and professional expertise to conversations about identity, belonging, resilience, mental wellness, and authentic leadership. Her work reminds audiences that while our stories may be different, the human desire to be seen, accepted, and understood is universal.
Jakay Matheny
JaKay Matheny Sr., LCSW, is a leadership facilitator, licensed clinical social worker, and Certified John Maxwell Team Member. He specializes in helping individuals and organizations strengthen communication, build trust, and develop effective leadership practices. As the founder of J L Matheny Solutions, LLC, JaKay delivers interactive and engaging experiences that promote personal growth, professional development, and stronger community connections. His work focuses on creating safe spaces for meaningful dialogue, reflection, and practical skill-building.
Adelyn Emter
Adelyn Emter (they/she) is a Ph.D. student in Experimental Psychology at the University of North Dakota. They have a M.S. in Psychology and graduate certificates in Qualitative Inquiry Methods and Quantitative Research Methods. Adelyn's research interests interests lie in perceptions and experiences of gender and gender roles, as well views of self and others, particularly in applied settings such as STEAM education and in the workplace. They serve on the Board of Directors for North Dakota Girls State and has represented marginalized students while testifying before the ND State Legislature as a member of the North Dakota Student Association. Adelyn also works with the North Dakota Ballet Company, prioritizing gender inclusivity and representation in the classical arts.
Hannalee Shaw
Hannalee is a Planned Parenthood health educator with a passion for healthy youth development, consent education, and parent/child education. She has a background in communications, career advising, and high school education and generally loves to yap. Hannalee lives with her partner, her school aged child, 2 chickens, and a revolving door of cats/foster kittens.
Laurie Baker
Old without, young within, Laurie Baker is an energy healer, intuitive, and a co-creative writer. Laurie is a long-time teacher and workshop speaker, certified in 3HO Kundalini Yoga, Sat Nam Rasayan, and Spiritual Healing. Before retiring from full time-work, she worked in journalism, politics, communications, project management and homeless services. She is passionate about helping others discover or advance their own path to self-healing, inner strength, authenticity and activation. Laurie operates as New Leaf Alternatives in Moorhead, MN and writes on Substack as Lauries Treehouse. https://lauriejbaker.com
Jason Grueneich
Jason Grueneich is the Founder and Executive Director of Shine Bright & Live, North Dakota’s only HIV-focused nonprofit dedicated to advancing health justice, compassion, and empowerment. Living with HIV himself, Jason uses his voice and leadership to break down stigma, expand education, and strengthen community engagement. He also serves as Facilitator of the North Dakota HIV Advisory Board, guiding the state’s integrated HIV prevention and care planning. From launching the “Shine Out Loud” HIV Speakers Bureau to championing HIV law modernization, Jason is committed to building a healthier, more connected future for all North Dakotans.
Megan Jenson
Megan Jenson, MBA (She/Her)
Megan is a queer community development practitioner, certified trainer, and co-owner of Creating Community Consulting, a woman-owned firm serving 20+ counties across Greater Minnesota and North Dakota. With 12+ years of experience supporting nonprofits, government agencies, and coalitions, she brings authenticity, curiosity, and compassion to her deep passion for community building and shared leadership.
Dr. Tamara SJ Lanaghan
Dr. Tamara SJ Lanaghan is the Assistant Coordinator and Principal Transcriber for the Red River Rainbow Seniors Oral History Project. Through her work on South Asian Religions, she has examined issues of gender fluidity in Hindu deities, theologies of the feminine, and sacred place. For the past nine years she has worked closely with the RRRS Oral History Project as principal transcriber and assistant project coordinator.
Bio for Katrina Koesterman is pending.
Chandler Esslinger
Chandler Esslinger is a dedicated advocate for systemic change, specializing in anti-poverty initiatives and community-wide strategies to improve health and well-being. As a leader in the fight to end homelessness in the FM area, she works to align stakeholders and strengthen local systems through evidence-based best practices, trauma-informed care, and a commitment to health equity. Chandler lives in downtown Fargo with her spouse, Claire, and their beloved chihuahua, Minnow.
Sara Simenson
Sara Simenson (she/they) works as a behavioral health therapist at Sanford Health. In addition to being a licensed counselor in both Minnesota and North Dakota, she strongly identifies as an advocate for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and as an intersectional feminist lesbian. Sara is passionate about engaging in advocacy through research, education, creativity, and meeting individuals where they are. She specializes in the following areas: the LGBTQIA2S+ population, gender care (adhering to WPATH Standards of Care), sexual health and sexual concerns, supporting parents of trans and gender-diverse youth, and personality disorders.
Andria Pinkerton
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Andria Pinkerton serves as the Senior Director of Legal Services at the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) in Grand Forks. With nearly nine years of dedicated service at CVIC, she provides trauma-informed legal representation for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in various civil cases, including family law and civil protection orders. She is committed to advocating for victims ’ rights and enhancing legal support services within her community. Andria currently serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of SBAND’s Women’s Lawyer Section and the Vice President of SBAND’s Family Law Section. She has previously served as President of the Greater Grand Forks County Bar Association. In recognition of her outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to her community, Andria was honored as one of Prairie Business magazine’s 2024 "40 Under 40" honorees. Andria received her Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Hamline University.
Ming Wong
Ming Wong is the Director of Community Justice and Access at NCLR where he manages several projects including their Legal Information Helpline, and develops curriculum for, delivers trainings, and provides technical assistance to Legal Aid and Legal Services organizations. He is also the staff attorney on their Immigration Project, assisting clients fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV-status.
Katie Love
Katie Love is a third-year law student at the University of North Dakota. She is the current Vice President of the American Constitution Society (ACS) where she and her fellow board members won the national ACS's Rising Chapter of the Year Award as well as the Programming Award for the 2025-2026 school year. She plans events and coordinates outreach in the community dedicated to inclusivity and equality within the legal profession. A California native, Katie currently lives in Grand Forks with her boyfriend Lucas and their two cats, Guppy and Opey.
Fuego Inferno
Fuego Inferno is a drag performer heating up the Fargo- Moorhead area! They bring Latinx spice to every space they enter with their big energy and spicy dance moves.
Shaydora Todd, a queer, disabled, social worker and the Assistant Executive Director at the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition. Shay has been with the NDHRC since her internship in January of 2025. Shay continues to focus on the ND LGBTQ+ community in her work through support of the summit, local organizations and other paths via the Forward 701 Network. Shay also supports the various community needs in her area of Minot through the Minot NDHRC Chapter, its members and partners.
Shaydora Todd
Charlie Williamson
Charlie Williamson is the North Dakota Program Manager for Gender Justice based in Fargo, ND. Along with serving as the Planning Committee Chair for Fargo-Moorhead Pride and the Communications Director for Stonewall Sports Fargo, they are a teaching artist and advocate with a background in LGBTQ+ and gender-based advocacy in higher education and community settings. Originally from Denver, CO, they’ve worked in various organizing roles including event planning, fundraising, training, and development for the last 6 years.
Dalton Erickson
Dalton Erickson is the Executive Director for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition. They have a background in grassroots activism, community organizing, and policy advocacy.
They have a focus on addressing the underlying causes of inequality - which means they care deeply about addressing the growing economic injustice in our nation. They’ve been a union leader, having served as the UND United President, been a grassroots leader, having served as the Chair for the Red River Valley Democratic Socialists of America and fight for housing as a human right on the board of the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People.
Max Kringen
Max Kringen is the founder and Chief Storyteller at Tellwell Story Co., a creative studio in Fargo, North Dakota. For over a decade, he has helped nonprofits and mission-driven organizations find their story and tell it well. He is the author of Seasons of Story: A Cozy Marketing Guide for Growing Safety, Trust, and Belonging, host of the Tellwell podcast, and founder of the WellTold Conference. He lives in Fargo and is proud to call this community home.
Brynne VanHettinga
Brynne VanHettinga has had an eclectic professional career. After obtaining a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, Brynne ran a small-town, Main Street law practice in Mohave County, AZ and Hendersonville, NC, representing working and middle class folks in family law and workplace rights cases. Brynne has also served as a regulator for the State of Florida Office of Financial Regulation, and First Amendment and government transparency advocate in the 81st and 82nd Texas Legislative Sessions. The blasphemous iconography portrayed during the January 6th insurrection led to independent research into the dangerous phenomenon of Christian Nationalism.
Michelle Rydz
Michelle Rydz is the Founder and Executive Director of the High Plains Fair Housing Center, the only organization serving North and South Dakota whose mission is to eliminate housing discrimination and promote equal access to housing choice for all. Under her leadership, the organization combines education, enforcement, advocacy, and community engagement to address both individual instances of discrimination and the systemic barriers that limit housing opportunity.
Michelle brings more than 25 years of experience in grassroots community organizing, advocacy, and systems change. Her work has focused on building community power and advancing policy solutions related to housing, neighborhood safety, transportation, and economic opportunity. She began her career as a community organizer in Chicago and later worked with the National Democratic Institute in Romania, helping develop advocacy initiatives during the country's transition following the fall of communism. Throughout her career, Michelle has remained committed to creating lasting change by empowering communities, strengthening civic engagement, and advancing equitable public policies.
Aster Cline
Aster Cline (He/They) is a trans man and artist living in the Bis-Man area. He loves music, talking too loud, and being as obnoxious as physically possible. He is soon to graduate high school and sell his soul to the art industry, where he’ll become a happy lil wage slave.
Dominic Meyers
Dominic Meyers (Any/All) is an instructor of Communication Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, as well as the assistant director of Speech and Debate at Concordia College Moorhead. They teach a variety of courses including gender communication, introduction to queer theory, and humanities research methods. Their research aims to understand how community rhetoric is produced, rejected, and altered by 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples, rural communities, and communities of faith and spirituality. Dominic also serves as the secretary for Fargo-Moorhead Pride’s Board of Directors and the Fargo chapter of Stonewall Sports’ pickleball director. In their free time, they enjoy plant care, dungeons and dragons, and arguing about Avatar the Last Airbender.
Jacqueline Hassett
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Jacqueline Hassett (she/her) LMSW, LGSW currently works as a Mental Health Professional in a residential treatment center where clients present with both a mental health and substance use disorder. Jackie spends her days providing group therapy, pyschoeducation, and individual therapy to men and females in recovery. Ms. Hassett worked formally for Riverview Health doing therapy with seniors, in public health as a health equity coordinator, an assistant professor of Social work, and with interpersonal violence at a campus women's center. She lives in Grand Forks with her wife and five children. In her free time she enjoys community advocacy andengagement, cooking, and trying to be in the moment.
Asheley LeFors
Asheley LeFors: PFLAG North Dakota Board President. She is a University of North Dakota Psychology and Public Health Education undergraduate student. She enjoys spending time with her spouse and kids, glamping, and photography.
Kayla Hanson
Kayla Hanson: PFLAG North Dakota Board Secretary.
Devon Dolney
Devon Dolney is a staff attorney with Legal Services of North Dakota with experience in helping low income individuals with housing related issues across the state of North Dakota. They are a graduate of the Mitchell Hamline School of Law. Devon is a life-long North Dakotan, and a proud parent of two boys. They have been an activist for Trans rights in North Dakota, including being involved in a law suit challenging the gender affirming care ban in the state. Devon currently lives in Fargo with their husband, two children, two dogs, and three rats.
Dr. Aisha Cozad
Aisha Cozad, PhD, is a senior research advisor in AARP Research, where she provides consultation on research needs related to individuals aged 50 and above, and works closely with AARP state offices across the country. She also leads AARP’s volunteer research portfolio.
Before joining AARP, Dr. Cozad spent eight years working with adolescents with severe persistent mental illnesses (SPMI) in group home settings.
She holds a doctorate in social work with a focus on gerontology and public policy, a master’s degree in social work (direct practice), and a bachelor’s degree in special education. She was also a Hartford Pre-Dissertation Awardee.
Lucas Wilson
Dr. Lucas Wilson is a Humanist Thought Fellow through the American Humanist Association. Formerly a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Toronto Mississauga and the Justice, Equity, and Transformation Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Calgary, Lucas is the editor of Shame-Sex Attraction: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy. He is currently working on two new anthologies: Don’t Ask, Tell All: Stories of Christian Colleges’ Anti-Queer Regimes and Queer and Trembling: Stories of LGBTQ+ Religious Trauma.
Phii Regis
Phii Regis (they/them) is the Manager of Public Training for The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Phii facilitates public trainings, and designs training materials that will educate adults who interface with youth and organizational partners across a number of topics. They bring over a decade of experience in training youth-serving professionals to enhance support of LGBTQ+ children, youth and families nationwide. Prior to joining The Trevor Project, Mx. Regis designed and delivered LGBTQ+ inclusion training at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, where they also spearheaded initiatives focused on mental health for LGBTQ+ individuals within Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Phii holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Adelphi University and a Master of Professional Studies in Political Management from The George Washington University