About Us

Our People

LGBT YouthLine is comprised of talented individuals who are committed to supporting 2SLGBTQ+ youth across the province of Ontario.



Lauren Pragg

Lauren Pragg

Interim Executive Director

Lauren is a second-generation Indo-Trinidadian settler who lives on Williams Treaty territory in Scarborough, Ontario – the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. They are personally and professionally committed to principles of equity, justice and accountability.

 

Lauren previously worked for LGBT YouthLine from 2018-19. They are glad to be back as the Interim Executive Director. They have worked on community engagement, research, and communications for over 15 years with a diverse array of organizations, such as Planned Parenthood Toronto, LGBT YouthLine, and Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada. Lauren holds an MA degree in Social and Political Thought from York University. They are currently an MSW student at Wilfrid Laurier University.

 

Tyler

Tyler

Finance Manager

Tyler Chartrand is a gay cis man whose family is Manitoba Métis. Today, he makes his home in Toronto, on land belonging to the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples, the Mississaugas of the Credit, and other Indigenous peoples. His role at YouthLine is Finance Manager, which draws from his background in youth-led organization, LGBTQ organizations and finance/bookkeeping work for non-profits. He loves a good risotto.

Nur

Nur

Manager, Peer Support

Nur is a queer neurodiverse Black Muslim from Ottawa, the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe peoples, and is very proud to call Ottawa home. They studied psychology at Carleton University and have since dedicated their time to the social service sector, specifically working in mental health, anti-gender-based violence and sexual & reproductive health care. They are deeply passionate about workshop facilitation, volunteer engagement, and policy. Nur is a self-described comedy nerd and horror film fan. They hope to continue working with, supporting, and developing community with 2SLGBTQ+ youth, both in creative spaces and at LGBT YouthLine.

Rebecca

Rebecca

Program Assistant

Rebecca (they/she) is a Non-binary multiracial person with Afro-Caribbean (Jamaican) heritage. They grew up in Ottawa, the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe peoples. They currently reside in Hamilton which is situated on the traditional territories of the Erie, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas peoples. They are passionate about community care and volunteered with Youthline for two years before starting their role as Program Assistant. In their free time they can be found hiking, climbing, knitting, or walking their dog.

Beck Scholbeck

Beck Scholbeck

Shift Supervisor

Beck (they/them) is a white, genderqueer, neurodivergent queer person living in Tkaronto. Beck was a Youthline volunteer for 2 years before starting their role as shift supervisor. In their free time Beck enjoys crochet, embroidery, and doing stick and poke tattoos.

Sierra Savedra

Sierra Savedra

Manager, Outreach and Training

Sierra is a non-binary, second/third generation settler half Anglo-Indian half-Gujarati queer. They grew up in Toronto and Brampton – coming from a mixed race and mixed religion background while growing up in Canada has made for a layered experience. They continue to have “home” relationships with multiple places, spaces, and people. They have been involved in volunteering and supporting queer and trans communities for many years – most recently, they co-organized zine and arts fairs for the 2SQTBIPOC community. They love climbing, being outside, and making spaces for people to be recognized and appreciated as their full selves.

Katrina Moffit-Pleasance

Katrina Moffit-Pleasance

Outreach & Engagement Specialist

Katrina is a queer Indigenous person living in Northern Ontario, they have centered most of their current experience around volunteering within their community and supporting 2SLGBTQ youth in the area. They are passionate about caring for the vulnerable in their communities and being critical of the Canadian colonial state. In their spare time, Katrina enjoys learning about indigenous history and finding ways to connect with their heritage. Katrina can also be found walking their dog, taking pictures of sunrises, and enjoying a hot drink on an even hotter day.

Cameo

Cameo

Coordinator, YouthOrganize

Cameo (they/one) is a white, disabled, nonbinary queer living on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe Peoples of Fort William First Nation (Thunder Bay). As YO Coordinator, they support YouthOrganize volunteers and events with their co-coordinator. Cameo’s favourite food is berries, and they particularly enjoy homegrown raspberries.

Rabia

Rabia

Coordinator, YouthOrganize

Rabia is a disabled, queer, Pakistani, Muslim immigrant, and artist with a passion for social justice, equity, gender and sexual violence education and prevention, disability justice and activism. They grew up and currently live on the traditional territory of the Mississauga’s of the Credit (in Peel Region). Rabia is devoted to decolonization and QTBIPOC equity within community spaces and academia, especially within Peel. Outside of YouthLine, you can find Rabia painting in her studio, or learning a new artistic skill to add to her arsenal.

Noah

Noah

Operations Manager

Noah is a Black person of Jamaican descent and of trans experience born and raised on the traditional unceded unsurrendered lands of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people (Ottawa). He received his Bachelor of Social Work in 2014 from Carleton University, and has since worked and volunteered for various 2SLGBTQI+ organisations nationally, and within Ottawa and Toronto. Noah previously worked at YouthLine in 2017, and is excited to be back leading and supporting operations. In his spare time, you can catch Noah playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, exercising, and/or spending time with his wife, chosen family and friends.

Vale Warren

Vale Warren

Operations Specialist

Vale is a queer, non-binary, mixed-race weirdo who grew up in Mississauga. Now living in Toronto, they have worked and volunteered at a variety of organizations, most recently with youth groups and in tenant rights education. As a former Craftathon committee member and peer support volunteer, Vale is excited to be stepping into their new role at LGBT YouthLine. In their downtime, Vale enjoys video games, noodle soup, watercolour painting, and fashion.

Ren

Ren

Systems Administrator

Ren is a queer, mixed-race, neurodivergent person who lives in Toronto. Her role is to provide administrative support to the rest of the staff. Her favourite food is pho.

Olena Gurba

Olena Gurba

Administrative Assistant

Olena (she/her) is a queer neurodivergent Ukrainian-Canadian person who lives in Toronto with her cat, Sally. She have a degree in Marketing and Professional Communications from TMU and has work experience in the financial, hospitality, and sales sectors. Olena started with YouthLine in September as the administrative assistant. In her downtime, she enjoys nature walks, video games, and crochet and other fiber arts.

Bisma Jay

Bisma Jay

Communications & Development Specialist

Bisma is a queer, non-binary, Punjabi, and Muslim artist currently based in Tkaronto, but grew up on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg and Fort William First Nation (Thunder Bay). They are a recent graduate from OCAD University with a BFA in Photography. In their work, they seek to create more positive representation of queer and trans BIPOC folks living in the diaspora. In their spare time, they are very active in the queer south asian community, love to make silly videos for instagram, design clothes, and tattoo people for fun.

Jerico Espinas

Jerico Espinas

Co-Chair, Board of Directors

Jerico Espinas (he / him) is a queer Filipino-Canadian who resides in Toronto and works in York Region. As Counsel and Legal, Research, and Evaluation Director for Blue Door Support Services, he is committed towards advancing the human right to housing for everyone. You can also see him involved in the health justice space through his volunteer work at community health centres and family health teams. He’s always happy to chat about queer slice-of-life stories, horror movies, and indie games.

Ben Gillis-Kent

Ben Gillis-Kent

Co-Chair, Board of Directors

Ben (He/they) is a perpetually caffeinated queer white settler living in Tkaronto. He has been an active volunteer in the 2SLGBTQ+ community for over a decade, and was formerly a peer support volunteer with LGBT Youthline from 2018-2022. Ben spent 12 years working with people and their animals, before transitioning into a new career in human resources with the federal public service. They are passionate about community building and creating safe spaces for a diverse range of 2SLGBTQ+ peoples. Ben currently lives in Tkaronto’s east end with their partner and their ‘wobbly’ cat, Cesar.

Karel Peters

Karel Peters

Board of Directors

Karel (they/them) is a Black queer person who grew up in the Waterloo Region and now resides in Toronto. As a current student at Osgoode Hall Law School, they are passionate about the justice reform movement. Outside of school, Karel enjoys being apart of the queer skateboarding community in Toronto, participating in political activism, and exploring the city’s vegan eats!

Vincent So

Vincent So

Board of Directors

Vincent (He/Him) is a resident physician at the University of Ottawa in the field of Pediatrics. Vincent has a keen interest in 2SLGBTQ+ Health and supporting youth programming. He previously served as a regional assistant for LGBT Youthline for the Provincial Youth Ambassador Project (PYAP) working closely with youth ambassadors to develop projects for their local communities to increase 2SLGBTQ+ programming and building networks amongst youth. In his free time, he enjoys going to attending spin class, adoring his house plants, napping, and collective day dreaming with other youth.

Nira Sohi

Nira Sohi

Board of Directors

Nira (she/they) is a queer racialized settler and social worker/therapist from Toronto who is currently living and working in the Hamilton area. They graduated with their Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2023, and have since been working at a community health centre. Nira has spent many years working for queer-focused organizations in Toronto and Hamilton, and is now focused on mental health advocacy for queer folks in healthcare settings. Outside of work, Nira enjoys hanging out with their cats and cooking for their partner and friends.

Kimber Kunimoto

Kimber Kunimoto

Board of Directors

Kimber (she/her) is a queer, mixed race person with disabilities. She has grown up all around what is now known as Canada and currently calls Toronto home. She has spent her career in the nonprofit sector, co-creating brave spaces and programming, alongside community. Kimber can often be found camping with her wife, gardening or cooking with friends.

Nicole Dylan Madison

Nicole Dylan Madison

Board of Directors

Nicole (she/they) is a queer individual who currently lives in Toronto with their spouse and child. Having worked primarily in the nonprofit and wellness sectors, Nicole has experience in managing operations, communications, and events. Over the past 12 years, she has dedicated her efforts to a charitable organization that provides mindfulness-based programs to youth in marginalized communities. Nicole’s educational background is in design and they are a certified, trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness instructor. Nicole is an avid reader and a committed introvert. In their free time, you’ll find them curled up with a book or playing the Sims 4.