President

Deana’s email

Deana Spencer returns as the Board President for another term, serving for 2025 and 2026.  Deana is committed to inclusivity, education, and empowerment through representation, support, and by creating safe spaces for all in the queer community.  She believes in the power of collective voices and feels a calling to use her voice when others feel silenced.

As a Personal Banker, Deana is passionate about cultivating personal and professional relationships.  She is very active in volunteering and serves on several additional organizational boards and community coalitions to ensure representation of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  

In her personal life, she takes great pride in her three adult children and their partners and shares a beautiful grandson with her partner, Kim.  Together, they enjoy antiquing, traveling with friends, and attending concerts, her favorite being Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

 Believing in the power of humanity, Deana brings a commitment of inclusivity, education, and empowerment by continuing to create safe places for all in the queer community to ensure there is always representation and support. 

Vice President

Pam’s email

Pam is our Vice President and continues to serve as Volunteer Coordinator and Festival Planning Committee Chair.  She is passionate about community engagement, and proudly facilitates a growing number of BC Pride support and social groups.

In 2017, Pam retired from her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, where she worked with individuals facing traumatic brain injuries.  She now brings her advocacy expertise to our community, ensuring the voices of our most vulnerable members are heard.  And yes, she believes Tom Petty wrote a song about her journey as an advocate.

When she's not busy with her community roles, Pam loves organizing barbecues for family and friends, where her pitmaster husband, Bill, is the shining star.  She loves her crew of rescue pets and is devoted to helping animals transition from shelters to rescue. 

Treasurer

Dylan’s email

Dylan is the Board Treasurer for Battle Creek Pride Inc. and a proud advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. With 20 years of experience in organizational leadership and human capital development, they are committed to fostering inclusive spaces where diverse voices are empowered to thrive.

A passionate musician, Dylan sings with ensembles and community choirs nationwide, using the arts as a platform for advocacy and connection. They also provide training on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through The Art of Communication, a presentation series focused on authentic dialogue through positive, productive, culturally agile practices and principles.

Dylan believes in the power of education, storytelling, and community-building to create lasting change. They strive to uplift marginalized voices and cultivate environments where authenticity is celebrated.

They hold a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Secretary

Breanna’s email

Breanna is honored to serve as the Secretary of Battle Creek Pride’s Board for the 2025-2027 term. Breanna is Technical Writer in the public sector and is passionate about inclusion and community advocacy. She believes that love is love and is committed to uplifting 2SLGBTQIA+ voices, especially within the trans, BIPOC, and other marginalized communities of the queer spectrum. Outside of BC Pride, she enjoys concerts, traveling, self-care, and getting lost in a good romance book. She shares life’s adventures with her incredible partner and their beloved senior rescue dog, Mr. Roogs.  Breanna is dedicated to fostering a more equitable and affirming world where everyone can thrive as their authentic selves.

Board Member

Ian’s email

Ian Gallagher was born in New Jersey, but grew up in the Homer area and moved to the Urbandale area in 2009. He now lives there with his partner Kyle, he has been a constant promoter of equality for all LGBTQ+ people in the Battle Creek area, and is very passionate about sexual health and HIV/AIDS advocacy in the LGBTQ+ Community. He has been part of Battle Creek Pride Since 2011, serving several of those years as the former Treasurer. Ian is an avid animal lover, making a recurring monthly donation to the Humane Society of South Central Michigan. He and Kyle have an orange tabby named Pumpkin, and a Chihuahua named Boston whom they adore. Ian formerly worked for several years at Systex in Battle Creek as a Material Handler and has recently made a career change, becoming a manager at his partner’s family restaurant, The Roosters Call in Kalamazoo. He and Kyle are training to eventually become the owners of the business in the next few years when the current owners are ready to retire.

Board Member

Kayla’s email

Kayla McCarthy is a passionate community organizer and activist dedicated to advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and uplifting marginalized voices in the Battle Creek community. As a board member of Battle Creek Pride, Kayla is excited to contribute to the organization's mission, particularly through her role on the PR team. Alongside her activism, Kayla is a proud business owner of a photography studio, where she captures the beauty of the world through her lens. She enjoys reading, creating art, and spending time with her supportive and loving fiancée and their 10-year-old non-binary child and all of her wonderful friends. In addition to her work with Battle Creek Pride, Kayla serves on the grassroots council for the Art and Culture Collective of Battle Creek, where she’s committed to making a lasting impact. Through her advocacy and dedication, Kayla strives to create a more inclusive and vibrant community for all.

Board Member

Jade’s email

Jade is excited and proud to be a part of Battle Creek Pride's board of directors for the 2024-2026 term. With prior experience as both leader and event planner for Spectrum, Kellogg Community College's 2SLGBTQIA+ Student Organization, positivity and inclusivity are his greatest passion. He cares deeply for the transgender community and, as a result, facilitates the operation of a trans and non-binary support group, Umbrella. When not volunteering and working with BC Pride he enjoys drawing, occasional video games, and spending cherished time with friends. He is loved and supported by two wonderful partners and looks forward to building a life-time of memories with them. Jade is passionate and works to build a world where everyone is accepted and loved.

Board Member

Katie’s email

Katie is a dedicated volunteer with Battle Creek Pride and currently serves on the board for the 2024-2026 term. She is deeply passionate about promoting dignity and equality for all and believes meaningful change begins within our own communities. In addition to her work with Battle Creek Pride, Katie is an active member of the Calhoun County Democrats, where she has held roles as Secretary, 

Co-Treasurer, and served on numerous committees. Now retired from a national sales career, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband and two grown children, as well as pursuing her passions for cooking and creating art.

Board Member

James’ email

James was born in Sacramento California and was raised most of his life in Duluth, Minnesota. He has lived in Michigan since 2001 spending time in Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Kalamazoo. Battle Creek is now where he calls home after buying a house in the Lakeview area with his partner of 9 years. He currently works as an Assistant Branch Manager for a local Credit Union in Marshall, Michigan. James identifies as a pansexual cis-gender man in a homosexual relationship. He is the father of two amazing children. James is proactive in his community and wants to make his home more accepting of the LGBTQIA+ community. Having a transgender child, he hopes that the world will be a safer place not only for the community he identifies with but also for his children.

Board Member

Lori’s email

Lori Smith is a third-year Board member and a native of Battle Creek. She received an Associate of Arts degree in Communication from Kellogg Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. As a woman born with a physical disability, Lori has been a powerful advocate for herself and for the disability community serving as an Outreach Advocate for the Disability Resource Center (now the Disability Network Southwest Michigan) and as a chairperson for the Regional Interagency Consumer Committee – a local grassroots group that is funded and supported by the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. In high school she competed in the Games organized by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association placing 1st place in seven divisions and 2nd place in one. She also competed in Ms. Wheelchair Michigan in the mid-90’s. Lori currently serves as the Vice President for The Arc of Calhoun County Board of Directors. She enjoys singing, listening to rock music, and laughing with close friends.

Board Member

Cale’s email