FOUNDER & PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of Science from St. Francis Xavier University in 2021. Originally from Ontario with lifelong ties to Nova Scotia, Lauren is happy to now call Halifax home. She received a Pathy Foundation Fellowship - an experiential learning opportunity awarded to new graduates of select Canadian universities to start a self-directed, community-focused project. After being positively impacted by her own 2SLGBTQ+ mentors, Lauren is passionate about launching Proud Pairs to bring the transformative experience of mentorship to other young 2SLGBTQ+ people.

DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR

Kieran is a business consultant, project manager and full-time cat dad currently living and working in Kjipuktuk (Halifax). While finishing an MBA at Concordia University, Kieran filled the role of COO at the EdTech non-profit, GénieLab, and now works as a Project Manager in the department of Open Learning and Career Development at Dalhousie. They are thrilled to be putting their expertise to use as the Development Advisor for Proud Pairs to help support queer youth and build intergenerational connections.

MENTOR & MENTEE TRAINING FACILITATOR

Erin Wynn is a facilitator and educator invested in community development that allows queer youth to be safe and thrive. She has a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and Counselling and is endlessly fascinated by the human brain and all the ways it learns and grows. She's delighted to design the mentor and mentee trainings for Proud Pairs, and loves to hike, swim, and make art in their down time. Erin lives in Kjipuktuk/Halifax on the unceded territory of Mi'kma'ki.

ACADEMIC PARTNER

Dr. Rhea Ashley Hoskin is an interdisciplinary feminist sociologist whose work focuses on Critical Femininities, Femme Theory, and femmephobia. Dr. Hoskin is a former Ontario Women’s Health Scholar and a current AMTD Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo. In her work with Proud Pairs, she conducts community-based research exploring intergenerational connections within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, as well as the reciprocal associations between mentorship and mental health and well-being within 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

ACADEMIC PARTNER

Dr. Karen Blair is the director of the Trent Social Relations, Attitudes and Diversity Lab in the Psychology Department at Trent University. She previously held an Associate Professorship in Psychology and a Jules Léger Research Chair in Humanities and Social Sciences at St. Francis Xavier University. Her research examines the social determinants of health throughout the lifespan within the context of social relationships. In her work with Proud Pairs, she conducts community-based research exploring intergenerational connections within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, as well as the reciprocal associations between mentorship and mental health and well-being within 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS

Bio Coming Soon!