Meet the Board

Get to know your current board members who put the Riverside Pride mission in motion.

Russell VanHoose
President

Russell VanHoose joined the Riverside Pride Board of Directors in October 2019.
​Russell brings over 20 years of non-profit leadership experience in civic, education, and religious organizations. Prior to joining Riverside Pride, Russell served as parish minister for an inclusive, progressive faith community in North Texas and a public school educator/administrator. He holds a Certificate of Religious Studies and a Master of Education degree in Education Administration. Russell has extensive experience in staff development, e-learning design, program initiatives, project management, and program administration. Russell is committed to social change and passionate about empowering people to challenge their beliefs and cultural stereotypes of the LGBTQ+ community. He believes that if people can learn to both stretch and love themselves, they can also learn to both stretch and love the world.

Merrie Fox
Vice President

My journey to the LGBTQ+ community was delayed until my early thirties, when a counselor helped me understand the disconnect I’d felt with myself for years. It was an exhilarating - and devastating – revelation. I finally felt comfortable in my own skin, but I was twelve years into a traditional marriage and had two young children. Fortunately, I was blessed with a few friends who created a safe place for me while I learned the importance of living my truth. A year later, I met the love of my life and for the past seventeen years, she and I have raised two amazing kids, remodeled a home, earned our doctorate degrees, and built a life that is beyond blessed. As part of Riverside Pride, I’m honored to work alongside others who are dedicated to making New Braunfels - my home since 1982 - a more inclusive place where all members of the LGBTQ+ community are represented and can thrive.

Jose Guerrero
Board Secretary

Jose is a full-time manager and a full-time college student getting a Master's Degree in Psychology to become a Psychologist. When he isn't working or studying , he likes to go for walks in the park, hang out with family, work out, make new friends and help out in any way he can. Jose is looking forward to bringing new ideas to Riverside Pride and can't wait to see the amazing things we can accomplish together. 

Angie Jones
Board Treasurer

I am an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, and am excited for the opportunity to serve as a Board Member. I grew up in Austin and graduated from the University of Texas. My husband and I have lived in New Braunfels for five years. As a parent of three grown children and a public-school educator, I strongly support the mission of Riverside Pride to connect and support the LGBTQ+ community. I am dedicated to educating and increasing awareness in our community to ensure that everyone not only feels safe, but also welcome, accepted, and treated with respect and kindness in New Braunfels and surrounding communities.

Aja Edwards
Board Member

I have a passion for our community because of my own personal experience. At the age of 33, I had the opportunity to serve on the New Braunfels City Council. I came out during that time. There was an effort to recall me because I was gay and was accused of “trying to corrupt our youth”. I realized then the kind of environment we still had here locally. Being a public figure at the time, I decided to get involved and use my connections to start fostering conversations and services for our LGBTQ+ community. I moved away from New Braunfels for a while to Wisconsin and while I was gone the group of people who also had a passion for this agenda took these ideas and turned it into Riverside Pride, the non profit organization it is today. Upon returning to New Braunfels, I wanted to be involved with Riverside Pride because it was an extension of what a group of us started back in 2016/17.

Laci Bird
​Board Member

Laci Bird grew up in Comal County and graduated from Smithson Valley High School in 2007. She worked for Comal ISD for 6 years and has been with SJRC Texas for the last 7 years as the Community Outreach Coordinator. Laci grew up in and around New Braunfels and made it her permanent home in 2018, where she lives with her partner Bethany and their two dogs. Laci is enthusiastic to educate, support and inspire her community regarding LGBTQ+ issues.

Cheyenne Collins
Board Member

Cheyenne Collins joined Riverside Pride as a board member in October of 2021. She is a Houston area native, but has called Comal County home for a little over 14 years. During her time here she has been a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community including having been a start up member of the Gay/Straight Alliance at Canyon High School when it was formed in 2011. As a self proclaimed social butterfly and empath, Cheyenne’s passion is being able to assist not only youth but also those around her with living as their most authentic selves and coming together to reach their fullest potential. In her free time you can find her at the nearest comic book shop or re-watching all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Mildred Monreal
Board Member

Mildred Monreal has an impressive track record in the nonprofit industry, having worked in the field for over 10 years. She received her Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is a first generation student hailing from El Paso, Texas.

Mildred is a highly accomplished professional who has participated and led two successful capital campaigns totaling 5.9 million dollars. Her fundraising efforts have been integral to the success of the nonprofit organizations she has worked for. In addition to her fundraising expertise, Mildred enjoys exploring new culinary options and engaging in her favorite hobby of playing video games. Her passion for both work and play highlights her well-rounded nature and dedication to both personal and professional growth.

As the great Nelson Mandela once said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." Mildred's impressive accomplishments in the nonprofit industry serve as a testament to this quote and inspire others to achieve their own goals, no matter how daunting they may seem.

Sarah Simmons
Board Member

Sarah Simmons was born and raised in New Braunfels. She attended Texas A&M University and graduated with her Bachelors degree in 2015. She taught middle school English and Social Studies for four years. She, her husband, and son have recently moved back to New Braunfels after some years in Colorado. She is happy to be back in the wonderful place she grew up in. She is a stay-at-home mom of a toddler and enjoys Crossfit, cooking, and stand up comedy. She is thrilled to serve on the Riverside Pride board and continue to make the NB community a place where everyone feels welcomed and celebrated.

Jessica Wright
Board Member

Jessica is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, she seeks to support and advocate for LGBTQ+ social justice, particularly in healthcare. During her doctoral studies, Jessica realized a significant lack of understanding and education for healthcare team members on addressing LGBTQ+ needs, even something seemingly as simple as inquiring about sexual orientation and gender identity. She has implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive care interventions at a large healthcare organization and presents them to healthcare staff members across Texas. Jessica is honored to be a part of Riverside Pride. She looks forward to being an active community member in New Braunfels, supporting the right for everyone to be treated with love, dignity, and respect.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Cori Vela-Speare
Board Member

Corinne "Cori" Vela-Speare is a New Braunfels native, who came back to New Braunfels in 2021 after living in Washington state and Austin for 10 years. She is a graduate from University of the Incarnate Word, with a Bachelors of Business Administration and a Masters in Organizational Development. She brings over 17 years of experience in the Corporate Human Resources world as a Sr. Program and Project Executive in the HR Technology and Strategy space, with the majority of those in Fortune 500 companies.  During her tenure in these roles she took on leadership positions within the company ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) for both LGBTQ+, Disability, Women, Latinx and other underrepresented groups. Given her expertise in running corporate ERG events, she hopes to bring value to the Board in future programs. 

Cori became an entrepreneur in 2021, with the opening of a local branch of Sweetbay Travel Concierge, LLC. She is an active NB Chamber of Commerce Member, and looks forward to building a strong network and brand for the Riverside Pride NB organization within various local organizations. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family (she has 5 children and 2 grandchildren, and a husband of 19 years), her furbabies (3 pups) and traveling the world.