Meet the Board

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

Aja Edwards

President

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.

Russell VanHoose

Vice 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.

Marty Leonard

Board Secretary

The LGBTQ+ community is important to me because I am a part of the community and want to make a difference. I want to advocate for children, teens, and adults to feel a sense of inclusion in the New Braunfels and surrounding communities. Being an educator, I have a natural instinct to want to help people and I believe I will be able to do so being on the board for Riverside Pride. The future for Riverside Pride is an exciting one. We have a great team and feel the need for New Braunfels and surrounding areas to provide information and resources to the LGBTQ+ community and advocates. I strongly believe Riverside Pride will grow as an organization and have a presence as a safe organization for the community. In the future I see Riverside Pride as a community organization that will be included in community events and activities.

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.

Kimberly Green

Co-Director of Marketing & Public Relations

This community is very special to me. For most of my life I was an outsider looking in, too scared to embrace my own truth. Once I finally did, I realized how beautiful and freeing it is, and don’t want anyone to have to live in that place of fear. I want to help create a safe community of love and acceptance and belonging. I love stories of people who are stronger than they look that overcome great challenges. We each have a story and we can each relate to one another as a community full of strength and tenacity. I’m inspired by YOU. I met my wife when I was in my late 30’s. I knew the minute I met her that she was everything I ever wanted and never would allow myself to have. When I met her, nothing mattered except that I, for the first time ever, felt complete. She’s my best friend, my inspiration, my strength, and my love.

Amber Abernathy

Co Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Amber Abernathy was raised in a conservative Baptist home in Northern California, and therefore, did not come out until just a few years ago.  She is an ordained minister who understands the struggle of hiding who you are and trying to fit into the boxes others create for you. She is passionate about providing a safe place for LGBTQ+ people who may not have support at home.   Amber married her best friend in October of 2019, blending their families to include 6 kids (3 Bio, 3 Bonus).  Amber and her wife recently moved to Seguin and have 5 dogs, 2 miniature donkeys, 10 chickens, 6 ducks, and soon, 3 pigs.  

Laci Bird

Director of Youth Involvement

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.

Merrie Fox

Director of Community Engagement

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.

Suzette Decker

Director of Fundraising

Suzette has been an educator for 25 years.  She has served as a teacher and principal of private schools as well as public schools.  Currently, Suzette is a counselor at La Vernia High school.  She also is a Licensed Professional Counselor,licensed by the state of Texas. Suzette has a great deal of experience in guiding students through the college application and scholarship seeking process.  Additionally, she helps students improve their “soft skills” when seeking a career.
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Suzette is committed to help people fully realize their potential and worth within the world and community. In the book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl encourages us to, “Move toward greater mental and emotional health by discovering what brings meaning to our lives.” Sometimes, that process involves challenging our own personal beliefs and cultural norms. I want to use this opportunity to serve on the board to make a positive contribution to the world by being an optimistic part of the solution instead of perpetuating a problem- “think globally and act locally.”

Cheyenne Collins

Director of Volunteer Support

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.

Jess Anderson

Director of Events

Bio coming soon