Board of DIRECToRS
Cole Rasmussen (He/Him)
President
Cole grew up in Spanish Fork, Utah as the fourth of five kids in and LDS household. His close and competitive family thrived on playing sports, riding horses, hunting and enjoying nature. Through a number of experiences, great mentors and friends, Cole eventually found peace and joy in his sexual orientation and came out as gay. He met his now husband Kent in the Fall 2017 they married in Fall of 2021.
Cole studied communications and music at Utah Valley University and currently works as a clinical liaison for a specialty hospital. In addition to his education, Cole has also pursued opportunities to volunteer with non-profit organizations in Utah and abroad.
He is excited to contribute his perspective as a gay, married, Utah native in his role as Vice President of the Pride of Southern Utah board.
Christina Childs (she/her)
Vice President
Meet Christina, a determined and passionate individual born in the Washington DC suburbs of Virginia. Growing up as the middle child in a devout LDS family of seven, she learned the values of faith, family, and community from a young age.
After completing her LDS mission, Christina pursued her academic aspirations, earning a degree in social media marketing from LDS Business College. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact, she delved into the fields of Gender Studies and Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Utah, broadening her understanding of diverse perspectives and inclusive practices.
After university, Christina and her wife were looking for a higher quality of life and relocated to the enchanting landscapes of St. George.
Combining her education, passion for people, and dedication to uplifting others, Christina ventured into the real estate industry, becoming a full-time realtor. Through her work, she strives not only to find dream homes for her clients but also to foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion within the community.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Christina enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones, exploring the beauty of nature, and actively participating in community events that promote tolerance, respect, and love for all.
kayo Skandunas(He/Him)
Clerk
Kayo Skandunas (he/him) is a dedicated advocate for human rights and currently serves as the Chief of Staff at Zion HealthShare, a nonprofit organization that provides an avenue for members to support each other in bearing healthcare expenses. Prior to this role, he held the position of Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah, a renowned nonprofit home builder and advocacy group committed to advancing affordable homeownership opportunities on a global scale.
Kayo's leadership style is centered on a human-centric approach, emphasizing the development of employees and activism in his endeavors. He draws from his experience in both the public and private sectors, having served in various leadership roles, and attributes his drive to a challenging upbringing that instilled character and grit.
Education holds a high value in Kayo's life, as he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Utah Tech University, a master's degree in Public Administration from Penn State, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Grand Canyon University.
In his leisure time, Kayo finds joy in traveling and spending quality moments in nature with his husband and dog. His commitment to making a positive impact on society and his passion for human-rights issues drive him in his professional and personal pursuits.
Jamee Mitchell (she/her)
Treasurer
Jamee is an Enrolled Agent and senior partner at the accounting firm of Woodbury, Mitchell & Finch (aka The Tax Company). She was born and raised in West Bountiful, Utah and earned degrees in accounting at Weber State University and the University of Utah before moving to St George in 1996. Jamee specializes in IRS representation and tax problem resolution and serves on several non-profit boards, including, Pride of Southern Utah and the Southern Utah Triathlon Club.
Her greatest accomplishment thus far is being the parent of four great children although she someday hopes to rule the tri-state area. When not at work, she enjoys traveling with her spouse, Susan and hiking the beautiful trails of Southern Utah.
Debi came to St. George in 2004 after growing up in Southern California and raising 4 children in Salt Lake City. She graduated from Utah Tech with a BA in Psychology and has master practitioner certificates in NLP (Neuro Linguistics Programing), Hypnotherapy, and Time Line Therapy.
In 2004, her life changed radically. Debi was on the board of United Families International, an NGO that advocated at the UN on behalf of the “natural family” and fought the “gay agenda.” That year, after 26 years of marriage, her husband, James came out to her as gay. They were active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Both had served missions, been married in the temple, and held numerous leadership roles. This courageous conversation challenged Debi’s deeply held core beliefs. She ultimately chose family over faith and discovered a new pathway to spirituality, compassion, and peace on her own spiritual path as a proud Ally.
Debi has worked with the Dixie Business Alliance, State of Utah PTAC, SOS Staffing, Washington City Chamber of Commerce, St. George SBDC, and Dixie Technical College. Currently, she is happily retired and enjoying her role as a life path guide and personal/professional advisor.
Debi is constantly curious and ever evolving. She loves the community in southern Utah and deeply values optimism, passion, sovereignty, and open-hearted connection as aims to express her true essence every day.
debi Barmonde (she/her)
Jill Naylor Mortensen is a fierce and proud Mama Dragon. Throughout the past five years, her journey of leaning in, listening, and learning to become a better LGBTQ+ advocate and ally has opened the door for numerous opportunities to serve alongside the local queer community. She has spent countless hours listening to, and believing, the stories of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families through her volunteer work with Encircle St. George, where she served as Advisory Board Chair.
A 2022 St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Element Award honoree, Jill is not afraid to bring awareness to the ongoing challenges many queer people face living in Southern Utah and is deeply committed to creating a community where everyone belongs. She strives to educate others through the power of story by openly sharing her family’s journey of fully embracing and celebrating their own queer child.
Jill is happiest lounging on the back patio of her home, listening to music, and sipping a cold beverage with her husband of nearly twenty years, Marc. Together, they’re raising three children, two astonishingly resilient goldfish, and a fluffy feline nicknamed “Kitty.”
Jill Mortensen (She/Her)
Linda Stay is a passionate advocate and activist for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized people. After being featured in the Sundance award-winning documentary film 8: The Mormon Proposition in 2010, she began working with Equality Utah in an effort to secure equal rights and protections for the LGBTQ+ community.
Currently, Linda is the Development Director at Switchpoint Community Resource Center advocating and championing for those experiencing poverty and homelessness. Linda is mom to 9 children 3 of which are queer.
Linda’s driving force is depicted in a quote by Albert Einstein “Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes - goodwill among men and peace on earth.”