Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a passionate group of leaders dedicated to advancing the mission of Pride of Southern Utah. With diverse backgrounds in advocacy, community organizing, and business, our board members bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable Southern Utah. Together, they provide strategic guidance, foster meaningful partnerships, and ensure the sustainability of our programs, empowering our community to thrive.
Cassie Smith (She/Her)
Board President
Cassie (she/her) and her wife moved with their five kids to southern Utah in 2023 and have loved being part of the thriving queer community here. She studied marketing and earned her MBA from BYU, and she now serves as Vice President of Marketing at a FinTech company.
She is passionate about helping others and building communities where everyone feels seen, secure, and supported. As a trans woman who came out later in life, Cassie is excited to bring her perspective and experiences to Pride of Southern Utah and to help foster connection and inclusion across the community.
Justin Taylor (He/Him)
Board Treasurer
Bio Coming Soon!
Claudia Ayotte (she/her)
Claudia Ayotte is a proud Californian, full-time mom, and passionate advocate for diversity and equality. Raising five children, Claudia is deeply committed to creating a loving and supportive environment, both at home and within her community. As a queer mother, she understands the importance of visibility and acceptance, not just for her own family but for all queer kids. She believes that every child deserves to feel seen, loved, and empowered to be their authentic selves. With a strong belief in the power of inclusivity, Claudia strives to make a positive difference for both her children and others in the queer community.
Austin Hodges (He/Him)
Austin (right) was raised in the heart of St. George Utah in an LDS household, and now embraces the intersection of his faith and identity as a gay, married man. His life reflects a deep commitment to authenticity, empathy, and bridging communities through understanding and love.
As the COO of Digivoice, Austin is passionate about technology, transparent customer service, and building systems that empower small businesses. He hopes to bring the same love of technology and communications to POSU to improve the lives of his community. Outside of his professional work, he finds inspiration in philosophy, spirituality, and the ongoing pursuit of peace drawing from thinkers like Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, and Daryl Davis.
Austin believes that unity, dialogue, and compassion are key to building a better world, and knows that when the world gets chaotic, that stalwart peace and unrelenting love is the way to build our communities. Austin is honored to serve on the Pride of Southern Utah Board to help foster spaces of belonging and celebration for everyone.
Nicole Taylor (she/her)
Nicole is a writer, student, lover of travel, mom of four—including at least one queer child - and a believer that storytelling has the power to unite even the most diverse groups. She has worked with several nonprofits and lived in the Middle East. Both experiences reinforced the belief that the world is safer, more peaceful, and more joyful when everyone is celebrated for exactly who they are. She is committed to working toward eliminating systemic and individual prejudice against queer people - and relentlessly hoping for a world where everyone can thrive.
Kaden Rogers (He/Him)
Bio Coming Soon!
Rebecca Grant (She/Her)
Bio Coming Soon!