The Center Board
Karen Berg-DiGangi
Co-Chair
She/Her
Karen is an East Coast transplant who fell in love with Montana and met her wife here. Living in the Bitterroot with 4 dogs and 2 cats, she loves helping connect and grow this community through Real Estate. She can usually be found on the soccer field, at a brewery or floating down the river when not busy with the Missoula Businesswomen's Network, the Lambros Community Foundation, the Missoula Organization of Realtors or the Center.
Patrick Boise
Board Member
He/Him
Patrick Boise is a California-born, rural Montana-raised activist focused on intersectional and interdisciplinary community coalescence. A non-traditional student at the University of Montana, he earned bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Management Information Systems and is pursuing his master’s degree in Economics. Patrick has enthusiasm for finding common threads among individuals of different backgrounds and perspectives, working to bring them together in respectful discourse rooted in our common values. He also has a creative streak and loves to make things, whether through sewing, painting, welding, or coding, he enjoys producing items that blend practicality and beauty whenever possible
Miles Shuck
Board Member
He/Him/His
After leaving his hometown, Miles spent a decade in Colorado before continuing his journey North, to Missoula, in search of more natural spaces, fewer buildings, and better berry growing conditions (if you have cultivation tips, please share!).
He is a proud first-generation college graduate. He holds an Associate degree in Humanities and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. He is particularly interested in policies related to education, LGBTQIA+ rights, labor rights, and U.S.-based food systems.
He currently works in UX Design making digital spaces more intuitive and inclusive for all.
Miles is excited to serve and support the LGBTQIA+ community of Western Montana (and beyond) through his board role at The Center.
Lynsey G
Board Member
She/Her or They/Them
​Lynsey G is a Montana-born, east-coast-raised word person. An IPPY Award–winning writer, editor, podcaster and publisher several decades of experience in the publishing industry, she relocated from New York City to Missoula in 2015 after more than a decade in New York City, where she wrote journalism about the adult entertainment industry, focusing on queer and feminist adult film. Now, she's creating and publishing inclusive comics, fiction, and illustrated novels with Oneshi Press, the publishing company she founded here in Missoula with Jayel Draco; co-hosting the Hourgasm podcast with Lenny Peppers; studying druidry; and getting more involved with the community by way of the Center.
Cara Grula
Board Member
She/Her
​Cara Grula grew up outside of Chicago and moved to Missoula in 2014 to work seasonally for the BLM. Later, she attended UM in 2016 and earned her Masters Degree in Environmental Studies. After Graduate school, Cara moved to Moab, UT where she found her love for public education and rafting. Cara now works as a High School Biology Teacher in Florence, MT and is excited to provide a safe space for students in the Bitterroot Valley. Cara currently lives with her Wife on Missoula’s Northside. In her free time, you can find Cara doing outdoor activities, throwing clay, or finding the best chocolate chip cookie recipe.
Zeke Cork
Board Member
He/Him/His
​Zeke grew up in Missoula. He came out in the mid-seventies as “gay” then later as LGBTQIA+ people took back “queer” he ran with it. He started transitioning at the age of sixty and has enjoyed his second puberty far more than the first one. He works in railroad operations, writes queer fiction and CNF. He is passionate about his community and wants to be both an active and effective member of it.
Jeri Barta
Board Member
She/Her
Hailing from the wild and wonderful state of Montana, She’s a proud lesbian powerhouse who's all about spreading love and positivity wherever she goes. If you're a hockey buff, you'll probably catch Jeri in her gear tearing up the ice —because who said lesbians can't be total sports stars, am I right? And of course, let's talk food. Jeri is on a perpetual quest for the next culinary masterpiece, because life's too short for boring meals.
But wait, there's more! I'm also a sucker for the arts, whether I'm belting out show tunes at the top of my lungs or getting lost in the electrifying energy of live concerts. And let's not forget about Mother Nature—she's Jeri’s ultimate muse. From epic hikes to scenic bike rides, Jeri is all about soaking up the great outdoors.
When Jeri is not busy advocating for inclusivity and breaking down barriers, you'll probably catch her rocking the real estate world as a proud Realtor. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is helping fellow LGBTQ+ folks achieve their real estate dreams, whether it's finding their perfect home sweet home, next business location or making savvy investments for the future. Because everyone deserves a place where they can truly be themselves, and she’s here to make sure that happens, one sold sign at a time.
So buckle up, folks! With Jeri on board, you can expect a whole lot of laughter, love, and unapologetic queerness. Let's show the world what we're made of!
Brittany McLaughlin
Board Member
She/her
Brittany is a registered nurse, who was born and raised in Montana. She is one of the original founders of Queer Prom MT and is currently one of the co-chairs. She also works with the Queer Prom Teens committee to plan teen events that provide a safe and fun environment for queer youth/allies. When not planning Queer Prom events Brittany can be found on her hobby farm in Florence, where she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and caring for her 3 cats, 4 dogs, 4 alpacas and 12 ducks.
Natalia Boise
Board Member
She/Her
Natalia Boise is a Montana-born activist focused on community engagement and education. A Fulbright scholar graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Linguistic Anthropology and currently pursuing a masters certificate in nonprofit administration, she is passionate about nonprofit humanitarian work, equity, community engagement, and intersectional activism.
Jacqueline Shrader
Board Member
She/Her
Jacqueline is from Spokane originally but spent most summers growing up in Seeley Lake and Missoula. She works in international development and has been fortunate to have spent several years living in Latin America and West Africa. Jacqueline cares deeply about the influence of policy and public discourse on our society, especially how that impacts minority groups. You'll find Jacqueline paddle boarding down the Bitterroot, at a brewery, playing softball, flailing on skis, or hanging out at the farmers' market. Jacqueline and her partner are the proud humans of two cats.
Brock Flynn
Secretary
He/Him
Brock is a native Montanan who is proud to call Lolo and the Missoula area home. Brock is quite busy as a law student at the University of Montana. Brock cares deeply about legal aid work-assisting low income folks by providing high quality legal services. When not busy with law stuff, Brock enjoys kayaking and shopping at the farmers’ market.
Dani Goodman
Treasurer
They/She
Dani joined the Pride team in 2023 as the accountant and later became our treasurer at The Center in 2024. With a specialty in working with small businesses and non-profits, Dani has been integral to Pride Teams in San Francisco and Denver, showcasing a commitment to community causes. Dani, has lived in both California and Colorado, and now proudly calls Missoula home. Beyond financial expertise, Dani is an outdoor enthusiast, culinary explorer, advocate for inclusivity, and dog parent to Logan.
Chance LeBlanc
Board Member
They/Them
​Chance is a full-time student studying Creative Writing and Public Health, and they are currently working to increase food security at U of M. When not working or in school, they are spending time with their child learning about turtles and space.
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