Meet SoKno Pride's President, Dustin Fowler!
Dustin (he/him) is honored and thrilled to serve as SoKno Pride's President for 2024! He has called Knoxville home for seven years, alongside his two roommates Caitlyn and Courtney. This is Dustin's second year on the board where he served as the Vice President/Treasurer last year, 2023. His day job is as a Managing Consultant with Berkeley Research Group's Healthcare Performance Improvement firm where he works with hospitals to help bring expertise and improve operations for long-term success. In his free time, he enjoys traveling the world, nerding out on some video games, and cuddling up with his two fur babies Antoni and Fischer. He is so excited to be serving alongside the rest of the board to accomplish the mission of SoKno Pride for supporting LGBTQIA+ rights and racial equality.
Dustin Fowler (President)
Vee (she/her) is beyond stoked to serve as SoKno Pride's Vice President! She has called Knoxville home since April 2023. Vee has found a very niche career in non-profit customer service. If you're downtown, you can find Vee at the Tennessee Theatre where she is the Sr. Director of Sales most likely assisting someone with their digital tickets. Or often walking the streets with her corgi named Potato. If you ever see them out and about, feel free to say hi!
Vee Butler (Vice President)
Stephanie Cox (she/her) is excited to be a part of the SoKno Pride Board as Treasurer! She has called Knoxville home for the last 12 years. While currently working at a nonprofit, she got her masters in social work and has always had a passion for being of service to others and her community. When not on Pride business, she enjoys attempting to read more, a good tv show binge, and arguing with at least one of her pets that always has something to say.
Stephanie Cox (Treasurer)
Amber (she/her) is honored to serve as SoKno Pride's Secretary! She has called Knoxville home for collectively eleven years throughout college and her career. Her career as a software developer has brought her to several places, but she returned to Knoxville in 2020 to re-establish her roots and serve the community she loves. In her free time, she enjoys hacking away at Minecraft mods, experimenting with new dishes in her kitchen, tinkering with computers, and spending time with her partner and two cats.
Amber Denton (Secretary)
Ashley (she/her) is in her second year on the board and is beyond excited to serve as Vendor Director! As an East Tennessee native, she has called Knoxville home for 11 years! Ashley is passionate about small businesses and the maker community in Knoxville and can’t wait to work with all of the amazing vendors at SoKno Pride! She works at the Tennessee Valley Authority doing social media. When she’s not working, Ashley enjoys throwing pottery at Mighty Mud, expanding her massive plant hoard, and relaxing at home with her cat, Greta Purwig
Ashley Walker (Vendor Director)
Mitch Smith (he/him) is excited to be serving his second year with SoKno Pride as the Logistics Director. He has called Knoxville home for the last twelve years and found a deep connection to South Knoxville. When he's not at his day job (an engineer for a startup company); he enjoys crocheting, Ultimate Frisbee, and exploring the outdoors with his four-legged best friend, Beignet! Mitch looks forward to using his planning and logistical expertise to make sure that SoKno Pride's events run smoothly and leave a lasting impact on the community that he holds dear.
Mitch Smith (Operations Director)
George (he/him) is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the SoKno Pride board and contribute to Knoxville’s vibrant community. Having grown up around the world, he has called Knoxville home for five years. George works as a mechanical engineer by day, and his hobbies include exploring new places, hiking, photography, and hosting dinner gatherings. He is excited to continue learning from and giving back to the community.
George Chamoun (Sponsorship Director)
Caitlyn (she/her) is excited to serve as SoKno Pride's Marketing Director! A recent University of Tennessee grad, she's immersed in entertainment social media marketing by day. Off-duty, catch her planning adventures with friends, obsessing over Harry Styles, or binging a TV series.
Caitlyn Rolen (Marketing Director)
Morphine is excited to be directing the shows at SoKno Pride in 2024. Morphine is a Knoxville native of 26 years. They strive to bring the most exciting entertainment in Knoxville to the stage each year at pride and promises that this upcoming year is going to be the biggest and most fun yet. They serve as show director at Hi Wire Brewing Company as well as producing many shows around Knoxville, including Knoxville’s annual Drag Survivor competition.
Morphine Drip (Drag Show Director)
Savannah (she/her) is thrilled to serve as SoKno Pride's Merch coordinator for 2024! She has called Knoxville home for 1.5 years. Her day job is as a Medical Laboratory Tech at Fort Sanders Hospital where she gets to play with blood, urines, body fluids and swabs all day. In her free time, she enjoys drinking beers at all the bars in South Knox, hiking around Ijams with her wife, reading and attempting diy home improvements.
Shannon Herron (Merchandise Director)
Victoria (she/they) is honored to serve as Board Floating Liaison for SoKno Pride! She has served on the board for two years and cannot wait to see what the board will accomplish this year. She has called Knoxville home for almost 15 years, and South Knoxville home for the past 5. Their day job is as a financial analyst for a software company that is based in Knoxville. In their free time, she enjoys spending time with her partner of 7 years and their two dogs, Ella and Riley, going on jogs while listening to true crime podcasts, trying out funky makeup looks, and playing way too much Stardew Valley!
Victoria Montefusco (Board Floating Liaison)
Meet SoKno Pride’s Marketing Coordinator Molly Anson! Molly (she/her) is excited to serve on the SoKno Pride board this year. She’s called Knoxville home since 2022 when she did a cross-country move from Washington State. Her day job is working at a salon as a hair stylist where she provides a safe, inclusive space to help people fall in love with their hair again. In her spare time Molly enjoys cozying up with a good book, playing video games, solving crossword puzzles, and exploring Knoxville with her wife and dog!
Molly Anson (Marketing Coordinator)
Leah (she/her) is beyond excited to serve as SoKno Pride’s Volunteer Coordinator! She has called Knoxville home for a few years and has loved becoming a part of this community. She is looking forward to being a part of SoKno Pride and giving back by welcoming and supporting volunteers as together they advance the mission of SoKno Pride with the rest of the Board. Leah first came to Knoxville to work at UTK and is now the Training Coordinator for the City of Knoxville. When she’s not planning for Pride, you can find her playing softball, exploring local breweries, or spending time with her girlfriend, friends, and her crazy dog, Griff. If you are interested in volunteering for SoKno Pride, reach out to Leah to get connected!
Leah Pendarvis (Volunteer Coordinator)
Leah (she/her) is beyond excited to serve as SoKno Pride’s Volunteer Coordinator! She has called Knoxville home for a few years and has loved becoming a part of this community. She is looking forward to being a part of SoKno Pride and giving back by welcoming and supporting volunteers as together they advance the mission of SoKno Pride with the rest of the Board. Leah first came to Knoxville to work at UTK and is now the Training Coordinator for the City of Knoxville. When she’s not planning for Pride, you can find her playing softball, exploring local breweries, or spending time with her girlfriend, friends, and her crazy dog, Griff. If you are interested in volunteering for SoKno Pride, reach out to Leah to get connected!
Jessie Duval (Entertainment Coordinator)
Cam (He/Him/His) is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Tennessee in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies department. As both a college professor and professional doctoral student, his published works and research focus on the well-being of Intersectional LGBTQIA+ identifying university students in the Southeast, using Art-Based Research methods, to find better ways to support marginalized communities in higher education.
His history and background in the fine arts, holding a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art from San Francisco Art Institute and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Cinema and Television Art, has provided Cam with the tools to create personal artworks that have been displayed in West Coast galleries, Knoxville first Fridays, and three international film festivals.
Cam Molidor (Graphic Designer)
Originally from Arizona, Baylor found his way to Knoxville in 2018, and shares this wonderful city with his amazing husband, Kyle, and lovable Bernedoodle, Norris, who always keeps life entertaining. By day, he works as a Healthcare IT Product Director, and is excited to apply his skills while serving on the SoKno Pride Board. When not working or volunteering, you’ll probably find him out for a run, cooking, catching a show at the Tennessee Theatre, or hanging out with friends.
Baylor Sezate (Logistics Coordinator)