Kayla Schembri
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President
Pridefest Participate events are included in our Pridefest Program, but delivered independently by our community, businesses and not for profit organisations. If you’re doing something queer in November, let us know! Pridefest Participates is an open access platform that allows every LGBTQIA+ event, activation or workshop held in November to appear in the Pride Guide.
A new addition to the Pridefest calendar, Pride Club Day is where you can find your rainbow! Saturday is focussed on showcasing the huge number of sports clubs, social groups, creative collectives and organisations that our community can join to stay connected, active and engaged. With a focus on wellbeing, Pride Club Day includes club demonstrations, a chance to give things a try and information on healthy, connected living. It’s for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community looking to find their mob or join a new activity.
Joining in October 2024, Rich is honoured to hold a position on the Pride WA Board to ensure that LGBTQIA+ Pride, visibility, representation, welfare and advocacy remain at the forefront of Western Australia’s agenda.
Rich grew up in the UK and began volunteering at university with student welfare organisations and Nightline, a dedicated anti-suicide and mental health telephone support available to students overnight.
Rich began his diverse career as a real estate lawyer specialising in public sector and not-for-profit law. This quickly developed into a passion for building communities of people.
Since moving to WA in 2012 with his partner, Rich has worked in the Higher Education sector managing the extensive property portfolio at Murdoch University and as Director of Accommodation at Curtin University. He has always used those roles to support the LGBTQIA+ communities on campus through a range of community, construction and visibility projects.
In addition to multiple postgraduate qualifications, he is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and Member of the Australian Institute of Management (AIMM). Rich’s NFP governance experience and appointments have included:
Expressions of interest are now open for Pridefest 2025. Pride WA has a history of working with and showcasing amazing WA and Australian artists, drag performers, DJ’s, and production shows. We are always seeking new ideas, artists, and talent to be part of Pridefest and other events. Find out more and then tell us about your talents.
Chris was born and raised in Perth and joined the Pride WA Committee in 2024.
He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2021 with a double degree in Law/Arts. After working for the Perth Casino Royal Commission and the Fair Work Commission, he made the jump to working in federal politics in 2022 and hasn’t looked back.
He is particularly interested in the role that governments play in supporting our community, and brings a strong knowledge of political and legal systems to the team. He is passionate about law reform, particularly in areas that impact our community, such as religious discrimination and healthcare access.
As one of the newest members of the Pride WA Board, Chris is eager to get involved in the committee’s work and looks forward to seeing Pride WA flourish into the future.
Imasha is a Human Resources professional with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Human Resource Management and brings with her over 5 years of experience working in the Sporting and Government Resources sectors.
During the last two years, Imasha has lead the WA Cricket Pride Working Group through which she has been able to work with and build relationships with various community organisations such as Richmond Wellbeing.
Imasha is thrilled to be part of an organisation that champions the inclusion and celebration of the community and is looking forward to contributing to the valuable work of Pride WA.
Catherine has worked in the community housing and NFP industry for a number of years and is currently working alongside community housing providers at a State Government level. Previously Catherine worked in venue and event management as brings that experience to Pride WA to help facilitate PrideFEST and be Pride WA’s Volunteer Coordinator.
In her spare time Catherine is a part of Frontrunners and Emerald City Kickball of which she has proudly won best dressed for two seasons in a row. She believes that costumes and dressing up to have a good time are an integral part of life and enjoys the ridiculousness of the LGBTQIA+ sporting teams.
Catherine believes that Pride WA is such an integral part of the broader LGBTQIA+ community and wants to see the community grow into a powerhouse of support for all. She has such a passion for the LGBTQIA+ community and is looking forward to seeing Pride WA grow into a 365 day a year organisation.
Dan is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of experience in the dynamic fields of events and arts management. A graduate of Edith Cowan University, he holds a double degree in Accounting & Finance as well as Marketing & Events Management.
Prior to joining Pride WA as Chief Operations Officer, Dan spent four years successfully leading the Operations Team at FRINGE WORLD Festival, where his meticulous attention to detail and strategic thinking helped elevate the festival to new heights, including overseeing the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic. It was here that Dan met friends and now co-owners of Tone & Cheek Productions, which debuted its first original production, Club D’amour, in 2022 to sell-out audiences, 5-star reviews and multiple awards.
Daniel’s impressive resume also includes various roles on some of Australia’s largest and most prestigious events, including HBF Run for a Reason, Ironman, Tough Mudder, Future Music Festival, Busselton Jetty Swim, Rottnest Channel Swim, and Ship-Wrecked Music Festival. With his unwavering commitment to excellence and wealth of experience, Dan is a true trailblazer in the world of events and arts management.
Jane is a seasoned technology executive with over 25+ years of experience in leadership and c-suite management roles. Jane’s career has spanned globally across military, government and private enterprises. Jane has a comprehensive skill set across strategic planning, delivery, commercial and technology management. Jane has consistently driven success, with a strong people focus and created diverse and inclusive environments throughout her career.
Jane has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and has consistently strived in her roles to establish and sponsor key initiatives across pride networks, women in technology and allies and inclusive work experience programs.
Jane is excited about the direction and opportunity that Pride WA is ambitiously seeking to achieve, and is keen to contributed to this strategic direction and sustainable growth of Pride WA.
Jasmine Strom, a seasoned Chartered Accountant (CA) with over 16 years of financial expertise. Jasmine brings a unique blend of advisory acumen and an enthusiastic, outgoing personality to how she works.
Jasmine has extensive experience in financial management and a talent for building strong relationships, she’s not just an accountant; she’s a trusted advisor who values genuine connections.
Jasmine is thrilled to be part of Pride WA, and her excitement is undeniable. With her unwavering commitment to the community and her ability to foster meaningful relationships, she’s a vital contributor to our mission.
Dr Lauren Butterly is an ethical and values driven leader. Prior to commencing as CEO of PrideWA, Lauren had a successful career in law – both as a practising lawyer and legal academic. She held positions at leading law organisations and universities in Perth, Canberra and Sydney where she specialised in environmental law and protection of First Nations’ cultural heritage. Lauren’s PhD in Law was awarded the top national academic award for a legal PhD.
Since 2017, Lauren has been involved at an executive level in LGBTQIA+ sport. In particular, she has served as the President of Sydney Frontrunners, and then Co-President of Perth Frontrunners. She is a passionate slow runner (who is more concerned about having a good chat on the run than getting a fast time).
Lauren is driven by a commitment to social justice, equity and inclusion. Her roles in both law and LGBTQIA+ sport have included closely collaborating across the diverse LGBTQIA+ community, and with First Nations and disability communities.
Lauren has been living with Multiple Sclerosis for 12 years. She proudly challenges stereotypes about what MS looks like.
Gregory has been a past member of Pride WA, rejoining and participating in the marketing for PrideFest 2021. He is well-acquainted with the challenges of committee participation, serving as Vice Chair of the East Perth Community Group, and Treasurer of the LGBTQIA+ photography club Shutterpups Inc.
With post-graduate qualifications in physics and computing, Gregory is employed full-time as an Automation Solution Architect in the resources sector – a role that presents daily opportunities to become immersed in a wide range of business problems, and create the overall technical vision for a specific solution. Not surprisingly, Gregory’s free-time passion is photography, particularly landscapes, architecture, and portraits (just don’t ask him to photograph a wedding).
Paul was raised in Manchester and remained in the UK to study when his family migrated to Perth Australia in 1989.
Paul’s passion for Human Resources gained him experience in the sectors of telecommunications, not-for-profit and online startups. His career moved him from Europe to the Middle East and Africa where he gained exposure to diversity cultures. He spent 15 years working and living in the Middle East and Africa, and was very aware of the discrimination, imprisonment, torture and execution that can occur in that region. Paul was an active member in these countries where queer communities were underground.
Moving to Australia in 2017, Paul continued to support the WA community as an active volunteer and holds the position of WA Vice President for the Australian Institute of Human Resources in Western Australia. He and his partner became proud parents in 2021 and are active members of the Facebook community page Gay Dads WA, leading the groups participation in PrideFEST 2022. Their participation generated much media attention and saw a significant increase in members. The positve impact of PrideFEST on the community, encouraged Paul to become more involved with Pride WA.
A lawyer by trade, Richie’s extensive queer credentials commenced back to his university days when he was the co-convenor of the Ten Percent Club, the University of Adelaide’s queer student club of the time. Since then, Richie has been active in the leadership of many queer and other professional and sporting organisations. He has a particular interest in education, mental health advocacy, and accessible participation in sports. Outside of the PrideWA office, Richie can usually be found jogging around the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) or hunting down the latest shiraz vintage from the Barossa Valley.
Kayla is a values-driven corporate governance specialist with focuses on capacity building, policy and procedure. Kayla is a skilled problem-solver attracted to working with complex and ambitious organisations with an appetite for change and growth. An ability to adapt and respond with resilience is well-illustrated throughout both her career and her personal life.
As an aspiring polymath, Kayla satiates her intellectual curiosities with strategic decision-making (especially those pertaining to ‘wicked problems’) and hopes to pursue her PhD in this space in future. Kayla otherwise enjoys far too many hobbies including competitive martial arts, dancehall, mixing cocktails, dark humour, and any good excuse to dress up.
Kate identifies as non-binary and pansexual, combining her lived experiences with her desire to advocate for the Queer community. They are a senior fire safety engineer working in Perth who has incorporated queer advocacy into their workplaces. Kate is currently a committee member on the City of Perth LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee and for LGBTI Professionals Networking. They bring a safety focus, risk management skills and organisational experience to the executive.
In their quiet time, Kate will usually be found gardening at home or visiting small towns with their fiancée for bush-bashing getaway adventures.
Joey has also had the privilege to serve on the Rainbow Labor WA previously, Crown Pride, & Department of Communities Charged up for Work committees and is currently a committee member for the Perth Rams Rugby Union Club & LGTBI Professionals Networking Group.
Joey brings extensive knowledge of fundraising, event planning, public speaking, community organising, and project oversight.
Cynthia joined the committee in 2022. A Christian lesbian migrant from a multicultural background, she believes in equity for everyone, predominantly the unseen, discriminated and marginalised. She values giving back to the communities that she is a part of and has previously led community groups that support lesbians coming out, reconciliation groups for individuals struggling with faith and sexuality and youths.
A recovering workaholic, she runs her business Empower2Free, which equips the next generation with life skills to be future-ready while serving on several boards as Finance Director. Married to another workaholic, Cynthia and her wife try to garden, explore food places etc., in Perth to achieve a work-life balance.
Ashara is a young multicultural professional who has worked through the ups and downs of being queer from a young age. She has established a strong foundation of support through her family and friends while surrounding herself in the AFL community.
Ashara currently works in the community services and development sector, owning and operating a small website business in Perth. In her off time, Ashara is an AFL coach who focuses on player relationships, developing positive team culture and achieving results as a team. Her hobbies include all things AFL, going out 4x4ing and being around family and friends.
Ashara is all about inclusivity, sharing experiences and supporting disadvantaged groups such as young people.
Michael is a CPA who brings a high level of financial experience to PrideWA, with over 10 years of experience as head of financial operations for a leading WA agricultural machinery business, specialising in M&A and commercial growth.
Michael comes with a lot of knowledge, having worked with other leading community organisations such as WA Aids Council (WAAC) and The Samaritans.
Michael is excited about the new direction that Pride WA is going and is keen to see it move towards being a more significant part of our community and help us to be a “Community”.
Curtis has been a Pride WA’s management committee member since his election to the committee in February 2017. Curtis held the position of Committee Secretary from 2017 until he was appointed President in 2020.
Outside of Pride, WA, Curtis works as a barrister and solicitor in family law matters. He was appointed Commissioner for Legal Aid by the Attorney General of Western Australia in 2021. Curtis is also a nationally accredited Mediator, Independent Children’s Lawyer and Collaborative Professional.
In 2020, Curtis was named a Local Hero by the City of Vincent. He was recognised for his contributions to the community.
Choon joined Pride WA in 2019 and has been called upon to utilise his CPA qualification to become CEO in 2021. A former Sydneysider who now firmly calls Perth home, he had previously volunteered over some years for Mardi Gras and is excited to leverage his experience to help Pride WA grow.
Choon holds an MBA and has worked in marketing in the entertainment and online retail industries for 20 years. Along with his partner of 16 years, Choon is a foster parent to two energetic boys.