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.
Cole Rasmussen (He/Him)
Board 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.
Cassie Smith (She/Her)
Board Vice President
Bio Coming Soon!
Kayo Jerman (He/Him)
Board Clerk
Kayo Jerman (he/him) is an industrial-organizational psychologist, PhD, and nonprofit leader dedicated to building inclusive and empowered communities. As Secretary of the Pride of Southern Utah Board of Trustees, he advocates for LGBTQ+ visibility and equity, believing representation is essential for meaningful change.
With expertise in workplace culture, leadership development, and employee engagement, he helps organizations create environments where people thrive. Married to his husband since 2019, Kayo is passionate about fostering spaces where all individuals feel valued, supported, and seen.
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!