Kayla Dransfield serves as the current President of Greenbrier Valley Pride. She is the Executive Director of Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit homebuilder in Greenbrier County. Dransfield is an AmeriCorps VISTA alum and a graduate of West Virginia University, she has a BA in Sociology and Anthropology. Dransfield moved to the area in 2021 to be closer to family. She spends most of her free time with her dog, friends, and family, and can often be found outside in the garden.

Katie Williams works with academic technology and social determinants of health at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. She has a Ph.D. in Sustainability Education, as well as Master's degrees in Learning Design and Technology and Library and Information Science. She has spent her career in education- as a librarian she focused on increasing literacy and understanding information, and in her current role she works with future physicians on a variety of issues included social determinants of health and technology implications in healthcare. Katie has spent the last decade working to increase awareness surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues: she leads Safe Zone trainings, has spoken at seminars and conferences regarding equity and safety in higher education for LGBTQIA+ populations, and is highly focused on making sure that all individuals, regardless of identity find safety in educational spaces. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys camping with her partner Jenna and friends, gardening, cooking, and cycling. 

Thomas Ruggiero is a local fashion designer and artist in Lewisburg, WV and a passionate advocate for equality and joy throughout the Greenbrier Valley. Thomas believes in the power of community organizing, and being an active participant in his community. Thomas was the Grand Marshal of the 2024 Holler with Pride parade and festival. 

Courtney teaches anatomy and social determinants of health at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM). She has held various positions that advocate for underserved populations. She spearheaded a task force that successfully implemented a breast/chest-feeding policy on campus, ensuring support for lactating employees and students. She serves as the curriculum coordinator for the professionalism thread. In this role, she works to equip future physicians with the skills to lead with empathy, advocate for public health, and improve healthcare access for diverse populations. Her collaboration with WVSOM’s Rural Health Initiative introduced a rural health simulation to the curriculum—placing students in their future patients’ shoes and allowing them to experience firsthand the health inequities experienced by underserved communities. Courtney also serves as the La Leche League leader for the Greenbrier Valley, providing educational and emotional support for parents navigating breast/chest-feeding. 

Ena Basler is an artist, small business owner, a proud member of the queer community and a native West Virginian. After spending over a decade traveling the country and world, they found themselves back in their home state to care for their aging parents and their farm. They quickly found work as the manager of Wolf Creek in Lewisburg and has been happily a part of the team for close to 5 years. Prior to returning home, Ena was an active member of the Dayton Women's Rights Alliance, which works to promote and protect the rights of all women and the LGBTQ+ community. Ena has been involved in Greenbrier Valley Pride events since year one, where alongside another community member, provided information and resources to the trans community, allies and their families. Ena is passionate about community development and offers fundraising abilities, artistic skills, and a personable nature.

Delegate Cindy Lavender-Bowe is a small business owner, community leader, and lifelong advocate. She currently serves as an at-large member of the West Virginia State Democratic Committee.

Cindy holds a Master’s degree in Leadership Studies from Marshall University and taught public school for ten years.

Cindy and her husband Mark, are the owners of Barnwood Living, a small business that includes a restoration company, retail shop, and rental cabins.

Cindy has extensive experience in nonprofit leadership including roles as the Marketing and Public Relations Director and the first Development Director at Carnegie Hall, Lewisburg. She served as the Executive Director of the United Way of Greenbrier Valley prior to beginning her campaign for the West Virginia Legislature.

In 2018 Cindy was elected to represent the 42nd District in the West Virginia House of Delegates, where she proudly caucused with LGBTQ members and advocated for equality and inclusivity.  During her first legislative session, Cindy founded and chaired the House Democratic Women’s Caucus. The following session, Cindy, alongside Senator Stephen Baldwin, co-founded & co-chaired the WV Legislative Joint Democratic Platform Committee.

Beckley native, Keaton James Burton, spent his childhood in Fayetteville as an outdoorsy athlete playing soccer and running cross-country. His passion for fashion led him to his current career in Lewisburg as The Associate Brand Creative for Lewisburg Surf Shop and Bienen Davis. His innovative vision not only cultivates brand appropriate media relationships across multiple digital platforms but also creates content to support both brands. As Keaton continues his journey to NYC he looks forward to serving this Pride organization that is so incredibly important to the gay community in West Virginia.

Miranda Cecil is a proud West Virginia native and longtime Greenbrier Valley local. She has built her career in dental care and is now the owner of Luna’s Light, a proudly queer and woman-owned business based in White Sulphur Springs. Her own coming-out journey, supported by her fiancé Shae, along with her experience supporting her trans sibling, has been a major source of inspiration that fuels her commitment to uplifting queer youth. Together, she and her sibling created the ~Prouder Than Ever~ candle collection, which debuted at HOLLER WITH PRIDE 2025. Miranda joined the GVP Board to help create spaces where everyone in our LGBTQ+ community feels safe, supported, and celebrated.

John was born and raised in Kingwood, WV. He teaches Osteopathic Principles and Practices at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) and enjoys providing care for his patients and overseeing family medicine residents at the Robert C Byrd Clinic. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife, Toby, and on various hobbies, including occasionally pretending to be a Viking. He believes it is his duty as a physician to advocate for patients’ needs, promote public health through education and policy, contribute to the welfare of the community, and ensure access to healthcare. Too often the LGQBTQIA2S+ community concerns are not being heard or addressed by our society. He personally witnessed this as he was helping his child during her transition. He is hoping to get more involved and help correct this as a board member, committee member, and member at large.

I am a proud 25 year old trans-fem gal and drag queen!

I’m a freelance event florist & wig stylist by day and a freelance entertainer by night. For almost 3 years now i’ve wanted to branch out farther than a dressing room or on stage to better serve my community, year round. I have been involved in the GVP annual pride festival for the past 3 years now and have strong community ties to Lewisburg/Fairlea/Ronceverte dating back 11 years. I’ve made lifelong friends here and plan to spend my retirement in this beautiful area. 

I solely ran and maintained a monthly drag show in Lewisburg from 2022-2024 bringing the community together all year long to share laughs, stories and to just celebrate queer joy. These shows were a chance for me to meet and connect with so many queer folks in Greenbrier county rallying for more change in the community. They want more visibility, more queer friendly spaces and most importantly, more ways to get involved themselves! GVP has recently created so many new events and spaces, as well as ways to meet up with likeminded individuals. 

I hope with securing a spot on the Board I can better help organize, plan and fundraise for even more community events & the nonprofit group’s longevity. I would also love to gain more possible partnerships with local allies creating a positive outcome for everyone in the area! Pride is for everyone and that is exactly who I intend to serve as a Board Director.

I was born and raised in Greenbrier County and I run a full-time manufacturing business in Renick. I began volunteering with GVP Pride in 2022, assisting with the beer release and Pride event support. In 2024 and 2025 I served as an event photographer, and in 2025 I also joined the planning committee for the 2025 GVP Pride event and worked hard the day of as well as leading up to the event. I bring creativity, organization, and work ethic to every role and I look forward to being a part of growing the organization and supporting future events.