Our Team
Niall
Executive DirectorHe/HimNiall (he/him) has been Queer Yukon’s Executive Director since April 2026. In that role, he oversees all of the organization’s projects, staff, and budget in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
Having lived in remote Northern communities, Niall feels strongly about combatting loneliness in the 2S+ community. His vision is for everyone to find community with people who share the experience of questioning and coming-out. No-one should feel alone in that!
Niall deeply cares about the Arctic and its Peoples. Through all that he does (incl. years of studies, research, and work in Iceland, Svalbard, and now Canada) he seeks to put the Peoples of the North front and centre. Besides his work at Queer Yukon, he volunteers his time working with Arctic states, organizations, and Indigenous Peoples at the Arctic Council to get youth to the table with a loud voice and strong ideas.
In his spare time, Niall enjoys playing board games, gardening, and kayaking with his partner and friends.
Austria
Project Manager (Safer Together)She/herMy name is Austria López, my pronouns are She/Her. I was born and raised in Mexico City, with my mother and siblings.
When I reached adulthood I had the opportunity to undertake the adventure that would change my life and brought me to Watson Lake. Here I discovered and accepted myself as a lesbian, I found love in the company of my wife, I met my best friends, 5 dogs that share their lives and heart with me.
Today I have the enormous opportunity to work at the Yukon Pride Centre and be part of a team that seeks to help the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by creating a physical place where we can find resources, programs and support not only in Whitehorse but also in Dawson City and Watson lake. Excited to continue working with this team on this adventure.
Mitch
Government liaison and development managerHe/HimMitchell has been with Queer Yukon Society since 2025, first as Project Coordinator and now as Governments Liaison & Development Manager.
For a decade, he has lived and worked across the pan-Arctic and pan-Northern regions on educational, social, cultural, and gender-equity initiatives. He is passionate about platforming youth voices to strengthen their local and regional communities, and firmly believes in community-led, rights-based approaches to social change.
In addition to his work with Queer Yukon Society, Mitchell volunteers his time to advance Northern peoples’ rights and wellbeing through various pan-Arctic foundations, organizations, and different levels of government.
Outside of these efforts, Mitchell spends his time with Zaboo, his new puppy, and enjoying as much time as possible in Yukon’s beautiful, larger-than-life environment.
Meaghan
Health NavigatorShe/HerHi, I’m Meaghan, the new Clinical Health Navigator at Queer Yukon Society. I’m excited to be joining the team and supporting our community. My goal is to help make navigating gender-affirming care in the Yukon feel less overwhelming and more accessible for everyone.
I’ve been living in the Yukon for just over a year, and I’ve absolutely fallen in love with it. Originally from Ontario, I spent four years in the UK completing my Master of Social Work and working before making the move north.
Outside of work, my partner and I recently adopted a puppy, so much of my free time is spent training him. When I’m not chasing after him, I enjoy crocheting, journalling, and getting outside for a hike, run or kayak.
Veerle
Community Liaison & Programming Coordinator
ANY PRONOUNS
My name is Veerle, and I was born and raised in Aoteoroa (“New Zealand”), later immigrating to Turtle Island (“Canada”). I recently completed a MSc degree in microbiology at the University of Victoria, and throughout my schooling also worked and volunteered in sexualized violence prevention, healthcare, and queer/neurodivergent/disability justice spaces. I strongly believe in the importance of community and the creation of safer, more inclusive spaces, and have the privilege to be working for QYS and with community liaisons to develop resources and programming in rural parts of the territory. In my schooling, volunteering, work, and life, I centre the histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples, as well as other historically and presently marginalized identities, and work to continually educate myself and respect intersecting identities.
Beyond my love of science and learning, I’m also creative, enjoying a variety of artistic mediums, ranging from theatrical performance to painting and jewelry creation. Furthermore, I love the outdoors and connecting with nature and the beautiful creatures that surround us. I have two sweet kitties named Pigeon and Chicken, and my remaining free time is rightfully dedicated to ensuring their requests (demands) for chin scratches and belly rubs are met.
Selene
Programming & Outreach CoordinatorThey/ThemSelene is a queer, biracial, non-binary weirdo whose vision is to build supportive and kind communities through art and creativity.
As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and a Community Builder at heart, they have spent many years creating fun events for people to find and celebrate their community and selves. Through their work, they have been committed to creating healthy communities where people can feel a sense of belonging and can access the supports they need to lead lives they love.
They spend much of their free time with their cat and dog, enjoy London Fog lattes, and are always learning new things.
Ashley
she/HerAdministrative Assistant
Hi! I am the administrative assistant at Queer Yukon and I am so happy to be joining and serving this community. My first thought when I came into the QYS space was "I belong here!" And my hope is that everyone who comes into our space feels that too.
Although I was born and raised in Newfoundland, Yukon has been my home since 2015. I am married and we are raising two sweet little munchkins. We love to hike, go to shows, dance in the kitchen and cook/bake at home.
I look forward to meeting you!
Jenna
Online Program CoordinatorHumanJenna is a queer human who has worked in the nonprofit sector for multiple years, creating community programming and events, and helping people find necessary resources and safety plans. Community is super important to this human and they believe in peer support, healthy boundaries, and using their voice to help others.
Jenna enjoys the strange and unusual, insects, bugs, the dark and obscure, folk lore and mythology. A nerd by nature and a nature lover. For this human music, art, books, tattoos and good food is life. A proud fur parent of guinea pigs, a big cat and a dog. When not working I create art, garden, and spend time with those I care for.
Luka
HEALTH NAVIGATION ASSISTANT
HE/HIM
Luka (he/him) is a settler who grew up living and playing with Treaty 7 lands (the Rockies around Canmore, Alberta). Through his love of being outside and nurturing meaningful connection through land-based learning and community, he came to understand his need to centre his work among people and social change.
His BA in Gender and Sexuality Studies strengthened an intersectional, community-centred approach to his work that is founded in anti-oppression, cultural humility, active listening, and relationship building. This helped him continue to build his foundations as an educator and coordinator for various non-profit organizations, such as Rocky Mountain Adaptive and the Community Based Research Centre, before joining the QYS team.
Through his own lived experience and connections with peers, both professionally and personally, Luka has developed an intrinsic, empathetic understanding of how crucial it is to connect people with resources and safer service providers. He believes these connections are vital in contributing to individual, communal, and global wellness. This has Luka super stoked to be a part of the Health Navigation team at QYS and to support holistic health exploration, access, and affirmative care for all.
In his free time, you can find Luka seeking out sufferfests and laughs shared outside, from big ski tours, to playing cards in pristine backcountry valleys. He is excited to continue in his love of the land and people in his new home, on the territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (Whitehorse)
Calhoun
Currently on leaveShe/Her
Titus
DEPUTY ED/ WELLNESS PUP/EMPLOYEE OF EVERY MONTH
HE/HIM
Titus enjoys checking in every day ( multiple times) with his Queer Yukon friends. His favorite food is carrots and stinky dried fish treats (yum). He loves to cuddle everyone and he enjoys sharing his toys in hopes someone will play tug with him. If you don't catch him out visiting his Queer Yukon Friends he is snoozing on his couch in the office that he shares with the Safer Together team.
Board of Directors
Chase Blodgett (he/him) - President
Supports governance, conflict resolution, labour relations, human resources, and human rights. He is a respected gender and sexuality advocate, community organizer, and consultant with a strong record of advancing equity and inclusion. Chase is widely recognized for his extraordinary commitment to human rights for transgender, Two-Spirit, and non-binary individuals and their immediate supports.
Chase has participated in regional and national dialogues on gender inclusion and equality and has led multiple successful policy and legislative reform initiatives, including the Government of Yukon’s 2017 amendments to the Yukon Human Rights Act and the Vital Statistics Act. His advocacy is recognized as a driving force behind the Government of Yukon’s precedent-setting gender affirming care policy, and practitioner training, and his leadership has been instrumental in positioning Yukon as a national leader in gender diversity and inclusion. His work has been featured on Rogers Hometown Hockey and in Airbnb’s #Hostwithpride campaign.
In October 2014, Chase founded All Genders Yukon and served as its President for many years following incorporation as a Society in 2015. He has also served as Chair of the PSAC Pride Committee and as the PSAC North Region Pride Equity Director on the National Pride Equity Committee. Chase retired from activism after successfully advocating for paid positions and services in the community. Chase has come out of retirement to support community healing and doing things in a good way.
Born in Ontario, Chase lives on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch'än Council in Whitehorse, Yukon. He holds an Honours degree in Health and Physical Education as well as a Bachelor of Education. Outside of his professional work, Chase enjoys spending time with his partner, foster daughter, and two dogs. He finds peace on the hockey rink and on the land, and holds a vision of a world where all individuals are free to express their gender fully and without limitation.
Aaren S. Hajash (she/her) - Vice President
yóo xát duwasáakw. Gooch áyá xát. Dakl’áwèidi naax xát sitee. Deislin kwáandáx áyá xát.
In English her name is Aaren S Hajash (she/her). Her moiety is wolf, and her clan is Dakl’áwèidi (Eagle/Killer Whale). Aaren’s home community is Teslin.
One of Aaren’s roles is to provide support to the treasurer and her fellow QYS board members. Aaren is a woman who is kind, a good listener, thoughtful and wants the best for everyone around her. Aaren’s family, friends, culture, and clan are an integral part of who she is as well as her Hungarian heritage. Aaren’s father was of Hungarian descent, and her mother is of Tlingit descent from Teslin Yukon (YT).
Aaren was born in Brooks, Alberta where she lived for approximately three months. She then moved with her mother and father to the Yukon Territory. Aaren’s father was an RCMP officer. As an officer of the RCMP the family moved around every year to two years as this was the life of an RCMP officer.
Aaren Hajash has lived in Whitehorse, YT for approximately 30 plus years off and on. The last 10 somethings years 😉 she lived in Salmon Arm, B.C where she received her Associate of Arts degree with a psychology emphasis. Aaren now lives in Whitehorse YT.
Aaren has worked a variety of different jobs throughout her life: housekeeping, Class 1 truck driver, administrator assistant, bookkeeping and now office manager for a local property developer company here in Whitehorse.
Aaren has been a part of the Queer community for the last 30 plus years. She has participated in many events within the community. However, this is the first time she has actively played a part in the governance and engagement of the Queer community.
Gunałchîsh (thank you).
Tharian Botting
In his role, he supports policy development and review to advance the organization’s mission. Tharian has more than eleven years of experience as a public servant providing corporate policy advice and guidance on policymaking and legislative development and process improvement. Tharian is keen to problem solve using active listening, empathy and diplomacy.
Committed to community, Tharian was a member of the All Genders Yukon community group from its inception in 2015, and for several years before becoming a member of its Board once it became a society, and later held the position of President for two years. He currently serves on the YG Pride Employee Resource Group Steering Committee and has recent experience providing training on 2SLGBTQIA+ Awareness and Inclusion in Services and Practices. Tharian holds a Master’s in Public and International Affairs from the University of Ottawa, as well as a Social Justice Diploma and a Bachelor’s in Social Science from the University of Victoria.
He was born in Alberta, grew up and went to school in Victoria, went to graduate school in Ontario, worked in Quebec, and has lived in the Yukon since 2014. Tharian is a veteran, and a former field archaeologist. He has a cat and a dog, and two wonderful children with his life-partner. In his quiet time, he loves to quilt, listen to audiobooks and read.