Our Mission & Values

Vision Statement

Plainfield Pride envisions a community where equity, diversity, and inclusion are not just ideals but lived realities. We strive for a Plainfield that celebrates and uplifts all people—regardless of orientation, gender, race, religion, or ability—as one united family. Through advocacy, education, and celebration, we work toward a future where every individual is empowered, respected, and embraced for who they are.


Mission Statement

Plainfield Pride is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community for all. We champion LGBTQIA+ rights by promoting awareness, educating on inclusive language and culture, and advocating for meaningful change. Through events, outreach, and support services, we celebrate LGBTQIA+ history and achievements while creating spaces for advocacy, leadership, and allyship. Together, we build a stronger, more connected Plainfield—one where everyone belongs.

Our Board

The members of our board of directors are thought leaders who have made a significant contribution to our society. Each and every one of them brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization.

Jes McIlvain (She/Her)

Executive Director

Jes (she/her) is a stay-at-home feminist, mother of twin girls, wife of Collyn, owner of NotYourBasicTwinMom, and community/political activist.

Her background is in political science and LGBTQIA+ studies; she has worked in education where she implemented the multicultural program at her school and as a psychiatry coordinator for a mental health clinic. She is a staunch and passionate advocate for equity and inclusion. An active member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Jes knows what needs to be developed in this area. She started Plainfield Pride to give an advocate voice to our community, to educate our neighbors and the private sector, and to fight for our representation in the larger community and for acceptance in local schools.

Christina Ross (She/Her)

Executive Board President

Christina Ross (she/her) is a proud mother of 4 kids, ages ranging from 10 to 28. As a bi-sexual female, she is passionate about many things, especially Human Rights, Mental Health Awareness and the LGBTQIA+ Community. 

She believes the way we teach our youth is crazy important and thinks we should educate them about diversity and equality, from every age.

Christina is an entrepreneur at heart. She has an extensive background in business development, real estate and marketing. She is passionate about Employee Culture and Work/Life Balance, and offers an inclusive, diverse, and safe space for everyone.

Patrick Nicholson (He/Him)

Treasurer

Bio coming soon

Holly Brooks Cowgill (She/Her)

Secretary

Holly (she/her) grew up in Plainfield and was honored to be asked to serve Plainfield Pride as Secretary. She graduated from Plainfield High School when it was the only high school in town. She spent the first decade of her kids' (17,16, and 12) lives as a stay-at-home mom and had recently returned to the dental field. She looks forward to spreading love and inclusivity to the people of Plainfield.

Jenn Watts (She/Her)

At Large Executive Board Member

Bio coming soon

At Large

At Large Executive Board Member

Bio coming soon

Kim H. (She/Her)

Events Co-Chair

Kim (she/her) is a longtime Plainfield resident. She is a PROUD mom, works at an ally business, and was a grateful Love Fund recipient. Kim has volunteered at Pride events and is so happy for the opportunity to work with Plainfield Pride to help provide a voice and safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Kim always taught her children that “it’s not enough to not be a bully... it’s much harder to stand up to the bully and defend others.” She is beyond proud that both of her adult daughters are strong advocates for others and she is passionate about doing the same.

James Cross (He/Him)

Events Co-Chair

James Cross serves as the Events Co-Chair for Plainfield Pride, where he helps create inclusive, engaging gatherings that celebrate diversity and strengthen connections across the community. With a professional background in IT, James brings an organized, solutions-oriented approach to every project. Passionate about helping people, building community, and maintaining equal rights for all, he’s dedicated to making Plainfield a welcoming place for everyone. After first living in Plainfield for two years, James returned 16 years later with his spouse and two dogs — and couldn’t be happier to call Plainfield home again.

Candi Forest (She/Her)

Drag Events Coordinator

Candi Forest is Plainfield’s resident drag queen and serves as drag liaison to Plainfield Pride and their events. They are passionate about all the art forms of drag and its place in LGBTQIA+ history. Their goal is to help foster connections between the queer community and businesses in Plainfield to help establish drag events in the suburbs. They are a camp queen who performs and hosts everything from shows to storytimes. They are also focused on fighting the injustice against the drag community and helping to educate to make drag a safe space. If you are a business owner in Plainfield interested in hosting a Drag event or have questions on Drag education opportunities please reach out. Drag is not a crime, drag is art, and drag is for everyone.

Nicole M (She/Her)

Communications Co-Chair

Bio coming soon

Jess Bromley (She/Her)

Communications Co-Chair

Jess Bromley (she/her) is a proud ally who is passionate about equality and the freedom to express diversity within our community. As both a registered nurse and mother, she takes her role of fierce advocacy to heart. Providing care to all people, rooted in compassion, presence, and respect, is her guiding mission. Through her work, Jess has developed a deep appreciation for advocacy and the power of showing up fully for others.

Edward Baronia (He/Him)

Business Relations Co-Chair

Bio coming soon

Sara Jezik (She/Her)

Youth Services Co-Chair

Sara recently moved to Plainfield with her wife and daughter in 2021 and was immediately welcomed by the community.

Before becoming a stay-at-home mom she was an educator and counselor, but her passion is all things history.

Being aware of how powerful visibility is for the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ youth, Sara hopes that living authentically will encourage others to feel it is possible to do the same.

Jon Gilmore (He/They)

Youth Services Leader

Jonathan (He/They) is the leader of Plainfield Pride Youth Center and Young Adult Pride(Y.A.P). They have been working with Plainfield Pride since 2022 to make safe inclusive and fun spaces for youth and young adults. Jon believes everyone deserves a space to relax, take a break, and hang out with friends and neighbors. Through Youth Center and Young Adult Pride Jon has worked to create these spaces and they hope to keep making these groups the best they can be. When Jon is not at the Youth Center or Y.A.P you can find them working at local forest preserves to keep them beautiful and healthy or hanging out and laughing loudly with friends.

“Hope will never be silent.” ― Harvey Milk 

Cindy Bennecke (She/Her)

Volunteer Coordinator

Bio coming soon

Bobbie Mingo (She/Her)

Diversity Co-Chair

Bobbie (She/Her) is a stay-at-home mom & wife. She lived in in Canada until 2002 when she moved to Morris.

She's a proud Trans woman who started her journey 7 years ago. She's been involved in other LGBTQIA+ groups in the past in Illinois & brings her unique experience & views to the team.

Torrie Watson (She/Her)

Diversity Co-Chair

Bio coming soon

Plainfield Pride Committees

Fundraising Committee

Contact Person: Jes McIlvain, executivedirector@PlainfieldPride.org


Executive director leads and motivates the organization. Gives assistance to the chairs as needed to ensure they have the tools and means to successfully fulfill their roles. In charge of the majority of fundraising as well as the promotion of the organization in order to raise public awareness and boost membership. 


Communications Committee

Contact Person: Christina Ross, communications@plainfieldpride.org


Communications Chair is responsible for communicating our message to our group and community.  This is done by way of IT, Graphic Design, Website, Social Media and Email Marketing. 


Drag Events Committee

Contact Person: Candi Forest, candi.forest@plainfieldpride.org


The Drag Events Committee collaborates with community organizations and businesses to bring Queer friendly events to our community. They are also focused on fighting the injustice against the drag community and helping to educate to make drag a safe space.
If you are business owner in Plainfield interested in hosting a Drag event, or have questions on drag education opportunities please reach out!

Events Committee

Contact Person: Kim, events@plainfieldpride.org


The Events Committee manages events for Plainfield Pride such as Pridefest, fundraisers, and the annual gala. The Events Committee collaborates with community organizations and businesses to bring Queer friendly events to our community. If your organization or business is interested in hosting or partnering on an event, please contact us!


Outreach Committee

Contact Person: Cindy Bennecke, outreach@plainfieldpride.org


The Outreach Committee provides resources and education to our community. If you know of resources that may be of use to others, please reach out to us. Additionally please be in touch if you are interested in scheduling an education event somewhere in the community!

Research Committee

Contact Person: Sara J., youthservices@plainfieldpride.org


Projects for the Research committee will include helping create a community resource guide for LGBTQIA+ residents in Plainfield and helping with finding and writing for grants so Plainfield Pride can continue to serve members of the community. The members of the committee will also help with research pieces on events that have shaped our place in society (Pride, Trans day of Remembrance) and to make others aware through sharing the pieces though Plainfield Pride newsletters and social media.