Meet the Board 

Scott Kraske (Kay) / Toaster

Chairperson, He/Him

Founder, Queerburners in 2008 long before it went legit by becoming a non-profit with the Board. Burner Resume:

• Producer: ALL OF US 2017 & 2018
• Producer: Spring Retreat 2015 & 2016
• Producer: Queer Burner Leadership Summit 2013 & 2014
• Producer: Forgotten City 2011 (official)
• Official Logo: 2009 (official)
• BM Art for Playa 2011, 2012, 2013
• BM Cultural Direction Setting Phase 2 Team 8 2020
• BM Global Leadership attendee: 2011 to 2017
• Admin: San Francisco Burners Facebook
• Admin: BMTCO Group on Facebook
• Theme Camp Creator and Producer: 2012 to Present

I came across Burning Man and it shook my life. I swear it was during my mid-life crisis which might still be going on. Because it shook me to the core. I started exploring new ideas about my own life and the things I could do and accomplish.

Queerburners Committees

• Events, Finance, Communications, EID

Links:

• Facebook @flyin.toaster
• Instagram@iamscottkay

Matt McCabe

Co-Chair, He/Him/They

Burner Resume:

• Mayor, Land of Monkey Theme Camp 2020 & 2021
• Theme Camp Lead 2017, 2018, 2019

Matt has been burning since 2016.

Queerburners Committees:

• Communications, Finance, EID

Links:

• Land Of Monkey Theme Camp Web Site

Kurt Gibson / Starduster

Events Director, He/Him

Burner Resume:

• Comfort & Joy Theme Camp 2018 & 2019
• Land of MonkeyTheme Camp 2017
• Sun Guardians Theme Camp 2015 & 2016
• Burning Man 2012-2019
• Black Rock Ranger 2015-2019
• Saguaro Man 2015, Ranger
• IgNight Flow Conference 2015, Ranger
• Burning Man Global Leadership Conference 2016-2017, volunteer
• Burning Man Decompression 2015-2019 Ranger
• Burning Man ARTumnal 2015-2018 volunteer
• Comfort & Joy Touch and AfterGlow art/production volunteer 2014-2020

Queerburners Committees:

• Events, Communications, EID

As a native Californian, a long-time San Franciscan, a gay man, a third-world traveler, and retired humanitarian worker, the fundamental ethos of the ten principles resonated deeply within me from the first moment I read them online. My first burn was in 2012 and since then I have I developed deeper connections within the Burning Man community thru my involvement with the Black Rock Rangers (2015 to 2019), theme camps, volunteering at numerous local & regional events, and with the Queer Burner community.

Link:

• Facebook @kurt.gibson.562

Community Successes:

• Envision Music Festival 2017-2018, Costa Rica, Security Assistant Lead/Interpreter
• AIDS Lifecycle 2014 rider
• SF Pride 2005-2015 volunteer (Project Open Hand)
• Folsom Street Events 2007-2019, event volunteer
• Castro Street Fair 2010-2014 gate volunteer
• Gay4Good 2015-2020 volunteer
• Billy Foundation 2015-2021

JR / Nexus

EID: Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, He/Him

Burner Resume:

• Comfort & Joy Theme Camp
• Co-Lead, Burners Without Borders DC Working Group
• Co-Lead, DC Burners Consent & Conduct Working Group
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Officer, Comfort & Joy Board
• Regional Contact, DC Burner Community

Queerburners Committees:

• EID, Communications

2013 was my first year making the trek to Black Rock City. In 2014 I started a storytelling project that was produced and presented at our local Fringe Festival, putting DC Burners on stage. I've gone to regionals and worn many hats over the years. And I attended the last three Global Leadership Conferences.

Links:

• Twitter @AWayofLife0
• TicToc @AWayofLife0

Ruth Etcheverria / Terror

Clerk, She/Her/They

Burner Resume:

• Nordic Camp, 2018
• Church of the Open Mind, 2019

Queerburners Committees:

• EID, Special Project Managing Docs & Records

My passion for the Burning Man community stems from the sense of peace, shared existence, and personal expression that I felt in Black Rock City. In the default world I have always experienced challenges in externally representing myself how I feel internally and having the sense of safety and acceptance to interact with unknown people (...introvert here!). Burning Man provided me with a space where I grew in my sense of self, and experienced radical love, acceptance, and expression. With this impact on my life, I want to involve myself in the Burning Man community year-round to support the growth of like spaces centered around intentional actions building diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2018 and 2019 I was fortunate enough to ride my motorcycle to Burning Man. I am a public school teacher with a grounding in critical pedagogy. Over my years teaching I have led seminars on queer inclusive education at the district level, acted as a founding member of my district's equity committee, and completed an MA in Human Rights Education (focusing upon queer experiences).

Sara Pugh

Special Project, She/Her

Burner Resume:

• Land Of Monkey Theme Camp 2018 to 2021
• Celestial Bodies, Accelerant Events - Virtual Support 2020
• HeadCount
• Earth Charter Indiana
• Burning Man's Vitural Experience Support Service Team (VEST)
• BRCvr Events Team

Queerburners Committees:

• Communications, Finance, Budgeting

I became involved with the Burning Man community in 2018 as a member of the Land of Monkey Camp usually in the 7:30 sector. In 2020 I joined the virtual events team for Celestial Bodies' monthly Accelerant events. I enjoy working on efforts that support and build our community and am currently also volunteering with Virtual Experience Support Services Team, BWB Green Theme Camp Power Team, and BRCvr Events Team. 

Links:

• HeadCount, Earth Charter Indiana, Burning Man's Vitural Experience Support Service Team (VEST), BRCvr, and Co-Reality Collective 

Joel Spolsky

Web Manager & General IT Nerd, He/Him

Burner Resume:

• Gay Turtles Theme Camp Founder, 2018 & 2019

Queerburners Committees:

• Communications

A mostly retired programmer and startup person, Joel was the founder of Stack Overflow, Trello, Fog Creek, and Glitch. Today he works on LED art and volunteer projects involving Burning Man.