Our Staff
ANDI OTTO (HE/HIM)
Executive Director
Andi Otto was hired as the Executive Director in October 2022 after 15 years of volunteering and working for Twin Cities Pride. He has held many positions with Pride including, Director of Operations, Board Member, Volunteer Manager, Safety and Security, and Parade Manager. His dedication comes from ensuring that all LGBTQ+ community members get to be their authentic selves and feel supported in the community. Andi comes from a background in leadership positions at fortune 500 companies to being the CEO of an LGBTQ+ birthing and fertility business. He brings a unique ability to blend the strategic thoughts of business with the needs of the community. Andi is a proud member of the trans community and lives with his spouse Dana (they/them), and their young daughters. The whole family is very active in youth hockey, huge MN Wild fans, has a love of animals, and enjoys being outdoors.
CORY HILDEN (SHE/HER)
Events and Logistics Director
Cory Hilden joined the Twin Cities Pride staff as the Event Logistics Director in January of 2023, following 10 years of similar service within the organization. She is excited to play a part during a pivotal time of change, growth, and expansion. Invigorated by the talents and dedication of those who surround her, Cory looks to broaden her knowledge to the voices of the LGBTQ+ community.
Cory and her husband, Larry, operated their own business specializing in visual display installation and themed set production. Both passionate about volunteerism, Cory mentored a Youth Ambassador Program in Eagan, while seeking a connection to a new community and friends they served together on a diverse range of festival planning teams throughout the Twin Cities.
Community celebration through events, festivals, and parades, became a family pastime then eventually her career. Mother and stepmother to four amazing adults, grandmother to ten vivacious individuals; Cory believes, no idea is an original, but rather an accumulation gathered through life experiences.
KELSEY ALTO (SHE/HER)
Director of Programming
As the Director of Programming, Kelsey provides strategic and operational leadership for the efforts to fund and create Pride’s year-round programming.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Kelsey spent the last decade working in business operations and project/program management for small and large tech companies. In that time, she also volunteered with non-profits like Still Kickin to help with event planning and operations.
This work led her to explore value-aligned volunteer opportunities like joining the board of onelove.yoga, and making a long-term volunteer commitment to Twin Cities Pride. Her work and volunteer experience have laid the foundation her new role with Twin Cities Pride.
As a bi-sexual woman who found community and belonging with Twin Cities Pride, she considers it an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to create that space for others.
RINA HEISEL (SHE/HER)
Executive Assistant
Rina joined the staff of Twin Cities Pride as Executive Assistant to Andi Otto in January 2023. Rina comes from a communications background, having worked in public broadcasting for twelve years, and six years as an author, editor, and copywriter. At Twin Cities Pride, Rina works on scheduling, communications, and events.
Rina is very excited to be a part of TC Pride during this time of growth, and she finds great joy working to elevate and amplify the voices of those who need it most.
When Rina isn’t working, she loves to read, write, and travel with her husband Rob and their two daughters. Rina’s first middle grade novel was released from HarperCollins in 2021, and she’s working on another fantasy adventure for kids right now.
Annē Kraus(SHE/HER)
Volunteer Manager
Anne Kraus serves as Volunteer Manager at Twin Cities Pride. Prior to her role with Twin Cities Pride she was an Equality Manager for PROMO, Missouri’s statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Anne recently relocated with her partner and two kids to the Twin Cities due to the hostile political climate in Missouri.
Anne brings her advocacy and grass roots organizing skills, nine years of experience as a school counselor, and a dynamic skill set built from working in multiple educational institutions. Anne’s work is enhanced by her deep education-sector experience, strength from accompanying LGBTQ+ youth and high schoolers, and compassion and desire to support children and their families.
Anne understands the uniqueness and complexities of living as an out and proud queer person in today’s society. She recognizes her privileges and is eager to give her time and compassion to raise up and give power to all LGBTQ+ individuals to ensure they are thriving and valued.
Taylor Pacyna (SHE/HER)
Program Coordinator
As the Programming Coordinator, Taylor manages our Rainbow Wardrobe and assists with the planning and execution of year-round programming events at Twin Cities Pride.
Taylor grew up in small town Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota. She spent the first 15 years of her career as an elementary school teacher with a heart for inclusion, diversity, and equity. Embracing her identity as a bisexual woman, she began volunteering for Twin Cities Pride and became a board member of Carver County Pride Now this passion has led to her career here at Twin Cities Pride!
Taylor is proud to be part of an organization working hard to honor, celebrate, and create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ folks in our state, from small towns to the Twin Cities. In her free time Taylor can be found spending with her husband and three kids or doing the other thing she loves most, reading a good book!
