Meet The Board
The Board was formed in January 2021 and is refreshed annually when our Calendar year begins in September. Our ByLaws and out mission are the guiding star of what we do in service to our commuunity. We operate on a consensus based idea, but can vote on a majority. We want anyone who wants to add to the conversation to be heard. Our focus is on our LGBTQAI+ Burning Man Participants and then our Allies.
To learn more about the roles of each position please take a look at our Roles and Responsibilties Document. There are some key positions we have an urgency for including Clerk, Treasurer, and Comms Team.
Scott Kraske (Kay) / Toaster
Chair, 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, 2018
- Producer: Rainbow Leadership Series 2022
- Producer: Forgotten City 2011 (official)
- Official Logo: Dark Skies 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 2019
- Black Rock Ranger 2022
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, RIDE
Links:
Matt McCabe
Co-Chair, He/Him/They
Burner Resume:
- Mayor, Land of Monkey Theme Camp 2020 & 2021, 2022
- Theme Camp Lead 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022
Matt has been burning since 2016.
Queerburners Committees:
- Communications, Finance, RIDE, Fundraising / Grants
Links:
Kurt Gibson / Starduster
Events Director, He/Him
Burner Resume:
- Comfort & Joy Theme Camp 2018 & 2019, 2022
- 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, RIDE
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:
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
Sara Pugh / Red Bird Bean
Special Projects, She/Her
Grants Committee Lead
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.