Kathryn, Board President

Kathryn Gonzales, MBA, is the Operations & Programs Director at Out Youth, an Austin-based nonprofit that serves as a second home for youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Her geekdom spans fandoms from Star Trek to Bob’s Burgers, mostly in that she shares an unhealthy obsession for coffee and other caffeinated beverages with her idols, Captain Kathryn Janeway and Tina Belcher. Kathryn's work is heavily influenced by her research into the evolutionary importance of storytelling in our everyday lives, and is always seeking out new ways for LGBTQIA+ people to share their stories and passions with the world.

Karin, Board Secretary

Karin Weekes is Lead Editor at the BioWare game studio, where she's worked on the Dragon Age franchise (Origins, DA 2, and Inquisition), the Mass Effect franchise (ME2, ME3, and Andromeda), Star Wars: The Old Republic, and most recently on the new Anthem title.

Karin holds an M.A. in Journalism from Stanford University, where she learned that she liked editing and writing punny headlines much more than interviewing story sources, and a B.A. in Communication from the University of New Mexico. When not working, Karin sings, costumes anyone who will hold still long enough to be measured, and enjoys the outdoors when it stops being really damn cold. She lives in Edmonton, AB, Canada with her husband, Patrick, their two school-age sons, who regularly hand their mother her ass in an ever-increasing number of console and Switch games, and a host of rescued dogs and cats.

Nick, Board Treasurer

Nicholas Ruggiero works for the Tax Policy Division of the Texas Office of the Comptroller. He's currently a graduate student at Texas State earning a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Nicholas is from Buffalo, NY and has lived in Austin for six years. He loves to nerd out over tabletop RPGs, video games, Star Trek, sci-fi/fantasy movies, cats, sewing, and costumes.

Nicholas helped found the LGBA at Buffalo State College as an undergrad, and served as its president; the organization continues today under the name "Pride Alliance". Nicholas was inspired to join HavenCon by its mission to provide a Haven for LGBTQIA+ geek and gamer communities.

Tiffo, Executive Director

Tiffo has a history in event and fanspace organization. They have worked with a number of non-profits and online fandom groups over the years and are passionate about the mission of HavenCon.

When they are able to stumble upon some semblance of free time between all the woes of adulting they can usually be found writing, working with fandom and writing groups, or bookbinding.

Their fandoms include: Star Wars, Good Omens, Ghost Hunt, Cowboy Bebop, Historical and Supernatural fiction, & LOTR.

Susie, Operations Director

Susie Meadows is an ally, a nerd, a wife and mom, and an avid board game geek. In addition to HavenCon, she works for Ikea, and as a parent- ensuring the next generation of nerds are well educated. Susie has also worked as a freelance stage manager and general live theatre minion. Her fandoms include Star Trek, Dr. Who, and Discworld.

Michael, Programming Director, Grand Illusionist Coordinator

Michael Williams is an avid movie buff, gaymer, outdoor camper, and Husky Dad. When not working overnights, Michael spends his time attending local and state ren faires, playing Final Fantasy XIV, Assassins Creed: Odyssey, or Diablo 3 on Ps4, and hiking and camping with his 3yr old husky Koda. His fandoms include Once Upon a Time, Batman, Sword Art Online, and too many others to count.

Patrick, Marketing Director

Patrick is an MBA and mild-mannered government contracting executive by day and is at least slightly more interesting by night. He has been coming to HavenCon since year 2 and loves experiencing geekdom through the perspectives of a prismatic lens. He also loves telling people about that experience and insisting that they join the Con and live it for themselves! He loves fandom - loves seeing people be passionate about stories and art that motivate them. His favorite cosplays include: She-Hulk, Mister Nimbus, Red Shirt Away Team & Doozers (Fraggle Rock). He looks forward to appearing at the next HavenCon as a Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit.

Codex, Talent Coordinator

Codex is an investigative humorist, rhetorician, and writer in Pasadena, California who currently works on projects decoding the history of cultural rhetoric, superstitions, idioms, and other societal propaganda.

Formerly, as a standup comedian and emcee, they performed at comedy, Pride, and fandom conventions and festivals all over the country including as a performer and Mastrix of Ceremonies for HavenCon for three years. In a past life and city they were the host of the podcast Tomefoolery, co-Head Writer of the live talk show Talk Hard at ComedySportz, the paladin Terok Nor on the tabletop role-play podcast Shuffle Quest, and a regular contributor to the infamous live magazine The Paper Machete. The Chicago Tribune once called them “ridiculously zesty”.

Sam, Captain of Registration & Volunteer Coodinator

Sam has been a nerd all her life with no intentions of stopping anytime soon. She is an introvert who prefers to avoid people, but if she has to be around them she prefers that they be nerds and/or queer – so HavenCon is her ideal Con.

When Sam isn't working at her bureaucratic desk job, you can find her watching copious amounts of Critical Role, painting Reaper miniatures, or loving on her corgi named after the best Steven Universe character (Peri/Peridot, obviously).

Josef, AV Director

Hi! My name is Josef Ricketts--aka Whines--and I've been helping out with the sound and the lighting at HavenCon since year one. The main stage is where you can find me during most of the con.

In the real world, I work at KLRU, Austin's public television channel. My partner Jacob probably wasn't planning on being a roadie, but he helps out tons and is very tolerant about the piles of equipment cases in our living room...most of the time. :slightly_smiling_face:

I also work at several Texas furry conventions, such as Alamo City Furry Invasion over in San Antonio, and I like to sneak into the dance floor when I can. Drag shows are becoming a fixture at furry cons the past few years, and I think it's a great cross pollination; the performances of the kings and queens are super inspirational for fursuiters or cosplayers!

Philip, Brand Designer

Philip Miranda is the mastermind behind HavenCon’s new look and new website! He’s an ally, designer, and starving artist who peddles good looking images for money. He also loves cooking, spending way too much time assembling new playlists for working when he should just be working, and will maybe possibly hopefully get around to writing that comic someday. Philip’s been coming to HavenCon since Year One, and is excited to be helping to build a safe space for people like his wife and others in the LGBTQIA+ community. When he’s not making art or lifting weights, he can probably be found trying out new recipes and finding out if there’s anything that can’t be improved by a little cayenne.

Michael Sawyer, Donor Relations, Executive Director

Michael has been with HavenCon since its first convention, serving multiple roles as a volunteer, volunteer organizer, co-chair, and executive directorWhen not at his day job as a payroll & benefits manager for a multinational corporation, Michael loves reading, writing, politics, history, philosophy, cosmology, camping, travel, and hiking. He loves cooking but hates baking. He has an MLA in History and writes research papers for fun.“Dragon Age is my life, Star Trek is my religion, Steel Magnolias is my calling.”