{"id":6732,"date":"2026-07-08T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pridewinnipeg.com\/?p=6732"},"modified":"2026-07-06T15:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T20:08:13","slug":"barry-karlenzig-to-step-down-as-pride-winnipeg-president-following-40th-anniversary-celebrations-in-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pridewinnipeg.com\/f\/barry-karlenzig-to-step-down-as-pride-winnipeg-president-following-40th-anniversary-celebrations-in-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Barry Karlenzig to Step Down as Pride Winnipeg President Following 40th Anniversary Celebrations in 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"

WINNIPEG, Manitoba \u2014 July 8, 2026 \u2014<\/strong><\/a> After nearly two decades of volunteer service to Pride Winnipeg and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, President Barry Karlenzig has shared his intention to step down as president following Pride Winnipeg’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barry will continue supporting the organization as an external advisor to the Executive through 2028 and 2029, marking an incredible 20 years of service with Pride Winnipeg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many of us, Barry is<\/em> Pride Winnipeg. Since first joining as a volunteer driver in 2009, he has taken on countless roles, eventually becoming President in 2019. Along the way, he has given thousands of volunteer hours, weathered extraordinary challenges, celebrated incredible victories, and helped shape Pride Winnipeg into the organization it is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It has been one of the greatest honours of my life to serve as President and to be part of Pride Winnipeg for nearly 20 years,” said Karlenzig. “As we look ahead to our 40th anniversary, it feels like the right moment to pass the torch. I have every confidence that the next generation of leaders will continue building on everything our community has accomplished together.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under Barry’s leadership, Pride Winnipeg successfully navigated the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded its year-round community impact, and grew into one of the largest Pride organizations in Canada. Through his commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and community, Pride Winnipeg has continued to evolve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But numbers and milestones only tell part of the story.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barry’s leadership has been measured in late night phone calls, early morning emails, difficult conversations, impossible decisions, countless volunteer meetings, and the quiet moments where someone simply needed him to show up. His dedication has left an immeasurable mark on this organization and on the community that surrounds it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Vice President of People, Culture & Governance Brittney Frias shared:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Barry has poured his heart into Pride Winnipeg for nearly two decades. His leadership has helped guide this organization through some of its most challenging moments while never losing sight of why Pride exists in the first place: our community. We are deeply grateful for his compassion, his resilience, and the countless hours he has given to ensuring Pride Winnipeg continues to grow and thrive. While we’re excited for what comes next, there is no question that Barry’s legacy will continue to shape this organization for years to come.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The timing of Barry’s announcement allows Pride Winnipeg to celebrate not only its 40th anniversary in 2027, but also the people whose dedication has built the organization over the past four decades. The anniversary will honour the volunteers, community members, advocates, supporters, partners, and leaders who have made Pride Winnipeg what it is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The year will also see Pride Winnipeg welcome organizations from across the country as host of the Fiert\u00e9 Canada Pride Conference. As one of the founding organizations of Fiert\u00e9 Canada Pride in 2014, Pride Winnipeg is proud to bring the conference home during such a significant milestone year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barry will remain President throughout the 2027 festival and anniversary celebrations to help ensure a successful year and a thoughtful, supported leadership transition. Information about the succession process and the search for Pride Winnipeg’s next President will be shared in the coming months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Board, we know leadership transitions are never just about one person, but ensuring the organization is ready for its next chapter. Because of Barry’s years of dedication, care, and unwavering belief in this community, Pride Winnipeg is well positioned for the future. We are profoundly grateful for everything he has given and look forward to celebrating both his legacy and Pride Winnipeg’s 40th anniversary together in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0About Pride Winnipeg<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pride Winnipeg is a community-based organization dedicated to celebrating and advancing the rights, visibility, and inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ people throughout Winnipeg and Manitoba. Through its annual Pride Festival and year-round programming, Pride Winnipeg works alongside community to create a more equitable, welcoming, and inclusive future for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Barry Karlenzig
<\/strong>President, Pride Winnipeg
866-611-4456
bkarlenzig@pridewinnipeg.com<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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