Our Staff Team

Rea Cavers (they/them): 
Youth Under the Rainbow Program Coordinator

Rea Cavers is the coordinator and programmer for our Youth Under the Rainbow Programs which began in 2023. Rea holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Conestoga College (2019) and is a registered ECE who has worked in both childcare settings as well as before and after school programs.

With a focus on equity and inclusion, Rea looks to provide a safer space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth as well as families and allies. Rea understands the importance of providing safer and more inclusive spaces and works hard to create an environment where children can feel that they belong. Rea brings with them a passion for child-led exploration in all forms as well as child development. They believe strongly in allowing their participants to explore new ideas and ask questions, and loves to showcase all of the wonderful and inclusive books that are out there.

Troy Dettwiler (he/him): 
Sports Coordinator

Troy is Spectrum's Sports Coordinator, where he organizes programming focused on sports, physical activity, and community building for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Waterloo Region. He is a Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT #927796), sits on OSSTF's Equity Advisory Work Group, and works full-time as an IT Infrastructure Analyst.

When Troy isn't having fun at Spectrum Sports and the Spectrum Queer Run Club, you can find him weight training, playing board games, backcountry camping, hiking with his partner and dog, and fostering meaningful friendships.

Baz Kanold (they/them): 
Training and Communications Coordinator

Baz is a graduate of the University of Waterloo Fine Arts program. Alongside their work at Spectrum, they also live, work, and teach as an artist in the region, creating pieces that generally conceptualize their experience with sexuality and gender. 

While they began their work with Spectrum as a Rainbow Diversity Trainer, their passion for providing education to the community led them to pursue a more involved role in the organization. Over the past few years they have also led transgender-focused peer support circles for Eating Disorders Nova Scotia and Spectrum. Prior to their work at Spectrum and their time in school, they worked as a graphic designer for a company in Montreal, but are happy to have settled back in the region where they were born and raised.

Dakota Raycraft (she/her): 
Fundraising and Events Coordinator

Dakota is a Conestoga College Public Relations graduate who discovered her passion for non profit fund development during her work placement with the local cultural non profit, Bring on the Sunshine. Since then, she has dedicated her career to working with various non profits, focusing on fundraising and creating unique and memorable events that bring communities together. Proudly Ojibwe, Dakota is a committed advocate for her community and the Every Child Matters initiative. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children and godson, curling up with her dog Ella to read a good book, and connecting with nature to practice her spirituality.

Suzie Taka (she/her): 
Executive Director

Suzie Taka has been a dedicated community organizer and 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate in Waterloo Region for over a decade. She has extensive experience in the non-profit and public sectors, most recently as part of the Reconciliation and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion team at the Region of Waterloo. Suzie brings a strong background in stakeholder and government relations, community engagement, communications, public policy, and grant writing. Her personal projects include producing multiple years of Rainbow Reels Queer and Trans Film Festival and co-founding LOL—KW’s first queer and feminist monthly stand-up comedy show. Suzie also served on Spectrum's Board of Directors from October 20, 2019 - July 18, 2021.

She applies an anti-oppressive lens to her work and is committed to community building rooted in anti-racism and Truth and Reconciliation. Outside of work, you can find her biking with her wife and their five-year-old and twin two-year-olds, browsing a thrift store, or refinishing furniture.

Rye Huston (she/it): 
Programs and Communications Coordinator

Rye has spent most of her life living on the Haldimand Tract and currently lives with her partner and incredibly adored cats. Her values are firmly rooted in intersectional feminism, community care, and harm reduction. It has navigated agricultural, academic, and non-profit workspaces but she is very happy to be landing back in her home region to work with and alongside queer community. She loves working with systems and data, and creates databases as a hobby to track things like her extensive vinyl collection. Outside of Spectrum, she serves as Board Chair for TransCare+. and you'll probably find it around town at a locally owned cafe, the library, or on her bicycle!