Jess Murray

Background

About Jess Murray

Jess has been developing, managing and scaling inclusive programs in the not-for-profit sector for the past 8 years, and has presented nationally at multiple diversity equity and inclusion conferences. Currently, she is the Program Development and Harm Reduction Manager at the QTHC, where she manages and helped create the novel Peer N’ Peer (PNP) program, an empowerment based sexual health and Harm Reduction service for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. She has founded many 2SLGBTQ+ programs including the Bloom Mental Health Network and is a founding member of the Pride not-for-profit, Capital Pride Edmonton Society. Recently she spearheaded the program “Spectrum Drug Checking” at the QTHC, introducing substance testing to Alberta with mobile drug Testing FTIR spectrometers. Her work with the QTHC is a mix of working with community members and stakeholders to create empowerment-based services and supports for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, such as harm reduction services, queer specific counselling and community space to meet people wherever they are at on their journey. “My personal passion is helping to uplift the voice of the trans community and other communities who are most marginalized in our society, such as the 2 Spirit population and QTBIPOC community. I care about equity in our community, and I actively strive to make people feel welcomed inside our doors and within themselves.” Jess has a degree in social work through Northern Lights College, and a BA in psychology at the University of Alberta. While there, she worked with the Landing, a student space for gender and sexual diversity, creating and running groups for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. She has work experience supporting people as an information and referral specialist at 211, and later a supervisor at the Canadian Mental Health Association. Additionally, Jess spearheaded the seniors 2SLGBTQ+ initiative with the Pride Centre of Edmonton, a program that was the first of its kind. “I came from a place where I had no one, and I did not know what services and supports were available to me. My goal is to carve a space for community members who can benefit from the supports that I wish I had available when I felt alone.” In her spare time, Jess enjoys playing guitar and piano, and learning about different languages and cultures. She spent time studying abroad where she learned how to speak Mandarin. At home, she enjoys taking her husky, Jack, on long hikes through the river valley!