Voices: Cameron Cassidy - Career Shifts Shape Path to Pride PEI Role
July 13, 2026
For Cameron Cassidy, transition periods have shaped her journey into the executive director position with Pride P.E.I.
After finishing high school in Woodstock, N.B., Cassidy moved to P.E.I. 13 years ago to take the Performing Arts Foundation program at Holland College with the goal of getting a pathways program at Sheridan.
However, after graduating in 2014, she ended up studying fashion business at George Brown College in Toronto.
A couple of years later, she got the opportunity to go back to P.E.I., to manage a store, do design work and build her leadership ability.
“I ended up coming back to Prince Edward Island, which ultimately led me into meeting some wonderful people within the music community,” Cassidy said. “A number of years later, I ended up transitioning my career again into working in the nonprofit sector for music and arts.”
She saw a place for herself in leadership roles.
“I thought that that would be a really good fit for me down the line.”
She then saw a job posting for the executive director of Pride PEI three years ago.
“I just took a leap of faith and thought maybe I would be a good fit, and if I wasn't, then that was okay. I'm just so lucky that the board at that time and the hiring committee thought that I was the right fit.”
Challenge in the position
Cassidy had no previous experience as an executive, but the skills she gained from non-profit organizations helped her shape her leadership.
“I've been very lucky that my board is really supportive, and I have been able to get into different programs and different professional development opportunities where I've had support.”
She was also in an Executive Director Academy program.
“I've been very lucky that I've had support through that program for other executive directors. If I didn't have that, I don't know where I would be because becoming an executive director for the first time, you're learning everything new.”
Cassidy’s family and friends have supported her throughout her career and development.
“We have an amazing team here at Pride who are all incredibly supportive of one another, and we all really see each other as part of a bigger movement.”
Her team also helps her remain true to herself.
“By having people that I share space with who can hold me accountable, who I share my beliefs and thoughts with that when I'm maybe not acting in alignment with those for whatever reason, because we are human and that happens, that they're able to hold me accountable in the kindest way and say, ‘Cam, you're not acting in alignment with what you believe, what I know to be true about you.’ I think having those people in my life that truly are able to see me and support me and call me in if that's needed.”
Authenticity and acceptance
Belonging is that feeling of being accepted for who you really are and all the parts of you, she said.
“When you can show up wherever you are, whatever space you might be showing up, with authenticity, with a sense that the people you're sharing that space with welcome you wholly, that they welcome you, your wholeness, that they welcome all those parts of you that maybe society wants to not welcome, that they're saying, ‘come in and we see you, we hear you, and you're important.’”
Advice for all post-secondary school students
Take the time and don’t rush to decide, she said.
“College programs can be so great because those shorter periods of time can give you enough knowledge, enough education to dip your toes, see if it's something that you want, and then again to continue building off of that.”
Consider broadening your horizons, she said.
“Think about the skills that you've learned. Think about the knowledge that you've gained and work with that knowledge and those skills to help guide you forward once you're out of school.”
She also encourages the 2SLGBTQIA plus community to approach post-secondary education with openness and authenticity.
“I think that you'll find that there are lots of people, particularly in college and university, who are in similar positions to you; If you're having that concern, probably someone else is having that same feeling. Wouldn't it be amazing if you both were able to put yourselves out there a little bit and meet and connect and see that there is community for you and people for you who want to support you and want to see you engage with your true self.”
Final advice
She hopes she can encourage people to think outside the box and explore other options.
“Welcoming change, new experiences and new people into your life as they come will open up so many opportunities.”
Written by: Dean Ramos
Photo credit: Dean Ramos
Journalism & Communications, Class of 2026.
This story is part of the Voices Project, a collaborative initiative between the Holland College Office of Culture and Inclusion and Holland College's Journalism and Communications Program. Additional stories from The Voices Project can be found on The Surveyor's Substack, which will return in October.
School of Visual Arts and Journalism GeneralRelated Blog Posts
Voices: Shanda Solis Chavez Advocates for Diversity and Inclusion
June 15, 2026
Student POV: A Semester Abroad at IMC KREMS University
June 10, 2026