Meet ALF Oregon Class 43
JENNIFER BOEHMER (she/her/hers)
Chief of Staff/Senior Vice President, Advancement & Communications, Warner Pacific University
Jennifer Boehmer is the Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of University Relations at Warner Pacific University (WPU), responsible for philanthropic advancement, community partnerships, and strategic communications. WPU is the only Christ-centered, and federally designated Minority Serving Institution in the Pacific Northwest, and one of just 15 nationwide. This unique intersection of faith and equity reflects Jennifer’s personal calling to advocate for common ground that acknowledges the inherent worth of all people and lifts up communities with inclusive love. Jennifer comes to this work from several decades in the community college space, leading communications and fundraising teams at Portland Community College and Linn-Benton Community College, and collaborating with other Oregon colleges to provide a national model for government and public advocacy for student access and success. In addition, she served as director and chair of the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations, a branch of the American Association of Community Colleges, for eight years, and in 2017 was named President Emeritus. As a first-generation college student herself, she is especially passionate about the power of higher education to change people’s lives; and as a person of faith, believes in the power of shared hope and service. Jennifer is a lifelong Oregonian, earning her B.A. at Linfield University and M.S. at the University of Portland. She is proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Pioneer Courthouse Square, and enjoys reading, running, traveling and singing in band that takes up most of the laundry space in the basement. She lives in Northeast Portland with her husband and teenage daughter.
MATTHEW CLAUDEL (he/him)
Founder, Field States
Matthew Claudel is the founder of Field States, a benefit company whose mission is to create civic value using strategic design. He is a visiting assistant faculty member at University of Michigan’s Taubman School of Architecture. Matthew was previously the Strategic Design lead for Curative, a health care company seeking to end the Covid-19 pandemic. At Curative, he piloted and implemented a number of projects, including the vaccination program, which began with a concept and strategy, and grew to 1 million doses delivered over five months.
Prior to Curative, Matthew co-founded MIT’s designX program, where he was the Head of Civic Innovation and an instructor for four years. Matthew has co-authored two books, Open Source Architecture (Thames & Hudson) and The City of Tomorrow (Yale University Press), and published articles in peer reviewed journals, book chapters and speculative fiction pieces, primarily surrounding the issues of technology, design, and cities. Matthew served on the jury for the Canadian Federal government’s $50M Smart City Challenge, and supports the continuation of the program as a strategic advisor for the Community Solutions Network, through Open North. Matthew was a Futures Fellow at the Purpose Foundation in 2021 and a Public Policy Fellow at the Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics in 2018.
Matthew has a doctorate in Advanced Urbanism from MIT, where his work focused on the emerging practices of urban experimentation as they relate to civic value. As an undergraduate, he studied architecture at Yale, and received a Master of Science in Urban Studies from MIT.
MICHELLE DePASS (she/her/they)
Senior Advisor to Commissioner Rubio
Michelle is an accomplished professional with a broad spectrum of experiences and influential leadership positions.
Currently, she serves as the Senior Advisor to Commissioner Rubio, where her focus lies in nurturing constituent relations and fostering strategic partnerships. Her dedication revolves around assisting Portlanders in navigating the evolving landscape of the city's ecosystem.
She was recently elected to her second four-year term on the Portland Public Schools Board of Education where she has served out her first term focusing on raising student achievement, addressing the climate crisis, and assuring minority and women owned businesses are able to successfully compete for public dollars.
Prior to her current role, Michelle made meaningful contributions as part of the Equity and Engagement team at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. During her tenure, she provided invaluable guidance to planners regarding optimal approaches to community engagement and outreach, as well as effective methods for assessing success in long-term planning initiatives involving community members. Furthermore, Michelle played a pivotal role in propelling equitable outcomes forward and instigating a cultural transformation across the entire organization.
As a member of the leadership team for the Portland Housing Bureau tasked with community engagement and outreach, Michelle worked to bring housing policy to real world problems, especially serving those Portlanders earning less than the area median income.
Michelle earned a BS in Community Development from Portland State University and pursued an MBA in Sustainable Business at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute studying systems theory, economics and sustainable development.
Beyond her professional achievements, Michelle is an enthusiastic outdoors woman who completed a hut-to-hut back country ski-trip, has jumped off a cliff into a 50-foot plunge pool, and is always up for a challenge; she’s down for trying anything once. She is a single mom, and passionate environmentalist who firmly believes climate change and racial justice are inextricably intertwined, and is dedicated to leaving the world a better place than she found it.
BRIECE EDWARDS (he/him/his)
Manager of the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
For the past three+ decades Briece has been dedicated to the identification, protection, and appropriate presentation of cultural resources. He has sought to inform others of the linkages between cultural and natural resources throughout the landscape. His professional experience includes work with communities in-, and management of-, projects in Europe, Central Asia, and Central and North America and was principal of a cultural resources management firm. For the past decade he has been Tribal archaeologist, and now manager of the Historic Preservation Office (HPO) of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. In his current role he has sought to develop a diverse team of experts to ensure the Tribe's concerns for cultural resources are met. This includes identification and protection of places of the past, as well as on going practices and opportunities for cultural values and connection in the future. In the past years he and the HPO team have worked to develop the 'Next Generation Professional' and ensure open communication and collaborative solution development for broad reaching concerns such as climate change, and recognition and integration of tribal sovereignty in cultural resources policies and practices.
ALAN EVANS (he/him/his)
Founder and President, Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers
Alan Evans is the Founder & President of Helping Hands Reentry Outreach Centers, the largest reentry housing organization in Oregon. Born in California, Alan was raised in a broken family and was homeless at 13, addicted to methamphetamine. He spent 25 years homeless and addicted to drugs and alcohol; in and out of prison. At 38 years old, Alan was homeless in Seaside, Oregon searching for help. He tried to get food stamps or a job; they said he needed ID. He tried to get ID; they said he needed a residence. He wanted a residence but had no money. Crime felt like a win-win situation and getting arrested became getting rescued. Alan turned his life around, and opened an 8-bed shelter in Seaside in 2002, which grew into Helping Hands. This organization now serves 5 counties and thousands of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. He believes that getting arrested should not equal getting rescued, and the programs provided through his organization, give others what he needed: a helping hand to a sustainable life. He enjoys fishing and spending time with his family.
SAMMANTHA HOISINGTON (she/her/hers)
Executive Assistant, Oregon Department of Corrections
Sammantha Hoisington currently supports the administrative team of the Oregon Department of Corrections as an Executive Assistant. In addition to her duties, she participates in several workgroups, collectively working to improve the lives of Adults in Custody within Oregon and those of the Department staff who support these individuals. Prior to working with the department, Sammantha has a background in guaranteed commercial lending, banking and managing in-home care for individuals thriving with disabilities. Sammantha currently lives in Eastern Oregon with her spouse and twin children.
JOEL IBOA (he/him/his)
Executive Director, Oregon Just Transition Alliance
As Founding Executive Director for the Oregon Just Transition Alliance (OJTA), Joel served as Campaign Director of the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity during the 2021 Legislative Session. Under his leadership Oregon now has the fastest timeline and best labor standards for 100% clean energy in the country. Most recently Joel served on the Steering Committee for the Building Resilience Coalition and the Community Resilience Hubs Coalition helping pass the Climate Resilience Package HB3049 in the 2023 legislative session. This package will result in $90million in state funds with $1billion in matching federal funds.
In 2021, 13 state, regional, and national alliances and networks came together to build out the Governing Body of the Fund for Frontline Power, and recommended BIPOC grassroots leaders to fill the seats. By design, the Fund is fully grassroots-governed and brings together experienced leaders with varied lived experiences to comprise a robust team to lead all decision-making for the Fund. Joel was one of the 13 grassroots leaders committed to holding the governing positions, representing specific sectors and constituencies, including: Food Sovereignty, Energy Democracy, Ecosystem Restoration, Safe & Affordable Housing, Black Communities, Indigenous Peoples, Just Recovery, Meaningful Work & Labor, Worker Organizing, Zero Waste, Clean Transit & Transportation Equity, Internationalism/Global South, and Community-Controlled Capital Mechanisms
Over the last year(+), Joel and his colleagues developed criteria and designed an application process grounded in equitable strategies to move money to environmental justice organizations who have been under resourced for way too long. These strategies reflected their shared visions, priorities, and practices for a powerful grassroots-led philanthropic model. Earlier in 2023, they received and reviewed more than 400 applications requesting a total of over $60 million. The Governance committee is proud to be able to support 48 grassroots EJ organizations with a total of $5 million in funding.
Joel was a Coalition Manager for Causa Oregon, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Organization (2017-2020). Joel doubled the size of One Oregon, building a statewide coalition of over 100 organizations with the sole focus of defending against anti-immigrant and anti-muslim policies and ballot measures. Joel led coalitions defending the nation’s first sanctuary law as well as advocating for the passage of HB2015, making Oregon the 14th state to allow people without legal status the ability to drive.
Joel served as chair of the Eugene Human Rights Commission (2019-2021) championing two Sanctuary resolutions and a resolution condemning white nationalism. Joel is the youngest person to be elected Chair for the Oregon Governor's Environmental Justice Task Force (2017-2022). He is the Founding Chair of the newly formed Oregon Governor's Environmental Justice Council (formerly Task Force). He was appointed to serve as a board member for Lane County housing authority Homes for Good in the fall of 2022.
TAMARA KENNEDY (she/her/hers)
Director of Economic Development, Port of Portland Trade and Equitable Development Division
Tamara Kennedy is the Director of Economic Development for the Port of Portland in the Trade and Equitable development division. The Port of Portland’s mission is to build shared prosperity for the region through travel, trade, and economic development. In this role Tamara partners with leadership and external partners in the region to attract investment, design workforce pipeline strategies, advance international trade strategy and equitable development initiatives for industry clusters in Advanced Manufacturing with a particular focus in ClimateTech and Mass Timber ecosystems.
Kennedy serves on the boards of Black United Fund of Oregon, Greater Portland Inc., NW Xcelerator, and Transition Projects. She holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of Portland and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Marylhurst University. Tamara’s passion is to align human potential with positive community impact. She is co-founder of Portland’s My People’s Market, an equitable marketplace for entrepreneurs of color in the greater Portland region.
JESSICA LARSON (she/her/hers)
Assistant Director for the Department of Housing Services in Washington County/ Vice President of the Oregon Center for Public Policy
Jes Larson is a housing justice champion who works across local jurisdictions and leads teams to build resilient systems and equitable solutions to homelessness. She has also led policy campaigns and ballot measure efforts to create new public investments in affordable housing. Her professional career is rooted in a decade of direct service working with people struggling with severe mental health conditions and seniors experiencing homelessness and risk of housing loss.
Currently Jes serves as Assistant Director for the Department of Housing Services in Washington County, and as the Vice President of the Oregon Center for Public Policy. Other professional roles include leading housing policy work at Metro, founding the Welcome Home Coalition, and working as a case manager at Northwest Pilot Project and Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare.
Jes lives in Northeast Portland with her husband James and cat Cheddar. She grew up on a farm in Southeast Minnesota with her four sisters and is now a proud ‘cool’ aunt to 10 nieces and nephews. Jes moved to Oregon after graduation to join the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and never moved back, committing to her adopted home-state with a fruit tree garden and a life of public service. Jes also loves weeding in the garden, marching bands, and a fried egg on everything.
EDDIE MELENDREZ (he/him/his)
Community Organizer, Oregon Food Bank
Eddie Melendrez is a Community Organizer with the Oregon Food Bank. Son of migrant workers from Texas Eddie has been serving others for over 20 years. This includes mentoring, volunteering and advocacy work at the state/local level. He is also a skilled boxer and boxing coach who has trained hundreds of youth competing all over the United States and a visual artist using his art to create awareness for social justice issues.
Eddie believes representation matters. This is what inspired him to run for Ontario City Council. Eddie was elected to the City Council in 2021 and hopes to inspire the youth in his community to see themselves in leadership roles in their communities. In 2018, Eddie was awarded the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award.
Eddie grew up in California. He is a Mexican American who identifies with his indigenous roots, specifically in the Southwest United States. Eddie finds beauty in community and celebrates moments and people who may go overlooked. He says that everything good in his life has come from serving others.
FELICITA MONTEBLANCO (she/her/hers)
Public Affairs Manager, Northwest Health Foundation
As Northwest Health Foundation’s Public Affairs Manager, Felicita supports advocacy campaigns to change public policy, often in partnership and at the direction of community-based organizations. She also manages government relations and leads NWHF’s communications, among other responsibilities.
Before joining NWHF, Felicita was the policy and advocacy officer for Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, which serves Washington and Yamhill Counties and is the largest federally qualified health center in the state. Prior to Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, she worked at Vision Action Network, building a network of connected nonprofits and philanthropic leaders throughout Washington County.
Felicita earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in hospitality management from the University of San Francisco. Felicita was elected to the board of directors for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. She currently serves as President of the Board.
You will often find her hosting gatherings for Latinx leaders in Washington County and/or local electeds to connect around social justice issues. She was recognized for her service to the community with the American Association of University Women “Breaking Barriers” award in 2019. That same year she had the opportunity to travel to China as part of the American Council for Young Political Leaders whose aim is to provide a global perspective to local electeds.
In her free time, Felicita loves to dance, travel and canvass for candidates she believes in.
LISA NAAS COOK (she/her/hers)
Vital Signs Indicators Program Manager, Columbia River Gorge Commission
Lisa Naas Cook is the Vital Sign Indicators Program Manager for the Columbia River Gorge Commission, where she works with many partners on long-term monitoring and climate action in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. She also serves as a facilitation trainer with Oregon Humanities. Lisa's past experience spans facilitation, education, ecological restoration, and public lands policy with the South Gifford Pinchot Collaborative, the Nature Conservancy, National Park Service, and US Forest Service. She holds a MA in applied theology from Marylhurst University and a BS in environmental science from The Ohio State University. The common thread in Lisa’s work is a passion for connecting people across difference to listen, learn, and cultivate resilient communities together. Lisa lives in the Gorge and cherishes time in the woods with her family.
MARY ROSE NAVARRO (she/her/hers)
Program Officer, Meyer Memorial Trust
Mary Rose is driven by the possibilities that emerge when people with diverse perspectives come together with the intention of making their neighborhoods, cities and the world a better place. Since moving to Oregon in 1990, she has participated in social and environmental change at the neighborhood, city and regional levels. Through her year long experience as a PLACES Fellow at the Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities she deepened her awareness about societal and institutional structures that have created widespread disparities and how those disparities play out in urban and rural areas.
Mary Rose sought hands-on experience working at the neighborhood level at Friends of Trees. There she learned the joy of watching a group of individuals transform into a community, bonded by a morning of hard work planting trees. She spent 23 years working first at Portland Parks and Recreation and then at Metro Parks and Nature in public policy, planning and park development projects. She deepened her appreciation for how community members can take the lead in shaping thriving neighborhoods by influencing policy changes and directing investments in nature can lead to multiple benefits.
Since joining Meyer Memorial Trust as a program officer in 2019 Mary Rose has sharpened her networking and collaborative skills in order to support creative community building and risk taking that lead to healthier relationships with each other and the planet.
Underlying all that Mary Rose does is her mindfulness practice in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. She is happily married with two children and lives in Portland. She spends her free time with family, tending her backyard habitat, reading, and backpacking.
PHOEBE THUMS (she/her/hers)
Vice President, Community Programs Director, Umpqua Bank
Phoebe Thums is the Vice President, Community Programs Director at Umpqua Bank. In her role, she oversees the bank’s philanthropic, volunteer, employee giving, and fundraising programs. Phoebe has worked in banking since 2008 and has prior professional experience in business ownership, community partnership management, development, and account management. Phoebe is committed to community, in both her personal and professional life. She recently completed six years of board service with Friends of Trees and volunteers with House of Dreams cat shelter. She also regularly volunteers with JoyRx and serves on the BIPOC Taskforce at Oregon Bankers Association. Phoebe is a graduate of Leadership Clark County and was named to the Vancouver Business Journal’s “Accomplished and Under 40” list. Phoebe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Service Management, Master’s degrees in Management Communication and Business Administration, and a Certificate in Corporate Citizenship Management. Outside of work and volunteering, Phoebe enjoys traveling, checking out new restaurants, exercising, and reading. Phoebe has been a proud resident of Portland, Oregon for 21 years.