ALF Oregon Class 47

Juhi Aggarwal (she/her) — Portland
General Counsel, Home Forward

Juhi Aggarwal joined Home Forward in 2023 to establish an in-house legal department. She brought over a decade of experience relevant to Home Forward’s mission and values. After graduating from the University of Michigan and Georgetown University Law Center, Juhi's public interest legal career began with disability rights work in Washington, D.C. and in Portland, OR. She developed experience in housing, employment, and public benefits law at Oregon Law Center before moving to Metropolitan Public Defender's Community Law Division. Her tenure at MPD included building an eviction legal defense program in collaboration with Multnomah County and the City of Portland. Juhi has served the Oregon State Bar in several capacities; she currently chairs the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and is a member of the House of Delegates, and previously chaired the Civil Rights Section and served on the executive committee of the Disability Law Section. Juhi and her wife are raising their two children in North Portland. Home Forward is the public housing authority for the City of Portland and Multnomah County, and its legal department assists with strategic and operational objectives that infuse mission, values, and anti-racist approaches into legal research and analysis, policy and process improvement, and representation and litigation support. As General Counsel, Juhi’s role enables her to support and collaborate with the whole agency in pursuit of organizational excellence, systemic change, and equitable outcomes.

Shea Flaherty Betin (he/him) — Portland
Economic Developer + Community Asset Builder

Bio forthcoming…

Abelio Carrillo Chales (he/him/él) — Cottage Grove
Community Resource Organizer, Rural Organizing Project

Abelio Carrillo Chales serves as Community Resource Organizer with the Rural Organizing Project. Abelio joined the ROP team in 2021 to coordinate the food pantry that opened at the height of the pandemic and to serve as an interpreter and translator of Mam. Mam is one of the most widely spoken Indigenous Mayan languages in Guatemala and is one of the top ten languages requested for interpretation by the Oregon Judicial Department, reflecting a growing Mam-speaking population in the state.

Abelio’s ability to form connections and make people feel at ease quickly led to him taking on additional leadership responsibilities at ROP. Alongside translation work, Abelio also leads ROP’s program to navigate people into the Oregon Worker Relief Program, creates vital informational videos in the Mam language, and is leading efforts to form the Lane County Accompaniment Program to help keep people out of ICE custody. Abelio’s leadership is focused on support for migrant and asylum-seeking community members and building power around the state of Oregon. When not working, Abelio loves drawing, playing soccer, and hiking in the beautiful state of Oregon.

Heather Chao (she/her) — Happy Valley
Director of Human Resources, Port of Portland

Heather Chao serves as the Director of Human Resources at the Port of Portland, where she leads the organization’s human resources strategy with a focus on cultivating an inclusive workplace culture, advancing equity, and supporting the growth and well-being of employees. With over 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors—including leadership roles at Vestas-American Wind Technology, Reynolds School District, and Nortek Air Solutions—Heather brings deep expertise in strategic planning, organizational development & effectiveness, talent management.

Born into the Iu Mienh (or Mien) people group—one of more than 50 minority groups from China—Heather is part of the Iu Mienh diaspora. Her family emigrated to the U.S. more than four decades ago, and her lived experience continues to shape her commitment to equity, representation, and access in the workplace and beyond.

Throughout her career, Heather has been guided by the belief that people are the heart of every organization. Her leadership is defined by collaboration, empathy, and a focus on aligning HR strategy with broader business and community impact. She has led transformational initiatives such as launching enterprise-wide leadership development programs, overhauling compensation systems to ensure market equity, and embedding DEI practices into the fabric of HR operations.

Recently honored with the Portland Business Journal’s 2025 HR Leadership Award, Heather looks forward to the ALF Fellows Program as an opportunity to deepen her own leadership journey, build authentic relationships across sectors, and contribute to a more equitable and connected Oregon.

Campbell Clary (she/her) — Portland
Founder of Love, Portland

A Portland native, Campbell Clary studied business at the University of Denver before returning home to manage multifamily developments for her family’s business, all while immersing herself in the local nonprofit community. In 2018, Campbell became a member of the Board of Directors for The Family Justice Center of Washington County, an organization serving survivors of domestic and family violence. Through this work, she deepened her understanding of the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the correlation between childhood traumas and substance use disorder, mental illness, incarceration, and homelessness. These insights inspired her to share a vital message: Homelessness is not an individual failure but a societal breakdown—one that requires collective participation, not just public sector action.

In 2022, Campbell undertook a 6-month solo global pilgrimage, immersing herself in diverse cultures around the world. She observed that, even in communities with limited material wealth, strong safety nets fostered resilience and collective care—an element she found missing in much of the U.S. When Campbell returned to Portland, she channeled these insights into her next mission: creating a safety net for her community by unlocking the collective generosity she knew was present but often untapped. She asked herself, “What would it look like if every person in the Portland metro area had their needs met?” The answer came in the form of Love, Portland—a collective giving initiative designed to inspire generosity and uplift the Portland metro area.

Caleb Coder (he/him) — Portland
Executive Director, Cultivate Initiatives

Caleb Coder is a visionary leader and social entrepreneur, deeply committed to improving lives and strengthening communities. As the Founder and Executive Director of Cultivate Initiatives, he leads an ever-evolving organization dedicated to empowering marginalized neighbors through a wide range of services. At the heart of his work is a mission to inspire other communities to follow suit.

Coder’s commitment is rooted in a personal journey defined by resilience and hope. His passion was sparked during a time when he was renting a basement and faced the looming possibility of a homeless shelter moving into his neighborhood. Rather than resist the change, Coder saw an opportunity for his community to embrace the new shelter, advocating for greater connection and inclusion instead of rejecting their houseless neighbors.

This experience, along with his own history of overcoming challenges, shaped his approach to leadership. Having endured the hardship of being crushed by a horse at age 11, and later leaving home at 14 to work in cabinet and mill shops across Montana, Coder’s connection to the communities he serves is both personal and profound. There is no separation between Coder and the people he works with at Cultivate Initiatives—he truly understands their struggles, hopes, and potential.

Nicole Cunningham (she/her) — Salem
Executive Director, Prevent Child Abuse Oregon

Nicole Cunningham serves as the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Oregon, the Oregon chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. She is a passionate advocate for prevention and collective wellbeing, grounded in the belief that communities hold the tools and expertise to ensure children and families can thrive.

Before joining PCAO, Nicole held a range of community-based, campus-based, and statewide roles in violence prevention and response—with a focus on domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse, suicide, and systems navigation. Her commitment to preventing violence and abuse was strengthened by her experiences working within Oregon’s Child Welfare system, where she became distinctly aware of the need to prioritize community-led prevention strategies that support children and families before crisis occurs.

Nicole brings a person-centered, connection-driven, and collaborative approach to her work—informed by her lived experience and shaped by the stories of the children, families, and communities she’s served. She sees her leadership as that of a connector across systems and sectors, working to reimagine how we invest in and prioritize child and family wellbeing.

Nicole currently chairs the national Chapter Network Executive Council of Prevent Child Abuse America, co-chairs the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force’s Statewide Prevention and Education Subcommittee, and serves as Board Chair of Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service (OAASIS). Originally from Colorado, she studied Social Work and Psychology at the University of Wyoming before finding home in Oregon in 2016. When she’s not working, you can find her nurturing her plants, enjoying Portland’s food scene, and exploring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Beth Englander (she/her) — Portland
Attorney, Oregon Law Center

Beth Englander earned her J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1997, and then began her legal career practicing land use and environmental law. After volunteering for Legal Aid Services of Oregon’s pro bono domestic violence clinic, she was inspired to become a Legal Aid staff attorney. Working for Legal Aid, she practiced all varieties of poverty law, predominantly in Clackamas, Hood River, and Wasco counties. She then joined the legal team at Disability Rights Oregon and spent 10 years practicing civil rights law for people with disabilities. In 2014 she came back to the legal aid community when she was hired by the Oregon Law Center for her current position as the Administrative Law and Public Benefits State Support Unit Attorney. In that role she coordinates and supports Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon’s statewide litigation and advocacy efforts to help people living in poverty, including the many immigrants served by both programs, with legal issues related to state and federal safety net programs. She is a member of the Oregon state bar and practices law exclusively in Oregon. Beth is currently chair of the Oregon State Bar Executive Committee of the Administrative Law Section and organizes trainings and lectures to educate and improve the practice of administrative law throughout the state. Beth was honored to receive the Joyce Ann Harpole Attorney Award in 2023 in recognition of her commitment to advocacy for justice, personal integrity, and community involvement.

Kate Fagerholm (she/her) — Portland
Founder, Yes Ampersand LLC

Kate Fagerholm is the founder of yes ampersand LLC and proud supporter of the oxford comma. Kate has worked in the nonprofit, labor, public, and small business sectors. She has experience in facilitation, strategic planning, fund development, program administration, and public policy. She honed her skills working in community relations at a regional chapter of a national nonprofit, serving as a policy advisor at a public agency, organizing at a grassroots labor-community partnership organization, and leading fund development efforts in a variety of capacities at nonprofits. When Kate isn’t busy at yes ampersand she is writing, singing karaoke, and throwing footballs. She grew up in the rural Midwest. Rural like not-a-stoplight-in-the-county-rural. Her Midwest roots are strong, but the Pacific Northwest is her home.

Amari Fauna (she/they) — Halfway
Owner and Primary Farmer, Hedge Rose Farm

Amari Fauna is the primary farmer at Hedge Rose Farm, a community-focused, draft-horse-powered market farm in isolated, rural Eastern Oregon. Amari also works and volunteers within the intersections of community health, higher education, accreditation, appropriate technology, sustainable agriculture, food access and security, and queer and trans belonging. They have contributed to activism and organizing and created award-winning programming in Maine and in Portland, Oregon. In her quiet moments, Amari enjoys the company of animals, cooking, camping, cycling and writing. She believes in the importance of non-monetized hobbies and interests, for self-pursuit and personal enjoyment as their own reward.

Pleschette Fontenet (she/her) — Portland
Regional Sales Director, Lenovo

Pleschette Fontenet has over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, and has built a career rooted in strategic leadership, relationship management, and community impact. As a Regional Sales Director at Lenovo, Pleschette lead a high-performing team that supports the largest school districts on the West Coast, ensuring they have access to cutting-edge technology solutions. Her expertise spans business development, forecasting, and cross-functional collaboration, allowing her to drive growth while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Beyond her professional achievements, Pleschette is deeply committed to servant leadership, mentoring emerging leaders, and empowering teams to achieve their highest potential.

Pleschette’s passion for service extends far beyond the corporate world. She has dedicated herself to nonprofit leadership, serving on multiple boards, including Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Friends of the Children, the Good Samaritan Foundation, and as President-elect of the Junior League of Portland. These roles have given her a profound appreciation for the power of collective action and strategic decision-making in driving meaningful change. Whether advocating for youth mentorship, environmental conservation, or healthcare equity, Pleschette is committed to leveraging her skills and influence to create lasting community impact.

Hau Hagedorn (she/her) — Portland
Community Investment Manager, Oregon Metro

Hau Hagedorn is a Community Investment Manager with Oregon Metro. She leads a team that delivers programs to promote equitable development, economic development, brownfields redevelopment, and community placemaking. Prior to Metro, she served as the Associate Director at the Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University. She helped to establish TREC as a nationally recognized transportation research hub. Hau has over 25 years of experience managing complex, federal and state-funded projects with expertise spanning program management, research, and education. She has a successful track record in strategic planning, leadership, and equity. She holds a Master's in Public Administration from PSU and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Prior to working at PSU, she worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation, and as a transportation consultant. Through grant funded from the Luce Foundation, she is working with several PSU colleagues to explore the transpacific circuitry of settler colonialism and imperialism that connects Vietnam, Hawaii, and the greater Portland area. Outside of work, she tries to spend as much time in nature running and hiking trails or riding her bike while convincing her three kids to join her on these adventures.

Maria Elena Guerra (she/ella) — Woodburn
Executive Director, Farmworker Housing Development Corportation

Bio forthcoming…

Katie Hutchinson (she/her) — Medford
President, K. Hutch & Co.

Katie Hutchinson is the President and Principal Consultant of K. Hutch & Co., based in Medford. With 20 years of experience in philanthropy and community service, Katie offers a unique blend of strategy, experience, and servant leadership to her clients. Previously, Katie served as VP of Philanthropy and Social Impact for Dutch Bros Coffee and Executive Director of the Providence Community Health Foundation.

Some of Katie’s proudest professional accomplishments include maximizing the reach and impact of Dutch Bros Coffee and Dutch Bros Foundation; working hand in hand with legends in southern Oregon to found and grow the Women’s Leadership Conference (now Women’s Leadership Connection); serving as the third female President of the Rotary Club of Medford; and leading the board of directors for Britt Festival in Jacksonville (2025-2026).

Outside of work and volunteering, Katie’s beautiful blended family loves the outdoors, live music, and the adventures of our region! You’ll often see Katie walking with dear friends for fitness and connection, as Katie is an extreme extrovert and loves being with others. Recently, Katie rediscovered her love of painting, following Bob Ross’s style of landscapes with happy little trees.

Casey Layton (she/her) — Milwaukie
Chief Culture and Impact Officer, Clackamas Community College

Casey Layton, an experienced educator, facilitator, and organizational leader with a background in hospitality, adult learning, and conflict resolution, currently serves as the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Clackamas Community College. For the past 14 years, she has led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within local government agencies in the Portland Metro area. Casey holds a B.S. in Human Development and an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Warner Pacific University. Her professional practice is built on a foundation of mediation and coaching expertise which she has shared through conference presentations on topics such as coaching diverse teams and inclusive leadership. Additionally, Casey spent eight years as a part-time instructor at Portland Community College, where she taught management classes and mentored learners to integrate professionalism and fun in their supervisory roles.

In addition to her professional work, Casey is a dedicated volunteer. She has donated her time as a parent volunteer in multiple classrooms for North Clackamas School District (NCSD) and other local non-profit agencies. Casey has also facilitated equity conversations for both community members and city employees in Milwaukie. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, she volunteered as the Equity Officer for the Multnomah County Emergency Operations for five months as part of their COVID-19 response. Casey thrives on building relationships and is known for her ability to use humor and optimism to build bridges, even in complex and serious anti-racism work, such as leading a dance break or a game of “Casey Says”. Casey developed a love for the outdoors and sports while growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. When not working, she enjoys running, biking and spending time with her family and friends in Milwaukie, Oregon. She and her spouse, a US Air Force Veteran, have lived there for 19 years and raised their two sons, both of whom graduated from Milwaukie HS. Although her basketball career is over, she still slam dunks on the karaoke microphone and on the pickleball court. All in all, Casey Layton is a dedicated and compassionate leader, committed to fostering equity and inclusion in both her professional and personal life. Her extensive experience, passion for community engagement, and ability to connect with people shine through in all she does.

Nora Leibowitz (she/her) — Portland
Chief Medicaid Programs Officer, CareOregon

Motivated by a passion for improving equitable access to quality, affordable health care, Nora Leibowitz has over 25 years of policy and operations experience with government-funded health care programs. Nora currently serves as CareOregon’s Chief Medicaid Programs Officer, where she works with CareOregon’s Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) in Jackson County and the North Coast, as well as with CareOregon’s Metro line of business and Tribal Affairs department. She was previously a consultant supporting states, community-based organizations and health plans seeking to improve health access and outcomes, served as the Chief Policy Officer for Cover Oregon, supported multi-stakeholder health reform efforts and managed Medicaid rates development in Oregon. Nora earned both a Master of Public Policy and Certificate in Health Administration and Policy at the University of Chicago. Nora services on the board of Our Just Future, a community-based organization committed to working toward housing, economic, and racial justice in East Portland and East Multnomah County.

Nora lives in Portland with her husband Chris and the two of her three kids who have not yet left for college. She is a decent cross-country skier, mediocre runner, avid reader and fan of street art.

Kaig Lighter (he/him) — Vancouver
Founder, Quantum Gender LLC

Kaig Lightner has been forging his own path through life since he was a kid. After discovering his love of coaching soccer at the age of fifteen he was determined to follow that passion wherever it led him. In 2013 he founded Portland Community Football Club (PCFC), a non profit soccer club that provides high quality soccer with wraparound support for youth who experience barriers to play based on race, gender and economics. Kaig stepped down from the Executive Director role at PCFC in 2024 to focus on his other passion - gender inclusion for all genders in sport and life.

From the experience of earning a Masters in Social Work from Portland State University in 2012 and being an adjunct professor in the department from 2016-2021, Kaig combined the power of community, education and sport to not only start PCFC, but in 2017 he founded Quantum Gender LLC, to provide consultation to increase inclusion for people of all genders on the sports field and in the workplace. Kaig is now fully dedicated to building a more equitable playing experience for athletes of all genders.

Kaig has been publicly speaking about his experience as a queer, transgender person, athlete and coach for nearly 20 years. In his precious free time Kaig can be found on the soccer field coaching or playing, and spending time with his partner and their child.

Elyse Meardon (she/her) — Portland
Executive Director,Youth Progress Association

Elyse Meardon is a changemaker with a passion for building brighter futures for kids. Since 2010, she’s been on a mission to empower young people and the communities that support them. Now serving as Executive Director of Youth Progress Association, Elyse brings a bold vision and sharp strategic mind to the organization’s work with youth navigating complex systems.

Before joining Youth Progress, Elyse held a national leadership role as Vice President of Programs at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, where she steered some of the nonprofit world’s most successful fundraising movements—like Extra Life, Miracle Network Dance Marathon, and Play Yellow. She’s a recognized expert in peer-to-peer fundraising, cross-generational engagement, and the art of leading with both heart and results.

Since stepping into her current role in 2022, Elyse has energized Youth Progress with a focus on operational excellence, financial strength, and a culture of curiosity and innovation. Under her leadership, the team has adopted a “How might we?” mindset—sparking new ideas and growth across the agency.

When she's not in strategy mode, Elyse finds grounding in yoga, gardening, and spending time with her family in Portland, Oregon—her husband John, daughter Willa, dog Ky, axolotl Pixie, and a charmingly mischievous cat named Parsnip.

LeeAnn O’Neill (she/they) — Bend
Principal Lead, Allyship in Action

LeeAnn O’Neill is a recovering attorney and principal of Allyship in Action, a collaborative of consultants advancing collective liberation in Central Oregon that is people centered, systems based, and grounded in restorative justice. She works individually and collaboratively to provide coaching, facilitation, and consultation services that are rooted in place and enriched by their lived experience to inspire transformative change and belonging in her Central Oregon community. As a queer Korean adoptee growing up and living in deeply divided communities, she is committed to nurturing human connection to support thriving. LeeAnn also serves on the board of the Latino Community Association and co-founded the affinity group Asians and Pacific Islanders of Central Oregon.

With a brain that has too many checklists and is addicted to spreadsheets, LeeAnn is passionate about researching lost local histories, access to justice, language access, and nonprofit governance. They are eternally grateful for the collaboration of their community of movement partners who help her slow down and support radically rethinking her way of doing and being. She can be found most days trying to live a car-free life, riding bikes around town, playing capoeira, weaving baskets, and poking wildflowers.

Kassie Rippee (she/her) — Salem
Tribal Liaison and Archaeologist, Oregon Department of Transportation

Kassie Rippee is the Tribal Liaison and Archaeologist for the Oregon Department of Transportation where she serves as the primary organizational lead for all tribal matters with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, among other tasks. She has earned a BA and an MS in Anthropology with specializations in Archaeology, and an MLS in Indigenous People’s Law. With about 20 years’ experience in cultural resources management and 11 in government relations, she has participated in several statewide task forces and rule making committees. She finds purpose in serving the community by instilling the importance of respectful and effective communication, developing actionable resolutions, and her personal favorite, outreach and education.

Growing up in the military, she lived in a different place every year until high school. Many years later, she found home and community in Oregon. When not at work, she enjoys hiking and being on the water in a kayak, canoe, or SUP, and spends most of her downtime with her dogs.

Jayden Ruff (she/they) — Coos Bay
Executive Director, South Coast Health Equity and Chair of the Coos-Curry Housing Authority

Raised in Roberta, Georgia, surrounded by peaches and the wisdom of the caretakers in her family—Great Grandmother Flossy, Grandmother Lizzie, Mom Munilla, Auntie Mantilla, and Big Mama, Mrs. Tit. They were the keepers of herstory/history, the teachers of laughter, and the embodiment of love, showing her how to move through the world with both strength and grace.

A Lover of Context and Challenger of Systems, Jayden is committed to disrupting the status quo in pursuit of justice. For the past eight years, she has worked alongside Communities of Color and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities throughout Oregon, advocating for equitable access to healthcare, food, and dignity.

Her approach is deeply rooted in centering community voices and lived experiences, ensuring that those most impacted lead the solutions. Jayden believes in the power of collective care, transformative justice, and radical imagination. She continues to build, disrupt, and co-create spaces where community is seen, heard, and valued.

Jayden currently serves as the Chair of the Coos-Curry Housing Authority and Vice President of HIV Alliance. They are also an alumnus and advisor of DELTA (Developing Equity Leadership through Training and Action) at the Oregon Health Authority. In addition, Jayden is a member of the Oregon Food Bank’s Policy Leadership Council, a board member of the Brookings Harbor Helpers Food Bank, President of Harmony and Me, and the founder of the BEET Food System. She finds joy in graphic design, gardening, and cooking.

Aimee Smith (she/her) — Damascus
Director of Human Resources, Home Forward

Aimee Smith has been working in human resources for nearly two-decades, with a focus on building healthy, supportive workplace cultures. She had intentionally focused her career to be in-service at public service and non-profit organizations. Her work often centers on strengthening relationships-between teams, across departments, and in partnership with unions. She’s especially interested in how organizations can align their people practices with their values and create environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

At home, she’s a mom to two great kids, has a wonderful spouse, a sassy dog, and is also navigating what support looks like for aging and terminal parents. When there is free time, she weaves in board work for a couple organizations, philanthropy as a family, cooking, and getting outside for walks. These experiences and interests shape how she shows up at work and keeps her grounded in what really matters: care, connection, and community.

Jason Trombley (he/him) — Salem
Policy and Budget Analyst, Dept. of Administrative Services’ Chief Financial Office, State of Oregon

Jason Trombley is a Policy & Budget Analyst in the Office of the State Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The CFO is responsible for enterprise-wide fiscal planning and policy leadership for executive branch state agencies and building the Governor’s Recommended Budget. The budgets currently in his portfolio include the Oregon Advocacy Commissions Office, Oregon Government Ethics Commission, Psychiatric Security Review Board, and Oregon Health Authority.

From 2019-2024, he worked in the Oregon House of Representatives as a Policy Advisor, then Legislative Director for Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer. He later served as Legislative Director for the House Democratic Caucus working for three majority leaders. He is especially proud to have worked on bipartisan legislation that increased funding and access to support services for homeless youth across Oregon. Early in his career, he worked at a PR firm advising technology and start-up companies based on the west coast and Europe.

Over the last 20 years, he has been an active volunteer. He worked with community-based organizations the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and the Coalition of Communities of Color (CCC) to advocate for equity in education and housing. From 2013-2017, he chaired two community advisory committees for Portland Public Schools that led their effort to balance student enrollment by redrawing school attendance boundaries. He has volunteered for the Civics Learning Project for over 14 years as a coach of the Lincoln H.S. Constitution Team and now as a CLP board member to expand access to K-12 civics education across Oregon. He also serves on the board for Mission: Citizen, which mobilizes high school students to apply their civics and tutor immigrants – often in Spanish – in preparation for the US citizenship exam.

He lives in North Portland. Outside of work and volunteer commitments, he likes to cook, bike, go whitewater rafting, and skydive on the west coast.

Yohannes Wolday (he/him) — Portland
Social Innovation Director, Oregon Metro

Yohannes Wolday is the Social Innovation Director at Oregon Metro, where he leads cross-sector partnerships to collaboratively identify, invest in, and support initiatives that advance community-driven visions and solutions across the Portland Metro region.

Over the past two decades, Yohannes has held senior leadership roles advancing equitable development around the world. As Country Director for Mercy Corps in Kenya, he oversaw a $130 million portfolio and led a team of 220 staff, delivering programs that improved the lives of more than 2.5 million people. Before that, he served as Director of Global Programs, supporting a $500 million portfolio and teams across more than 40 countries to implement locally driven solutions. At the Nike Foundation, he led efforts to expand economic opportunities for young people in over a dozen countries. Earlier in his career, Yohannes spent three years in Afghanistan, including serving as a Regional Government Advisor during a critical period of political transition.

Yohannes’s journey—from growing up in poverty in a multicultural refugee community to leading global organizations and shaping solutions for vulnerable populations—has deeply informed his values and approach. These experiences continue to guide his efforts to transform systems that advance community vision and deliver lasting, inclusive impact.