Announcing Deputy Director Anne Viola-Krause
We are pleased to announce Anne Viola-Krause (she/her) as ALF Oregon’s new Deputy Director! Anne comes to us from the world of mortgage and finance and brings deep experience as an advocate and community organizer. She is a strategic, thoughtful, and dedicated leader and we are excited to welcome her to the ALF Oregon Staff!
Anne grew up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, dreaming of a life near the sea. In 2005 she moved to Portland, Oregon where she enjoys escaping to the tranquility of the Oregon Coast but is still able to get her snow fix at Mt. Hood.
Anne values Portland’s unique sense of community with big city offerings. Anne is an avid soccer fan and Thorns season ticket holder. Anne has traveled all over the state and fallen in love with everything Oregon has to offer. She has a deep, soulful connection to Oregon and feels that she has found her true home.
Anne has many intersecting identities that inform her work personally and professionally. She and her wife are proud to be raising their two daughters in LGBTQ+ friendly Portland. Anne also has a rich multicultural background as the grand-daughter of immigrants from Mexico, Italy, and Germany.
Anne’s early career involved office management, bookkeeping, and worker's rights advocacy. More recently, Anne spent over 15 years in the mortgage industry, where she particularly loved working with first-time homebuyers and LGBTQ+ clients. Outside the office, Anne was active in sponsoring and supporting the queer community.
Throughout her career, Anne made intentional decisions to work for companies with aligned values, integrity, and strong connections to the community. Anne was also proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the Q Center as Treasurer from 2010-2014. That experience ignited a spark in Anne to one day work in the nonprofit sector. Her new role at ALF Oregon provides that very opportunity and Anne is eager to meet this moment.
Anne says, "I have known about ALF Oregon for many years and as a longtime admirer of the Fellows Program, I am honored to join this impactful organization. I believe that profound growth can occur when a diverse group of people get together, listen to one another, and begin to understand different life experiences. With deeper understanding, relationships can strengthen and new paths forward can emerge. In both professional and personal settings, I strive to inspire people to realize their potential and help them cultivate their gifts. I am excited to have the opportunity to not only support the Senior Fellow Network and the Fellows Program, but to be enriched by the collective wisdom, vision and community here."
From Anne's Colleagues and Clients:
To help welcome Anne, we reached out to some of her colleagues and clients and asked them to reflect on their previous work with Anne.
Anne is a gem of a person, and I have felt lucky to be in her company for the last 17 years. She is kind, thoughtful, and she puts her heart into everything she does. She will be an incredible addition to the ALF Oregon community. Lucky us!
—Kendall Clawson (Class 29) Client and former ALF Oregon Executive Director
Anne provides exceptional guidance and personalized advice. Her responsiveness, genuine care, and ability to demystify difficult processes sets her apart as a truly remarkable partner and communicator. As she embarks on her new role, I'm confident her blend of professional expertise and kind-hearted spirit will greatly benefit all those she'll reach.
—Darren Bjers, Client
Anne embodies compassion, integrity, and connection. Her authenticity and empathetic nature bring a genuine depth to her work with people of all identities and backgrounds. Anne is a gem! ALF is so lucky to have Anne!
—Lauren Brown, Client
Anne has been one of the most dedicated, supportive, and talented team members we’ve had the privilege to work with. Anne leads by example and always puts her client’s best interests first.
—Kevin Martin, Colleague and Co-owner of Two Rivers Mortgage
If you are fortunate to have the opportunity to know Anne, then you know what a gift it is. She is the one I turn to when I need to recalibrate, need a listening ear, or unbiased advice. She is my dear friend, that I had the privilege of working with for many years.
—Jamie Gordon, Colleague at Two Rivers Mortgage
Anne is a heart centered, warm and thoughtful woman who has the gift of making others feel seen and heard. She will bring deep understanding and compassion to the ALF community.
—Desiree Thomas, colleague at Two Rivers Mortgage
Anne’s first day in the office as Deputy Director is April 1st. She’ll also join Classes 43 and 44 in Prineville this weekend. If you'd like to meet Anne in person, join us for Senior Fellow Saturday in Prineville this Saturday, March 23rd. Join us for a tour of the Crook County Courthouse, lunch at Wild Ride Brewing and a walk along the Barnes Butte Trail! More information here.
Please join the ALF Oregon Staff and Board of Directors in welcoming Anne Viola-Krause as our Deputy Director.