ALF Oregon Class 45
HOPE BERAKA (she/her) — Corbett
Owner and Managing Principal Broker, Think Real Estate
Hope wants to make a difference. Policy is her love language and she went alone to her first political event at a local library at the age of 12. Hope always remembers noticing inequity and feeling committed to addressing it. Her studies while majoring in Women's Studies and History at University of California, Santa Cruz helped her understand a language and a path to resist modes of power that oppress others in order to maintain the status quo.
She has had the immense pleasure of raising two amazing children (24 & 14) both born and raised in Portland and now Corbett Oregon. Along the way, she has opened and managed three restaurants in Portland and started two event specific non profit efforts (Nature Space and The Real Life). As a licensed Principal Broker in Oregon since 2006, Hope has helped well over 1000 home buyers and sellers in Portland Metro harness the power of creating generational wealth and stability in real estate.
As the owner and Managing Principal Broker of Think Real Estate and Think Commercial, Hope is able to work towards her goal of democratizing and demystifying real estate for residential and commercial buyers/sellers and tenants. Hope has been working on housing policy advocacy at the city and state levels for many years and has an ongoing commitment and focus on providing young Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the housing field. For fun she is the Chair of Business for Better Portland and loves supporting local business and meeting and helping other entrepreneurs.
TERESA CARR (she/her) — Gresham
Director of Business Development and Properties, Port of Portland
Teresa was promoted to the Director of Business Development and Properties (BDP) at the Port of Portland (Port) in 2017. The Business Development and Properties team is the real estate department of the Trade and Economic Development Division.
As Director of BDP, Teresa oversees the Port’s real estate portfolio and focuses the team on the Port’s mission: Build shared prosperity for the region through travel, trade, and economic development. The team executes on that mission through the management of a portfolio containing five mature business parks, two general aviation airports, airside properties at Portland International Airport; as well as, three marine terminals. In total, the team has over 300 active leases. Additionally, the group is accountable for several hundred acres of undeveloped property – including several mitigation sites. The Port’s industrial and business parks are home to more than 300 firms, which generate approximately 32,000 jobs and over $177 million in state and local tax revenue across the region.
Teresa has been active in real estate organizations including serving as a board member of NAIOP, member of the Future Leaders committee for CREW, and on the Product Council for the Urban Land Institute.
Teresa joined the Port in October of 2000. During her time with the organization, she has held various roles (ranging from Administrative Coordinator, Community Outreach Manager, Development Project Manager, General Manager, and her current role as Director). She is passionate about women in the workforce and serves as a mentor to several women within and outside the organization.
A native of Waycross, Georgia, Teresa received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Valdosta State University (Valdosta, Georgia).
CHRISTINA DIRKS (she/her) — Portland
Director of Policy and Planning, Home Forward
Christina joined Home Forward in 2022 and is the Director of Policy and Planning for Home Forward. In that role, she leads internal policy change and long-term planning work at Home Forward with a focus on reducing barriers to accessing Home Forward programs, promoting housing stability, and advancing racial equity. Christina also engages in external advocacy to increase housing stability for renters, promote housing affordability, and improve the housing and related systems.
Christina has spent her professional career advocating for vulnerable renters and marginalized communities. After graduating law school, Christina began working at Oregon Law Center and then Legal Aid Services of Oregon as a Staff Attorney and then a Supervising Attorney. Through her practice, Christina represented low-income tenants in all types of housing related legal matters for 18 years. In addition to direct client representation, Christina coordinated the office’s housing justice legal work and served in various policy forums. After stepping away from the practice of law, Christina joined the Rental Services Office of the Portland Housing Bureau as a Rental Policy and Program Coordinator. While with the Portland Housing Bureau, Christina developed, implemented, and oversaw various programs that advancing housing stability for low-income renters including a free eviction legal defense program and a landlord-tenant mediation program.
Christina has two elementary school aged children that help her become a better person each day.
AMBER FAIST (she/her) — Tualatin
Programs Director, NW Native Chamber
Amber is an enrolled citizen with the Coquille Tribe and is based in Portland, Oregon. Amber serves as the Northwest Native Chamber’s Program Director where she manages the ideation and implementation of NWNC’s TA Program, Clean Energy Programming, Education, and Workforce Development. Amber steers a dynamic team of region-wide resource navigators, program coordinators, and contractors serving Native American entrepreneurs, Native serving organizations, and entrepreneurship networks committed to increasing the success of The Northwest’s Vibrant Tribal Economies.
Amber's vision for her future is deeply intertwined with the Northwest region, reflecting a profound commitment to the communities she serves and a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to their well-being. Her roots in Southern, Coastal Oregon have played a pivotal role in shaping her perspective and fostering a keen awareness of the unique challenges and opportunities within Oregon. Amber serves as Co-Chair for her Tribal community’s Culture, Education, and Language Services Advisory Group which imbues her with a rich cultural understanding and a genuine passion for preserving and advancing the interests of Native populations.
Amber is led by her unwavering compassion and commitment to supporting inclusive entrepreneurship and working towards a community that provides the resources and opportunities that all people need to thrive and prosper. Amber is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in Business Entrepreneurship and loves to spend her time outdoors with her husband and two daughters. She currently resides with her family in Tualatin.
ELIOT FEENSTRA (he/they) — Cave Junction
Multidisciplinary Artist, Facilitator, and Farmer
Eliot is a Project Manager with Oregon's Kitchen Table, a statewide civic engagement organization that creates ways for Oregonians, particularly those who have historically been excluded from public decision-making, to participate in the decisions that impact our lives. He also leads facilitation trainings with Oregon Humanities and is a Design Team member of the Queer Data Project, an emergent statewide research project led by the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Oregon. He is also the artistic co-director of Beyond Boom & Bust, a collaborative theatre project focused the economy and resilience in rural Oregon.
Since 2011, Eliot has been based primarily in rural southwestern Oregon. He is passionate about rural communities and working to create spaces of belonging, imagine alternate futures, and foster place-based culture. He has worked in and between theatre, storytelling, sustainable agriculture, community organizing, rural economic development, and public health.
He currently lives on a communal land project with his spouse, Sophie, and cat, Antigonick. He hosts a radio show on his local community radio station, KXCJ-LP, and loves to read, hike, swim, write poetry, and dream up epic adventures.
PRISCILLA FUENTES (she/her/ella) — Portland
CEO, American Red Cross Cascades Region
Priscilla is the Chief Executive Officer for the American Red Cross Cascades Region. She has been with the American Red Cross for over 12 years. Her passion for the organization is to foster and create environments where employees and volunteers can be successful in delivering mission. Since 2018, she has served as the Cascades Regional Chief Operating Officer, where she has led the region through the fleet & facilities integration with biomedical and led operations throughout the COVID pandemic.
Priscilla started her nonprofit journey by working as a mentor for at-risk youth in Southern California. Over the years, she has worked with many different nonprofits including a transition program for battered women, a shelter for victims of human trafficking, and multiple educational nonprofits. She earned a graduate degree in Public Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. Prior to that she achieved a bachelor's degree from Whitworth University in Psychology.
Priscilla began her journey with the Red Cross in 2011 with the Los Angeles Region. Throughout her Red Cross career, she has served in positions including Grants Manager, Major Gifts Officer, Director of Business Operations, and Regional Chief Operations Officer. She has led critical relationship management, financial management, and strategy in the Los Angeles, Alaska, and Cascades regions. Priscilla is highly regarded as a national leader within the Red Cross, serving as the Co-Sponsor of the VIDA (Latino/Hispanic) Resource Group. In that role, she launched a mentorship program for Latino employees and has supported growth of the resource group from 50 to more than 700 members. Additionally, in 2021, Priscilla was selected for the first cohort of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Solferino Academy’s Future Fellows program aimed at developing emerging leaders in the Red Cross and Red Crescent network.
AMANDA GARCIA-SNELL (ella/she/her) — Hillsboro
Community Engagement Manager, Washington County
Amanda believes that all people, especially those who are underserved, should have the ability to thrive in their communities. She has worked for Washington County pursuing equity and inclusion for the past 16 years, most recently as the Community Engagement Manager in the County Administrative Office. She brings a passion for relationship building and collaboration to her professional and volunteer work and has been dedicated to serving community in a variety of ways since she was a child growing up in northern Arizona.
Prior to joining Washington County, Amanda held professional positions in local and state government and higher education, teaching in the Chicano Latino Studies department as adjunct faculty at Portland State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology, a Masters of Public Health degree and a certificate in Chicano Latino Studies.
Although she grew up in northern Arizona, Amanda has lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 30 years and still loves the rain. When not working she enjoys travelling, volunteering, learning new things and having new experiences with her family. She is especially interested in history and loves any opportunity to see a good sunrise.
TOBEY GOLDFARB JD, LLM (she/her) — Portland
Founder & Principal Consultant, A to Be Partners, LLC
Tobey is happiest when partnering with nonprofits to share their stories so they can raise funds and amplify impact. An attorney by training, Tobey uses her powers for good—pursuing social justice by helping nonprofits build and sustain the capacity they need to advance their missions and strengthen our shared communities. It’s bigger than just funding: the impact ripples through organizational culture and program success.
Tobey has helped develop grant strategy for nonprofit partners across sectors and causes, from social services to the arts, education to advocacy. Tobey leads the Grant Writing curriculum for the People’s Nonprofit Accelerator Certificate courses. She’s also a trained Community Mediator and Domestic Violence Advocate, and a member of the State Bar of California. Tobey lives in Portland, where she enjoys being walked by her three rescue dogs, trying new foods, and binge watching gritty detective series.
ALEX LLUMIQUINGA (he/him/el) — Newport
Program Manager, Arcoiris Cultural at the Olalla Center
Alex was born in the country of Ecuador before moving to the US in 2001. A lifelong musician, Alex has dedicated his time to sharing his culture and experiences with others through performance. In 2016, he was offered the opportunity to work for the Lincoln County School District as a bilingual tutor with young elementary students. From then on, Alex worked extensively with the ELD program and the local Migrant Education Program to provide much needed support to historically underserved populations.
In 2020, Alex began to work for Olalla Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and healing individuals, children, families, and the community of Lincoln County. In 2021, after becoming a certified Community Health Worker, Alex helped develop the pilot that became the Arcoíris Cultural program. Arcoíris Cultural is dedicated to supporting and celebrating the Latinx, indigenous Mesoamerican, and migrant populations of Lincoln County through resource navigation, arts, culture, and community building. As the Program Manager of Arcoíris Cultural, Alex is committed to helping the community and being there when they need him. “My goal is to make a difference in people's lives and empower them to be the change in the future.” In addition to his work through Olalla Center and Arcoíris Cultural, Alex serves as a Board Member for Food Share of Lincoln County and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
Alex currently resides in Otter Rock with his family, two cats and two chickens. Outside of work, you can find him enjoying the outdoors, practicing music, and sipping coffee on his porch.
STEPHANIE MARQUEZ (she/her) — Portland
Advancement and Development Director, Women’s Foundation of Oregon
Stephanie was born in Portland but spent her formative years between Oregon and Minnesota, imbued with the value of family connections from an early age. She pursued her higher education at the University of Oregon, setting the stage for a career dedicated to human resources. Beginning her professional journey with an Oregon-based corporation, Stephanie quickly became adept at training personnel across multiple states including Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Idaho.
Over the past decade, Stephanie has transitioned her skills and expertise to the nonprofit sector, where she has found her true calling. Drawing from her background in corporate management, organizational development, and strategic planning, Stephanie prioritizes people over profits, believing strongly in the power of human capital to drive meaningful change. She sees her work in the nonprofit realm as an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and the communities they inhabit.
Stephanie is deeply grateful for the chance to contribute positively to the world around her, and she remains committed to leveraging her skills and experiences to create lasting impacts on both a personal and professional level. Currently, she serves in a leadership role at the Women's Foundation of Oregon, where she is dedicated to making a tangible impact on individuals and communities.
KIM MARSHALL (she/her) — Sherwood / Hillsboro
Executive Director, Project Homeless Connect Washington County
Kim serves as the Executive Director of Project Homeless Connect, advocating for transformative change within the local community. With unwavering dedication, she tirelessly aids her homeless friends. Kim's commitment to this cause spans many years, as she founded PHC in 2006. Leveraging an extensive network of service providers, businesses, and government connections, she effectively communicates the significance of their shared mission. Kim's wealth of board experience, spanning various community-focused initiatives, further enhances her ability to drive positive change. Kim lives and works in Washington County. Her greatest privilege is being a mama to three children who she hopes to inspire to find who they can help in this world.
JESSICA MOLE HEILMAN (she/her) — Milwuakie
Executive Director, Center for Women’s Leadership at Portland State University
Jessica joined the Center for Women’s Leadership team in 2020. As a first generation college graduate, born and raised in Cherry Grove Oregon, Jessica has dedicated her career to tenacious, student centric problem solving in complex organizations. Jessica is committed to organization culture and systems change work that utilizes strategies of co-creation, collective power, and non-extractive collaboration.
Prior to joining the CWL Team, Jessica worked with the Center for Public Service managing the Executive MPA program and Interim Coordination of The Executive Seminar Program in Natural Resource Management. In addition, Jessica has over a decade of experience in program development, collaborating on experiential learning for adult learners, and navigating chaotic programming environments. Jessica holds an MS in Education: Education Leadership and Policy, specialization: Post-Secondary, Adult and Continuing Education concentration, certified in Teaching Adult Learners, and completed her B.S. in Health Studies all from Portland State University.
Jessica lives with her husband, baby and Squash the tortie cat in Clackamas County. She is an outdoor enthusiast who loves spending time on her motorcycle, backpacking, kayaking, camping and meeting new people across the state.
ALFREDO MORENO (he/him) — Beaverton
Community Relations Manager, Portland Community College
A career communications and community relations professional, Alfredo has enjoyed building meaningful connections with a wide range of people while exploring his authentically imperfect leadership journey throughout his professional and personal life.
His work today as Portland Community College’s westside community relations manager touches five counties, helping to strengthen college partnerships and expand educational access and workforce development opportunities.
Alfredo was elected to represent the residents of greater Beaverton on the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District board of directors in 2021, serving as board president last year. He has been a member of numerous other boards and committees in Washington County, including the Five Oaks Museum (2020-24), where he was formerly board co-chair.
Proudly bi-racial and bi-cultural, Alfredo was born into a large, community-engaged Mexican American family in the border city of El Paso, Texas, but grew up a world away in the Southern Oregon timber town of Roseburg.
He earned his degree in history from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he later turned a lifelong love of sports into a 10-year career with the UNM athletics media relations department.
Since returning to Oregon in 2010, Alfredo has delighted in exploring local history and the hidden gems of food and drink while sharing laughs with friends old and new. He is now in his sixth year as co-host of the History by the Glass podcast – a rollicking, heartfelt tour of Portland’s proudly historic and continuously endangered bars.
Alfredo and his wife, Kristin, are happily raising their two elementary schoolers in South Beaverton.
WILLOW JADE NORTON (she/her) — Eugene
Executive Director, The Alliance for Jewish Theatre and Director, Willow Jade Norton Productions
Willow is an Oregon-based theatre director, arts administrator, producer and arts advocate focused on new work development and socially engaged art. Current project in development is How Many Others, a new play crafted from journals of Ukrainian Jewish Women in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon Professor and Playwright Kristi Good. Most recently, Willow produced and directed Alabaster, a project about healing through art in Portland's Central Eastside. Select directing projects include The Cake and Marjorie Prime for Oregon Contemporary Theatre; LIFE, In the Next Room or the vibrator play, Constant Revolution and Turning Red, for Lane Community College; ¡Bocón!, RENT, and A Thousand Cranes for The Majestic Theatre. Willow is currently the Executive Director of The Alliance for Jewish Theatre, an international Jewish arts organization that promotes and preserves Jewish Theatre. Willow is a Co-Founder of Moderate Woo, a feminist storytelling collective, where she developed The Motherhood Project. Willow has received an Oregon Arts Commission Career Opportunity Grant, a Regional Arts and Culture Grant, and a Lane Arts Council Project Grant. Willow is a certified Teaching Artist for Tectonic Theater Project's Moment Work technique. Willow resides in Eugene and is also a Mom to two incredible humans- Brice & Binah.
TAYLOR SARMAN (he/him) — Salem
Partner, Mahonia Public Affairs
Taylor, who proudly hails from North Eastern Oregon, delivers insightful political strategies and results for clients as a Partner at Mahonia Public Affairs. He leads day-to-day engagement activities for clients including leading meetings with elected and government officials, and conducting public policy research in support of tailored strategies for clients.
As an advocate, Taylor has delivered big wins for clients in the Oregon Legislature. Of note, Taylor has successfully advocated for legislative appropriation that ensures adjunct faculty in Oregon’s public universities have access to quality affordable health care, passed legislation to protect nurses in Oregon’s operating rooms from hazardous surgical smoke, and removed bureaucratic barriers for first responders and medical providers trying to access medical test results. Taylor is also proud to have successfully advocated for legislation to help improve transparency of the pharmaceutical industry as well as policies to address the costs of prescription drugs for Oregonians.
Taylor previously served as Chief of Staff for State Representative Margaret Doherty. There, he helped advocate for the largest expansion of free school meals in the nation. He also worked on education priorities including a common-sense law requiring the State Board of Education to have a licensed educator serving on the Board, expanding higher education access for foster youth in Oregon, and requiring all postsecondary institutions to have policies in place and training against hazing.
Taylor started his career as an Intern for the Obama White House. There, he supported the President’s Commission on White House Fellows where he facilitated the Fellow selection process. This included candidate vetting, coordination of the selection committee members, sites and activities across the country, and Fellow support throughout their two-year service projects. In this role, Taylor built relationships and learned from top federal officials and political strategists, which influences the advice he offers clients today. Prior to his work at the White House, Taylor also served as the inaugural student member of the Oregon State University Board of Trustees. Previously, he exercised his leadership as the University’s Student Body President.
Taylor continues to be deeply engaged in his community, serving on the Tigard Committee for Community Engagement, and on the Board of Directors for Rural Development Initiative as Board Secretary. A Political Science graduate of Oregon State University, Taylor is an avid Beaver’s fan and passionate about work that connects rural and urban Oregon. When Taylor isn’t strategizing with clients, you can find him playing with his dog, Walter, who he rescued from the Oregon Humane Society.
NIKITA VINCENT (she/her) — Independence
Owner/Operator of Twig and Bloom Flower Farm
Raised in the metropolitan suburbs of Portland, Nikita’s childhood was marked by the unique experiences of growing up as a multiracial individual. The absence of parents during her adolescent years presented numerous challenges, but the endless support of her grandparents provided her with a much-needed foundation of love and stability. This period of her life was a test of resilience and adaptability, qualities that have profoundly shaped who she is today. Nikita’s passion for knowledge was ignited in high school. After dropping out, she returned with a renewed determination, completing her four-year high school curriculum in just two years. Becoming a mother at a young age shifted her focus towards providing a stable and nurturing environment for her four children, something she had yearned for in her own childhood. This responsibility drove Nikita to work tirelessly, balancing multiple jobs to ensure their well-being. A significant turning point in her life came with the support of her best friend, who later became her husband. His encouragement was instrumental as Nikita embarked on the journey of higher education, pursuing a degree in horticulture. This endeavor was not without its trials, as she navigated college life while pregnant amidst the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, she and her family have made their home in West Salem, where Nikita thrives as a flower farmer, a fulfillment of a lifelong passion. In addition, she is actively organizing a nonprofit for the houseless, channeling her compassion and commitment to social causes into tangible action. These pursuits not only bring Nikita immense joy but also allow her to contribute meaningfully to the community, aligning with her personal values and professional aspirations.