ALF Oregon Class 46
Rachel Alm (she/her) — Bend
Program Officer, Central and Eastern Oregon, Oregon Community Foundation
In her role as Program Officer Rachel is responsible for supporting networks of nonprofits, community members, and volunteers who are working to ensure Oregon is a place where anyone can grow, prosper, and thrive. Prior to joining OCF, Rachel dedicated 10 years to inclusive youth leadership development at Special Olympics first as a volunteer coordinating statewide school-based programming in Hawai'i and later as staff facilitating microgrants for hundreds of youth-led projects across the globe.
Rachel currently volunteers with the Deschutes Cultural Coalition and the Japanese American Society of Central Oregon. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai'i, she maintains a connection to her community back home through her service with the Mālama Pono Foundation.
Tim Cook (he/him) — West Linn
President, Clackamas Community College
Tim Cook has more than 30+ years of experience working in higher education as an advisor, counselor, faculty member and administrator. A native of Oregon City, he joined Clackamas Community College as its President in 2018. A first-generation college student, Tim understands how community colleges provide economic mobility for students and the communities where they live. He has a lifelong passion of helping college students achieve their dreams and works each day to remove barriers so students can be successful. He has a proven record of developing partnerships with business and education that lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. He serves on several boards including: North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce, Greater Portland, Inc. Children’s Center, and Oregon City Rotary.
Tim earned a doctorate in community college leadership from Oregon State University. He holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Lewis & Clark College and a bachelor’s degree in english from Western Oregon University. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife, three children and two labradoodles. An avid runner, he has completed over 46 marathons and is working toward a long term goal to run a marathon in all 50 states.
Sam Engel (he/him) — Grants Pass
CEO / Executive Director, Rogue Retreat
Sam Engel has lived in the Rogue Valley since 2001 (mostly); initially as an SOU student then as an AmeriCorps VISTA. He began his career in social service through the Josephine County Food Bank. He worked in healthcare and on housing and nutrition as Social Determinants of Health for more than 6 years before transitioning to Rogue Retreat. Rogue Retreat operates several, connected, layers of supported housing and shelter ranging from low-barrier shelter and safe camping to fully case-managed apartments. When not at work, he and Heidi raise kids, vegetables, and try to enjoy all that the outdoors on the west coast has to offer.
David Harrelson (he/him) — Grand Ronde
Cultural Resources Department Manager, Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
David Harrelson is an administrator, lecturer, and proponent for the arts and historic preservation. He works as the Cultural Resources Department manager for The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, where he is also an enrolled member. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Oregon Arts Commission and previously served on the Oregon State Advisory Committee for Historic Preservation (SACHP). David has championed the use of his people’s ancestral art forms for the purpose of public art. He has worked in the field of cultural resources for 14 years. Some of his research and professional interests include ethnobotany, indigenous foods, contact-era Pacific Northwest history, and Western Oregon indigenous art.
Roland Herrera (he/him/el) — Keizer
Retired Volunteer/Mentor, Former Councilor, Commissioner, Director
Former Councilor Roland Herrera was elected to Keizer City Council in 2014 and re-elected in 2018. After retiring from a 30-year career in Public Works, Herrera co-founded Latino Action Committee and was instrumental in the formation of the League of Oregon Cities first People of Color Caucus. He would later be elected the first Latino on LOC Board of Directors.
Herrera co-founded KAL Club, (Kennedy Academy of Leadership) where he has mentored for over thirty years, or like he says, “Seven Principals”. He also founded LAC (Latino Action committee), and co-founded Keizer Forward.
For his years of work in youth sports and community parks, Roland has been honored by McNary Athletics, Boy’s and Girl’s Club, State Little League Volunteer of the year 2000, Keizer Volunteer of the quarter 2002, “Roland Herrera Fieldhouse” dedication 2002, and Keizer First Citizen in 2009.
Currently serve on the Board of Mano A Mano, CTEC Advisory Board, Marion County Public Safety Coordinating Council, St. Vincent Dual Language Catholic School. Appointed by the Governor to the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability (2021-2023)
Roland and Olyvia, (wife of 47 years), have four grown children and five grandchildren all in Oregon. They enjoy traveling, volunteering and following the Oregon Ducks.
“You can pretend to care, but you can’t pretend to show up.”
Lex Jakusovszky (they/them) — Portland
Senior LGBTQIA2S+ Policy Analyst, City of Portland Office of Equity and Human Rights
From the depths of Oregon’s legislative chambers to the board rooms of Portland area nonprofits, Lex Jakusovszky has spent their career advocating for the most marginalized members of Portland’s community. As the City of Portland’s first Senior LGBTQIA2S+ Policy Analyst within the Office of Equity and Human Rights, they strive to bring an intersectional lens into the City’s equity infrastructure. They led the charge to develop a first of its kind, ten-year strategic plan that bolsters City policy, City culture, economic development and data collection. Lex’s work is informed by their own lived experience and years of serving as the Chief of Staff for multiple equity-focused state legislators. In their Chief of Staff role, Lex crafted statewide policy on issues ranging from housing to climate to economic justice. Alongside Lex’s deep policy expertise, they bring their passion as an organizer to their work.
Lex is a former Board Member at Next Up and the Center for Women’s Leadership, and a proud alum of the Catalyst Leadership Program with Basic Rights Oregon. A Coloradan at heart, you can find Lex exploring the glorious Pacific northwest on bike, enjoying the newest Portland brewery, or hiking with their sweet pup, Buffy, through the hills of Forest Park with their wife.
Denzil Kumar (he/him) — Newport
Vice Principal, Newport Middle School
Denzil Kumar currently works as a public school administrator (Vice Principal) for Lincoln County School District and has been in this role since 2021. Previous to this role he worked as a music teacher in remote Eastern Oregon for almost a decade. Denzil hails from the Fiji Islands where he was born and raised. He came to the United States 20 years ago to receive an education that was not available to him in his home country. Denzil is the father to 3 school aged boys who are also supported by their mom and grandmother.
Denzil considers his life and professional experiences to be of great utility in a public school system. As a person of color, a minority, an immigrant and someone who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community, he is motivated to develop inclusive, equitable and meaningful lenses to the work he does for students and teachers.
Lucia Longoria (she/ella/they) — Portland
Community Engagement Portfolio Manager, Health Equity & Engagement Team, Health Share of Oregon
Luci is deeply honored to have recently joined the Health Equity & Engagement Team at Health Share of Oregon as Community Engagement Portfolio Manager, where she promotes community-driven priorities and leadership with Health Share's many partners, including CareOregon, where Luci previously worked as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Portfolio Manager since July 2022. Before this, Luci served over 25 years in government public health, primarily in executive leadership for health promotion and chronic disease prevention for the Oregon Health Authority. Luci is a member of the inaugural cohort of Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH), a national Centers for Disease Prevention and Control-sponsored program proctored by Morehouse School of Medicine and the Association of State & Territorial Health Officials. Earlier in her career, Luci focused on social initiatives for women and children as Medical Affairs Manager for the Oregon Division of the American Cancer Society, and as a board member and grants committee chair for the Oregon and Southwest Washington Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Luci was also a founding board member of Upstream Public Health, a grassroots Oregon health policy advocacy organization.
In her 35 years of public service, Luci’s mission has been to provide every Oregonian with opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being. She has led multidisciplinary teams and special projects that emphasize community engagement and mobilization to drive policy to shape a responsive, supportive environment. Her work has been recognized for effectiveness in addressing equity by accounting for the social, political and commercial determinants of health while elevating priorities of historically and structurally disenfranchised people. Noteworthy among her many policy achievements, Luci's teams and partnerships have driven a substantial reduction in tobacco use in Oregon, leveraging comprehensive, integrated strategies to facilitate broader prevention models and initiatives for Oregon’s public health system. In volunteer service, Luci is a board member of Euvalcree, a Latine civic engagement and social service organization in eastern Oregon; she is a board member of Rahab’s Sisters, a Portland nonprofit that builds community through radical hospitality and mutual aid with women and gender-diverse people marginalized by poverty, houselessness, sex work, violence and substance use disorder; and, is a camping adventure guide for Wild Diversity, a Portland organization that creates personal connection to the outdoors among BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ people through outdoor adventures to promote conservation. Luci is an active volunteer for Portland For All, an all-volunteer nonprofit promoting compassionate and effective collaboration for an inclusive Portland and responsive, effective government where everyone is treated with dignity and love.
Luci grew up in Nyssa Oregon, one of nine children born to migrant worker parents from the Rio Grande Valley. As part of the Under-Represented Minority Achievement Scholarship Program, she attended the University of Oregon, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1993 while double majoring in sociology and psychology focusing on child development. She earned her master of public health degree (MPH) from the Oregon Master of Public Health Program, a collaborative program between Portland State University, Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon State University, with advocacy and social change as her health promotion and health education focus. Luci loves the arts - especially live music - and the outdoors, particularly backpacking, camping, cross-country skiing and gardening. She has immeasurable love for her family, partner Matt and their three cats, and is an eager participant in neighborhood mutual aid endeavors.
Carina Miller (she her) - Warm Springs
Jane of All Trades, Warm Springs Community Action Team
Carina Miller is a Wasco, Warm Springs and Yakama mother. Raised and living on the Warm Springs Indian reservation in central Oregon. She works at the Warm Springs Community Action team, a non profit that does work on issues across the board located on the reservation.
Her background includes social work, early education, media, economics, food systems, natural resources, energy, language and policy. She has formerly served on the board for ACLU, as co chair of energy for affiliated tribes of northwest Indians, Chair of the Native caucus for the Democratic Party of Oregon, as a Tribal Council representative for Warm Springs from 2016-2019 and was the 2020 district 30 Oregon Senate democratic nominee.
She currently still serves as the Chair of the Columbia River gorge commission, as a school board member for Baker Charter schools, on the Water control board for Warm Springs and various other organizations.
She continues to try and make an impact on this world the best she can but her main focus is raising her sons, Waluxpykee, Lukwaiya and Powtykes with her husband Mitchell in their Tribal values, beliefs and practices. She strives to bring traditional teachings around her tmna ku pxwi (heart and mind) into modern day issues.
Robin Moody (she/her) — Portland
Executive Director of All Smiles Community Oral Health
Robin Moody, MPH, CPHQ, serves as executive director of All Smiles Community Oral Health, a nonprofit funded by the region’s Medicaid Dental Health Plans. All Smiles provides and pays for preventive and restorative oral health services to be delivered in more than 300 schools and other community-based locations around the Portland Tri-County area, and it served more than 20,000 patients last year.
Robin' s prior professional roles include executive director of the Oregon Health Forum, executive director of the National Rural Accountable Care Consortium, vice president of operations at Caravan Health, and senior director of policy development at the Oregon Association of Hospitals & Health Systems. At the start of her career, Robin was a health care journalist and newspaper editor; she worked as the health care reporter for the Portland Business Journal for six years.
Robin graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. with bachelor’s degrees in journalism, economics and Spanish, where she served as the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Gonzaga Bulletin. She earned a Master’s in Public Health degree from Portland State University, is NAHQ Certified Professional of Healthcare Quality, and is pursuing a PhD in public health at Portland State. Robin lives in Portland with her husband and two school-aged children. She and her family are avid skiers, campers, kayakers and overall outdoor enthusiasts.
Cheryl Myers (she/her) — Portland
Oregon Deputy Secretary of State and Tribal Liaison
Ms. Myers' professional background includes public policy, organizational leadership, economic development, public education/youth advocacy, and a history of assisting organizations to construct equitable cultures and embed collaborative practices.
Her prior public service roles include Director of Economic & Business Equity in the Governor’s Office, Chief of Staff for the Higher Education Commission, Operations & Engagement Director for Educator Advancement in the Chief Education Office and 8 years as an elected school board member. Her longstanding private sector business ownership lends insight into the varying aspects of unique business needs. She is the second person of color and the first person from the Asian American community to serve as Oregon’s Deputy Secretary of State.
Myers began life as an orphan in Korea before she was adopted by an Oregon family and raised in a SE Portland working-class family. She is deeply committed to community with service on local and national boards. She enjoys their floating home life with family and puppy, sharing meals with friends, paddle boarding, boating and riding her Harley.
Steven Nakana (he/him) — Portland
Founder of Sisonke, LLC
Steve Nakana is the founder of Sisonke, LLC. This recently established consulting firm offers a suite of services, including outcomes-based strategic planning and implementation, enterprise-wide program and project management, organizational change management, program and project evaluation and assessment, diversity, equity, and inclusion, conflict resolution, and community engagement. He recently served as the Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of the People Strategies, Equity, and Culture Division at Portland Community College. Before his tenure at PCC, Steve was PGE’s Community Outreach Manager. At PGE, he was tasked with leading the company’s community outreach work that prioritizes equitable engagement and outreach to underserved communities and helping to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion across the enterprise.
He holds a doctorate in International Studies from the Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, which he obtained with summa cum laude recognition. Dr. Nakana also holds two master’s degrees: one in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley, and another in International Relations from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Additionally, he holds a two-year graduate certificate in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Before joining PGE, he served as the Port of Portland’s Shared Prosperity Strategy and Enterprise Management Senior Manager. He was hired by the Port to build an enterprise-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office from the ground up, a task he accomplished with remarkable success, leading to a significant cultural shift towards diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Before joining the Port, Steve worked at Mercy Corps, an international humanitarian organization. His portfolio of work included grant writing, community outreach, stakeholder engagement, research, program and project management training, interest-based negotiation, and conflict resolution training.
Steve Nakana’s professional journey is a rich tapestry of experiences across diverse sectors and countries. He has worked in academia, the non-profit sector, and the public and private sectors, always at the forefront of racial and social equity, diversity and inclusion, policy analysis, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and organizational culture change. His work has not been confined to a single location, as he has made significant contributions both locally and internationally, including in Kenya, Niger, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
He also served as an adjunct instructor at Portland State University and Concordia University, where he taught courses in conflict resolution and interest-based negotiation, cultural competency, research methods, and international development. He has served on the Partners in Diversity and Africa House boards and is an alumnus of the Rotary Foundation’s World Peace Fellowship program.
Trystan Reese (he/him) — Portland
Founder / CEO, Collaborate Consulting
Trystan Reese is a transgender author, facilitator, and coach focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has been organizing with the trans community for nearly two decades, serving on the frontlines of this generation’s most significant fights for LGBTQ+ justice.
An accomplished storyteller, Trystan has toured with The Moth MainStage's renowned team. The video of his Brooklyn performance garnered over 2.6 million views online, and his story was subsequently included in The Moth’s 2024 anthology, A Point Of Beauty.
As an author, Trystan was a 2021 Lambda Literary Fellow whose first book, How We Do Family, was released to critical acclaim in the summer of 2021. His voice can also be heard narrating the How We Do Family audiobook. He branched out with a children’s book, The Light of You, which he co-authored with his partner, Biff Chaplow. His essays have been featured in anthologies, including The Mindful Masculinity Workbook. Trystan is also passionate about transgender fertility and co-authored a chapter on the mental health needs of transgender patients undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology, which can be found in Cambridge University Press’ Fertility Counseling: Clinical Guide.
The founder of Collaborate Consulting, Trystan now provides customized training solutions for individuals, organizations, and communities interested in social justice. He has trained hundreds of medical providers on LGBTQ inclusion and delivered keynotes at dozens of conferences and convenings.
He is married to his partner Biff, and they live in Portland, Oregon, with their three kids: Riley, Sully, and Leo. They are very happy.
Jilian Saurage Felton (she/her) — Lake Oswego
Housing Director, Community Partners for Affordable Housing
Jillian moved to the greater Portland area at the age of five, and has made it her home ever since. She holds a BA in International Affairs from Lewis and Clark College and an MBA from Willamette University, cum laude. She has a decade and a half of experience in the finance and banking sector, working in commercial banking, where she gained practical knowledge and proficiency with nonprofit, government, and affordable housing finance. In 2018 she joined CPAH as the Director of Housing Development, where she brings her financial skill and knowledge to improving and expanding CPAH’s portfolio of properties. Jilian serves on several volunteer boards and committees. She is Vice-Chair of the Board for Sabin CDC, as a member of the N/NE Oversight Committee for the Portland Housing Bureau, an adjunct at PSU where she teaches an Affordable Housing Workshop.
Katherine (Katie) Sheckells (she/her) — Vancouver
Manager of Transmission Sales, Bonneville Power Administration
Katie oversees the negotiation, development, and administration of long-term and short-term Transmission services contracts along with managing the Transmission Account Executives (AEs) who are the point of contact for Transmission customers, coordinating communications outreach and providing leadership on customer-related issues. Most recently Katie was the Associate Director of Transmission Marketing and Sales, responsible for Commercial Policy and Product Development, implementing innovative approaches to enhance the customer experience and deliver on Bonneville’s Strategic goal to enhance the value of products and services. Katie began her career at Bonneville as a student in the vegetation management program in 2001. From there she has progressed through leadership positions in Transmission leading workforce planning and scheduling, asset management, strategic planning and most recently commercial policy development. Katie has an undergraduate degree in Forest Resources from the University of Washington and an MBA from Washington State University. Katie was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, currently residing in Vancouver, WA with her husband James and their 12 year old son. She enjoys running, skiing, traveling and time with family and friends.
Bandana Shrestha (she/her) — Happy Valley
State Director, AARP Oregon
Bandana leads and supports AARP vision of health security, financial resilience, and community engagement for over 500,000 members, as well as Oregonians 50+ and their families across the state. During her 20+ year career as a leader in local, national, and international organizations, Bandana has worked to drive people-powered solutions to affect positive social change, improve lives, and transform communities. Before her appointment as State Director, Bandana served as Director of Community Engagement for AARP in Oregon leading outreach and advocacy efforts on a variety of issues, including livable communities, caregiving, financial security, and prescription drugs. Prior to joining AARP, Bandana served as Director of Model Programs and Partnerships for the Points of Light Foundation managed the Connect America Network, Family Strengthening Neighborhood Transformation Campaign, and the Asset Building & Economic Security Program. She lives in Happy Valley with her husband and son. She grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal and is a graduate of Linfield College and University of Oregon. She is a creative dabbler and is exploring watercolors and linocuts right now.
Steve Van Eck (he/him) — Portland
Owner, Second Stories
Steve is a design researcher supporting the health and stability of local communities. He is a real estate developer with Second Stories and a former researcher for the Multnomah Idea Lab, the Meyer Memorial Trust, and the Oregon Community Foundation. He previously held roles promoting contemporary art at Yale Union and Newspace Center for Photography. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Development and a master’s degree in Urban Economics from Portland State University.
Christine Viola-Krause (she/her) — Portland
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist — Portland, OR
Psychologist/ Training Director, Clark County Juvenile Court — Vancouver, WA
Christine is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist with over 23 years in clinical psychology and about 16 years in juvenile justice. Christine has worked with youth and families in various treatment settings, including public schools, outpatient, day treatment, diagnostic and emergency care, inpatient psychiatric treatment, residential care and corrections. Christine has a part time private practice as a licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist in the State of Oregon. She also works as a Psychologist /Training Director for the Clark County Juvenile Court in Vancouver, WA. Christine consults to the management team, trains and supervises pre and post doctoral psychology students, and sits on multiple committees committed to continually striving for diversity, equity and inclusion in the court and broader justice systems. Christine embraces the restorative justice focus on healing and accountability, while creating genuine opportunity for young people to take accountability for their actions, while reducing recidivism.
Christine was born in the Midwest, spent her adolescence and young adulthood in Colorado and was later computer matched by her graduate program to Portland, Oregon, where she has been a proud Oregon resident for almost 25 years!. In all of her professional roles, Christine has been committed to exploring people's natural strength and development areas to help them be more effective, empowered and fulfilled in their lives. Additionally, as a former athlete, Christine has a deep understanding in the power of teamwork, and enjoys helping to leverage individual strengths towards common goals. Christine strives to practice mindfulness in her everyday life and infuses it in her professional work as a foundation for wellness, balance and behavioral change. She lives in Portland with her wife, Anne, their two daughters, dog Olive, and two cats (Luna & Isis). When not at work, you may find Christine at the beach with her family, hiking a trail with her dog, reading, playing games or watching the Portland Thorns (or other women’s sports!).
Christine holds a BA in Psychology/ Sociology from Wesleyan University in Connecticut. She received a doctoral degree (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead