About Me
Over the last 34 years, I've put down deep roots in Eugene; raised two kids and now I am watching my twin grandsons grow up in this community I love. I want them to have what we did when we first moved here—the ability to afford a home, find meaningful work with wages enough to pay the bills and keep food on the table, and to have ample green spaces and clean rivers to play in.
For decades I've been working both professionally and as a community volunteer to deliver critical human services as well as organize with and advocate for some of our most marginalized and least resourced neighbors. I am proud of the collaborative work I have done to create more just communities and help to level the playing field for women and BIPOC through wide-ranging policy campaigns and community initiatives.
As a former WIC mom (Women, Infants, and Children; a supplemental nutrition program) and foster parent, I worked to improve healthy food access in underserved neighborhoods.
As a working parent, I fought for paid sick leave for all workers, increasing the minimum wage, cracking down on payday lenders and advancing opportunities and resources for nontraditional entrepreneurs.
As a mom and grandmother, I fight to protect and expand reproductive rights – so that everyone has the right to choose when and if they start a family.
And for every community member, I work to protect our environment, create economic opportunity, and create more livable neighborhoods through increased secure and affordable housing, improved parks, and stronger bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
As Commissioner, I will continue to work for a Lane County where all residents have equal opportunity to thrive – and I have the insights, experience, and vision needed to ensure Lane County is a safe, supportive place for everyone to live, work, and play.
Here is a partial list of my volunteer efforts, advocacy work, and government experiences:
Professional History (2000-present)
FOOD for Lane County
Lane Coalition for Healthy Active Youth
NEDCO/Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation
Family Forward Oregon and Family Forward Action
Mount Pisgah Arboretum
Sponsors, Inc.
Community Volunteer Service
Whiteaker Community Council
United Way of Lane County
Lane County Food Policy Council
Project Homeless Connect
Nonprofit Association of Oregon
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon
NARAL Pro-choice Oregon
Egan Warming Centers
Food for Lane County Board Advocacy Committee
Meals on Wheels
Food Stamp Outreach Steering Committee
Governmental Experience (Since 2010)
Oregon Health Authority’s Health Improvement Plan Work Group
School District 4J Equity Committee
City of Eugene Revenue Task Team
Elected Precinct Committee Person
Lane County Budget Committee
Lane County Equity & Access Advisory Board
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