Ron Williams — Executive Director
Ron Williams is a graduate of Portland State University, in Portland, Oregon and holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and a Minor in Speech Communications. Ron has held various non-profit management positions with Central City Concern; Coordinator for West Portland One Stop Career Center, Legacy Health Systems; Admissions and Business Office Specialist, Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good; Operations Manager and Portland First United Methodist Church; Director of Community Outreach and Executive Director; Goose Hollow Family Shelter.
Ron is a co-founder of the Recovery Association Project in Portland (1999) and Faces and Voices of Recovery (2002) located in Washington D.C. Ron has also served on the National Congregation Based Organizing Team for Evangelical Lutheran Church of America for the past four years and was the primary planner and convener of the Congregation Based Organizing Strategic Summit in Chicago in 2008.
Additionally, Ron worked in canvass operations for Oregon AFL-CIO during the 2006 and 2008 election cycles. Other board service includes Northwest Portland Ministries, ROSE Community Development Corporation, City of Portland Central City Affordable Housing Task Force, Faces and Voices of Recovery, Recovery Association Project and the Hands Across the Bridge Project. Ron is an accomplished musician, theater actor and poet.
Rich Rohde — Southern Oregon Regional Organizer
Rich is the regional organizer for Oregon Action, a social justice organization working to empower low and moderate income people on basic social justice issues such as living wage jobs, health care access, and affordable housing. Rich has been an organizer in poor communities since 1966, when he was a VISTA volunteer with farm workers in Central Florida and North Carolina. He continued his organizing work in Idaho, California, Minnesota and various communities in Oregon. Rich is married to a minister, and they have two sons.
Kyna Harris — Healthy Kids Organizer, Portland
Kyna has a MBA from Concordia University. She has served on many advisory boards and councils such as Albina Head Start, Kink School Site Council. Kyna previously held the position of Director of Programs with the Black Parent Initiative and has an extensive history in the commercial design inductry. Kyna is the Healthy Kids Outreach Worker for Oregon Action in Portland.
Steven Gilliam – Portland Organizer
Steven Gilliam is a seasoned veteran of local political struggles. He is a highly educated, highly effective organizer and activist. Steve has been a key leader with groups such as Urban League of Portland, North East Coalition of Neighborhoods, Coalition of 100 Black Men, Multnomah County Democrats, and the Young Democrats of Oregon. Steven holds a BS in Business Administration from Florida A & M University.
Michelle Lucier - Healthy Kids Organizer, Medford
Michelle Lucier has extensive experience working in among diverse communities. She has an extensive background in working for social justice through the lens of both social services and community organizing. Michelle is a passionate and dedicated organizer with a tremendous history of engagement in issues ranging from immigrant workers rights to health care for all. Michelle has deep connections throughout Jackson and Josephine Counties. Michelle is also fluent in Spanish.