[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_image src=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/forwebsite-26-2-POSTPONED-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_image][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ background_color=”#aec753″ background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Scheduled Conference Speakers and Panel Moderators” subhead=”Updated as of March 21. Check back as more speakers are confirmed.” text_orientation=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ title_text_align=”center” background_color=”#aec753″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” background__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ min_height=”747px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.26.6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Jerusalem Demsas” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_9609-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Jerusalem Demsas (she\/her) is a policy reporter at The Atlantic. While at Vox she has published a number of pieces on exclusionary zoning policies at the state and federal levels, a deep dive into why it costs so much to build things in America, as well as several pieces narrowing in on housing affordability concerns. She has written previously on energy and environment issues for the Center for American Progress and is a graduate of the College of William and Mary where she studied Economics and Government.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Alex Baca” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/AB_BW2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Alex Baca (she\/they\/anything fun) is the D.C. policy director for Greater Greater Washington, which seeks more housing and more affordable housing, frequent and reliable transportation, and the fair distribution of land uses by advocating for administrative, legal, and cultural changes in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Previously the engagement director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth and the general manager of Cleveland, OH’s bikesharing system, Alex has written about planning, architecture, construction, and transportation for CityLab, Slate, Vox, Washington City Paper, and other publications.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jarrett Walker” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/JW_BW.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Dan Reed” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/photo-jonna-took-of-me-Dan-Reed-e1646823882431.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Dan Reed, AICP (he\/they) is a writer, urban planner, and community advocate. Dan works with communities all over the United States to make their streets safer, enjoyable, and equitable. Their writing has appeared in publications including Washingtonian Magazine, the New York Times, CityLab, Architect Magazine, and Shelterforce. A resident of Silver Spring, Dan has written neighborhood blog Just Up the Pike since 2006.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Adah Crandall” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_7891-Adah-Crandall-e1646823860151.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adah Crandall (she\/her) is a 16-year-old organizer with Sunrise Movement PDX and Portland Youth Climate Strike. As a leader of the Sunrise\u2019s Youth Vs ODOT campaign, her advocacy focuses on the intersection of transportation and climate justice, pushing local and state leaders to prioritize transportation solutions that will reduce emissions and better serve young people across the region. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Ryan Packer” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/4G6ZNmyx_400x400-Ryan-Packer.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ryan Packer (they\/them) covers transportation in Puget Sound and broader Washington State from the perspective of public health and climate. A senior editor at the Urbanist, their work also appears in the Seattle Bike Blog and in BikePortland as the Interstate Bridge Replacement correspondent.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Alfred Twu” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/alfred-twu-2022-portrait-Alfred-Twu-e1646824027648.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alfred (they\/she\/he) is a Bay Area artist, architect, and politician who has worked on affordable housing, transportation infrastructure, and made many infographics, board games, and illustrations explaining local and state housing policy, and also participates in policy making with the Democratic Party and Bay Area housing organizations.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jesse Kanson-Benanav” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed-4.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jesse Kanson-Benanav is the Executive Director of Abundant Housing MA (AHMA) where he oversees all aspects of the organization’s mission to build a Massachusetts for Everyone. Jesse has nearly 20 years experience in the affordable housing industry where he’s worked as a community organizer, policy consultant, and as a developer of affordable homes at a number nonprofits serving Massachusetts and New England. Jesse became active in the grassroots pro-housing movement in 2012 as founder of A Better Cambridge (ABC) which he served as chair until 2019. Jesse’s work with ABC was recognized as a “Game Changer” in 2016 by the Boston Globe for its positive contributions to the local economy, and he was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Metro Housing Boston in 2019. Jesse is a graduate of Oberlin College and has a Master of City Planning Degree from MIT. He lives in Jamaica Plain, Boston, with his wife and toddler.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Nicholas Papaefthimiou” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Nicholas_BW.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nicholas (he\/his) is a licensed architect and contractor with nearly 20 years\u2019 professional experience across the United States and Europe. He holds Masters Degrees in both Architecture and Structural Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and Bachelor of Science degrees in both Architecture and Urban Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.\u00a0 In 2014, he founded infillPDX, a design and research collaborative focused on the development of financially, socially, and environmentally sustainable models of infill housing models to address Portland\u2019s housing crisis.<\/span>\u00a0He has served on multiple design and awards juries, organized and presented at numerous symposia, and served on several graduate school admission boards. He currently teaches at the University of Oregon and lives in SE Portland with his wife and two daughters.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Kaia Sand” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/20210927-Kaia-Street-Roots-MN-05-1-1-Kaia-Sand-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street Roots, a street newspaper sold by people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Sand worked as a poet, artist, community organizer, and university professor. A member of PEN America, she authored three books of poetry. She taught at Portland State University, Pacific University, Willamette University and St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland. With a focus on economic justice, Sand has widely performed poetry and exhibited artwork, including a public art commission at the City of Portland Archives and Records Center and the Despina International Artist Residency in Rio de Janeiro; and a magic show on the financial collapse at the Poetry Project in New York. In 2019 she was awarded a Spirit of Portland award by Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty; and in 2019, the regional Society of Professional Journalists small newsroom first prize for Best Column for her weekly Street Roots column.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Sarah Weber-Ogden” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/155105385_10158635550485995_36974163063419232_n-Sarah-Carlberg-e1646823947826.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mother of 5, terrified of public speaking, college drop-out — sound like the attributes of a successful community organizer and movement builder? Sarah Weber-Ogden (she\/her) didn’t think so either, but the call to step up for her children by fighting for a more just and resilient future was too loud to ignore. So she tentatively took steps into movement spaces and found that when you join together with others, your weaknesses become strengths. Sarah has taken a hand in nurturing the climate justice movement in Portland for many years. She co-founded the Sunrise Movement PDX hub, XRPDX, and supports the work of 350PDX and others. In her day job, she works for a state representative as Policy Director focused on housing and homelessness. When Sarah is not working, you can find her with her partner and 5 young children on their knees on the forest floor examining a mushroom or jumping from stone to stone across a creek in the lush foothills of Wy\u2019East.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Sarah Mirk” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/mirkface-Sarah-Mirk.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sarah Mirk (she\/her) is a comics journalist, teacher, author, and somewhat obsessive zine-maker. She is the author of Guantanamo Voices (Abrams, 2020), an illustrated oral history of Guantanamo Bay, which the New York Times named one of the best graphic novels of 2020. A former reporter for Portland Mercury and online editor of national feminism and pop culture nonprofit Bitch Media, she is currently a contributing editor at The Nib and as a digital producer for the Center for Investigative Reporting. She is the author several books, including You Do You: Figuring Out Your Body, Dating, and Sexuality (Lerner, 2019) and Sex from Scratch: Making Your Own Relationship Rules (Microcosm, 2014) and her comics have been published by The Nib, The New Yorker, NPR, and The Washington Post. Sarah holds a degree in history from Grinnell College. She identifies as white, cisgender, and queer. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jesse Piedfort” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Screen-Shot-2022-03-13-at-6.53.58-PM.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jesse Piedfort (he\/his) is the Director of Sierra Club\u2019s Washington State Chapter, where he has worked since 2017 with staff and volunteer leaders to set strategic priorities, build stronger partnerships, and grow the organization\u2019s capacity to help build a sustainable and equitable future for Washington State. Jesse first became active in Sierra Club as a volunteer working for better transit and abundant housing in Seattle, and was appointed volunteer chair of Seattle Group in 2014. Jesse is a graduate of The University of Montana and holds a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law. He is an avid fly angler and e-bike commuter and lives in Seattle\u2019s Haller Lake neighborhood with his wife and daughter. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Marc Wouters” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Marc-Wouters-Head-Shot-20200226-Marc-Wouters.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Marc (he\/his) is a leader in the design process for new communities, downtown master plans, resiliency planning, affordable housing, sustainable city planning, various architectural projects, and is director of Marc Wouters | Studios. Projects led by Mr. Wouters have received AIA, CNU, and ULI Awards. Mr. Wouters also has been featured in the New York Times, City Limits, and NBC News. Among the Studio\u2019s projects are The South Jamaica Cloudburst Master Plan, I-278 Brooklyn Queens Expressway master plan, Hopewell Town Center Master Plan, NJ, the ULI Award-winning Columbia Heights TOD Masters Plan, San Ramon City Center Master Plan, multiple Puerto Rico Resilience Studies. His is director of the documentary \u201cReinventing Bilbao,\u201d will be published in ASTI Springer\u2019s upcoming book on Urban Revitalization, and served as a member of the Rockefeller Foundation\u2019s National Disaster Resiliency Academy. The studio\u2019s prior clients include City Agencies, Private Developers, Housing Authorities, and Community-Based Organizations. The firm website is www.mwouters.com<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Mercedes Elizalde” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/mercedesheadshot-Mercedes-Elizalde-e1647797722542.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mercedes Elizalde (she\/her) is the public policy director at Central City Concern (CCC). Mercedes works to bridge the gap between direct service and public policy advocacy. As public policy director, Mercedes collaborates with government agencies and community organizations to advance policy initiatives in support of CCC\u2019s mission. CCC serves about 13,000 people a year through 12 Federally Qualified Health\u202fCenter sites, 2,200 affordable homes, makes 1,200 job placements annually and operates social services for the community justice programs in Multnomah and Clackamas counties. Mercedes is responsible for policy analysis, advocacy, public education, and coalition-building efforts to find support and solutions for CCC clients and programs. She brings a unique set of perspectives and knowledge to her work, having experience in direct service as a social worker and program coordinator, a legislative aide to an elected official and as a community activist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Tram Hoang” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Staff-Photo_Tram-Tram-Hoang-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tram graduated from the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where she was a Charles R. Krusell Fellow in Community Development at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. Throughout her time in Minneapolis, she has worked with Hope Community, the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, the City of Minneapolis\u2019 Community Planning and Economic Development, the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, and most recently, as the Campaign Manager for the Keep St. Paul Home campaign for rent stabilization. She believes that equitable development and community benefit are made possible by strong community organizing and effective narrative framing, and wants to strengthen the ways that research can empower advocacy and organizing. Her participation in research ranges from seeking to understand the overarching financialization of our nation\u2019s housing system to supporting the Urban Institute\u2019s examination of the growing presence of corporate ownership in the Twin Cities.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jackie Kirouac-Fram” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Jackie-Jackie-Kirouac-Fram.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jackie Kirouac-Fram has more than 15 years of experience helping nonprofits thrive through stakeholder engagement, strategic collaboration, and striving toward justice through equity and inclusion.<\/p>\n Since March 2019, she has served as Executive Director at the ReBuilding Center, a Portland, Oregon climate justice nonprofit that harnesses the power of reuse and repair of reclaimed building materials to reduce consumption and production of new materials and support home retention for low-income homeowners. Prior to this position, she was Vice President at FOCUS St. Louis, a nonprofit civic leadership organization, where she led efforts to increase community support and engagement around policy issues that impact the health and well-being of communities. <\/p>\n Jackie has a Ph.D. in American Studies from Saint Louis University, where she published at the intersection of urban policy and racial equity, specifically concerning racialized aspects of public transportation policy and funding. Her work has been published in the Journal of Urban History, Souls: A Critical Journal of Black Politics, Culture and Society, and Radical History Review, and she is a proud recipient of an Andrew W. Mellon\/ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowship. She has spent her entire career in the nonprofit sector and believes in the power of communities to drive policy change toward justice. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Ted Labbe” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Ted-headshot-Ted-Labbe.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ted Labbe is the Executive Director of the Urban Greenspaces Institute in Portland, Oregon. He is a conservation biologist with twenty-five years professional experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors delivering conservation planning, geospatial habitat mapping and assessment, community organizing, and water conservation. Ted is also a skilled policy analyst and advocate for the thoughtful integration of urban green infrastructure into transportation, housing, and urban design. Ted has worked with Tribes, state, and local agencies, and has served on numerous other public advisory bodies. Ted is an active and founding board member with Depave. He has an M.S. in Fish and Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and a B.A. from Bowdoin College. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Lorelei Juntunen” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Juntunen-headshot-Lorelei-Juntunen-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Lorelei is a Partner and President of ECONorthwest, a west coast economic and policy consultancy. Lorelei\u2019s consulting work focuses on the evaluation of the intersection of public investment, policy choices, and community development, and economic outcomes. Many recent projects have focused on the implementation of equitable housing outcomes, including the development of the State of Oregon\u2019s first Statewide Housing Plan and affordable housing policies for many Oregon communities. She has worked in communities large and small across the American West: Missoula, Montana; Madras, Oregon; Austin, Texas; Boise, Idaho; and others. Lorelei is currently working with the State of Oregon to reform land use and housing planning systems to achieve more equitable housing production outcomes. She is a Trustee for Oregon\u2019s Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and serves on the Board of Bravo Youth Orchestras.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Leah Bojo” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/2020-headshot-leah-bojo-200×300.webp” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Leah advises property owners and developers through in the development process. Before entering the private sector in land use consulting, Leah worked for two Austin City Council members, most recently as Policy Director for land use and transportation where she worked on parking policies including creating the street patio program, removing parking minimums from the Central Business District, and working on Austin\u2019s first Parking Benefits District. She\u2019s a registered lobbyist with the City of Austin who has seen government policy making from the inside. She has a proven ability to build consensus among stakeholders \u2014 city council members, county commissioners, city boards and commissions, governmental staff, environmental groups and neighborhood associations. Leah has a particular interest in placemaking, working to create inspiring public spaces with the built environment. Leah contributed a chapter to Donald Shoup’s 2018 book Parking and the City discussing the implementation of Austin’s first Parking Benefit District.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Tony Jordan” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/8E894671-EA38-408D-83FB-1B9DD4DFD034-Tony-Jordan-225×300.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Tony Jordan (he\/him) is President of the Parking Reform Network, a non-profit organization with a mission to educate the public about the impact of parking policy on climate change, housing affordability, equity, and traffic safety. His advocacy work as founder of Portlanders for Parkling Reform has helped to modernize the city\u2019s curb management policies and repeal residential parking mandates. Tony has a BA in Politics from UC Santa Cruz and has worked as a union organizer and software developer. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Allan Lazo” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Allan-edit-2-smaller-Allan-Lazo-207×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Allan Lazo is the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Council of Oregon, a statewide civil rights organization promoting justice, equity, and inclusion in housing through access to education, advocacy, and enforcement. He has been a long-time community advocate for civil rights and social justice, especially in the areas of housing, homelessness, and racial equity. Allan currently serves on the City of Portland Housing Bureau\u2019s Affordable Housing Bond Oversight Committee and served on the state of Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Housing Rulemaking Advisory Committee. Allan\u2019s past consulting experience includes work in organizational development, specifically related to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, and he is a long-time resident of Portland, Oregon.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Thiess B\u00fcttner” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Professor_Dr_Buttner_03-Thiess-Buttner-255×300.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Thiess Buettner is Prof. of Economics at FAU in Nuremberg since 2010. He is chair of the Independent Advisory Board of Germany\u2019s Stability Council and member of the Scientific Advisory Board to the Federal Ministry of Finance.<\/span><\/p>\n Thiess Buettner studied economics at the Universities of Goettingen and Constance and holds Ph.D. in economics from the University of Constance. In 1997 he joined the Center for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim. In 2001 he was postdoctoral research at the University of Kentucky. In 2004, he was appointed CESifo Professor of Public Finance at LMU Munich and head of the Public Sector Department at the ifo Institute.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Mindy Woods” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Head-shot-Mindy-Woods-225×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mindy Woods is a Gulf War Navy Veteran, a single mother, and has experienced homelessness twice in the last 11 years. She serves on multiple boards and commissions within her state, as well as on the national level. Mindy is a founding member of the Resident Action Project in Washington state; a statewide, resident-led network of people who\u2019ve experienced housing instability and homelessness who organize and use civic engagement, education and storytelling to affect policy change. She was key in helping to pass the Source of Income Discrimination Ban in Washington state. Mindy is a tireless warrior for housing and social justice issues and believes that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and healthy place to live and thrive. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Hanna Brooks Olsen” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/E491EA51-B056-4143-8A17-20E87A3071BB_1_201_a-Hanna-Brooks-Olsen-225×300.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hanna Brooks Olsen is a freelance writer and political consultant. Her work, most of which has centered on poverty and homelessness, has appeared in the Nation, The Atlantic, Bust, Pacific Standard, GOOD, and OPB. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Scott Bailey” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Scott Bailey has lived in Portland all his life. He has worked as an economist for over 35 years, and has been a community activist even longer. He recently completed a term on the Portland Public Schools board of directors.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Aaron Brown” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_8496-Aaron-Brown.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Aaron is a Portland-based community organizer, political consultant, and policy wonk working at the intersections of housing, climate and transportation. He’s held leadership roles in electoral campaigns that have raised over $2 billion in funding for schools, teachers, sidewalks and parks. Aaron is a co-founder of No More Freeways, which is fighting ODOT’s proposed freeway expansions through organizing and lawsuits and shitposting, and he is also the co-founder of the soon-to-launch Oregon Transportation Futures Project. He currently serves on the board of Portland: Neighbors Welcome, is the co-mayor of YIMBYtown 2022, and lives in the St Johns neighborhood of North Portland. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Dov Kadin” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/SACOG-headshot2-Dov-Kadin.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dov works at the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) on land use and housing issues. His projects include managing the land use modeling for SACOG\u2019s long range plan, the regional housing needs allocation, and housing policy technical assistance to local governments. Before SACOG, Dov worked at the Strategy Growth Council, where he managed the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grant program, which allocates State cap and trade funding to affordable housing projects across the State.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Preston Korst” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/preston_korst-Preston-Korst.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Preston Korst is the Director of Government Relations at Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, a regionwide builder with over 250 affordable homeownership units being developed across a dozen build sites. At Habitat, he oversees an array of housing policy priorities, as well as the organization\u2019s government grants portfolio. Preston works with elected leaders and government partners across the region to ensure that public budgets meet the growing demand for affordable housing. He is also managing the organization\u2019s efforts on zoning reform and the implementation of recently passed state legislation, including the nationally recognized HB 2001, which made Oregon the first U.S. state to ban single-detached zoning.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Kirdan Lees” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/PWD4295-Kirdan-Lees-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n New Zealand has a housing crisis. What housing there is low quality, poorly located and simply too costly to help families make the choices that would enable them to flourish. Kirdan believes urban economics can show what is getting in the way and identify the policies that can help, including relaxing land use regulation and promoting public housing stock. Much of his academic training is in macroeconomics but over the past ten years, Kirdan has worked with both central and local government to make the improvements that can unlock so much of the potential in our local communities. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Mike McGinn” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/McGinn-Headshot-FINAL-2-Mike-McGinn-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mike McGinn, currently the Executive Director of America Walks, is a long-time climate justice advocate who has focused on transportation, housing, land use, community building and fossil fuel divestment. He has been a non-profit founder, community council president, Sierra Club volunteer leader, and Mayor of Seattle.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Steph Routh” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/RouthSteph.1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Steph (she\/they) is strategic communications manager at Sightline Institute and an adjunct professor at Portland State University’s Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning. She serves as current chair of Portland’s Planning & Sustainability Commission. She has worn through many pairs of shoes while holding a clipboard. YIMBYtown 2022 co-mayor.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Steward Hulick” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/small-11-Stewart-Hulick.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Stewart is a Realtor who focuses on working with Buyers who want to build ADUs. His interest in ADUs is around urban density, environmental concerns, community building, preserving neighborhood character in Portland and passive income\/ homeowner flexibility. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Leah Benson” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/BensonLeah.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Leah Benson (she\/her) is a storyteller and storytelling coach from Portland, OR. In her day-to-day she’s an organizational development pro and in previous lives she’s been a bike shop owner, community organizer, event manager, sexual health educator, and death doula-in-training. You can find out slightly more about her on leahkatebenson.com<\/a> or hear her oversharing (ahem, storytelling) about her own life on The Moth and Mortified.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.26.6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Jenny Schuetz” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Screen-Shot-2022-03-14-at-12.13.25-AM.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jenny Schuetz (she\/her) is a Senior Fellow at Brookings Metro, and is an expert in urban economics and housing policy. Jenny has written numerous articles on land use regulation, housing prices, urban amenities, and neighborhood change. She is the author of Fixer Upper: How to Repair America’s Broken Housing Systems. Jenny teaches in Georgetown University’s master’s in urban planning program. <\/span>Follow Jenny at @jenny_schuetz<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Candace Avalos” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Candace-Avalos-Official-Headshot-Candace-Avalos.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Candace Avalos (she\/her) is a first generation American \u201cBlacktina\u201d, daughter of Black Americans from the south and Guatemalan immigrants. Prior to her venture into the nonprofit world as the Executive Director of Verde, an environmental justice non-profit, she worked at Portland State University for 8 years providing civic engagement education and advising support for student leaders. She lives in NE Portland and is an active member of her community, such as a co-founder of the Black Millennial Movement, serving on the Citizen Review Committee and Charter Review Commission for the City of Portland, as well as on the boards of Portland: Neighbors Welcome and Street Roots. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Conor Dougherty” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Conor_BW.jpg” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Conor Dougherty (he\/his) is the author of Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America<\/a> and an economics reporter at The New York Times. He is based out of the Times’s San Francisco office and previously spent a decade in New York covering housing and the economy for The Wall Street Journal. He grew up in the Bay Area and lives with his wife and two kids in Oakland. Follow Conor at @ConorDougherty<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Rep. Jessica Bateman” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Rep-Bateman_Jessica-2021_900x1200.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Jessica (she\/her) grew up in a single-parent, working-class household. Watching her mom work hard to provide for her family deeply shaped Jessica\u2019s worldview and later motivated her advocacy for those most vulnerable in our communities.<\/p>\n Since then, Jessica has dedicated her career to serving the 22nd Legislative District, where she envisions an inclusive, equitable future for all who call this region home. As an organizer and coalition leader, Jessica has worked to create affordable housing, assist struggling families, and empower at-risk youth. Jessica also worked to pass a Sanctuary City Resolution in Olympia and is a passionate advocate for accessible health care.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Vivek Shandas” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Shandas_Pro_Photo_Aug2020-Vivek-Shandas-e1647798141457.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Vivek Shandas (he\/his) is a Professor of Climate Transformation and Director of the Sustaining Urban Places Research Lab (SUPR Lab) at Portland State University. Working as an interdisciplinary scholar, Professor Shandas examines the assumptions that guide decisions about the built environment and uses spatial analytical tools and policy evaluations as a means for identifying socially inequitable outcomes in the era of climate destabilization. Professor Shandas has over 100 publications, four books, and serves as a consultant and technical advisor to public, private, and non-profit organizations. His research and projects have been featured in the NYTimes, National Geographic, Scientific American, Times of India, Le Monde, Volkskrant , CNN, Cosmos, and dozens of other media outlets. During his spare time Professor Shandas serves as Chair of the City of Portland’s Urban Forestry Commission, and revels in the mountains and waters of the Pacific Northwest. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jarred Johnson” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Before becoming the Director of TransitMatters, Jarred (he\/his) served as a project manager for the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation where he managed a variety of complex affordable housing real estate projects and supported organizing efforts for better service on the Fairmount Line. Before that, he helped to start the \u201cLove Your Block\u201d mini-grant project and helped write the City of Boston\u2019s first Volunteer Plan as a part of the Civic Engagement Office. He also has a wealth of grassroots organizing experience working on\u00a0 presidential, state, and Cherokee tribal races. He joined TransitMatters as a volunteer in the summer of 2015 and served on the Board since the fall of that year. Follow Jarred at @jarjoh<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Scott Bailey” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/ScottBailey-2-2017-Scott-Bailey-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Scott Bailey has lived in Portland all his life. He has worked as an economist for over 35 years, and has been a community activist even longer. He recently completed a term on the Portland Public Schools board of directors.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Brian Hanlon” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Brian-Head-Shot-4-1-Brian-Hanlon-scaled-e1646823482967.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Brian (he\/his) co-founded and leads California YIMBY, a statewide pro-housing advocacy organization. California YIMBY has led the passage of 12 bills, including bills that ended single-family home zoning in California. While unsuccessful in the Legislature, California YIMBY\u2019s SB 50 reshaped the national media housing narrative and expanded the horizon of political possibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n Prior to California YIMBY, Brian co-founded the California Renters Legal Advocacy and Education Fund (CaRLA), which sues cities that violate state housing law.<\/p>\n When he\u2019s not fighting to expand housing affordability and access, Brian can be found cycling in the Bay Area\u2019s hills.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Regan Patterson” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Patterson_Headshot-Regan-Patterson-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Regan F. Patterson (she\/her) is the Transportation Equity Research Fellow at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), where she conducts intersectional transportation policy analysis and research. Prior to joining the CBCF, Dr. Patterson was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. She earned her PhD in Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Her dissertation research focused on the impact of transportation policies on air quality and environmental justice. Dr. Patterson holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from UCLA and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Amy Stelly” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_E9797-Amy-Stelly-e1646823982906.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Amy Stelly (she\/her) is an artist, designer, planner and freeway fighter. Her scope of work includes building and open space design, historic restoration, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, environmental planning, municipal zoning, incentives, entitlements, site planning, streetscapes and gardens. She is a co-founder of the Claiborne Avenue Alliance, a coalition of residents, property owners and allied professionals dedicated to the restoration of the Claiborne Corridor in the Treme and 7th Ward neighborhoods. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Esme D Miller” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-05-at-11.13.43-PM-Aaron-Brown.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Esme D. Miller (she\/her) is Assistant Director of Research & Assessment and the Graduate School of Education & Counseling, Lewis & Clark College, and a doctoral candidate in history at Rutgers University. She has been involved in housing advocacy in NYC and Portland since the early 2000’s. She lives in NE Portland and takes life one day at a time, bouyed by deep gratitude for the queer, mixed, and blended family of her later life, utterly unimaginable in her youth.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jamey Duhamel” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/selfie-3.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jamey Duhamel (she\/her) currently works as a Special Projects Coordinator with the Portland Bureau of Transportation. She specializes in equity-focused tenant policies and anti-displacement strategies and was brought into the bureau to help develop their approach to mitigating displacement risks after spending four years as the Policy Director for former Commissioner Eudaly. During her time in City Hall, Jamey led the development and council passage of several new innovative policies intended to serve low-income and BIPOC Portlanders including Mandatory\u00a0 Assistance, Fair Access in Renting, and the Rose Lane Project.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Paul del Vecchio” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/paul_proofs_079-1-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Paul (he\/his) is the Founding Principal of Ethos Development, a human-centered development company based in Portland Oregon; prioritizing accessible pricing and resident experience throughout its 1,000-unit pipeline. With experience that spans construction, finance, and civil service, Paul\u2019s perspective on the real estate industry and housing market is broad-based. Serving on the real estate advisory boards of Proud Ground, a Portland Community Land Trust, and Central City Concern, an integrated housing and healthcare services platform addressing those affected with houselessness and addiction. While not contemplating housing, Paul likes to spend time outdoors with his wife Lisa, young son Drea, and two dogs Luna and Boom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Janne Flisrand” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/FlisrandHeadshot-Janne-K.-Flisrand.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Janne Flisrand (she\/her) has a special passion for the city of Minneapolis and how the way we build cities shapes people\u2019s lives and daily choices. She became a pro-homes advocate in 1997 when kids at the after-school program she ran shared their stories of home and being pushed out. She is one of several Neighbors for More Neighbors co-founders, the group that led the grassroots support of Minneapolis nationally-acclaimed comprehensive plan. Her professional and consulting work focuses on expanding access to homes, reducing energy cost burdens, and expanding transportation choices. On one project, she led a statewide affordable housing initiative that changed policy to ensure all subsidized homes meet healthy, green standards. She also owner-occupies a fourplex, co-founded Our Streets Minneapolis, and recently completed four years on the streets.mn board.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Eli Spevak” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/unnamed-3.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After moving to Portland in 1994 as a construction supervisor with Habitat for Humanity, Eli (he\/his) managed the development of over 250 units of affordable housing. He served on the board of Portland\u2019s community land trust for its first 5 years and worked with residents of Dignity Village, a self-built homeless camp, during their first two years. In 2006, Eli launched Orange Splot LLC to pioneer new models of affordable and community-oriented housing. Completed projects have been featured in the NYT and Sunset Magazine. The Cully Grove, received a 2016 AIA Housing Award. He\u2019s led tiny house bike tours, advocated for accessory dwelling units, co-founded the www.accessorydwellings.org website, co-founded an advocacy organization (Portland for Everyone) to support diverse, abundant and affordable housing, and is past chair of Portland\u2019s Planning and Sustainability Commission (where he still serves). He continues to launch new communities and hopes they go well enough to fund his policy habit.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Ryan Hashagen” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Screenshot_20181115-225728-Ryan-Hashagen-e1647797471926.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ryan Hashagen (he\/his) is a key organizer with Better Block PDX on projects like Better Naito, Better 3rd Ave, and the PSU Project Pathway. A Professional Tricyclist, he has founded and run several tricycle based businesses in Canada & the U.S, including Icicle Tricycles, which builds commercial tricycles for customers all over the globe. Hashagen won the Cargo Messenger World Championship in 2003 & 2004 in Seattle & Edmonton. When not building tricycles or playing in the streets, Hashagen has been trying to paddle all the reasonable rivers of the NW and can be often found roller skating!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Annie Fryman” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Annie-Fryman-headshot-Annie-Fryman-200×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Annie Fryman is the Director of Cities at Abodu, a Bay Area based company that builds affordable and high-quality accessory dwelling units in California and Washington. She manages Abodu\u2019s long-term permitting initiatives, advises the executive team on public policy, provides expert technical assistance to local and state agencies on successful state law implementation, and directs Abodu\u2019s response to complex building permit issues.<\/span><\/p>\n Prior to joining Abodu in February 2021, Annie led housing, land use, and transportation policy for California Senator Scott Wiener, one of the most prolific, creative, and successful legislators on housing affordability in the United States. Among other landmark housing and transportation policies, Annie was the singular policy staffer designing, writing, and negotiating Senate Bills 35 and 828, and continues to advise public, non-profit, and private sector partners on their use and implementation. Within three years of adoption, these unprecedented laws directly enabled tens of thousands of new housing units to start construction in California (SB 35), and forced bustling coastal metros and exclusionary suburbs to rezone for >500,000 more homes at all income levels during the next decade (SB 828).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Ezra Hammer” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Headshot1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ezra Hammer runs land acquisition for Taylor Morrison, the nation\u2019s sixth largest home builder.\u00a0\u00a0 In that role, he works with property owners, local jurisdictions, and community members to build holistic, integrated communities.\u00a0 Taylor Morrison specializes in building communities with a wide variety of new housing including single family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and triplexes.\u00a0 The company was the first large builder to integrate middle housing into new and existing communities and did so prior to local implementation of HB2001.\u00a0 They are currently building middle housing in Tigard and Unincorporated Washington County.\u00a0 Prior to working with Taylor Morrison, Ezra was the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs for the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland where he led efforts to advance housing affordability and increased housing at the regional and local level.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Martha Roskowski” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Martha-headshot-high-rez-Martha-Roskowski.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Martha brings people together to develop and implement strategies for sustainable and equitable mobility. At her consultancy Further Strategies, she\u2019s worked on parking reform, congestion pricing, greenhouse gas budgets, zero emission freight and increasing funding for advocacy efforts. Previously, she helped cities build protected bike lanes with the Green Lane Project. She ran the campaign in Congress that created the national Safe Routes to School program and was deemed the \u201cgodmother of Complete Streets\u201d for helping launch that movement. Other jobs include running the City of Boulder\u2019s transportation planning, programs and policy shop and leading advocacy group Bicycle Colorado. She serves on the advisory committee for the Vision Zero Network and the board of Better Boulder.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Mitra Jalali” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/YTownPicMitraJalali-Mitra-Jalali-242×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mitra Jalali is a former classroom teacher, immigration and public safety policy aide to then-Congressman Keith Ellison, labor\/community organizer, and now City Councilwoman serving the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. She ran for office in 2018 on a platform of tenant protections, attainable and affordable housing, sustainability and streets for people, safety beyond policing and community wealth-building through economic development. She is the proud daughter of immigrants from Tehran, Iran and Seoul, South Korea and was born and raised in Minnesota. She became Saint Paul’s then-only renter voice on the current Council, then-youngest elected, current only publicly LGBTQ elected and first Asian-American woman elected to the council in city history. She loves her two cats, transit, Marvel comics, painting, and dim sum.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Allyson Woodard” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_3127-Allyson-Woodard-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Allyson Woodard works as a creative organizer for the Sunrise Movement, where her mission is to grow a grassroots army of Green New Deal propagandists prepared to craft, produce, and publish their own stories\u2014and those of their communities\u2014on their own terms. She believes that the best media-makers are organizers themselves, and that they should be equipped with the tools needed to build cultural power for their campaigns by fighting strategic narrative battles head-on. She trains most often on narrative, video making, photography, and action art, and she often photographs, makes videos, and creates art for the climate justice movement.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Anna Kemper” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/PXL_20210911_000436610.PORTRAIT-Anna-Kemper-225×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Having been a community organizer in the Pacific Northwest for seven years, Anna Kemper\u2019s (she\/her) passions and experience overlap in the arena of climate justice and housing advocacy. By day, she works as the Communications Manager for HereTogether, the 150-member coalition of businesses, nonprofits and community leaders backing the Metro Supportive Housing Services measure. She also sits on the board of Oregon Walks and is the Vice-Chair of the Portland: Neighbors Welcome board. Her previous experience includes organizing with Sunrise PDX, the youth climate justice movement, working on local political campaigns and advocating for justice-focused housing policy. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”John Bauters” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Mayor-Bauters-262×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n John Bauters is the Mayor of Emeryville, California. He serves as the Chair of the Alameda County Transportation Commission and Vice Chair of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, where he is an outspoken voice on sustainable land use policy focused on dense urban design that incorporates active transportation and environmental policy in creating people-oriented cities. John is a former legal aid tenant attorney and the former Policy Director at Housing California, where he worked as statewide legislative advocate on the issues of homelessness and affordable housing. He is a animal lover, bicyclist and all-around outdoors enthusiast, and can often be spotted walking his dog on the San Francisco Bay Trail or Emeryville Greenway. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Alex Zielinski” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-03-at-12.58.21-PM-Alex-Zielinski-218×300.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alex Zielinski is the News Editor for the Portland Mercury, where she’s covered housing, homelessness, policing, and local politics for four years. Prior to Portland, Alex reported on similar topics in San Antonio, TX and Washington, DC. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Kol Peterson” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/kol-peterson-300×300-Aaron-Brown-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kol Peterson is an ADU expert based in Portland, Oregon, who has helped catalyze the exponential growth of ADUs in Portland over the last decade through ADU advocacy, education, consulting, policy work, and entrepreneurship through his company, Accessory Dwelling Strategies LLC. He is the author of Backdoor Revolution-The Definitive Guide to ADU Development. He is the owner of Caravan- The Tiny House Hotel, the first tiny house hotel in the world, and organizer of Portland\u2019s popular ADU Tour. He consults with homeowners about ADUs on their property, and teaches ADU classes for homeowners and for real estate agents in Oregon, Washington, and California. He also co-runs ADU Academy and the ADU Specialist designation for professionals with Earth Advantage. He edits and manages AccessoryDwellings.org and BuildinganADU.com.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Yonah Freemark” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/yonah20freemark-Yonah-Freemark.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Yonah Freemark is senior research associate in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Dr. Freemark is the research director of the Land Use Lab at Urban. His research focuses on the intersection of land use, affordable housing, transportation, and governance. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jiro Yoshida” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Jiro-8x10ss-Jiro-Yo-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Jiro Yoshida is King Faculty Fellow and Associate Professor of Business at the Pennsylvania State University and Guest Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Tokyo. Jiro is also a Research Associate at Columbia Business School, Board Director of the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, Board Director of Asian Real Estate Society, Academic Fellow of the Homer Hoyt Institute, and Senior Fellow of the Ministry of Finance of Japan. Jiro studies real estate finance, macroeconomics, and asset pricing and publishes in top journals such as Journal of Finance and Review of Economics and Statistics. His studies were also mentioned by the major media, such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, Freakonomics Radio, and the Nikkei. Jiro holds a B.Engi. from the University of Tokyo, an MS from MIT, and an MS and PhD from University of California, Berkeley.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Shelby King” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_0376-Shelby-King-225×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Shelby King (she\/her) is the investigative reporter for Shelterforce Magazine, the only independent, non-academic, nonprofit publication covering community development, affordable housing, and neighborhood stabilization. Previously a reporter in Portland for The Mercury and the Daily Journal of Commerce, Shelby has written exclusively about housing and development issues since 2013. Before that, she covered cops and public safety in Bend and Klamath Falls. Shelby moved to Colorado in 2016 and lives in the Fort Collins area. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Jamal Raad” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/jamal-raad-Kevin-Delaney.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Jamal Raad is a co-founder and executive director for Evergreen Action. He has dedicated his life to fighting for progressive change, on the inside on Capitol Hill, and on political campaigns across the country. He most recently ran communications for the presidential campaign for Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, a grassroots movement to put climate change at the top of the national agenda. An alum of Willamette University, Jamal loves drinking coffee, being on Twitter too much and cooking, especially Lebanese food<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Robin Harding” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Robin-Harding_headshot-Robin-Harding-200×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Robin is Asia Editor for the Financial Times, responsible for its editorial output from Australia to Afghanistan. Previously a correspondent in London, Tokyo and Washington DC, he is also an economics columnist for the paper, with a particular interest in issues relating to land and housing.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Roque Deherrera” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Roque-Deherrera-Headshot-Roque-Deherrera.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Roque is Manager of Real Estate Acquisitions for Legacy Group Capital, an infill housing developer and lending company based in Bellevue, WA. Prior to that, during a 20-year career with the City of Seattle, he worked for the Department of Construction and Inspections as an Urban Planner and for the Office of Economic Development as a Business Advocate.<\/span><\/p>\n Roque is currently a member of the Seattle Planning Commission and serves as Chair for the MBAKS Seattle Builders’ Council. Roque is passionate about racial equity, sound policy and decision-making, and improving our already-enviable local and regional economies.<\/p>\n He lives in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge Neighborhood in a personal project that includes a single family residence, an attached accessory dwelling unit, and a detached accessory dwelling unit. Roque is an avid backpacker and traveler, and he makes his own hot sauce.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Aaron Eckhouse” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG-8937-Aaron-Eckhouse-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Aaron Eckhouse is the Regional Policy Manager for California YIMBY, supporting state, regional, and local policy efforts to address California’s housing crisis. This is his second YIMBYtown, after Oakland in 2017. A few months after Oakland YIMBYtown he began his career as a professional YIMBY, and has worked as an organizer & policy advocate for California YIMBY since 2018. In that capacity, Aaron has worked extensively on the Regional Housing Needs Allocation & Housing Element processes. He lives in Oakland with his bike & skillets.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Meg Fencil” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Meg-Fencil-headshot-2022-Meg-Fencil-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Meg Fencil (she\/her) joined Sustain Charlotte in 2014 and serves as the Director of Engagement & Impact. Meg educates, engages, and unites the community through partnerships and programs to increase equitable transportation choices and promote smart growth in the Charlotte area. Prior to her current role, Meg earned a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin, designed and implemented field research projects in Croatia and Japan, and taught project-based mathematics and science to elementary and high school students. She enjoys uniting her lifelong passion for science with the multidisciplinary work of advancing sustainability to support a healthy environment and better quality of life for all. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Cassie Graves” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/headshot-Cassie-Graves-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Cassie Graves is the Housing Program Coordinator for the City of Portland’s Inclusionary Housing Program and Development Incentive Programs. She started with the City of Portland to help develop the administrative side of the newly adopted Inclusionary Housing Program in February 2017. Previously she worked at Home Forward with the Project Based Voucher program and as a Loss Mitigation Counselor for the Homeowner’s Hope Hotline. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.26.6″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”Speaker Tina Kotek” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_1791-scaled-e1646823551139.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A proven, progressive and effective leader, Tina<\/span> Kotek<\/span> (she\/her) served for nine years as Oregon\u2019s House Speaker, the longest-serving Speaker in state history.<\/p>\n Under Tina<\/span>\u2019s leadership, Oregon enacted landmark legislation to improve the lives of Oregonians around the state: raising the minimum wage, ensuring equal pay for equal work, paid family and paid sick leave, a historic rent stabilization law and the nation\u2019s first law to move completely off coal by 2030. And, in the wake of Donald Trump\u2019s election, Tina<\/span> Kotek<\/span> oversaw the passage of the Reproductive Health Equity Act, the nation\u2019s strongest abortion access law.<\/p>\n Now, Tina<\/span> Kotek<\/span> is running for Governor of Oregon to continue building a future of opportunity and justice for every Oregonian.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Rukaiyah Adams” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/6E4B17BB-2FE3-4D7E-9712-2DB52001F7A2-Rukaiyah-Adams-1.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Rukaiyah Adams is the Chief Investment Officer at Meyer Memorial Trust. Her team ensures the<\/p>\n long-term financial strength of the organization. Ms. Adams was the chair of the prestigious Oregon Investment Council, the board that manages approximately $100 billion of public pension and other assets for the State of Oregon. Ms. Adams serves on the boards of directors of Albina Vision Trust, Self Enhancement, Inc. Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Oregon Health and Science University, as well as sitting on Oregon\u2019s Higher Education Coordinating Commission. Ms. Adams holds a BA from Carleton College, a Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Payton Chung” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Payton-Chung-Head-Shot_bw.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ custom_padding=”||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Payton (he\/his) is a housing developer and author who has written for the Urban Land Institute, Greater Greater Washington, the American Institute of Architects, and Streetsblog USA, among others. He is working on building environmentally responsible, moderately priced homes in the southeastern US. Payton<\/span>\u00a0is a LEED Accredited Professional in Neighborhood Development, and a member of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Follow Payton at @paytonchung<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Darrell Owens” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/profilepictwitter-Darrell-Owens-e1646824276423.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Darrell Owens (he\/his) is a data analyst who has worked on state housing legislation such as transit-oriented zoning and the revival of public housing in California. In Berkeley, he’s led initiatives to remove police from traffic enforcement, the end of exclusionary zoning and affordable housing overlays. Being both a programmer and a writer, he’s analyzed and editorialized about the impacts of the housing crisis and how to make cities affordable and equitable. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Katie Sheehy” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/ksheehy2020-1.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Rachel Cohen” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1635447315347-Rachel-Cohen.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Rachel M. Cohen (she\/her) is <\/span>senior reporter at Vox covering domestic policy. She has written extensively about housing issues, ranging from affordable housing tax credits and homelessness, to navigating rent court, happenings at HUD, and the deterioration of public housing. Her reporting on housing has been featured in City Lab, The Intercept, The American Prospect, Washington City Paper and Curbed, among other local and national outlets.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Diane Linn” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/final.print-24IMG_9536-Edit-Diane-Linn-scaled-e1646823843538.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Diane Linn (she\/her) joined Proud Ground as the new Executive Director in December 2013 after nearly six years in Marin County, California serving as Director of Ritter Center, which provides services to low-income, working poor, and homeless families. Diane is the former Multnomah County Chair (2001 \u2013 2007), and served as Commissioner (District 1) prior to serving county-wide. While with the County her top priorities were providing fairness and justice for communities of color and LGBTQ individuals, and vital services to the County\u2019s most vulnerable people. Diane served as Director of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement for the City of Portland and, prior to ONI, she was the Executive Director of Oregon NARAL. Diane grew up in Portland, raised her two children here, and has worked to better serve vulnerable and under-served families throughout her career. Follow Proud Ground CLT at @proudground\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Anna Letitia Zivarts” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Anna_Zivarts-Anna-Letitia-Zivarts-e1646824638327.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Anna (she\/her) is a low-vision mom and nondriver who was born with the neurological condition nystagmus. Since launching the Disability Mobility Initiative (DMI) at Disability Rights Washington in 2020, Anna has worked to bring the voices of nondrivers to the planning and policy-making tables. Through DMI, Anna built a 200-person nondriver storymap, compiled the expertise in these stories into a groundbreaking research paper thatshe presented to the AASHTO Board, and launched a #WeekWithoutDriving challenge for elected leaders to understand what it\u2019s like to get around without driving themselves. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Nancy Haque” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-08-at-7.30.25-PM.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nancy Haque is the Executive DIrector of Basic Rights Oregon, the state’s leading political advocacy organization for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Nancy is a long time social justice activist and previously spent seven years as the Building Political Power Director at Western States Center, where she led a voter organizing training and empowerment project and managed leadership development programs. Nancy spent eight years working on economic justice issues, with Jobs with Justice and the National AFL-CIO. The daughter of immigrant parents from Bangladesh, Nancy is the first member of her family born in the United States. She grew up in the DC area, where she was inspired to becoming politically engaged, joining her first protest as a fourth grader. She lives in Southeast Portland with her partner, young son and is an aspirational baker and crafter. (Pronouns: She\/Her)<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Joe Cortright” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Joe_Speaking_Red_Tie-Joseph-Cortright-e1646824003515.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Joe Cortright (he\/his) is an economist and Director of City Observatory. City Observatory conducts original research and offers weekly commentary on a range of urban policy issues including housing, equity, economic development and transportation. Joe is also principal of Impresa Consulting. He serves as chair of the Oregon Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers, and has been a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Trisha Patterson” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Trisha-Patterson.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Trisha (she\/they) is a public policy graduate student at Oregon State University researching housing allocation methodologies. Trisha is particularly interested in the regional housing needs assessment. In their free time, Trisha enjoys running, biking, and volunteering with Portland: Neighbors Welcome. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Neil Heller” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Neil-faculty-photo-2020-V2_BW.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Neil (he\/his) is an urban planner +\u00a0 designer with a focus on aligning municipal regulations with the kinds of development outcomes a community wants to see. This is accomplished using a real estate development pro-forma-based approach that quantifies the physical and financial effects of various policy decisions. He also helps to educate small developers to translate zoning code language into beautiful site layout plans. <\/span>Alongside his wife, Neil is a small-scale developer using owner-occupied strategies to provide additional housing options and a positive rental experience for his tenants. Follow Neil at @nbrhoodwrkshop\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Kathleen Hosfeld” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Kathleen-Hosfeld-Kathleen-Hosfeld.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kathleen Hosfeld (she\/her) is Homestead\u2019s Executive Director. In addition to overall agency leadership, Kathleen leads Homestead\u2019s initiatives to grow the number of permanently affordable homes for ownership in our region through grantmaker and community partnerships. She came to Homestead in 2014, after more than two decades as a strategic consultant to financial services and non-profit organizations. Under her leadership, Homestead is expanding its work in King County, including developments in Tukwila and Renton. She leads efforts to deepen partnerships for equitable development in neighborhoods at high risk of displacement from rapid growth and gentrification. She has led the agency to develop two exemplary \u201cdeep green\u201d housing developments that pilot standards for future replication. She serves as the chair of the Housing Development Consortium\u2019s Homeownership Affinity Group, and is the Secretary of the Board for the Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Alan Durning” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Alan_DuringCROP-e1647232708160.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alan Durning founded Northwest Environment Watch in 1993, which became Sightline Institute in 2006, and is the Executive Director of the organization. Alan\u2019s current topics of focus include carbon pricing, housing affordability, and democracy reform. He has also written in recent years about parking<\/a>,\u00a0Making Sustainability Legal<\/a>,\u00a0car-free living<\/a>,\u00a0bike-friendliness<\/a>,\u00a0electric bikes<\/a>, and climate fairness<\/a>. Durning has written or contributed to nine Sightline books, including\u00a0Unlocking Home: Three Keys to Affordable Communities<\/i><\/a>,\u00a0Cascadia Scorecard 2007<\/i><\/a>,\u00a0Tax Shift<\/i><\/a>,\u00a0Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things<\/i><\/a>, and the award-winning\u00a0This Place on Earth: Home and Practice of Permanence<\/i><\/a>. Alan has lectured at the White House, major universities, and conferences on five continents. In addition to his passion for sustainability, Alan is a music fiend and a lover of outdoor pursuits, especially mountaineering and cycling.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Mary Kyle McCurdy” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/MK-Headshot-2019-Mary-Kyle-McCurdy-e1647797811934.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mary Kyle (she\/her) is the Deputy Director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, where she started as a staff attorney focusing on urban issues, housing, and climate change. She was a leading advocate for Oregon’s passage of legislation on middle housing, regional housing needs analyses, and ADUs, and was part of a coalition advocating for Portland’s residential infill project. Mary Kyle has her undergraduate degree in Human Biology from Stanford and her law degree from the University of California, Davis.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Samuel Diaz” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_0445-Sam-Diaz-300×265.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sam Diaz serves as the Executive Director for 1000 Friends of Oregon, the state\u2019s watchdog group on land use issues. He\u2019s developed, managed, and implemented strategies with coalitions and community members to help pass Portland Metro\u2019s Climate Smart Strategy, broaden and diversify the number of Oregonians participating in land use issues through the Land Use Leadership Initiative, and create public awareness and support for critical investments and zoning changes. He brings state agency, local government, and philanthropic experience to create durable policy changes and unlock funding to support equitable and resilient communities across the American West.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Alex Contreras” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/FB_IMG_1648410308583-Alexandria-Contreras-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alex (they\/them) was born and raised in Downey, California. After graduating from Long Beach State they worked in organizing and advocacy roles that took them across the country. From New Mexico to Virginia these roles provided Alex with insight on how so many communities faced similar challenges, such as car dependent infrastructure and the lack of housing. In 2020 Alex founded the Happy City Coalition that successfully stalled a planned freeway expansion which would threaten their neighborhood with extinction. The Happy City Coalition is now focused on building an anti-racist network of advocates across Downey and surrounding cities to answer a simple question; what makes our cities happy places to live in? To follow their work visit happycitycoalition.com. In their spare time, Alex can be found biking to their local climbing gym and complaining about the high cost of free parking.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Alex Contreras” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/FB_IMG_1648410308583-Alexandria-Contreras-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Alex (they\/them) was born and raised in Downey, California. After graduating from Long Beach State they worked in organizing and advocacy roles that took them across the country. From New Mexico to Virginia these roles provided Alex with insight on how so many communities faced similar challenges, such as car dependent infrastructure and the lack of housing. In 2020 Alex founded the Happy City Coalition that successfully stalled a planned freeway expansion which would threaten their neighborhood with extinction. The Happy City Coalition is now focused on building an anti-racist network of advocates across Downey and surrounding cities to answer a simple question; what makes our cities happy places to live in? To follow their work visit happycitycoalition.com. In their spare time, Alex can be found biking to their local climbing gym and complaining about the high cost of free parking.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Kathleen Hosfeld” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Kathleen-Hosfeld-Homestead-Community-Land-Trust-Kathleen-Hosfeld-230×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kathleen Hosfeld is the Executive Director of Homestead Community Land Trust, which she joined in 2014. Homestead creates stability, equity and opportunity for lower-income households, with emphasis on households of color, in King County through permanently affordable homeownership. In addition to overall agency leadership, Kathleen is leading Homestead\u2019s equitable development strategy to support community-led housing developments in neighborhoods at high risk of displacement from rapid growth and gentrification. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Northwest Community Land Trust Coalition, and is the chair of the Housing Development Consortium\u2019s Homeownership Affinity Group. She is a member of the Washington State Homeownership Disparities Work Group, and serves as a member of the Civic Commons\u2019 Black Homeownership Initiative. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Cole Merkel” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Cole-Merkel-Headshot-Cole-Merkel-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Cole Merkel’s career has focused on advancing solutions to homelessness in the Portland region. As Co-Director of HereTogether, he helps lead the coalition that developed and advanced the 2020 Metro Supportive Housing Services measure, the largest per capita investment in homeless services in the U.S. Before joining HereTogether, Cole spent nearly a decade in direct service working with people experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty as Vendor Program Director at Street Roots, Portland’s weekly street newspaper. Originally from the Great Lakes State, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”JuliaMetz” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/JM-headshot-Julia-Metz-300×200.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Julia Metz brings nearly a decade of experience in the affordable housing field including experience in urban planning, design, construction management, and engagement. In her role as the Community Development and Housing Manager at Caritas Housing\/Catholic Charities of Oregon, she is focused on new construction affordable housing that supports the organization\u2019s Healthy Housing Initiative, an ambitious plan to address chronic homelessness and related health impacts. As part of this, Julia provides oversight for several Caritas Housing\/CCO new construction developments including a 143-unit development in Happy Valley that will be the first regulated affordable housing development in the city. Julia also spearheads much of the team\u2019s advocacy and education around land use and planning issues across the various jurisdictions that Caritas Housing operates in. Julia has a Bachelors in Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and her Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Michael Andersen” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/sightline-headshot-Michael-Andersen-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Michael Andersen covers housing and transportation for Sightline Institute, the Pacific Northwest’s sustainability think tank. He handled external communications for the campaign to pass Oregon’s statewide fourplex legalization in 2019. Before that, he wrote for the pro-housing Portland for Everyone campaign and spent 10 years as a journalist covering related issues.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Henry Honorof” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/HenryHonorof-Henry-Honorof-300×300.jpeg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Henry Honorof is an organizer who tackles social problems in creative ways. As a young advocate in Oregon, he spearheaded the passage of America’s first automatic voter registration law, and as Senior Housing Fellow at Data for Progress, he advised national campaigns and congressional offices on how to combat rising housing costs. As a co-founder & organizer of Portland: Neighbors Welcome, Henry helped pass landmark pro-housing reforms in Portland and Oregon. His latest project is the Welcoming Neighbors Network, a support hub for pro-housing organizations, coalitions, and campaigns across the country.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Konstantin Kholodilin” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Konstantin A. Kholodilin was born in 1973 in Saint-Petersburg (Russia). He had graduated from the Saint-Petersburg State University in 1995. In 2003, he obtained his doctor title from the Universitat Aut\u00f2noma de Barcelona (Spain) and in 2012 a title of Doctor habilitatus from the Europa-Universit\u00e4t Viadrina (Germany). From 2001 till 2004, he was a researcher at the Universit\u00e9 Catholique de Louvain (Belgium), where he was developing a model to predict the the business cycle turning points in Belgium. Since 2005, he is a senior researcher at the DIW Berlin (Germany). He specializes mainly in the following fields: real-estate economy, spatial econometrics, and time series analysis of the business cycles.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Vivian Satterfield” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Vivian-VERDE-headshot-Vivian-Satterfield-300×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Vivian Satterfield is second-generation Chinese American, born and raised in Chicago. Since relocating to Portland in 2008, she has worked alongside community members at the intersection of environmental, racial and economic justice, rooted in movement building principles and progressive values. Vivian is an organizer, policy shaper and coalition builder. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Marisa A. Zapata, PhD” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Dr.-Zapata-Photo-2021-Tania-Hoode-300×200.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Marisa Zapata is an Associate Professor of land-use planning and Director of the Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative at Portland State University. She received her Ph.D. in Regional Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, her M.U.P. in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and B.A. in anthropology from Rice University.<\/span><\/p>\n As an educator, scholar, and planner, Dr. Zapata is committed to achieving spatially based social justice by preparing planners to act in the face of the uncertain and inequitable futures we face. She believes how we use land reflects our social and cultural values.<\/p>\n Dr. Zapata\u2019s research explores three main questions: 1) How can we plan across deeply embedded cultural differences to produce just and sustainable places? 2) How can planners prepare places to act in the face of the multiple futures that may unfold in a given place? and 3) What are the most effective institutional arrangements between governments and civic society to collaborate regionally? She is especially concerned about equitable planning for uncertain futures in highly diverse communities.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Nicholas Papaefthimiou” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/headshot-bw-Nicholas-Papaefthimiou-209×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nicholas Papaefthimiou AIA is a licensed architect, developer and contractor with more than 20 years\u2019 professional experience across the United States and Europe. Nicholas has founded and manages two companies focused on community revitalization and affordable housing: infillPDX LLC, a full-service architecture and construction management firm specializing in affordable infill housing development; and Second Stories LLC, a real estate development firm focused on the creation of place-based, equity-focused models of large-scale affordable housing. He is also a property manager and landlord, and maintains multiple homes and ADU\u2019s designated for individuals and families transitioning out of houselessness.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Courtney Westling” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Headshot2-Aaron-Brown-200×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Courtney Westling currently serves as the Director of Government Relations for Portland Public Schools (PPS), working with local, state and federal elected officials and government representatives to advocate for the more than 47,000 PPS students and more than 7,000 staff. <\/p>\n Courtney has been at PPS since November 2015. She previously served as Legislative Director for the Oregon Health Authority, outreach director for the Center for Michigan, a small nonprofit focused on community engagement, and as a legislative assistant and deputy campaign manager for U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley.<\/p>\n A native Oregonian, she holds a Masters of Public Administration from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and public relations from Syracuse University. <\/p>\n She spends her free time exploring Portland\u2019s many neighborhoods with her husband and two young sons. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/fitzgibbon-Holly-Hines-225×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon was elected to represent the 34th Legislative District in 2010. He chairs the Washington State House Environment & Energy Committee and sits on the Appropriations and Rural Development, Agriculture & Natural Resources committees.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s top legislative priority is the fight against climate change. He has sponsored and helped to enact laws reducing Washington\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity, refrigeration, and buildings; improving marine habitat protections for salmon, orcas, and forage fish; and promoting smart growth and transit-oriented communities. He has also worked to increase funding for transit, to pass criminal justice reforms to right the wrongs committed in the war on drugs, and to expand voting rights.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Anna Fahey” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AnnaFahey02-Anna-Fahey-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Anna Fahey, senior director, communications and campaigns at Sightline Institute \u2013 a public policy think tank, coordinates Sightline\u2019s cross-cutting campaign-like efforts and leads its messaging strategy program, and serves on the organization\u2019s management team. For her talking points memos (Flashcards), workshops, and blog posts—often tackling tricky topics, like climate, taxes, and government—Anna synthesizes best practices and tests messages with focus groups and opinion research. She regularly teams up with a brain trust of regional partners to develop winning solutions narratives. Anna has a BA from Smith College and an MA from the University of Washington. Find her latest research here, email her at anna [at] sightline [dot] org, and follow her on Twitter at @afahey.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Representative Julie Fahey” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Head-Shot-Option-1-Julie-Fahey-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Julie Fahey is the Majority Leader in the Oregon House and the Chair of the House Housing Committee. She is currently serving in her third term representing House District 14 (West Eugene, Junction City). In her role as Housing Chair, Rep. Fahey led the efforts to keep Oregonians housed during the pandemic and spearheaded the development of the $400 million housing and homelessness package passed in the 2022 legislative session. She strongly believes that housing abundance is a necessary part of solving Oregon\u2019s housing crisis and has been a vocal advocate in the legislature for polices that will help ensure there are enough homes for all Oregonians. Follow Rep. Fahey at @juliefahey<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”John Myers” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/John-Myers-head-shot-John-Myers.png” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n John Myers co-founded the YIMBY Alliance and London YIMBY in the UK. They pioneered the idea of \u2018street votes\u2019, which the UK Government intends to pilot. Street votes would let small groups of neighbors agree to permit more homes on their own lots, bypassing higher levels of veto. John is launching a new group, the Working Policy Project, which will help campaigners who are interested in street votes and other innovative zoning in their own area. He encourages you to get in touch if you are interested. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Ben Holland” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/thumbnail_Staff-Photo.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ben Holland is a Manager with RMI\u2019s Urban Transformation Program. For over ten years, he has helped governments, companies, and advocates identify and implement solutions for decarbonizing the transportation sector. His work has consisted of consulting cities on urban mobility solutions electric vehicle infrastructure deployment, advising transit agencies on bus electrification strategy, and launching a research effort aimed at identifying the emissions reduction potential through land use reform. As part of the Climate-Aligned Urbanism initiative at RMI, Ben is managing an effort aimed at guiding cities and states in making transportation investments that are capable of meaningfully reducing emissions. Recently, Ben led the development of a tool\u2014the SHIFT Calculator\u2014which projects the emissions impacts associated with highway widenings. Before RMI, Ben was the Director of Deployment Policy and Strategy at Securing America\u2019s Future Energy (SAFE), where he led efforts to advance electric vehicle adoption in the organization\u2019s deployment communities.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Tiffani McCoy” image=”https:\/\/yimby.town\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Tiffani-McCoy.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” title_text=”Tiffani McCoy” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Tiffani McCoy is the Advocacy Director at Real Change in Seattle, and the Campaign Co-Chair of House Our Neighbors! We have filed an initiative to create a public developer in the City of Seattle to acquire, build, maintain, and own social housing in Seattle. We will start gathering signatures next week for Initiative 135. We have no more time to wait for incremental approaches to solving our deeply affordable housing crisis.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.26.6″ max_width=”50%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”12.796875px|0px|51px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_code global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Now the next generation are picking up the charge. The energy is palpable, and Kirdan writes that he’s I\u2019m looking forward to supporting where he can. “Change is already starting to take place but too slowly. New Zealand\u2019s institutions face poor incentives. Political leadership could help bring about system change in many ways.”
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Amy edits the opinions column for The Lens, a New Orleans-based nonprofit, nonpartisan public-interest newsroom. She has written about land use and zoning; the value of community engagement; and public accountability. She is a native of New Orleans, an avid swimmer and an advocate for water safety and environmental stewardship. <\/span><\/p>\n
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