Choya brings 20 years experience working with people from marginalized communities. Her experiences witnessing systemic inequities inspire her commitment to anti-oppression work; her passion manifests in education, organizing and advocacy toward bold goals of social change. She has a BA in American Studies and Family Studies from Marlboro College, and has facilitated social change education for nonprofit organizations, state employees and the broader community. Choya has served on the Boards of Directors for Sisters Of The Road and Speaking Out Against Sibling Sexual Abuse, and is a founding member of Showing Up for Racial Justice Portland (SURJ PDX). When she's not working or activisting, look for Choya in her garden.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i, Jonathan was first exposed to the movement to end domestic and sexual violence during his undergraduate studies at Willamette University, where he served as co-chair of the Willamette University Men Against Violence (WUMAV) student group. Prior to joining the Coalition staff, he worked for the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force, providing support for the Prevention Program and coordinating the Oregon Men Against Violence initiative. Jonathan strongly believes that by challenging cultural norms that allow violence to occur, men can play a critically important role in ending all forms of oppression, including (but not limited to!) domestic and sexual violence. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys knitting, hiking and studying for his private pilot's license.
Since 1991, Keri has been engaged in supporting survivors. Her work began in Ohio, then continued in the Rockie Mountains of Montana and eventually lead her to Oregon in 2000. Keri currently advises Oregon's local domestic and sexual violence community-based programs and utilizes her skills advocating for survivors and for the programs who serve them, with state systems as well as nationally. She is the proud mama of three kiddos.
Meagan is thrilled to join the Oregon Coalition from Iowa City, IA, where she has spent the last six years. During her time in Iowa, she received her MPH from the University of Iowa, led violence prevention efforts at a Big 10 University, volunteered as an advocate and board member with a local sexual assault prevention & response program, and centered her work around equity and inclusion, championing several LGBTQIA+ initiatives. She brings with her a personal and professional passion for social justice, community-based work, and addressing intersecting forms of violence. When she is not working, Meagan loves being outdoors and going on adventures with her wife.
Vanessa Timmons has been a writer, activist, and women’s health advocate for over 25 years. She attended Marylhurst University’s Multidisciplinary Studies Program in Portland, Oregon, and has continued her formal education through certificates and training, including the Interpersonal Neurobiology of Trauma Certification Program at Portland State University. Vanessa has served as the Director of Programs at Raphael House of Portland, a Northwest regional field organizer for the National Organization for Women, and the domestic violence program coordinator for the Multnomah County Domestic Violence Coordination Office, in addition to serving OCADSV in the past as the Women of Color Coordinator and Board Chair.
Brandy brings over 7 years financial experience including accounting and analysis to OCADSV. She has a BA in Accounting from North Carolina State University and has served with various governmental and corporate organizations. Brandy serves on the board for DEAR (Daytime Enrichment Activities & Recreation) and enjoys volunteering in various community groups around Portland. When not working, Brandy enjoys spending time with her family.
Courtney is interning with the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence for spring 2018. She has just completed her M.A. in Global Development and Justice in April 2018. Courtney has previous experience serving as a volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual assault in Washington County. Through her internship with OCADSV, she hopes to gain experience in issue and policy advocacy as well as community awareness and education. Outside of her role as an intern, Courtney works as a part-time administrative assistant, spends most of her waking hours studying, and gets out and moves as much as possible: running, hiking, bouldering, or lifting, and has recently started learning and training in parkour.
Vanessa Willard loves to make data tell a story. From her early days earning her Bachelor Degree in Music she has always been drawn to all of the different possibilities that computers brought to individuals and organizations. Combining her creative and analytical sides has allowed her to think outside of the box in setting up databases for three different non profit organizations. Using databases she has enabled these organizations to manage membership & event registration, to track donor giving & grants, and to onboard and recruit volunteers. The constant is that each of these processes were based on data and data can tell a story. Vanessa has had experience with Access, Filemaker Pro, and has completed Administrator training for Salesforce CRM. Drawing from her early background in teaching, she loves training and helping others learn how to conquer new software. On a personal level she loves music, reading, and her partner Sylvia and their young Himalayan kitty Paris.