Chamber Board of Directors
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Mike Watters (they/he)
President
Customer Experience Director for Policyholders, SAIF
Mike joined the board in 2023, working on the mentoring program. A resident of Salem, they are passionate about ORPIB's statewide expansion and supporting LGBTQ+ businesses in every corner of the state. Mike previously served as a commissioner for the City of Salem Human Rights Commission and was the chair of the city's LGBTQIA+ Intersectional Rights Task Force.
Mike is the customer experience director for policyholders at SAIF, Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation provider. In this role, they manage customer feedback and research, and translate insights into action to improve the customer experience. Mike previously led SAIF’s communication and design department from 2013 to 2021. Prior to joining SAIF, Mike edited and designed publications for businesses and organizations in education, health care, tourism, entertainment, and the arts. They are a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism.
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Kel Moody (they/them)
Vice President
Founder and Director, Alluvium Gatherings
Co-Founder, Place to BKellen (Kel) Moody (they/them) is a community cultivator and placemaker. As the founder of Alluvium Gatherings, they create and uplift movements through the design, planning, and implementation of gatherings. They have a passion for convening communities and leading teams to create meaningful experiences.
Through their deep networks of relationships across the bioregion, they have led dozens of small- and large-scale events including the week-long virtual Festival of What Works hosted by Salmon Nation Trust. They have also worked in and around the Certified B Corp community, using business as a force for good, since 2016.
Kel deeply believes that developing a strong sense of place is one of the most meaningful pathways to purpose and that gatherings have the power to motivate collective impact to drive real and meaningful change.
They currently live with their child in the traditional territory of the Cowlitz and Chinook Nations, or what is now called Vancouver, WA. They take moments to retreat to the forest and rivers as often as possible.
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Molly Smithson Callahan (she/her)
Secretary
Marketing and Strategy Manager, Dovetail Workwear
Molly Callahan gets the word out. For over a decade, she has gotten her hands dirty in media creation, leading to her role as the marketing manager for Dovetail Workwear. In high school, Molly served in her first non-profit leadership role as a co-president for teen arts organization Playing For Others.
She received a Bachelor's of Mass Communication with honors from the University of North Carolina. Her capstone project was a research-based communication strategy for local non-profit business organization Leadership Asheville. These experiences taught her that to communicate the values and work of a non-profit, you need heart, truth, and strategy backed by data.
In her spare time, she writes and performs stand-up comedy.
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Leanne Todd (she/they)
Treasurer
Strategic Account Manager, Paycom
Leanne is a change agent for LGBTQ+ rights and community empowerment. Having proudly called Portland home since 2017, Leanne brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her work with ORPIB. Her experience spans many years and includes diverse volunteer roles, from leading corporate DEI training to nonprofit board leadership.
With a background in human resources, governance, strategic planning, and successful business ownership, Leanne's perspective is comprehensive and dynamic. Her years of dedicated service in nonprofit roles have sharpened her ability to foster inclusive workplaces, while her entrepreneurial ventures have instilled a practical understanding of operational efficiency.
As Strategic Accounts Manger at Paycom, Leanne infuses her role with a deep-seated commitment to advocacy and people-centric values. Beyond her professional endeavors, Leanne is a frequent volunteer with arts nonprofits, reflecting her enthusiasm for community enrichment. In her free time, she finds joy in creating music, making art, and exploring the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.
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Aaron Kellejian (he/him)
Board Member at Large
Planning and Strategy, Nike
Aaron Kellejian (he/him) brings a wealth of experience in strategic planning and business management to his role on the Chamber Board. With a decade of expertise developed through working with prominent companies and the MBA program at Portland State University, Aaron's professional journey is marked by his commitment to excellence and innovation.
Aaron prides himself on being a problem solver, relationship builder, and thought partner. His career highlights include driving product strategy, supporting key growth initiatives, and nurturing strong cross-functional partnerships to ensure positive business outcomes. He has played pivotal roles in developing comprehensive plans to drive growth and profitability, leading successful inventory management and sales forecasting strategies.
Dedicated to giving back to the Queer community, Aaron is excited to leverage his skills to benefit Oregon Pride in Business. He looks forward to building meaningful partnerships with entrepreneurs and like-minded business professionals, supporting the development of an inclusive and thriving business environment.
In his personal life, Aaron is an avid cat enthusiast, a dedicated Survivor fan, and enjoys strength training. His diverse interests and steadfast commitment to professional and community growth make him a valuable asset to the Chamber Board.
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Cynthia Chand-Hopkins (she/her)
Board Member at Large
People and Culture, Worksystems
Cynthia Chand-Hopkins joined as an Interim Board Member in May 2023 and serves on the DEI Committee. Cynthia's professional career has been dedicated to combatting systems of oppression and creating a more equitable future of work.
Cynthia is currently the DEIJ & HR Manager at Worksystems - the workforce board serving Multnomah and Washington counties. Her role encompasses human resources and organizational culture, as well as internal and external Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives. Cynthia has previously held HR & DEI positions in various industries including clean energy, technology, and healthcare. Cynthia has an undergraduate degree in Women & Gender Studies, and graduate degrees in Employment Law and Human Resources Management. She has previously served on boards for Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force, Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER), and Sail2Change.
Outside of work, Cynthia enjoys spending time with family and friends, cheering for the Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, and watching stand-up comedy.
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Dan Cushing (he/him)
Board Member at Large
Government Affairs Director, Yamhill Community Care
Dan Cushing is the Government Affairs Director for Yamhill Community Care (YCCO), a community-owned nonprofit that serves more than 35,000 Oregon Health Plan members in Yamhill County and parts of Polk and Washington Counties.
He brings nearly 10 years of political and public policy experience, including electoral campaigns, advocacy, and strategic communications. Prior to being hired at YCCO, he was a contract lobbyist representing physicians, social workers, medical clinics, and coordinated care organizations.
In his free time, Dan enjoys running, weightlifting, woodworking, and various other arts and crafts.
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Jeana Hooker (she/her)
President Emertius
Sr. Inclusion Diversity Equity and Accessibility Project Manager, TriMet
Jeana wants to use her knowledge, skills and talents in the pursuit of economic empowerment and justice for underserved communities. She is passionate about elevating minority owned local businesses, community partnership, providing resources, and connecting people. She brings 5 years of experience in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and 15 years of experience in the enterprise software industry. She was formerly a Sr. Diversity & Inclusion Partner at Vizient Inc. where she was able to pursue her passion for fostering systemic change and creating a culture of equity and belonging in organizations.
Jeana received a Masters Degree in Public Administration, a certificate in Women’s Studies, and a B.A. in English from Portland State University, and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Georgetown University.
In 2021, Jeana was recognized on the Involve OUTstanding top 100 LGBTQ+ Future Leaders list sponsored by Yahoo Finance. When she’s not working, or volunteering, you can find Jeana adventuring with her wife and two dogs or spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to connecting with LGBTQ+ business owners, community partners, and other leaders to listen, learn, and take action to ensure a thriving Oregon economy that includes, supports, and elevates the LGBTQ+ business community.
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Rae Hardy (they/them)
Board Member at Large
IT Project Manager, Triton Technical
Rae Hardy joined ORPIB at the end of 2023 as an Events Committee volunteer.
A former Texas resident, Rae Hardy (they/them) is new to the Portland Metro area and is excited about connecting with Oregon’s LGBTQ+ business community. They are passionate about creating engaging, impactful events and connecting with organizational ERGs to build bridges between our members and larger organizational supplier diversity programs. Rae previously served for ten years as the Executive Director of Girls Rock Texas and two years as the Events Coordinator for Vizient Inc.’s LGBTQ+ ERG.
Rae’s background is in project management, data analysis, and paralegal. They are also a talented musician, specifically bass, and is looking forward to making connections in the music community to create a 90’s inspired band.
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Rosa Garcia (she/her/ella)
Board Member at Large
Senior Program Specialist: ERG Governance Coordinator in the office of Diversity and Equity, Multnomah County
Rosa (she/her/ella) has a decade of experience working in the public and non-profit sector with a passion for finance. Rosa was born in Guadalajara, Mexico where she lived till she was 7 and immigrated to Southern California. At 18, she moved to Oregon and has considered Oregon home since, with a short stint in a suburb of Sacramento, California when she finished her undergraduate degree in Business at California State University- Sacramento. In 2021, she returned to Portland to pursue graduate school.
Rosa is passionate about marginalized communities having access to funding and funding opportunities from public and private funders. While in graduate school, Rosa took part in Impact Ventures where she helped her team research for up and coming innovative companies that needed funding to grow and expand. Rosa graduated from Portland State University in 2024 with a Masters of Science in Finance, an MBA, and a graduate certificate in enterprise analytics. Data is her second passion.
For the last 4 years, Rosa has worked at Multnomah County where she held roles at the Joint Office of Homeless Services, Health Department, and the Office of Diversity and Equity. Rosa recently accepted a new role as a finance specialist senior with the Department of Community Justice where she will seek to bring equity in funding for community partners that provide services to some of the most underserved populations in Multnomah County.
When not working, Rosa spends time with her 10-year old daughter, is involved in her daughter’s school PTA, and takes her daughter to events that promote diversity and inclusion such as marches, protests, and parades. Rosa also participates with Urban Sketchers PDX, a group that sketches the beautiful city of Portland once a month. At home, she likes to laugh at the silly adventures and hijinks her two kitties get into.
Connect with Rosa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regarciaarreola/
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Tempest Blanchard (they/them)
Board Member at Large
Graduate Studies, Health Policy and Management
Tempest is a graduate student studying health policy and management, with a strong focus on health equity and access to care.
They are developing a 2SLGBTQ+ culturally competent curriculum for Certified Recovery Mentors and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors in Oregon. This work addresses a significant curriculum gap and aligns with the Oregon Health Authority's goal of eliminating health inequities by 2030.
Inspired by their communities in Oregon and Louisiana, Tempest has built a background in service, local government administration and strategy consulting. Their purpose is anchored in lived experience and a commitment to advancing inclusive and equitable systems. Tempest also loves learning, exploring the outdoors and practicing drawing.