OUR BOARD.
Our dedicated volunteer board members help guide our vision and support our work. They come to us with professional expertise and extraordinary passion, and they inspire us every day. We’re deeply grateful for their time, their hearts, and their commitment to our mission.
Jamie Brown (she/her)
Jamie serves as a Senior Director of Development at the OHSU Foundation where she focuses on raising major gifts for the institution. She most recently led the fundraising efforts for Grist, an online environmental news organization, and served previously as a major gifts officer at Environmental Defense Fund and Stanford University. In her free time, she tries to keep up with her two kids. A native Californian with a BA from Pitzer College, she loves calling Portland her home.
Iris Maria Chávez (she/her/ella), Board chair
Iris Maria is a state and national education advocate and public affairs consultant who’s committed to advancing equity by supporting sound, just policies that better communities. She came to the Pacific Northwest from Washington, D.C., where she worked for over a decade in education policy, civil rights, and advocacy for organizations such as the Education Trust and the League of United Latin American Citizens. She also has expansive volunteer experience in community engagement, equity, and enriching local neighborhoods’ quality of life. Iris Maria earned a BA from Tulane University and an MA in Social Policy from the University of Chicago.
Gary Cobb (he/him)
Gary has been involved with Partnership for Safety & Justice since our earliest days. A community organizer, social justice activist, and public speaker, Gary has been an advocate for some of our organization’s most pivotal wins. In 2022, he formed GCobb Consulting after 22 years in the nonprofit sector doing public policy work in the areas of housing, health, employment and criminal justice reform. Gary balances out his life and time by searching for sweet vintage attire, working on his motorcycle collection, and is keenly adept at pushing his older Harley Davidsons when they break down. He practices his drum chops and washboard playing with his band Rot Iron Soul, and he is constantly learning how to be the best human companion to his soul pup Luna.
Dana Hepper (she/her)
Dana works for the Children’s Institute where she has been the Director of Policy & Program since 2013. She previously worked for nine years at Stand for Children, where her most recent position was as National Director of Policy Development. Before that, she was Stand’s Advocacy Director and played a leading role in winning several key pieces of legislation to improve Oregon schools. Dana started her career as a pre-K and elementary school teacher. She graduated Barnard College with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Elementary Education.
Roberta Hunte
Dr. Hunte is a community engaged Black feminist scholar, mother, educator, facilitator, and cultural worker. Her academic interests include sexual and reproductive justice, cultural work for social change, and how Black, Indigenous, and People of Color navigate institutions: particularly construction, maternal healthcare, and higher education. Her research-based artistic collaborations include the theatre piece “My Walk Has Never Been Average” and short film “Sista in the Brotherhood,” both informed by her research with Black tradeswomen and devised theater piece entitled “We are BRAVE,” based on reproductive stories from people of color and transgender people. She is thrilled to be part of the Safety & Justice community.
Terry Leckron Myers (she/her)
Terry has been a longtime justice reform champion and Partnership for Safety & Justice board member since 2006. She has led key initiatives that promote healing and safety as well as participates at the State level to ensure that there is a voice to a changing political environment. Her work includes being the Deputy Director for Mental Health addiction association of Oregon, empowering people by strengthening individuals and families affected by addiction, mental health, poverty, and homelessness. Her commitment and passion to our community as well as personal and professional background reflects a deep understanding and experience working with at risk population. She’s driven by the belief that all people deserve to live their lives with dignity and grace.
Vanessa Usui
Vanessa's bio is coming soon.