Meet Our Staff
Our staff team is made up of a diverse group of professionals with a wide range of expertise in nonprofit management, fund development, program development and evaluation, financial management, technology solutions, communications strategies, and event management, to name a few. Together, we aim to provide responsive programs and services of the highest quality to the nonprofit sector in Oregon.
Allison Adcox, Capacity Building Services Program Coordinator
aadcox@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 110
Allison provides support to the Capacity Building Services team. A native Oregonian, she has worked in the nonprofit community in Portland as an Office Manager and Program Coordinator for the last 6 years. She received a BA in Community Development from Portland State University with a focus in community organization and change. Allison developed a strong sense of devotion for the nonprofit sector as a beneficiary of an informal youth development program at the Audubon Society of Portland nearly 16 years ago. This experience gave her a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life in our region; one program at a time.
Alissa Beddow, Communications & Design Coordinator
abeddow@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 126
Alissa assists in the development of online and offline marketing and communications strategies and materials, and supports fundraising activities. Alissa earned a BA in Linguistics from Portland State University and recently completed an AS in Graphic Design at Mt. Hood Community College.
Amy Carlson, Consultant & Rural Program Manager
acarlson@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 116
Amy manages NAO’s rural program, driven by the flagship Ford Institute Leadership Program. Amy comes to NAO with 15 years’ experience working with Oregon nonprofits. Building on a foundation as a community organizer, Amy has served in field, program management, and consultant roles. She brings experience in capacity building in rural and urban communities, strategic planning, collaboration, and advocacy campaigns, and is honored to support rural leaders in building their organizational and community vitality. Amy earned her BA in Environmental Science from Willamette University in Salem, and has continued her education and professional development with graduate coursework in the Portland State University Institute for Nonprofit Management.
Abe Conway, Technology Manager
503-239-4001, ext. 107
aconway@nonprofitoregon.org
Abe manages the day to day IT operations for the organization, including technology infrastructure, software/hardware purchases, technical projects, and sysadmin duties. Abe has completed many industry certifications over the years and has trained other systems operators. He has a strong background in consulting, network operations, system design, and general tech knowledge. View Abe’s complete consultant bio.
Alice Forbes, Operations Director
aforbes@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 125
Alice brings over 20 years’ experience working with nonprofit organizations. She oversees all aspects of the NAO infrastructure, including finance, HR, and administration. In addition, her work includes membership benefits, consulting projects, training presentations and responding to the NAO Helpline. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, she received an MA from the Cooperstown (NY) Graduate Program and a BA from Smith College. View Alice’s complete consultant bio.
Carol M. Ford, Director of Capacity Building Services
cford@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 131
Carol manages consulting services that build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to be more effective and impactful. Carol brings deep skills in organizational management and leadership based on more than 20 years’ experience with city and county governments where her work included extensive team facilitation, strategic planning, financial management, and citizen involvement. As a community leader, Carol has co-led civic engagement projects designed to set common goals for the Metro region on important social, economic, and environmental indicators. She holds a BS in Biology and Communications from Lewis and Clark College and has completed Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in State and Local Government program. View Carol’s complete bio.
Barbara Gibbs, Senior Consultant
bgibbs@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 112
Barbara has worked over 30 years in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, including seven years at the Meyer Memorial Trust. In addition to her foundation work, Barbara has held leadership roles in arts and social service organizations where she led strategic and business planning, capital campaigns, facility renovations, and the development of innovative programs. She has worked closely with organizations of all sizes and disciplines—urban and rural—as well as coalitions. Barbara’s volunteer service experiences include Portland Public Schools, Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington, and Willamette Valley Development Officers. She holds an MBA in Arts Management from UCLA. Full consultant bio coming soon.
Guadalupe Guajardo, Senior Consultant
gguajardo@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 101
A nonprofit consultant for over 25 years, Guadalupe specializes in organizational development, boards and governance, leadership development, and cultural competency. Guadalupe holds a PhD in Transformative Learning and Change from the California Institute of Integral Studies, an MA/ABS in Organization Development from the Leadership Institute of Seattle,and an MA in Theology from Mt. Angel Seminary. Guadalupe is a member of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary of the U.S. - Ontario Province, headquartered in Oregon. View Guadalupe’s complete consultant bio.
Bob Hazen, Executive Transition Services Director
bhazen@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 108
Bob has 35 years’ experience founding, directing, and consulting to provide socially conscious leadership for organizations in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors here and around the world. He launched the Executive Transition Services program in 2001 with a focus on leadership transition, interim leadership, executive searches, and succession planning. View Bob’s complete consultant bio.
Carrie Hoops, Executive Director
choops@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 109
Carrie brings extensive experience in nonprofit management, leadership, and development, with specific experience and expertise managing organizational change. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Literary Arts, guiding the organization in its transition from a small, Portland-based program to a respected mid-sized institution revered throughout Oregon's arts and literary community. In 2006, Carrie began a full-time nonprofit consulting practice specializing in transformational management. She served as interim Executive Director for four regional nonprofits before joining the Nonprofit Association of Oregon in 2009. Carrie is passionate about supporting Oregon nonprofits and empowering nonprofit leaders.
Jennifer Ingham, Training Director
jingham@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 102
Jennifer has 12 years’ experience developing nonprofit education and training programs. She ensures the smooth delivery of over 100 training events produced annually by the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, including full and half-day workshops, year-long training series, and online learning opportunities. She has a BS from the University of Oregon where she studied recreation services, environmental studies, and geology.
María Lisa Johnson, Senior Consultant
mjohnson@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 119
María Lisa has worked with public and nonprofit organizations on a wide range of issues affecting community well-being for over 20 years. She has provided consulting support to organizations serving the Latino community and low-income individuals and families, and was the founding Executive Director for the Latino Network. More recently María Lisa served as the Bureau Director of the City of Portland Office of Human Relations and Human Rights Commission. Her volunteer and Board experience includes The Wallace Medical Concern, Escuela de Líderes Comunitarios Magdalena Mora, and James Beard Public Market. María Lisa has a MA in Public Administration and a MA in International Studies from the University of Oregon. Full consultant bio coming soon.
Cliff Jones, Senior Consultant
cjones@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 106
Cliff has over 25 years’ experience in social service, community education, and human rights advocacy. He specializes in skill-building for boards and supervisors, planning, mediation, workplace diversity, multicultural alliances, conflict resolution, and group facilitation. Cliff has worked with all kinds of nonprofits—grassroots groups, social service agencies, housing authorities, and government bureaus. He holds a BS in Community Services and Public Affairs from the University of Oregon, with a focus in community education and social psychology. View Cliff’s complete consultant bio.
Micaela Kennedy, Membership, TA Fund & Office Coordinator
mkennedy@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 127
Micaela coordinates recruitment activities and provides support to members of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon. Micaela studied Religious Studies and Political Science at the University of New Mexico and earned a BA in International Studies from Southern Oregon University.
Kathy Kniep, Executive Transition Services Consultant
kkniep@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 113
Kathy was one of the founding members of Executive Transition Services (ETS) and has over 20 years’ experience working for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, including several stints as interim executive director. In addition to providing interim executive director, development director, and CFO placement services, she also facilitates strategic planning, executive searches, and board development. Prior to joining the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, Kathy served for over five years as executive director of the YWCA Clark County in Vancouver, Washington. She has served on a variety of boards and holds a master degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. View Kathy’s complete consultant bio.
Alexis Millett, Capacity Building Services/Rural Program Coordinator
amillett@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 115
Alexis coordinates the rural capacity building program, driven by The Ford Institute Leadership Program. Alexis received a BA in International Development and Social Change and an MA in Community Development and Planning, both from Clark University in Massachusetts. Previously, Alexis has worked for a small, community-oriented design and real estate firm doing project management and research in Seattle. She also has a background in working with youth-focused nonprofits, managing evening programs and promoting healthy life choices through hip-hop music engagement.
Deborah Steinkopf, Development & Communications Director
dsteinkopf@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 103
Deborah is a seasoned nonprofit professional with over 20 years’ experience in nonprofit administration, program planning, fund development, and communications. She has worked for nonprofits of all sizes, in both consulting and staffing capacities. Deborah oversees fund development, strategic communications, and marketing activities. She enjoys translating the technical aspects of the work for funders and other key audiences, connecting what we do to their interests, and telling the agency story in a compelling way. Deborah earned a Master in Social Work and an MA in Public Affairs and Policy from the State University of New York at Albany.
Kim Vu, Fiscal Manager
kvu@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 105
Kim manages fiscal functions and contract accounting services. Prior to working at the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, Kim worked with the affordable housing organization Rose CDC, where she got her first taste of nonprofit accounting and fell in love with it. Kim received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Portland State University.
Kirsten Wisneski, Training Program Coordinator
kwisneski@nonprofitoregon.org
503-239-4001, ext. 123
Kirsten is responsible for advance, on-site, and post-event logistics for the Nonprofit Association of Oregon training program, including participant registration and marketing. Kirsten received an MA in Communication as well as a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Feminist Studies from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She completed her undergraduate study at Wellesley College.