Uplift OPEN
Uplift Oregon Peer Equity Network
OPEN Cohort 2022-2023
This program took 24 staff from 8 different agencies from State of Oregon government and formed them into a supportive community of practice. The practice in question is the ongoing work of embedding equity, inclusion, diversity, belonging, and justice into the policies, operations, and practices of state government.
The OPEN program celebrated the conclusion of its first year on November 17th, 2023. Particpants and agency leaders came together and discussed the importance of connecting government back to communities, as well as improving the state as a workplace. Philip Schilts of SEIU 503 spoke to the success of the labor-management partnership that the OPEN program represented and the visible impact being displayed in the room.
Several OPEN cohort members talked about the significance of the program, and many were moved by what this effort meant for them, their work, and what this effort signified for their families and communities. Overall, the event was engaging, meaningful, and left attendees with a sense of hope and accomplishment to take forward with them.
OPEN participants come from agencies all across the state. Our cohort is a network that will sustain the alignment of individual agenies with Oregon’s Equity Action Plan. Thank you to our change makers!
Department of Administrative Services
Juliet Valdez
Cameron Stuckart
Ramesh Grandhe
Department of State Lands
Jaclyn Zatta
Deborah Rudd
Allison Daniel
Arin Smith
Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
Tiffany Ball
Audra Anderson
Heidi Van Middlesworth
Ben Klecker
Early Learning Division
Kristina Stevens
Gabriela Hernandez
Karina Guzman-Ortiz
Lindsay Pearson
Department of Agriculture
Toby Primbs
Timindra Pratico
Michael Williams
Tash Wilson
Department of Forestry
Megan Donecker
Ryan Greco
Deanna Grimstead
Casara Nichols
Public Employees Retirement System
Louise Plata
Tamie Johnson
Brian Kirchner
Christine Vanderhoof
Business Oregon
Bryant Campbell
Jessica Sedacy
Lies Wattimena
Uplift Staff
Jeanette Cooper
When to contact
Questions about travel, hotel, or conference registration and logistics
206-841-0303 (call/text)
Brad Fortier
When to contact
Questions about Uplift OPEN, conference content questions
503-939-2537 (call/text)
