Portland, Oregon
Shenika Cumberbatch-Corpas
Position: Services Expert Representative - Public PolicyMember: Chair, Equity Framework Development Team, Public Policy Committee, Executive Committee
Shenika is a Redmond resident, and works at the Department of Human Services as a Human Services Representative there. Shenika is an AmeriCorps VISTA Alumna. Though she is still new to Oregon, she loves to get out and explore; when she's not working, she likes to spend her time hiking. If she is not outside, then she is home reading or playing video games, and spending quality time with their husband and two cats.
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Heidi Edwards
Position: Local Labor Representative
Heidi is a Beaverton resident, and is the Executive Vice President of the Federation of Faculty & Academic Professionals at Portland Community College, where she works with active AmeriCorps members. Heidi also has previously served as a nonprofit Volunteer Coordinator during her career. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, camping, running, going to outdoor concerts, and traveling. Heidi also currently serves on the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District Board of Directors.
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Mary Greusel
Position: Ex-Officio Commissioner
Mary lives in Los Angeles and is the Senior Portfolio Manager of the AmeriCorps West Regional Office in Los Angeles, California. She is an Alumna of both AmeriCorps State and National, and the Peace Corps. She is very passionate about the importance of National Service. You often can catch her gardening, and spending time with her family.
Todd Jones
Position: Services Expert Representative - Service Learning
Todd is a West Linn resident and teacher at West Linn High School. He served as the first Interim Director of the Oregon Community Service Commission when AmeriCorps was first brought to Oregon in 1994. Todd’s hobbies include exercising, being outdoors, making music, reading and writing, and playing with his wife and girls. You can often catch him with his guitar in his arms.
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Adele McAfee
Position: Local Government RepresentativeMember: Equity Framework Development Team
Adele is a resident of Redmond, and the Executive Assistant for the City of Bend. She is a sixteen-year public service employee. Besides serving the public, Adele spends her time handmaking jewelry, painting, and hard rock mining.
Jayesh Palshikar
Position: Volunteer Sector Representative Member: Public Policy Committee
Jayesh works for the Oregon Nurses Association, and is a 1994 AmeriCorps Alumni - the inaugural year of AmeriCorps. Jayesh is a lifelong volunteer, and has volunteered on many projects, including weatherization with the Community Energy Project, building houses with Habitat for Humanity, trail maintenance and environmental education with the U.S. Forest Service, and leading troops with the Scouts BSA. When he is not working, he loves getting into nature by hiking or kayaking. As a registered nurse, his job is not only to help people who come to the hospital in need, but also to promote the health of the community. Jayesh believes volunteerism is important and AmeriCorps National Service programs change lives and strengthen communities.
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Jared Pruch
Position: Community-based Agency Representative
Jared Pruch lives in Eugene, and is the Director of Community Impact for United Way of Lane County. Jared served for AmeriCorps in 2006. You can find Jared gardening with his partner and three children, they grow eight different kinds of fruits and berries in their home garden, and are working to incorporate native plants and pollinator friendly landscaping into their garden and yard. Jared is particularly passionate about the impact that AmeriCorps members can have in rural communities in Oregon.
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Nathan Rix
Position: Services Expert - Civic Engagement Member: Chair, Commission, Chair, Public Policy Committee, Executive Committee
Nathan is a Portland resident, and the Deputy Director, Strategy and Policy with the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. He is an AmeriCorps Alumni with Teach for America. Because he is a private aircraft pilot who founded the Aviation Youth Empowerment Foundation you can often find Nathan up in the sky. Inclusion, authenticity, and integrity are core values that guide his decision-making.
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Elias Villegas
Position: Higher Education Representative Member: Vice-Chair, Commission, Executive Committee
Elias is a Woodburn resident and Dean for the Woodburn Center of Chemeketa Community College. In addition to Oregon Volunteers Commission, he also serves on the Oregon Community Foundation Leadership Council, the City of Woodburn Global Inclusion Advisory Council, the Farmworker Development Corporation board, and is an active member of the Woodburn Rotary Club. If you're looking for Elias, you can often find him navigating around the kitchen dabbling in the culinary arts, dancing, and traveling with his family.
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