Board member bios

Joy Dougherty graduated from University of Arizona and holds a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California. She is licensed in California, Oregon and Colorado. She began her law practice doing workers’ compensation in Oregon. She joined the Workers’ Compensation Board in 2003 as a Staff Attorney, and in 2010 she became an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). In 2013, she was appointed to be the Presiding ALJ. In October of 2023, she was nominated by Governor Kotek, and confirmed by the Senate, to be the Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Board. In March 2024, she was inducted into the National College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. She also serves as a member of the Dispute Resolution Committee with the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, as well as being a member of their Judicial Program Planning subcommittee. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Roger Ousey obtained his JD in 1986 from the University of Oregon. While attending law school he served as a law clerk with the law offices of Bischoff and Strooband where he learned the workers' compensation system. In 1992, he worked for the firm's Medford office on a full-time basis, then became a full partner in 1994. In 2011, he took over the firm under the name Roger Ousey, P.C. Roger joined the Workers' Compensation Board on June 5, 2017.

Moises obtained both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has a long history of representing low-wage workers, such as farmworkers, with the Oregon Law Center, a non-profit. During this time, he worked on matters that spanned employment and landlord-tenant law. Moises comes to the Board from the Oregon Health Authority where he was a civil rights investigator. He is fluent in both spoken and written Spanish. Moises enjoys spending time with his partner and two young children. He joined the Workers' Compensation Board on June 28, 2021.

Melissa Douglas, Board Member

Melissa attended the University of California Santa Cruz, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree with honors. She later obtained her juris doctor from Willamette University College of Law, graduating cum laude. Melissa's legal career has focused exclusively on representing Oregon employers in their workers' compensation matters. She is a certified mediator and has been an active member in the Oregon State Bar's Workers' Compensation Section. She loves both Oregon and workers' compensation law and feels honored to serve on the Board. Melissa joined the Workers' Compensation Board on October 6, 2025.

Kate Caldwell, Board Member

Kate is a lifelong Oregonian who grew up in Gresham. She completed her undergrad degree at Bryn Mawr College earned her law degree at Lewis and Clark. She has been involved in the workers' compensation system since 2004, and was a practicing attorney representing Oregon employers from 2009 to 2025. Kate was previously a member of the Workers' Compensation Section's Access to Justice Committee and Executive Committee, and served as section chair in 2019. When she's not working, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family. Kate joined the Workers' Compensation Board on October 13, 2025.