I garden! Count how many other people here garden, too… but I’m growing a banana tree in my apartment because I like experimenting. I’m otherwise an overworked MSW student at Portland State and an itinerant research student who’s worked on various Portland-area “human services” (ugh) projects.

There are plenty of agencies in the Portland metro area that hire peers. MHAAO is one of the most dynamic ones that actually put lived experience in management, from top to bottom. And I think that’s the most significant part of being a peer: doing it yourself and for your friends in lived experience.

I am an architect at Holst focused on social impact through housing, health, and education. I am also a devoted husband and father and love spending time with my family.

MHAAO’s peer-supported service model is inspiring to me. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience in the built environment and business world to assist MHAAO as they continue to grow and take on new challenges.

I am a member of, a supporter, and a participant in 3 non-profit organizations that work to be catalysts for racial and social justice. Each one strives / works to partner with communities to help dismantle all systemic discrimination, build inclusion, and advance and strengthen the human rights of ALL people. I am also an avid gardener and collector of vinyl records.

I am a proud founding member of MHAAO. My motivation to serve on the board is based on my personal mission to be a strong advocate for human rights and the fair treatment of all people. I believe MHAAO’s mission to advance the knowledge and development of peer support aligns with the notion of human rights and fair treatment, and I want to help advance that mission.

I’m the Executive Director of Bay Area First Step (BAFS), a peer-run organization providing peer support, housing, treatment, and other recovery support services in Coos and Curry County. I love hiking and spending time on the beach.

I met Janie Gullickson at the 2017 Peerpocalypse event in Seaside. I was super excited about MHAAO and joined the board soon after.

I own and operate a website development agency and a small christmas tree farm. I also coach football in my small town. I spend as much time as possible with my 3 boys enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities.

Having received peer services myself in the past I have gotten to a place in my life where I am always looking for new ways to give back what was so freely given to me. When I was asked about joining the board at MHAAO i immediately said yes. I look forward to becoming more involved with the organization that gives back so much to my community and my peers.

I work as the Quality and Safety Consultant for Mental Health and Addiction Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Northwest. I help these Kaiser teams by providing opportunities for improving the clinical care of our members and ensure that health care equity and diversity are part of operational decisions at all levels. I am engaged to my wonderful life partner and have 5 children ranging from 10-19yrs. I am an advocate for families with children on the Autism Spectrum (two of my five have ASD) both within KP and the community. I am an avid stand-up paddle boarder and am always looking for a body of water on the weekend!

Part of work with Kaiser is supporting the MHAAO Peer Support Specialist that work with our KP members. The Peer team have become like family to me, so when the opportunity to become a board member presented itself, there was no doubt in my mind MHAAO was where I wanted to volunteer my time. The mission and purpose of this incredible organization aligns with both my professional career and my personal life experiences. Peer support in recovery truly works!