About us

 

 

Leadership team
Sam Diaz headshot
Sam Diaz (he/him/his)
Executive Director

ASK ME ABOUT: Fundraising | Environmental justice & racial equity | Board & staff management | Community organizing & engagement | Campaign development

sam@friends.org | (503) 694-3892

Mary Kyle McCurdy headshot
Mary Kyle McCurdy (she/her/hers)
Associate Director & Managing Attorney

ASK ME ABOUT: Housing | Wildfire | Climate resilience

mkm@friends.org | (503) 694-3896

Staff
Ben stands against green foliage and looks at the camera with a slight smile
Ben Asher (he/him/his)
Operations Associate

ASK ME ABOUT: Data entry | Document processing

ben@friends.org | (503) 678-9788

Blair Batson 2022
Blair Batson (she/her/hers)
Staff Attorney

If you would like to contact our legal team regarding a land use issue in Oregon, please email landuse@friends.org

John sits outside on a rocky shore and smiles at the camera
John Butterfield (he/him/his)
Staff Attorney

If you would like to contact our legal team regarding a land use issue in Oregon, please email landuse@friends.org

A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, blue glasses, and pale skin.
Jenni Denekas (she/her/hers)
Communications Manager

ASK ME ABOUT: Press outreach | Website updates | Email newsletter | Collaborating on campaigns

jenni@friends.org

Eve Goldman smiles at the camera
Eve Goldman (she/her/hers)
Staff Attorney

If you would like to contact our legal team regarding a land use issue in Oregon, please email landuse@friends.org

Jim Johnson sits at a desk facing the camera
Jim Johnson (he/him/his)
Working Lands Policy Director

Our Working Lands Program can be reached at landuse@friends.org

Anna stands against a glass wall and smiles
Anna Kemper (she/her/hers)
Membership Experience Manager

ASK ME ABOUT: Donations | Legacy giving | Membership inquiries | Membership events

anna@friends.org | (503) 994-9117

Jacky Lee
Jacky Lee (they/them/theirs)
Oregon for Everyone Manager

ASK ME ABOUT: City-level housing policy | Community organizing skills training | Rural & small-town housing solutions

jacky@friends.org | (503) 783-8086

Lou Ocampo, Executive Coordinator
Lou Ocampo (he/him/his)
Operations Manager

ASK ME ABOUT: Operations & administration

lou@friends.org | (971) 420-0915

Cassie Wilson sits on an assistive mobility device against a purple background and faces the camera, smiling
Cassie Wilson (she/her/hers)
Legislative Manager

ASK ME ABOUT: Legislative policy & strategy | Transportation | Disability justice | Coalition building

cassie@friends.org

Robb sits on a stone wall overlooking a green valley
Robb Wolfson (he/him/his)
Legal Apprentice

If you would like to contact our legal team regarding a land use issue in Oregon, please email landuse@friends.org

Board of directors
Gil Kelley
Gil Kelley
Board president

Urban and Regional Planner | Mt.Hood-Parkdale

A photo of Meriel Darzen in a grassy space with picnic tables
Meriel Darzen
Board vice president

Crag Law Center | Portland

Baker Lyon Headshot
Baker Lyon
Board secretary and treasurer

Nominations & Governance Committee chair

Affordable Housing Developer | Portland

Nellie McAdams stands at a table cracking hazelnuts
Nellie McAdams
Policy Committee Chair

Forestry and Agricultural Advisory
Committee (FAAC) cochair

Oregon Agricultural Trust | Portland

Justin stands outside with Multnomah Falls in the background and smiles at the camera on a sunny day
Justin Pabalate
Board Membership Experience Committee Chair

Northeast Community Center | Portland

MJ Harris, Board Member
Margaret Jane (MJ) Harris

Forestry and Agricultural Advisory
Committee (FAAC) member

Farmer | Cornelius

Ken Hayes Photo
Ken Hayes

Farmer & Consultant | Gaston

Eddie, standing outside, wears a colorful shirt and smiles at the camera
Edward B. Hill

Food Loop Northwest | Portland

Greg Macpherson, Board Member
Greg Macpherson

Forestry and Agricultural Advisory
Committee (FAAC) member

Bannockburn Farms | Albany

Jeff sits on a bench and smiles at the camera.
Jeff Mapes

Retired political journalist | Portland

Rod park stands in field
Rod Park

Park's Nursery | Gresham

Victor Platt
Victor Platt

Andina | Portland

Christian Richmond Photo
Christian Richmond 

Star Mooring Farm | Newberg

Albert Roberson portrait
Albert Roberson

Portland State University | Portland

Ben Williams looks at the camera, wearing glasses, against a dark red background
Ben Williams

Friends of French Prairie | Butteville

Libby Wilson
Libby Wilson

Country Natural Beef | North Powder

Anita faces the camera and gently smiles. She is wearing a purple lei and a piece of art hangs behind her.
Anita Yap

MultiCultural Collaborative | Portland

We are always looking for passionate people to join our board and our board committees. 

Join our board

 

Forestry and Agriculture Advisory Committee leadership
Blue icon of a person's outline against darker blue background
Anna Jesse
Cochair
Nellie McAdams stands at a table cracking hazelnuts
Nellie McAdams
Cochair
Photo of Dan Keeley in an orchard
Dan Keeley
Vice Cochair
Blue icon of a person's outline against darker blue background
Shelley Wetherell
Vice Cochair

Forestry and Agriculture Advisory Committee

Our Forestry and Agriculture Advisory Committee (FAAC) is the voice of Oregon's working lands. The FAAC assists us in ensuring that Oregon maintains the land needed for future generations of farmers, foresters, and ranchers.