Our Team

Who We Are

We hire leaders and give them freedom to lead. Everyone comes to The Contingent with their own unique gifts, skills, and abilities and we encourage our team to step up and be all in this work with that uniqueness. We hold ourselves to a high standard for practicing equity; If we are going to engage in the work of mobilizing community and empowering leaders externally, we must first do the work internally (personally and collectively).

Our Commitment to our Communities

At The Contingent, the “who” is more important than the “what.” The Contingent centers community voices, particularly the voices of those most impacted by our work. We recognize that every person we interact with has an opportunity to help us fulfill our mission. Our values are most fully lived out in partnership with the communities we serve.

Our Mission

The Contingent empowers leaders and mobilizes community for the common good. The Contingent is creating a nationwide movement of individuals and families rising into leadership and service of others for the communities in which they live.

Our Team

Our Commitment to our Communities

Our Mission

Governing Board

Ben Sand

CEO, The Contingent

Erinn Kelley-Siel

Chief Officer of Public Funding and Policy, Friends of the Children

Mark Shuholm

Owner at Kousa

Veronica Cuniff

Former Teacher & Coach

John Chang

Executive Director, College Possible

Our Staff

Maia Anderson

Associate Director, Every Child PDX

I take action in Oregon by demonstrating a commitment to equity & inclusion by forging new relationships, efforts & events to serve communities of color that are disproportionately affected by the foster system.

Maia’s superpower: Seeing potential in everyone and seek to draw it out through hope and encouragement.

Manuela Ban

Software Engineer

Manuela’s superpower: Empowerment, integrity, influence, problem-solving, strategy, resilience, perseverance, honesty, truth, intuition.

Kelly Bartz

Executive Director of People & Culture

I take action in Oregon by elevating voices that are too often marginalized or muted. I love Oregon because the diversity of the state’s landscape is only a reflection of the beauty displayed in the diversity of lived experiences.

Kelly’s superpower: Helping leaders discover all they are created to be.

Lauren Berry

Grant Accountant

I take action in Oregon by using my skills, knowledge, and unique experiences to support the development of diverse communities.

Lauren’s superpower: Positivity and tranquility in stressful circumstances.

Kelsey Byrd

Executive Director of Products & Innovation

I take action in Oregon by being committed to listening and learning from experiences that are different from my own and ensuring those voices are given space and honored for their importance.

Kelsey’s superpower: Seeing themes and consensus amid what feels like chaos.

Kafi Mashariki Carrasco

Senior Director, Every Child PDX

Carolina Chiari

Organizational Communications Strategist

I take action in Oregon by attending any and all networking and community events possible. I love to build relationships with people in order to pool expertise and resources together to make positive impacts on individuals and communities. You never know who you’ll meet!

Carolina’s superpower: Seeing past the fog of chaos. In times of crises, I can automatically jump to action and produce actionable solutions to any problem.

Alexandria Clarke

Strategic Growth Marketing Manager

I take action in Oregon by learning and listening to the needs of the community. Everyone has a story to tell.

Alex’s superpower: Forward Momentum & Positivity

Noemi Davila

CX Associate, My NeighbOR

Jamie Dudley

Bookkeeper

Nathalia Duó

Associate Director, Research and Evaluation

I take action in Oregon by getting familiarized with local politics and incentivizing local voting. Also finding places to volunteer.

Nathalia’s superpower: Learning new things.

Vivian Duong

Software Engineer

I take action in my community by building technical solutions and tools that serve the underrepresented.

Vivian’s superpower: Problem solving and tenacity

Micah Dutro

Infrastructure Engineer

I take action in Oregon by making connections between people, systems, and technology.

Micah’s superpower: Finding a way to make things work.

Priscila España

CX Associate

I take action in Oregon by planning events for my community.

Priscila’s superpower: Empowering others by sharing information, knowledge, and resources.

Carolyn Evans

Manager of Human Resources

I take action in Oregon by using my skills, abilities and gifts to serve those with in my sphere of influence.

Caroline’s superpower: Organization

Sarah Forsythe-Insley

Project Director, Empowering Leaders Division

Sarah’s superpower: Attention to detail and problem solving.

Tiara Gay

Community Experience (CX) Senior Manager

Amanda Geldhof

Interim Director of Marketing

I take action through digital storytelling that gives a voice to the many, encourages what’s right, and fosters change.

Amanda’s superpower: Never accepting the status quo.

Jillana Goble

Founder and Foster Support Advocate, Every Child Oregon

I take action in Oregon walking alongside a myriad of people impacted by foster care. I love Oregon because it’s where I am putting down roots. There is no other place I’d rather be!

Jillana’s superpower: Leaning in to other’s experiences with empathy.

Luke Goble

Interim Executive Director of Product & Services

I take action in Oregon by saying a sometimes enthusiastic and sometimes reluctant “yes” to offer my life and my talents in service to and love for others.

Luke’s superpower: Observation and strategy.

Brooke Gray

Executive Director of National Expansion

I take action in Oregon by mobilizing community to bring what they can to the table for children and families in crisis. Oregon is a place of radical generosity. I love its diversity in people, perspective, geography, and way of life.

Brooke’s superpower: Building unlikely bridges.

Julissa Griffith-Graham

Community Experience Specialist, Every Child Tennessee

Kris Hines

Every Child Admin, Every Child Oregon

I take action in Oregon by using my skills in administration and hospitality to impact our community.

Kris’s superpower: Intuition.

Carly Hinman

Program Specialist, Every Child Oregon

Carly’s superpower: Accurately predicting plot twists or ending of movies and TV shows. Active imagination which includes detailed daydreaming.

Daniel Ibinola

Program Coordinator, Thriving Families Arkansas

I take action in my area by staying ready to get ready. This is because prevention is not only better than cure, but also much cheaper.

Daniel’s superpower: Resilience. He sees every challenge as an opportunity to grow.

Kaitlyn Jolley

Director of Community Experience (CX)

I take action in my area by shining the spotlight on others and helping them see their unique qualities as vital contributions to our community, to help others uncover their potential and realize their dreams.

Kaitlyn’s superpower: Being loyal and reliable; she will uphold her commitments, always.

Lauren Lobaugh

CX Associate

I take action in Oregon by creating a welcoming space for people’s hopes, desires, and questions.

Lauren’s superpower: Creating a space where other’s feel listened to and safe to voice their opinions, even if we might not agree.

Stephanie Lopez

Program Recruitment and Retention Manager, Emerging Leaders

I take action in Oregon by creating and sustaining equitable systems and spaces.

Stephanie’s superpower: Resiliency rooted in hope.

Moshe Martinez

IT Services Specialist

I take action in Oregon by being a part of various multicultural organizations and communities that empower Latino leaders.

Moshe’s superpower: Technical experience and leadership

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Ginean McIntosh

CX Associate, Every Child Tennessee and MyNeighbOR

Dalia Mondragon

HQ Coordinator

I am taking action in Oregon by investing in myself and pursuing a higher education. I am majoring in Spanish and Psychology. Upon graduating, I wish to be of more assistance in my community and become a translator in immigration or legal services.

Dalia’s superpower: Using my harmonizing and bilingual skills to build community and connections!

Kimberly Nachbur

Software Engineer

I take action in Oregon in my area of technology, I have a huge passion for making sure the sites and applications I build are accessible to as many people as possible! I have a hand-written cheat sheet posted in my office of the most current Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG for short!) so I can easily double-check that the projects I work on are on the right track.

Kimberly’s superpower: Tailoring communication and hospitality to help others feel understood.

Tara M. Papandrew

Senior Volunteer Specialist, Every Child Oregon

Rachel Parrott

Product Manager, The Script

I take action in Oregon by lifting the voices of those who too often fall through the cracks. I center the question of “Who benefits and who is burdened” in the choices I make daily.

Rachel’s superpower: A lifelong love of learning – I deeply enjoy understanding the history of complex systems and combining multiple disciplines and strategies to create innovative and meaningful change.

Nick Poindexter

Senior Director, Empowering Leaders

I take action in Oregon by being dedicated to the collective commitment of our organization to serve, uplift, and invest in building up marginalized communities. I love Oregon because it is a place that has helped shape my story. The guidance and support of people here helped shape me to be who I am today.

Nick’s superpower: Encouragement.

Maya Reed

CX Manager, Every Child Arkansas

I take action by volunteering with my sorority to be of “service to all mankind”.

Maya’s superpower: Putting a smile on people’s faces by empowering them to be their best selves or through a good laugh.

Lisette Rodriguez

Data Analytics Manager

I take action by empathizing with and serving the underrepresented individuals in my community through my unique abilities and passions.

Lisette’s superpower: Uplifting others by spreading joy!

Alexa Sakai

Database Manager

I take action in Oregon by stepping in the gap to provide resources, support, and love for parents and children in foster care. I love Oregon because we are resilient, diverse, and take action to support our most vulnerable community members

Alexa’s superpower: Empathy.

Carlis Salomon-Lira

CX Specialist, The Script

I take action in Oregon by serving my community and being a source of kindness, love, and compassion.

Carlis’ superpower: To search for fairness and assure people find belonging, they are seen and loved.

Ben Sand

CEO

I take action in Oregon by bringing leaders together to ask big questions and imagine collaborative solutions. I love Oregon because the people don’t back down and the trout are plenty (fish on!)

Ben’s superpower: Bringing ideas to life.

Jess Severns

Program Associate, Every Child PDX

Lauren Sigler

Administrative Coordinator, Empowering Leaders

I take action in Oregon by making comedy in Portland accessible to all!

Lauren’s superpower: Problem solving and spotting corgis in large crowds.

Michelle Sligar

Digital Marketing Producer

I take action in Oregon by showing up for my local community by investing my time and energy through Foster Parent’s Night Out.

Michelle’s superpower: Creative Thinking and Community Building.

Cydnie Brown

Digital Strategy Manager

Cydnie’s superpower: Leading life with love and the ability to bring people together.

Kailyn Stanley

Associate Director of Projects, Every Child Oregon

I take action in Oregon and in my own community through my volunteerism; I am honored to be part of peer support groups that focus on grief support for children and youth.

Kailyn’s superpower: Authentic connection, valuing all voices, experiences and perspectives.

Jerome Strickland

Executive Director of The Contingent, Arkansas

I take action in Arkansas by working with city youth, churches and the community centers to show the love of Christ and meet whatever needs I can.

Jerome’s superpower: Empathy.

Josie Swails

CX Specialist, Every Child Tennessee

I take action in Indiana by combating stigma via education in our most vulnerable communities.

Josie’s superpower: Reliability.

Oscar Sweeten-Lopez

Executive Director of The Contingent, Oregon

I take action in Oregon by bringing diverse perspectives together to find common ground and create stronger communities.

Oscar’s superpower: Listening to understand so everyone’s perspective is recognized, and they are empowered to collaborate on solutions!

Brandon Tittle

Senior Program Manager, Every Child Arkansas

I take action in Arkansas by helping motivate others to open their homes and lives to children and families in need.

Brandon’s superpower: Listening and helping others accomplish their plans and dreams.

Lisa To

HQ Administrator

I take action in Oregon by providing organizational structure and administrative support to allow others space to be their best self.

Lisa’s superpower: Hospitality and Intuition.

Felicia Tripp

Chief Operating Officer

I take action in Oregon by serving our most vulnerable communities. I love Oregon because of its geographic and racial diversity.

Felicia’s superpower: Love without judgment.

Jeanne Wang

Senior Graphic Designer

I take action in my community by caring and advocating for diverse communities and families through human-centered design, imagination, and endless creativity.

Jeanne’s superpower: Being a safe space for loved ones with the ability to comfort and disarm.

Shakenya D White

Administrative Specialist, Arkansas

Rena Whittaker

Senior Director of Generosity & Investment

Rena’s Superpower: Being an Encourager and showing up heart-first. Seeing others as their own hero.

Heather Wild

Software Engineering Manager

I take action in Oregon by parenting two lovely and independent daughters. I also volunteer at our local park thinning invasive blackberries and helping with creek restoration.

Heather’s superpower: Remembering the names of things.

Liz Williamson

Senior Staff Accountant

I take action in Oregon by intentionally investing in & connecting those around me while leaving things better than I found them.

Liz’s superpower: A genuine interest to hear everyone’s story.

Amanda Wilson

Product Manager

Shelly Winterberg

Senior Director, Every Child Oregon

I take action in Oregon by inviting the community to show up for children in foster care. I love Oregon because the folks that live in this state are generous and care for one another.

Shelly’s superpower: Calling out the good in others.

Take Action

We invite you to join the movement. We’ll meet you where you are and give you the opportunity to go all in. Together, we are The Contingent.

Take Action