DEI Coalition
Learn about the OR-MEP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition
OR-MEP is committed to equitably serving the people of Oregon and disrupting systems that maintain inequality, within the energy industry and beyond. The OR-MEP DEI Coalition will recommend and influence changes to the OR-MEP program to make it more accessible to all, especially customers with the greatest need who have not benefitted from the program.
Coalition members represent diverse backgrounds and experiences, including:
Affordable Housing Property Manager or Owner
Resident/Community Member
Community-Based Organization Representative
Community or Public Health Worker
Affordable Housing Finance Specialist
Workforce Development Specialist
Energy Industry Professional
OR-MEP is actively recruiting members of Oregon tribes to join the Coalition. The position will remain open until filled. You can find more information about the application and selection process on our “How to Get Involved” page.
OR-MEP and Oregon Housing & Community Services formed the OR-MEP DEI Coalition in 2021 to improve program accessibility. In 2024, the OR-MEP team developed a framework that outlines the processes used to form and facilitate the OR-MEP DEI Coalition and lessons learned to-date.
View the document linked below to learn from the OR-MEP team’s firsthand experiences. You can read about best practices, lessons learned, and suggested approaches intended to help anyone establish a similar coalition.
Facilitators
Rachel Dortin
Facilitator
Rachel Dortin
Rachel Dortin (she/her) is a Managing Consultant at Encolor, a strategic advising and technical assistance firm dedicated to uncovering root causes and addressing structural challenges. She also serves as Director of Community Organizing & Ownership for the Shared Space Project (Shared Space), Encolor’s sister nonprofit focused on creating spaces where communities and organizations can share power and co-create solutions.
At Encolor, Rachel leads qualitative research efforts to ensure that community and individual perspectives are reflected in process evaluations and program research. She facilitates coalitions and advisory groups to ensure diverse perspectives inform the development and delivery of programs, products, and services. Her work for Encolor centers on helping utilities, government agencies, regulatory bodies, and other energy service providers make decisions that reflect the needs and lived experiences of the communities they serve.
Through Shared Space, Rachel develops and delivers trainings and workshops that empower these same audiences with the skills and knowledge needed to listen to, learn from, and co-create with community partners. She is also the program lead for Action 4 Advancement Midwest, Shared Space’s inaugural initiative supporting individuals and organizations working to operationalize equity across the energy ecosystem. Together, these dual roles allow Rachel to work both top-down and bottom-up, helping to bridge clients, partners, and the communities they support.
Rachel holds a PhD in English from Wayne State University, with a concentration in community-based participatory research methodologies, and an MA in Rhetoric and Writing from the University of Findlay, with a focus on environmental justice communications. She is also a member of the Association for Energy Service Professionals (AESP) Community, Access, Representation, and Empowerment (CARE) Council.
Kirstin Pulles
Facilitator
Kirstin Pulles
Kirstin holds a master’s degree in Community Engagement, Social Change, and Equity from the University of British Columbia, where her research centered on community-based and participatory research methods. Prior to joining Unrooz, Kirstin spent over two years at Efficiency Canada as the Community Engagement Manager. Across several roles and projects, she has worked with a variety of stakeholders – such as transit unions, farmers, rock climbers, and more – to develop community-informed policy solutions. Kirstin has also led research projects across Canada and around the world.
With her diverse background and unwavering commitment to justice and equity, Kirstin brings particular expertise in facilitation, community-based research, and engagement to Unrooz.
Sepideh Rezania
Facilitator
Sepideh Rezania
Sepideh Rezania brings over 23 years of broad industry experience in strategy development and program management, creating long-lasting solutions for the non-profit, utility, and consumer electronics design industries.
Her out-of-box thinking, passion for implementing impactful socially responsible solutions, strong leadership, and analytical system skills, give her the unique ability to drive a small or a large team towards sustainable and inclusive solutions.
Sepideh leverages her broad repertoire of experience to work with organizations to incorporate human-focused and Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion-based methodologies, tools, and metrics into program designs. In her approach, she brings an equity perspective into the process by building trust, testing assumptions, co-designing with the community, and facilitating inclusive conversations to ensure both the process and the strategies are equitable and inclusive.
Coalition Members
Cynthia Aguilar
Cynthia Aguilar
Cynthia brings a strong background in politics, community organizing, and housing justice to her role at the coalition. Rooted in grassroots work, Cynthia is a community organizer at heart and has supported successful electoral efforts across the state. Cynthia is driven by a commitment to empowering communities and advancing equity and justice in Oregon.
Mohanad Alnajjar
Mohanad Alnajjar
Since 2008, Mohanad Alnajjar has accumulated knowledge and experience in community development while working with non-profit organizations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. He also worked as a project coordinator, event organizer and part-time lecturer prior to moving to the United States in 2021.
Currently, Mohanad satisfies his strong passion for community service as he works with Unite Oregon—a community-based organization led by people of color, immigrants and refugees, rural communities, and people experiencing poverty—to build a unified intercultural movement for justice.
His academic qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, a professional graduate diploma in managing civil society organizations and postgraduate degrees in business administration.
Ellen Bolus-Edmonds
Ellen Bolus-Edmonds
Ellen Bolus-Edmonds, MBA, CPC is a dynamic leader recognized for her dedication to equity-centered business stabilization.
Most recently serving as a Project Manager at Prosper Portland, Ellen successfully led the Small Business Stabilization Program, where she championed the Restore Winter Storm Relief Program and orchestrated the delivery of resources to over 1,000 small businesses. She also drives systemic change as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coalition Member for the Oregon Multifamily Energy Program (Oregon Housing & Community Services), where she co-developed plans to improve accessibility for historically marginalized communities.
Previously, as Executive Director of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (PACCO), she managed major state and federal grants, distributing over $1.5 million in assistance to underrepresented and minority-owned small businesses.
Her expertise is grounded in over five years of public sector leadership and a robust corporate background, including serving as a Commercial Sales Head and Chief Operating Officer for publicly traded logistics firms in the Philippines, where she managed teams l delivering over $200 million in annual revenue.
Ellen holds a Gold Medalist MBA from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and is a Certified Professional Coach. Actively serving as a volunteer advisor for various organizations nationwide, she is an incoming Board Member for the University of the Philippines Phi Delta Alpha Sorority, USA Chapter, a non-profit organization focused on economic empowerment activities for low-income families.
Aside from her own coaching and business consulting company, she co-owns three other businesses with her husband in the fields of merchant services, solar energy and clear aligners employing the latest technology in teeth alignment.
A recent addition to her many roles which she truly enjoys is being a grandmother to her granddaughter, Alex.
Brenda Brown
Brenda Brown
Brenda Brown immigrated to Oregon in 2010 and has dedicated her career to supporting Latino families, entrepreneurs, and community organizations. She is the owner of Latina Pro Solutions and Calaverita Coffee, where she provides bilingual financial education, business training, and culturally relevant support to help small businesses and non profit organizations.
Originally from Mexico, Brenda earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Sinaloa. She feels privileged to serve her community and to help create spaces where Latino entrepreneurs feel confident, welcome, and supported.
Outside of work, Brenda enjoys watching movies and cooking with family and friends. She is excited to contribute her experience and community perspective to the OR-MEP DEI Coalition.
Esteban Montero Chacon
Esteban Montero Chacon
Esteban Montero Chacon is the Energy Services Director for Homes for Good which serves Lane County. Esteban joined Homes for Good in October 2020. Since then, he has been enhancing existing partnerships with local and regional utilities, expanding community connections, and helping low-income residents be more comfortable while supporting a healthier and more sustainable environment for all.
After working as an English-Spanish medical interpreter for over a decade, he went back to school to pursue a career he feels would be more rewarding and have more positive impact in the community. He recently received his Energy Management Degree from Lane Community College in Eugene.
Esteban also had the opportunity to work as the Assistant Community Liaison Officer for the U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica where he coordinated with several groups of volunteers and community members.
Greg Delgado
Zack Fappiano
Zack Fappiano
Zack is an experienced housing professional with over four years of expertise in managing low-income and disabled housing communities in rural areas in Oregon. He attended Portland Community College, earning a general studies degree with a heavy focus in executive leadership and sales. He also has extensive experience as both a franchise owner and VP of sales and operations. Having done volunteer work with Indigenous populations and having lived on a reservation for four years, Zack brings a profound respect for cultural diversity and a passion for amplifying the voices of historically underserved communities. His background in community engagement and housing management is complemented by a strong focus on equitable solutions that foster empowerment and opportunity for all individuals, regardless of background or ability. Zack’s primary goal as a member of the DEI coalition is to use collaborative efforts and innovative strategies to create meaningful and lasting change.
Kwame Kinabo
Kwame Kinabo
As the Lending Project Manager for Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH), Kwame Kinabo joins the OR-MEP DEI Coalition bringing expertise of the lending transaction ecosystem for non-profit affordable housing initiatives. Kwame has been addressing social change by fostering relationships through 16 years of financial service lending. He dedicates his work to promoting equity in representation and access to energy savings conversations that empower and bridge communities. His MBA with an emphasis on Leadership Management coupled with extensive travel have honed an in-depth understanding of international cultures and business relations. Kwame was recently elected Board President of Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America (DICOTA) and is a Board Member for Good Hope Orphanage and School in Arusha, Tanzania serving 200 children by providing advocacy, education, and a home for significantly underprivileged youth. He is also a licensed soccer coach for kids. Kwame’s enthusiasm and dedication to local communities bring lasting positive, measurable change to both the Portland and Tanzanian communities.
Robin Smith
Robin Smith
Xaun Wilson
Xaun Wilson
Xaun Wilson graduated in 2023 from Howard University with a Bachelor’s in Applied Mathematics, with a concentration in Biology. Starting in 2020, she began interning at Community Development Partners during the school year and spent multiple summers studying climate modeling through research opportunities provided by the University of California, Santa Cruz and Harvard University. These combined experiences deepened her interest in the intersection of affordable housing, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. Currently, Xaun works full-time as a Development Associate at Community Development Partners. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, and knitting.
Previous Coalition Members
Thank you to our previous Coalition members for contributing to where we are today.
Paula J. Brown
Paula J. Brown
Stepha Dragoon
Stepha Dragoon
Stepha Dragoon, MPAff, MSSW (she/they) is the Rural Population Health Program Manager with the Oregon Office of Rural Health where they focus on initiatives related to population health in rural communities. Prior to this position, Stepha conducted research at the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault at the University of Texas at Austin, where they also received a Master of Public Affairs and a Master of Science in Social Work. Stepha is committed to health equity and serving marginalized populations by centering underrepresented voices in the policy process and integrating social justice principles with trauma-informed practices. Stepha has over a decade of experience in community-based programming and pursuing social impact initiatives across the United States. Stepha grew up in Oregon and is thrilled to be back serving their home state.
Thomas Eldridge
Thomas Eldridge
Thomas Eldridge has over 10 years of experience in development and construction management and is fascinated with the impact thoughtfully designed and programmed real estate can have on an individual or group of people. Thomas holds an undergraduate degree in Construction Management and post graduate diploma in Construction Law, both from Kingston University in London, and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from Portland State University.
Thomas’ most important job is being a father to his three-under-3. And on the rare occasion he has some spare time, he can be found shredding his banjo. Running or swimming. Or reading a graphic novel.
Jiselle Halfmoon
Jiselle Halfmoon
She has served on the Nixyaawii Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Native Public Media Station Advisory Board, and was elected General Council Secretary 2015-2017. She recently served on the National Committee for Digital Inclusion Alliance and is currently serving her second term on the CTUIR Law & Order Committee as well as a first term as an Oregon Multifamily Energy Project DEI Coalition Member.
Jiselle has won two awards from the Native American Journalists Association for news broadcasting, is a published writer and recently had artwork (linocut print medium) exhibited in Athens, Greece in 2021. In her personal time, she likes to read, photograph the scenic outdoors, chase storms, explore her Tribal homelands/history and go on spontaneous road trips around the Pacific Northwest. She also does small graphic design projects for friends and family as well as consulting and executive production work for podcasts and documentaries in need of Indigenous perspectives.
Jiselle is an enrolled Cayuse and Umatilla citizen and a descendent of the Nez Perce Nation. She grew up on the Umatilla Reservation, where she resides with her mini–Australian Shepard, Hutch.
Isaiah Kamrar
Isaiah Kamrar
Isaiah Kamrar currently serves as the Program Manager at African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) and he currently leads the Power to the People PDX™, Home Retention, and annual programs at AAAH. Isaiah’s programs provide education to BIPOC homeowners and implement repair, weatherization, energy efficiency, and solar projects for underserved homeowners in Portland, Oregon. His background in economics, property management, and community leadership enables him to tackle environmental and racial justice challenges through adaptive program design, collaborative partnerships, and ongoing grant development. Isaiah is thrilled to bring his expertise, insight, and vision to the OR-MEP DEI Coalition and is eager to explore and develop pathways for underserved communities to access green energy through equitable policy development.
Jamani LaShawn
Jamani LaShawn
James Metoyer
James Metoyer
James Metoyer is the Workforce Development Training Manager at Earth Advantage (EA) and the Principal at Advanced Energy Inspections LLC (AEI). He brings over 10 years of work experience in the energy efficiency industry and has earned several industry-recognized credentials including BPI, SHP, PTCS, HERS Rater and LEED Green Rater. As Workforce Development Training Manager at EA, James builds relationships and works with youth and pre-apprenticeship programs across Oregon to deliver green workforce training for students and professionals entering the trades. He also lends his expertise across multiple programs at EA, which include delivering quality assurance on behalf of the City of Portland’s Home Energy Score program, in-field verification for LEED and EA certified buildings, and working to advance the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at EA.
James works as a consultant at Advanced Energy Inspections to help community-based organizations and nonprofits that represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to create webinars for those communities on the principles of energy efficiency and healthy homes. James serves on the board of the Home Performance Guild of Oregon and Community Energy Project and is passionate about helping people navigate careers into energy efficiency and working to ensure people have equitable access to healthy, sustainable and energy efficient housing.
Natalie Thornton
Natalie Thornton
Natalie Thornton is Asset Manager at Community Partners for Affordable Housing with six years of experience in property and asset management. She develops systems and tools to manage affordable housing assets for longevity, for both the organizations that own them and the people who call them home. Natalie strives to center racial, economic, and housing justice in her work. She holds a BA in Sociology from Smith College and a certificate in Asset Management from NeighborWorks.
