About Steph
Inviting people to porch conversations since I was a wee one.
Break time on the docks of an Alaskan fish cannery
The official team shirt of disaster recovery in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand
Coming back to the US in 2005 in time for my brother's wedding
Jaime, Anna, and me on a Green Empowerment field visit in Nicaragua
ATDER-BL's machinist jacket as he is working on micro hydro and watershed restoration in El Bote, Nicaragua
A sign in Jinotega, Nicaragua: "No to the privatization of water!"
Bike touring in eastern Oregon, after I co-founded the organization Cycle Wild
Emceeing a housing conversation with City Club of Portland
Supporting City Club of Portland's incredible Friday Forum facilitator
"Why Isn't Anyone Talking About This?" Podcast co-host and guests
Podcast studio with guests
Early days with the Jade District
Celebrating the Jade Night Market with Anita
Quality time with my dog, Olive
As executive director of Oregon Walks
Bike camping to Stub Stewart State Park
Holiday Bike Drive with the Community Cycling Center
Electrify Portland Fair with Rep. Gamba
Electrify Portland Fair, with Sen. Merkley and fair organizers
Dedication of the Jim Pepper House
My office as director of the Portland Underground Grad School
Community outing and catching up with JR Lilly
Speaking at Powell's Books about independent publishing in Portland
Community walk at Luuwit View Park
Official badge working with Sen. Pham
Sen. Khanh Pham staff 2025
Roomful of people from around the state testifying to Make Polluters Pay
Make Polluters Pay organizers with Sen. Pham
Morning coffee
Learning basic climbing with the Mazamas
Tree planting in East Portland
Running for Portland City Council in 2024
A tour of the CEI Hub by canoe, with Neighbors for Clean Air and partners
My mailbox as adjunct professor at PSU
Shade Equity Ride art
Supporting the Portland Clean Energy Fund
82nd Avenue Parade of Roses
Group dinner with former Governor Barbara Roberts
Talking about Bike Buses in Councilor Koyama Lane's office
Opening Day of the Lents Farmers Market
Testifying in opposition to tax incentives and more land for data centers (SB 1586)
Testifying in opposition to tax incentives and more land for data centers (SB 1586)
Welcoming mats while canvassing in community
Time with climate champions Brian and Katie
Growing Up in East Multnomah County
I have lived the majority of my life in East Portland, a part of our region that has experienced such inequitable investments impacting neighbors’ health that it is sometimes referred to in land use discussions as a "sacrifice zone." I was born in Parkrose, a neighborhood that would become part of Portland in 1983 as part of annexation.
Knocking Doors, Protecting Neighbors
1992 was the year of Ballot Measure 9, “one of the harshest anti-gay measures presented to voters in American history.” I was a high school sophomore. I knew that, if that bill passed, I could work as hard as anyone and still be fired simply for being who I was. And so on the weekends, I canvassed for a state representative who was against the ballot measure, coming out to strangers on their porches in the process. The ballot measure’s defeat marked a turning point, for this state and for my life. I was proud of my neighbors for choosing to reject hate, and I realized the importance of literally walking my talk, of meeting people where they are, and organizing in common cause.
From Dockwork in Alaska to Disaster Recovery in Thailand
I attended Linfield College in McMinnville and worked summers at a fish cannery in Alaska. I learned a lot about the delicate balance between conservation and local economies on the docks!
After graduation, I moved to New York City to teach acting and scriptwriting with an off-Broadway theater company. I went on to work for a historic preservation architectural firm by day and volunteer on local issues and campaigns focused on environmental justice at nights and weekends.
A long story short: I lived in New York City during 9/11, northern China during SARS, and southern Thailand during the massive 2004 tsunami. I served as a skin dive support team leader as part of the post-tsunami disaster recovery effort in Koh Phi Phi, Thailand, leading volunteers to clean up over 100 tons of debris in an effort to save the fragile coral environment and support the local economy.
Environmental Justice, Abroad and At Home
When I returned to Oregon in mid-2005, I was delighted to join the staff of Green Empowerment, an organization that works with in-country partner organizations to build clean water and renewable energy infrastructure with Indigenous and rural communities across the globe.
After almost five years with Green Empowerment, I joined Oregon Walks as its first Executive Director. Thanks to the dedication of its board, volunteers, and supporters, we advocated for sidewalks and more walkable and rollable neighborhoods throughout the state. We still have a long way to go, but we accomplished a lot during my five-year tenure and had fun doing it.
From the Classroom to the Dias
I joined the adjunct faculty of PSU’s urban planning school in 2019, teaching Community Organizing & Social Change. It has been a privilege to meet students who are dedicated to becoming involved in issues that matter to them.
2019 was also the year I was appointed to Portland’s Planning & Sustainability Commission (now the Planning Commission), on which I have served as a Vice-chair and Chair. After seven years deliberating on projects spanning from the Shelter to Housing Continuum Project, to the CEI Hub, to the Economic Opportunities Analysis, I am eager to build on my experience and relationships in service to all East Multnomah County.
The Decision to Run
Earlier this year, the legislature considered a bill (SB 1586) that would have expanded the urban growth boundary and offered tax incentives for data centers. I helped organize opposition to the bill, and it thankfully failed to pass out of committee. Both East and West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation Districts submitted testimony in opposition to the bill, and I became very excited about how SWCDs could be full partners in developing regional and statewide policies that advance a sustainable economy for Oregonians, not huge out-of-state corporations.
I am running for East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District At-large 2 position to build a coalition and advance community-based solutions to our region’s needs.