main phone: 503-823-4120
Opinion line: 503-823-4127
1221 SW 4th Ave, Room 340, Portland, OR 97204
Staff
Michael Cox
Chief of Staff
michael.b.cox@portlandoregon.gov
Michael was previously Mayor Wheeler’s Communications Director at Oregon State Treasury. He has more than a decade of experience in campaigns and government in Oregon and California.
Kristin Dennis
Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Operations
kristin.dennis@portlandoregon.gov
Kristin most recently served as Mayor Wheeler’s Chief of Staff in the Oregon State Treasury, where she previously served as Policy Director. Earlier, she was an aide to Oregon State Senator Richard Devlin. She was elected to serve on the Lake Oswego City Council at the age of 22 from 2007 to 2010 and worked for a plastics recycling company in Portland. Kristin holds a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law and is a member of the Oregon State Bar.
Kyle Chisek
Director of Bureau Relations
kyle.chisek@portlandoregon.gov
Kyle has worked in City government since 2006 when he began in former Mayor Tom Potter’s office, after previously working in the private sector. Since that time, Chisek has worked both in capital project management in the Policy, Planning, and Projects group as well as Program Development in the Development, Permitting, and Transit group. Chisek was also the project manager for the City of Portland’s Smart City Challenge grant application to the US Department of Transportation.
Jennifer Arguinzoni
Director of Strategic Partnerships
jennifer.arguinzoni@portlandoregon.gov
Jennifer serves as a key political strategist, managing and cultivating external relationships on behalf of Mayor Wheeler. She also coordinates community partnerships around key issues involving the mayor’s priorities. She previously worked as Ted Wheeler’s Transition Manager, leading policy discussions to help develop the mayor’s priority issues. She also served as Finance Director for Ted Wheeler’s mayoral campaign. Jennifer has more than a decade of state and federal legislative experience in Georgia and Washington, D.C. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Georgia State University.
Elisabeth Perez
Operations Director
elisabeth.perez@portlandoregon.gov
Elisabeth began working in the Mayor’s Office as a Hatfield Fellow focused on resiliency after graduating from Tulane University with a M.S. in Disaster Resilience Leadership. From there, she became the Mayor’s Senior Policy Advisor focused on Resiliency as the liaison to the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management (PBEM), Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC), and leading Smart Cities initiatives throughout the City. As the liaison to BOEC, she worked with the Mayor to hire a new Director and is proceeding to work with the Mayor and Human Resources to hire a new PBEM Director. As the leader on Smart Cities efforts, Elisabeth successfully implemented a partnership with AT&T on transportation sensors and is engaging the private sector in partnerships.
As a Changemaker at the Phyllis M. Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking, Elisabeth received The Victor C. Alvarez Spark Innovation Award as initial funding to start the MyNew Orleans Photo Project in 2016. The project aims to increase awareness and reduce stigma around homelessness in New Orleans.
Elisabeth hopes to transfer her skills working with both marginalized groups and disaster professionals to make communities more resilient through engagement, training, and community informed decision-making.
Berk Nelson
Senior Advisor
berk.nelson@portlandoregon.gov
Berk attended the University of California, Davis School of Law where he received his J.D. in 2005. Berk received his undergraduate degree from the Colorado College where he received his B.A. in Sociology in 2000. He comes to us from Perkins Coie where he did contract work in the commercial litigation department and was previously with Molina Healthcare, Inc. where he served as in-house counsel.
Michelle Plambeck
Legislative Director
michelle.plambeck@portlandoregon.gov
Michelle most recently served as an aide to Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack, where she advised the commissioner on issues relating to early learning, food policy, public safety and land use. After studying History at the University of Oregon, Michelle worked for non-profits and then as a legislative assistant for then-Representative Michael Dembrow and Oregon Speaker of the House Tina Kotek.
Cupid Alexander
Senior Advisor
Cupid.alexander@portlandoregon.gov
Prior joining Mayor Wheeler’s Office, Cupid worked as a Senior Housing Policy Analyst with the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) after joining the bureau in 2015. As a member of the Policy team, Cupid has overseen the development and implementation of the Bureau’s North/Northeast Housing Preference Policy, lead the development of the racial equity plan, worked as the bureau’s district liaison to Northeast Portland, and worked to help develop and staff both the Stakeholder Advisory Board and the Bond Oversight Committee associated with the General Obligation Bond. Prior to joining PHB, Cupid worked for the Department of Housing Services of Washington County from 2003-2015.
Cupid earned his high school diploma from Portland’s Wilson High School, Played college basketball at Western Oregon University, and graduated with his Bachelors in business from Warner Pacific College. He also earned both his Graduate degree in Real Estate Development and his Masters in Public Administration from Portland State University.
In addition to his work experience, Cupid has a vested interest in volunteerism and bettering the city of Portland. He has served as a board member of The Re-Building Center, and the Trail Blazers “Make It Better” foundation Professional Board. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and the President of the Urban League of Portland’s Young Professional’s Chapter.
In his spare time, he can be found reminding his kids that he is better than them at basketball, working on his house, traveling, reading, or enjoying one of Portland’s various local ciders.
Nicole A. Grant
Senior Policy Advisor
nicole.grant@portlandoregon.gov
Nicole joins the Wheeler Administration as a Senior Policy Advisor after having served as the Senior Policy Analyst and Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Liaison for the Hales Administration. As Senior Policy Analyst, Nicole has primarily worked on public safety policy issues, particularly those falling under the DOJ settlement agreement. Nicole moved to Portland in May 2015 after practicing law in Baltimore, MD. Nicole is a Maryland native, and a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School.
Andrea Valderrama
Senior Policy Advisor
andrea.valderrama@portlandoregon.gov
Andrea most recently served as Portland City Hall’s first Policy and Outreach Advisor dedicated to East Portland and coalition engagement under Commissioner Novick, where she advised on transportation, housing, public safety, budget,worker friendly, and government affairs policy, and developed regional strategies on displacement mitigation in economic development and transportation projects. Andrea is the first and only person of color serving on the David Douglas SchoolBoard, and was recently named one of Portland’s Top 10 Social Change Makers by Prichard Communications. She earned her BA from the University of Oregon and is pursuing an Executive Masters of Public Administration at Portland State University’s Hatfield School of Government.
Khahn Tran
Administrative Assistant
A native of Vancouver, WA and his passions are environmental sustainability and public policy. After graduating from high school, Khahn enlisted in the Army, where he served 5 years on active duty, including a tour in Afghanistan. It was his time in the service that ignited my passion for leadership and public service. After fulfilling his commitment to the military, he attended the University of Washington and graduated with a B.A. in Sustainable Urban Development in 2018.
Sophia June
Senior Writer & Press Coordinator
Sophia.June@portlandoregon.gov
A lifelong Portlander, Sophia worked as an editor at Willamette Week and KATU News before joining the Office of the Mayor in February 2018 as a Communications Writer. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oregon. She enjoys salad rolls and biking to work.
Seraphie Allen
Policy Advisor and Community Affairs Liaison
seraphie.allen@portlandoregon.gov
Seraphie serves as a Policy Advisor and Community Liaison to Mayor Wheeler. As a Policy Analyst, Seraphie has primarily worked on homelessness, livability, housing and education policy issues. Seraphie also serves as the Mayor’s liaison for issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Seraphie received her B.A. in English and Gender Studies from Lewis & Clark College. She previously worked in education and continues to work with young adults as a Ultimate Frisbee coach.
Amy Rathfelder
Environmental and Sustainability Policy Advisor
amy.rathfelder@portlandoregon.gov
Amy serves as a Policy Advisor to the Mayor on environmental, sustainability and climate issues. She also works as a liaison for the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Prior to joining Mayor Wheeler’s staff, she worked as a Communications Director for Eric Burnette in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District and in a communications-based position for Joe Trippi & Associates.
Amy has also worked in advocacy and outreach roles with the Oregon League of Conservation Voters and Renew Oregon, primarily on policy working to create clean energy jobs in Oregon. She also served briefly as a constituent liaison in Salem for the Kitzhaber administration. She earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Public Service/Civic Leadership from Portland State University, and will graduate with a Master’s in Political Communication from American University in Washington, D.C. in December of 2018.
In her spare time, Amy is an avid hiker and general outdoor enthusiast. She loves landscape photography and CrossFit, and is always game for an adventure.
Amber Frye
Community Relations Advisor
Amber worked as a Constituent Services intern for Mayor Ted Wheeler before being hired on as the Mayor’s Constituent Services Specialist and Community Relations Advisor. Amber’s roles include addressing the questions and concerns of Portlanders, informing constituents, assisting in planning community outreach events and supporting policy advisors. Amber was drawn to public service after years of experience in the hospitality industry. She is currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Political Science from Portland State University. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, cooking and travel.
Mustafa Washington
Constituent Services Manager
mustafa.washington@portlandoregon.gov
Mustafa has a Master’s of Science in Management and Organizational Leadership from Warner Pacific College, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Warner Pacific College. Prior to joining Mayor Wheeler's staff, he was a staff member for Mayor Hales as the Constituent Service Specialist and later promoted to Executive Assistant. Among his proudest accomplishments: Mustafa is the first person in his immediate family to complete a Master’s degree program.
Amanda Watson
Policy Advisor
amanda.watson@portlandoregon.gov
Amanda serves as a Hatfield Fellow in the Mayor's Office working on policy related to sustainability, resiliency, land use planning, and smart cities. She earned her Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where she focused on climate policy and sustainable development. She previously worked in foreign policy and human rights, including at the National Endowment for Democracy where she worked on Asia programs. Amanda has a bachelor's degree in International Politics from Georgetown University.
Aja Blair
Executive Assistant to Mayor Wheeler
He grew up in Portland attending Portland Public Schools. Throughout his life, he has always had a deep love for the arts. Aja graduated from Portland State University with a major in Arts and Letters and a minor in Theatre. Aside from his interests in the arts he also has a deep affection for ancient Indian culture and philosophy which he studied intensely for three years in Mayapur, India.
Before serving on the Mayor's team, Aja was the Scheduler/Office Manager for Commissioner Nick Fish.
The last three years took Aja to India, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. He loved every minute of it but is more than ready to settle back in and call Portland home again.
Trevaun Myrie
Constituent Services Specialist
trevaun.myrie@portlandoregon.gov
As a Constituent Services Specialist, Trevaun supports policy staff and provides services to constituents nts and works on various community engagement projects, including Hip Hop Day 2018. Trevaun grew up in Jamaica and graduated from Jefferson High School-Middle College for Advanced Studies. Among his accomplishments: Trevaun has participated in the Nike Creation Project Experience (NPCE) program for two years. He is a big soccer fan and plays on a club team hosted by Timbers Army. In his free time, Trevaun is also known as DJ Myrie.
Lucy Sagoo
Constituent Services Specialist
As a native Portlander, Lucy is thankful to be a part of the Mayor’s team where she helps to support the staff a. Lucy believes that her work, and the work of the office, is constantly dedicated to make the City of Portland a more beautiful place for all its residents. Lucy has been a Rose Festival Princess for St. Mary’s Academy, as well as creating and teaching a film class for young women at Reynold’s Middle School. Lucy is a student at Reed College and is currently studying to be a Political Science major Her intent is to attend graduate school for law.
Antoinette Edwards
Director of the Office of Youth Violence Prevention
antoinette.edwards@portlandoregon.gov
Antoinette served as the first Diversity and Volunteer Services Director for the Oregon Trail Chapter for the American Red Cross. She has a Bachelors in education from Portland State University. She joins Mayor Wheeler's staff from working with Mayor Adams and Mayor Hales respective administrations. Among her proudest accomplishments: the Gladys McCoy Citizen Involvement Award in 2009, Social Justice Fund Northwest’s Jeanette Rankin Award for being a tireless lifelong activist in 2013, and the Equity Foundation's “Women Who Lead“ award in 2015. Antoinette founded the first Black PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) chapter in the nation. Antoinette lives in NE Portland and enjoys being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loves spoken word, reading, reading to children and the art of Feng Shui.
Tom Peavey
Policy Manager for the Office of Youth Violence Prevention
Tom has a bachelor’s in Police Science Administration from Washington State University. Prior to joining Mayor Wheeler’s staff, he was a staff member as the policy manager of the Office of Youth Violence Prevention for former mayors Tom Potter, Sam Adams, Charlie Hales as well as Commissioner Dan Saltzman. Tom served as a Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Portland Office of Neighborhood Involvement (2004 to 2006), following a 31-year career as an officer with the Portland Police Bureau (1973 to 2004).
Will Fries
Senior Digital Strategist
As Senior Digital Strategist, Will ensures that the Mayor’s message on various issues is heard by Portland’s residents on social media and through other communications channels. Will’s experience in communications as well as technology and social media assists the Mayor in making decisions informed by the broad and diverse perspectives rather than solely through traditional methods of outreach. With more than a decade of experience fostering online communities, Will has been recognized as a National Anti-Bullying Champion as well as National Cyber Security Champion for his commitment to keeping the internet a safe and secure place for everyone. In his current role, Will is working with City agencies to ensure its social media policies are transparent, robust, and accountable.