About us

Leadership team

Sam Diaz

Executive Director

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

he/him/his

Mary Kyle McCurdy

Associate Director & Managing Attorney

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

she/her/hers

Staff

Omar Abdelmegeid

Omar Abdelmegeid

Salesforce Data Coordinator

omar@friends.org

he/him/his

Ben stands against green foliage and looks at the camera with a slight smile

Ben Asher

Operations Associate

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

he/him/his

Blair Batson 2022

Blair Batson

blair@friends.org | (503) 783-8093

she/her/hers

John sits outside on a rocky shore and smiles at the camera

John Butterfield

john@friends.org | (971) 420-0922

he/him/his

A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, blue glasses, and pale skin.

Jenni Denekas

Communications Manager

jenni@friends.org

she/her/hers

Eve Goldman smiles at the camera

Eve Goldman

eve@friends.org | (971) 420-0916

she/her/hers

Jim Johnson sits at a desk facing the camera

Jim Johnson

Working Lands Policy Director

jim@friends.org | (971) 442-1747

he/him/his

Anna stands against a glass wall and smiles

Anna Kemper

Membership Experience Manager

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

she/her/hers

Jacky Lee

Jacky Lee

Oregon for Everyone Manager

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

they/them/theirs

Lou Ocampo, Executive Coordinator

Lou Ocampo

Operations Manager

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

he/him/his

Cassie Wilson sits on an assistive mobility device against a purple background and faces the camera, smiling

Cassie Wilson

Legislative Manager

cassie@friends.org | (503) 694-3893

she/her/hers

Robb sits on a stone wall overlooking a green valley

Robb Wolfson

Legal Apprentice

robb@friends.org

he/him/his

Sarah Yeoman sitting on a rock in front of a mountain

Sarah Yeoman

Digital Communications & Engagement Manager

sarah@friends.org | (503) 925-5361

she/her/hers

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

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

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

Photo of Dan Keeley in an orchard

Dan Keeley

Vice Cochair

Nellie McAdams stands at a table cracking hazelnuts

Nellie McAdams

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.