Rochelle joins Neighborhood Partnerships with more than 15 years of experience in operations and project management and most recently came to us from Mercy Corps Northwest. Her talents include system and vendor coordination, improving processes and project and office management.
In her free time, you’ll find Rochelle in her yard. She enjoys landscaping and doting on her ever-expanding selection of perennials. She has recently started to incorporate fruit and vegetable beds into her yard as well. She and her husband, an architect, enjoy exploring small town main streets or rediscovering the ever-evolving urban parts of Portland. Their mutual love of architecture can find them enjoying the details of any structure, old or new.
For starters, tell us a little about yourself.
I consider myself a native Oregonian, although I lived in five other states in the first ten years of my life. Spending time with my family and friends is what I enjoy the most. Hosting brunch with friends or holiday meals with the family gives me great pleasure. I enjoy cooking and rarely use a recipe, so whether it turns out good or bad, it will probably never be the same twice. I have two grown sons who live nearby, and they still like to hang out with their mom or each other, so I consider that a success.
In early 2020 (before I knew there was going to be a worldwide pandemic) I took a risk to leave my job managing commercial office renovations and pursue a career in the non-profit sector. This leap of faith has created a virtuous cycle, where I am courageous enough to take more risks and pursue what I value and where I hold passion to make change. When I share myself with people and ideas that align with my core beliefs, it strengthens my resolve and rewards me with more joy and contentment than I have experienced previously in my career.
What area of expertise and interest do you have?
I am at heart an organizer and that has served me well in operations and office management. My years as a project manager have helped me hone the three legs of any project; scope, timeline, and budget. I hope to apply my natural skills to the efforts of Neighborhood Partnerships.
My core principles are Respect, Relationships, and Resources. I strive to give respect to all those I encounter and hope to receive respect in return. Building relationships is ongoing, both professionally and personally, the one constant in life is the relationships you have cultivated through the years. Resources should be treasured and carefully considered, whether those are tangible items, people’s time, or the money we manage for ourselves or others. I lean into these values and believe it benefits me and others I encounter.
What does opportunity mean to you?
Opportunity means choice. Creating and identifying opportunities allows for individuals to make choices rather than being forced to act without thoughtful consideration.
What difference can financial security make for individuals in communities?
To reference the previous question, financial security can create opportunities or choice. Our communities can be stronger and flourish with individuals who feel secure and empowered with the choices they can make with their personal finances or the finances of an organization to which they belong.
What’s your favorite quote?
“This space intentionally left blank.” It makes me laugh every time, so it must be a good one.
What are you looking forward to most about this position?
I am looking forward to supporting the Housing Alliance and the members of that organization who are part of working to find solutions to the housing crisis in Oregon.