Staff

Edith Casterline

Office Manager

Edith has been at MRG since 2002. She heard about MRG for the first time not long before that, after reading a newspaper article about MRG which made her think "What a great place!" At MRG, Edith works behind the scenes supporting the board, keeping the office running smoothly, arranging meetings, and figuring out procedures... all while hearing the amazing stories of grantees across the state who are out in front making change. Email Edith.

Sharon Gary-Smith

Executive Director

Sharon is a native-born Oregonian who brings over two decades of experience in philanthropy to her role as director of MRG Foundation. She has been a grants program officer, a leader with national and regional progressive funder networks and a foundation board member. Sharon has worked locally and nationally for racial and economic justice, with a special focus on addressing health inequity and reproductive justice. As Executive Director, Sharon ensures the overall health of our organization and our assets (both human and financial), and is our primary point of contact for other organizations in the funding community. Email Sharon.

Cris Lira

Grants Manager

Prior to coming to work at MRG, Cris worked in the movement to end violence against women for 12 years, working at Womenspace in Eugene, then serving as Co-Director of Sexual Assault Support Services, also in Eugene. She is a former board member of the Rural Organizing Project. As the Grants Manager at MRG, Cris manages the application process and our contracts with grantees. She also sends grantees friendly reminders for reports and photos, and is the first point of contact for all our grants, including the Critical Response and Travel Grants Fund. Email Cris.

Anita Rodgers

Associate Director

Anita Rodgers has been with MRG Foundation since 2003. As Associate Director, Anita oversees all of MRG’s Grassroots Grantmaking programs, provides organizational management and oversees MRG’s internal operations. Before coming to MRG, Anita served for more than six years as the director of the Community Alliance of Tenants, a community-based tenants’ rights organization. Prior to that she worked in San Francisco for the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador. She currently serves on the board of Partnership for Safety and Justice. Email Anita.

Sheryl Sackman

Development Director

Sheryl has been on MRG's staff since 2000 and manages MRG's donor outreach, education and fundraising programs. Previous to joining MRG's staff, she worked for Friends of Trees as their Communications and Development Director and before that, at Oregon NARAL as Associate Director. Sheryl is committed to increasing community support for MRG and believes that every gift gets us one step closer to justice. Email Sheryl

Annah Sidigu

Community Engagement Manager

Annah joined the staff of MRG in spring 2008. A graduate of Kenyon College, she majored in International Studies with a concentration in African and African American Studies. Prior to joining MRG, Annah worked as a Development Assistant at a high school in Chicago that served economically disadvantaged African American and Latina young women. At MRG Annah manages workplace giving campaigns, organizes MRG's annual summer party and benefit, Peace & Pie in the Park, and coordinates volunteer projects. Email Annah.