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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.
Dave has been at MRG since October 2008, after four years in a similar role at the national office of the Funding Exchange. Prior to that he was the executive director at the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, ran a high-tech Food Stamp outreach project, served as a nonprofit management consultant, and generally pitched in at a variety of New York-based advocacy groups. Dave's mission here is to make MRG's investment and financial-management practices a shining example for progressive advocacy organizations in Oregon. Email Dave.
Marjory’s early political education was in the Central American solidarity movement and she brought 12 years of organizational development experience to MRG when she joined the staff in 2004. Her personal commitment to racial justice led her to do graduate research on the motivations and barriers white people experience when they take action in support of racial equity. Marjory serves on the board of Grantmakers of Oregon & SW Washington and Western States Center, which gives her a regional perspective on the role of philanthropy in the social justice movement. As Executive Director, Marjory is honored to be a steward of MRG’s resources, relationships and long history of grantmaking. Email Marjory.
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 Program Assistant at MRG, Cris manages the grants database and ensures that grant applications are complete. She also sends grantees friendly reminders for reports and photos, and manages the Critical Response and Travel Grants Fund. Email Cris.
Kathleen has been involved with MRG since the mid-1990s, when she joined the General Fund grantmaking committee, and has volunteered in many different ways since then (including playing a tree in a performance piece about MRG grantees). Prior to joining the staff in 2009, Kathleen was a private consultant working with grassroots groups on strengthening their communications. Kathleen's work at MRG is to ramp up MRG's use of the web and to lead MIC (Maximizing Impact with Communications), a three-year communications capacity-building project for grantees. Email Kathleen.
Anita Rodgers has been the Program Director at the McKenzie River Gathering (MRG) Foundation since 2003. As the Program Director, Anita oversees all of MRG’s Grassroots Grantmaking programs. 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. Anita Rodgers will be on sabbatical from June 7 through August 9, 2010. While Anita is on sabbatical, please email Cris Lira if you have grants program questions..
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 has been involved in activism since 2001, and joined the staff of MRG in spring 2008. A graduate of Kenyon College's Class of 2005, Annah 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. As part of MRG's dynamic development duo, Annah manages workplace giving campaigns, organizes MRG's annual summer celebration and coordinates volunteer projects. Email Annah.