MENTOR

Alex is a bilingual communications and design professional with over 16 years of experience mentoring youth as a Youth Minister at St. Andrew Catholic Church. He holds a Bachelor’s in Communications and an Associate’s in Graphic Design. With a background in education and a strong talent for networking, Alex now leads his own design and printing business and serves as Business and Marketing Director at Family Mortgage. He is deeply committed to creating safe spaces and opportunities for young people to grow, learn, and thrive.

MENTOR

Bridget Jackson is a public relations professional with more than 25 years of agency, corporate and nonprofit communications leadership to support dynamic storytelling, branding, and media relations campaigns to a variety of industries and public affairs issues. She is the founder of Nexus Public Relations LLC, a consultancy that serves as a trusted, results-oriented advisor and collaborative partner that empowers clients with creative messaging solutions designed for maximum impact. With a passion for "doing the most good for 'do-gooders'," Bridget serves the communications needs of emerging nonprofits, and socially conscious small-to-medium-sized businesses.

MENTOR

Cai Delumpa is a professional leadership and team coach. His 30+ years of experience in leadership roles gives him a unique perspective of leadership “in the trenches” and fuels his passion for growing leaders at all levels of the organization. Cai creates a space filled with energy and enthusiasm, giving clients the spark they need to ignite their passion to making important things happen.

MENTOR

Cara Williams is Senior Associate Medical Director at Horizon CME, an independent medical education company based in Portland Oregon. Prior, Dr. Williams completed two years of pharmacy residency at the University of Arizona and Purdue University. She then worked at Eli Lilly and Company. She has found volunteering with Oregon’s ASPIRE student career and college mentoring program very rewarding. She has a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of California San Francisco and attended the University of California at Davis where she studied Biology and Spanish. She is an avid tennis player, and loves cooking, hiking, floating and skiing with her husband and two college-aged children.

MENTOR

Cecilia Rios Mendoza is an electronics manufacturing professional with more than 30 years of hands-on experience in PCB assembly, Surface Mount Technology (SMT), rework, repair, quality assurance, and technical training. As an IPC Certified Instructor Trainer (CIT) for IPC-J-STD-001H, she helps organizations and professionals achieve the highest standards of workmanship and compliance through certification training and skills development. She also serves as an independent contractor for the Global Electronics Association, delivering training programs, supporting standards initiatives, and contributing to the advancement of the electronics manufacturing industry. She has also been a speaker at the International IPC APEX EXPO, presenting technical topics and sharing industry knowledge with electronics manufacturing professionals from around the world.

MENTOR

Damien currently serves as the Director for the Center of Diversity and Inclusion for Oregon State University's College of Engineering. He believes that diversity is an ingredient, not a side dish, and every leader must realize that a diverse mindset is a needed skill. Originally from Memphis, TN, he has lived in places such as Korea, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Afghanistan, and Iraq. HE holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is a proud Eagle Scout and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Random facts about Damien? He was featured in a shoe ad in Korea, and he was a City Councilor in Springfield, Oregon!

MENTOR

Dhrasti is a healthcare leader with over a decade of experience across long term care and acute care settings. She began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant in skilled nursing, later becoming a nurse and advancing into leadership roles, and she currently serves as the Executive Director of a senior living community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration, a diploma in nursing and a certificate in Senior Living Management from Cornell University, and she also earned an MBA from Willamette University. Dhrasti is passionate about continuous learning, meaningful connection, and supporting the growth of others. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors and skydiving.

MENTOR

Evan Way is a human-centered leader and entrepreneur recognized by Forbes Magazine and Shark Tank’s Daymond John as one of the Top 20 Entrepreneurs of Impact in 2025 for building a purpose-driven company that integrates people-centered systems with meaningful community impact. His work focuses on transforming how organizations operate, communicate, and care for people across healthcare, emergency management, and social innovation. He develops and teaches early college curriculum that prepares youth for entry into healthcare careers, equipping students with practical skills and clear professional pathways. Evan holds a Bachelor of Science from Portland State University in Business Administration, Communication, and Conflict Resolution.

MENTOR

Leah Payne (she/her) combines her background in leadership development and higher education as a career counselor at the University Career Center at Portland State University. The common thread through her education and career is her dedication to personal and professional development. She is experienced in facilitation, research and mentorship, all of which inform how she works with students and alumni in designing their careers.

MENTOR

Miguel Figueroa is a proud Puerto Rican father from California who enjoys traveling with his family, mountain biking, music, and food. He lives in Klamath Falls Oregon with his wife Elizabeth, five kids, and two huskies. He’s a student at Oregon Institute of Technology and is currently studying Business Administration and Management, after transferring from Klamath Community College with an Associates Degree and multiple certificates. As a first generation student who has encountered many challenges, Miguel is passionate about providing support , guidance and inspiration to students during their transition into higher learning opportunities, while also navigating obstacles, as well as utilizing any potential resources.

MENTOR

Miles Palacios is a returning UPLIFT Mentor, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep connection to Oregon politics. A graduate of the University of Oregon, where he studied sociology and political science, Miles has previously worked in the state legislature, the governor’s office, and the lobby as well as nonprofit administration. His portfolio of policy experience includes climate and environment, health care and human services, taxes, revenue, and education. Outside of his career, Miles is active in his community, mentoring students through leadership programs, serving as a Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District (THPRD) Board Director, and will soon be taking office as the Oregon Metro Councilor for North and Northwest Washington County. 

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Natália Martins Schmidt is the DEI Specialist at OnPoint Community Credit Union. She is an educator, strategist, and DEI practitioner originally from Brazil. She brings nearly two decades of experience advancing equity and inclusion through education and organizational change.

Currently at OnPoint Community Credit Union, she leads internal engagement, cross-functional initiatives, and community partnerships that foster a culture of belonging. Previously, Natália served as Coach Supervisor at InsideTrack supporting academic success and capacity building initiatives at HBCUs and underserved communities through people-centered leadership, accessible communication strategies, and inclusive systems design. She grounds her work in critical pedagogy, Human-Centered Design, and lived experience as a first-generation college student and immigrant, with a deep commitment to creating spaces where all people feel seen, valued, empowered, and are given a fair opportunity to thrive. In her free time, you will find Natália reading books, playing with her cat, hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, running by the Willamette River, or unplugged on a backpacking trip.

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Sammy is a Public Involvement Specialist at Clean Water Services. Beyond her work connecting with the community, she is pursuing her second Bachelor's degree—this time in engineering. She is also an avid traveler and a Crunchito fitness enthusiast who loves hosting dinner parties for loved ones.

MENTOR

Taireez is the Founder of Little Cup of T LLC and a Certified Chief AI Officer who helps people use AI to skip tedious tasks and focus on building innovative solutions. She has worked with everyone from startups to major companies, transforming complex problems into automated systems that deliver real results. Whether you're exploring career paths, launching your first side hustle, or seeking to understand how AI can give you a competitive edge in today's world, Taireez has navigated these challenges herself. With her background in International Business and Marketing, she understands how to succeed in the professional world—and more importantly, she remembers what it feels like to be figuring it all out. She's here to help you discover your true potential and share the insights she wishes someone had given her.