FEATURED SPEAKERS

Kimberly Allain
Wednesday Lunch

Kimberly Allain is the President of Allain Enterprises, Inc. which provides workshops, training and consulting services that support the growth and development of people and organizations. She challenges and supports people and organizations to take a look in their personal and organizational toolboxes and evaluate what is there. What tools are needed to draw out the best of ourselves, as individuals, families, organizations and community? The workshops and trainings that she facilitates are for the purpose of adding tools to your toolbox. It is in knowing and operating as our best self that we experience a greater sense of purpose, increased energy, achieve results and positively celebrate successes.

She is a strong community advocate and organizer. Her passion and experience is for building collaborating partnerships that align systems and people to create and support stronger healthier communities. She has over 16 years experience providing leadership for nonprofit organizations. She most recently served as the executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Mid-Willamette Valley for over 6 years. During her tenure as Director, she took a primary leadership role to create the Marion County Reentry Initiative (MCRI), a collaborative effort to address the issues of people reentering Marion County from prison, including the opening of a Center for Family Success in Salem and Quest for Change- a transitional housing program. The MCRI effort has impacted local and state efforts to learn, educate and engage each other to increase offenders’ successful reentry into the community, increase public safety, and reduce recidivism. She currently serves on several committees of the Governor’s Reentry Council continuing to engage, build and align systems.
 

Steve Novick

Wednesday Evening BBQ

Steve Novick grew up in Cottage Grove, Oregon and graduated from the University of Oregon and Harvard Law School. He spent nine years as an environmental law enforcement lawyer at the U.S. Justice Department, recovering $129 million for taxpayers in the Love Canal toxic waste case. Since returning to Oregon in 1996, Steve has served as policy director in Governor Kulongoski’s 2002 campaign; as communications director for Citizens for Oregon’s Future, a non-profit dedicated to providing reliable information on tax and budget issues; as legislative liaison for Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo; and in numerous campaigns against Bill Sizemore ballot measures. In the 2008 Democratic Senate primary, Steve won 42% of the vote, carrying Multnomah County and Benton and Clatsop counties. Steve worked as policy analyst and occasional spokesman for Vote Yes for Oregon in the Measures 66 / 67 campaign.

Reverend Chuck Currie

Thursday Luncheon

The Rev. Chuck Currie is a United Church of Christ (UCC) minister in Portland, Oregon who is well regarded for pastoral ministry, advocacy on issues related to homelessness, housing and health care, and as a writer and preacher. 

He most recently served as a long-term interim minister at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ (2006-2009) in NE Portland. During his three year tenure the congregation engaged in a strategic planning process, voted to become “Open and Affirming” towards gays and lesbians, expanded theological educational programs for adults, launched a new joint youth program with another congregation, and decided to sell their property and relocate with a new focus on mission and outreach to the community. 

Rev. Currie continues to guest preach throughout the area and serves on the public policy committee for Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. He also writes a personal blog on religion and social issues (that The LA Times cited for “top-tier” editorial writing in 2004) and a blog on the UCC’s denominational website. 

He earned his Master of Divinity Degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO.

Rev. Currie is a recipient of a 1998 Community Harmony Award from the City of Portland Metro Human Rights Center. In 2002, Willamette Week named him one of the "Best People in Portland." The Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon awarded Currie the “2003 Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award.” He was honored with a "Blessed Are the Peacemakers Award" by the World Council of Churches in 2004. In 2009, he was an invited guest of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to a holiday reception at The White House.

He has appeared on ABC's World News Tonight and been mentioned or quoted in The New York Times, The LA Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, NPR, and is seen, heard or quoted frequently in local media.

For more information please visit www.chuckcurrie.com.  

Jeremy Rosen

Friday Breakfast

Jeremy Rosen is the Executive Director of the National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness (NPACH), with responsibility for managing all aspects of the organization.  Mr. Rosen previously worked in the National Office of Volunteers of America, where he served as Director for Homelessness and Mental Health. Mr. Rosen has also been employed at the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and Legal Services of Greater Miami. He received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994, and his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School in 1998.

Mr. Rosen is an expert on federal, state, and local affordable housing policy, with a focus on homelessness, veterans housing, and housing for children, youth, and families.  Mr. Rosen’s work also focuses on access to government benefits for low income people, prisoner reentry, and the intersection of affordable housing policy and the education and child welfare systems. He is a frequent speaker on these topics, and has published numerous journal articles and papers.