OUR TEAM
Interim Executive Director
Donna Hammond
Interim Executive Director
donna@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 139
Donna Hammond is a seasoned trades professional with more than 40 years experience as a licensed union electrician. Donna’s passion and value for the Union movement grew out of having been raised by two active union member parents. Her parents directed her education and skills for numerous career opportunities with two caveats- you must love what you do and it must be a union job!
Donna is a Portland native and started her career in her hometown as an electrical apprentice with the IBEW Local Union 48 in 1978. As a journeyman, she “journeyed” and traveled from Oregon to South Carolina to New York and worked and honed her skills.
During her 20 year career with the City of Portland as a maintenance electrician, foreman, and electrical planner, she was granted two sabbaticals for project management: one with the Columbia Pacific Building Trades and then another with Oregon Tradeswomen. Donna has served on many community and civic boards and is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan, National Training Institute - Electrical Training Alliance. Donna has now gone full circle and is currently a Business Representative with IBEW Local Union 48, where her journey started. She loves working in the electrical trades and working for the union! Donna currently resides in Vancouver, Washington, and is the proud mother of Yusuf Word and his wife, Danielle Sims.
Communications + Marketing
Trytten Essing
Communications & Marketing Manager
trytten@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 141
Trytten grew up in the heart of the Silicon Valley and always had a knack for the arts. Starting his own photography business at the age of 16, he gained real life experience taking portraits, shooting events, and maintaining a social media presence.
His experience with online communications and digital media led him to Oregon Tradeswomen (OTW) to cover the annual Career Fair on social media as a volunteer. Trytten joined Oregon’s team officially in July 2017, where he coordinates OTW’s social media, develops our monthly Toolbox Newsletter, writes content for a variety of channels, makes video, takes photos, and more!
In his free time, he loves camping with his wife Chelsea, filling up rolls of film, and avidly follows the San Jose Sharks.
Mary Ann Naylor
Communications & Marketing Director
maryann@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 126
Mary Ann has been part of feminist nonprofit organizations in Portland for the last two decades. She helped form the Girls Rock Institute – The nonprofit behind Rock ‘n’ roll Camp for Girls and was part of the team that started the Pacific NW chapter of Girls Inc.. She served on the board of directors of Siren Nation for a decade, all in addition to her own projects promoting women in music.
Mary Ann joined Oregon Tradeswomen (OTW) in 2008 and is honored to be part of a team dedicated to helping women become financially independent. She is proud of the mix of public relations, communications, and graphic design skills she brings to her role in service of OTW"s mission.
Outside of work, Mary Ann loves to go adventuring with her partner, discover new or missed music, sculpt paper flowers, or spend time on her old Portland home, built in 1895!
Development
Casey Lay
Development & Events Manager
Casey was born and raised in the Portland Metro area and is constantly inspired by the sense of community and creativity the region offers.
After graduating from Southern Oregon University, Casey lived in a variety of climates. From the deserts of Namibia, working for Cheetah Conservation Fund to high desert of Colorado at The Greenway Foundation, her dedication to nonprofits grew.
Back in the Pacific Northwest and in her role as the Development and Events Coordinator, Casey is excited to share her passion for uplifting underserved women through pathways of independence.
Outside of the office, Casey enjoys being a part of the Oregon Whitewater Association. Her favorite hobbies include woodworking, hiking, rafting, and discovering delicious restaurants with her fiancé.
Operations
Pat Casteel
Operations & Professional Development Manager
pat@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 121
Pat was born in North Eastern Texas area. After graduating from high school, Pat moved to Portland, Oregon and began her career in the Administrative field. After 30 + years, Pat opted for a change with the idea of improving her wages. After completing her Paralegal/Legal Assistant Degree, she was offered a Legal Receptionist position with a Law firm, and after almost five years, she decided it was time for another change and began job searching.
After interviewing for Oregon Tradeswomen, Pat was offered a position. She now has been promoted several times and is currently the Operations Manager where she works directly with staff, vendors, students, and the public. It gives Pat great satisfaction and offers quite a bit of challenge. She has the opportunity to support students directly and to contribute to Oregon Tradeswomen team in so many ways.
In Pat’s spare time, she enjoys crocheting, sewing, music, and hanging out with her family. Oregon Tradeswomen has been the best fit career wise for Pat. She works with a diversified group of extraordinary people and very happy to be a part of this team.
Troy McMillan
Facilities and Maintenance Manager
troy@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200
Troy comes to Oregon Tradeswomen with a long history working in construction and knows a little bit of just about every trade. This background and experience made it a clear choice to pursue maintenance, a field he has been working in for the last 7 years in both residential and commercial sectors.
Outside of work, Troy loves being outdoors. He has a very strong passion for fishing, and shooting video of fishing and wildlife.
Kathy Wiley
Administrative Assistant
kathy@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 136
Kathy has lived in Oregon for most of her life. She started her career at the Forest Service and some years later, started working for the State of Oregon at the Crime Lab in downtown Portland where she worked with some incredibly fun people. Prior to joining Oregon Tradeswomen's team as an Administrative Assistant, she worked at the Oregon Health Authority.
Kathy brings a wealth of office experience and great skills with a variety of computer programs and applications and is motivated by helping and encouraging her team. Kathy is inspired being part of this team helping women+ become independent and able to provide a good life for themselves.
On her off hours, Kathy enjoys spending as much time with family and friends as possible. She also loves listening to music, watching a good movie, gardening, and knitting and crocheting.
Pathways to Success Program
Elizabeth Bryant
Career Skills & Training Coordinator
eli@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 118
Elizabeth has been working with Oregon Tradeswomen on-and-off for nearly a decade as a contracted field instructor. Thirty years of art, residential remodeling, landscaping, with a decade or so of theater, created a breadth of skillfully developed building sense and talent.
Studying art at Oregon College of Art and Craft here in Portland, and then transferring to California College of the Arts for a double study in sculpture and creative writing made Elizabeth feel like she was surfing the tsunami of life. Working in a Bay Area metal fabrication shop and running workshops in stone, metal foundry foundations, sculpture, and writing were all intrinsically transformative to who she is, how she teaches, and communicates as a whole.
Coming back to the PNW opened a whole new arena of building. From working at top notch design firms to working with local artists, all these journeys have culminated in Elizabeth coming to Oregon Tradeswomen, changing lives in her favorite Dovetail workpants. As Training Coordinator, Elizabeth is so proud to share knowledge and uplift other women interested in getting a little dirty, learning new skills, and having a whole lot of fun all while healing and balancing our trades industry!
Iliana Fontal
Contracts & Data Impact Analyst
iliana@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 124
Iliana Fontal grew up in South America and moved to Oregon after five years of working as an industrial engineer. In Oregon, she gained experience in social services by working her way up in the Family Strengthening and Workforce Development field.
With 9+ years of experience delivering job readiness services to individuals, Iliana specializes in coordinating quality assurance activities, effectively accomplishing program’s outcomes, and identifying authentic opportunities for the organization to advance. Additionally, she is skilled in program design and management, community development, staff training, and contracts management.
Iliana is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude to encourage others to work hard and succeed. She is inspired daily by her husband and their three daughters. In her free time, Iliana enjoys taking care of her garden, going on walks, and traveling.
Kate Hibbs
Training Manager
kate@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 125
Kate has been a seasonal worker for most of their career: guiding canoe trips for youth, mushing sled dogs, facilitating team building, landscaping, and spent 6 years working contracts in Antarctica and Greenland for the National Science Foundation’s US Polar Programs as a heavy equipment operator. During their time doing polar contracts, Kate helped organize harassment prevention workshops and advocated for structural change to address the regressive culture common in the construction trades.
When Kate felt the pull to grow more roots, they moved to Portland and started a plumbing apprenticeship. Despite the cultural challenges of the industry, Kate finds so much joy in the trades and loves the resourcefulness, creativity, and tinkering nature of the community. Kate is thrilled to be part of the good work Oregon Tradeswomen is doing while living their passions of coaching, advocacy, and working in the trades!
Ina Avendaño Howe
Employment Case Manager
ina@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 140
Ina grew up in the Northwest and Hawaii with roots in Mexico and recently spent nearly a decade in the Caribbean. This unique background has informed her perspective on diversity, equity, and the importance of work that builds up individuals on the margins for success.
Her early career was spent in the Portland social service arena serving marginalized populations from at-risk teens to the homeless. Most recently she has worked with high school students at Reynolds High School as a CTE Career Coordinator, where she supported young people in accessing their first jobs, exploring careers in the trades and option for college, and built a valuable network among partners in the construction industry, East County employers, non-profits, and government entities.
In her spare time, Ina loves painting, ping pong, time with family, and is committed to social justice and making her community a better place where she can. Presently, Ina is mentoring at-risk students with Oregon Youth Challenge program and supporting Portland’s efforts to keep it clean with Adopt-a-Block.
Lily Mendoza
Pathways Program Admissions Coordinator
lily@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x
Lily was born and raised in the South Bronx of New York City. She received her bachelor's degree from The City College of New York, then spent five years working as an educator in schools across the City. Lily then moved to Portland and advocated for and supported underprivileged families and single mothers as a social worker. Her experience in education and working with women led her to Oregon Tradeswomen (OTW). At Oregon Tradeswomen, Lily is our Pathways Program Admissions Coordinator and works directly with students as they begin their journey into a career in construction.
In her spare time, Lily enjoys hiking, visiting museums, indulging in art, and creating art sculptures.
Allison Miller
Director of Programs and Strategic Impact
allison@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 122
Allison grew up in Iowa but made her way to Oregon after completing her master’s degree at UCLA. As a graduate student, she taught for the departments of sociology and gender studies where she guest lectured on sexualized violence and toxic masculinity.
With almost a decade of experience in education and the nonprofit sector, Allison has donned a variety of professional hats. From designing accessible and collaborative curriculum to studying and practicing anti-racist pedagogy, she is dedicated to managing safe, equitable, and thriving programs that are rooted in community.
Outside of work, Allison keeps herself busy with an array of hobbies. When she’s not restoring her 1918 farmhouse, you can find her making wooden postcards, throwing pottery, and trying out for game shows.
Carol Murray
Training Coordinator
carol@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 134
Carol has worked in construction for more than 30 years. She started out in semi-conductor manufacturing as an administrative assistant in a job-site trailer and worked her way up to coordinating and managing multi-million-dollar projects for engineering firms in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona.
When the silicon forest crashed in 2001, she shifted into home remodeling and began her hands-on career building custom decks and fences, remodeling kitchen and baths, and doing other work such as painting, finish work, siding, tiling, framing, etc. All of Carol’s knowledge and experience perfectly prepared her for her role as a Training Coordinator for Oregon Tradeswomen, where she works directly with our students to help prepare them to start careers in the skilled construction trades.
On the weekend she loves to work with bamboo, black iron pipe, and recycled materials to build elevated dog bowls and custom furniture. Carol can also be found at almost any Tiny House conference and can frequently be seen kayaking on local rivers and lakes, rollerblading down the Springwater corridor trail, or out on Wildcat Mountain road searching for chanterelles and other varieties of fungi.
Kim Neel
Retention Services Coordinator
kim@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 123
Kim has been in the social work field for more than 24 years. After moving to Oregon from Florida, she landed a job with an all-female work crew remodeling a house. Kim loved the demolition process, and for the first time, knew how it felt to go home physically tired and happy! She never forgot the empowerment she felt on that job.
When a Career Counselor position at Oregon Tradeswomen (OTW) opened in 2012, Kim jumped at the opportunity and has been working at OTW ever since. As Retention Coordinator, Kim supports women who have been through our pre-apprenticeship program, plus she coordinates monthly social hours, the annual Trades Leadership Institute, and supports various local women's committees.
Zoe Stansbury
Support Services Manager
zoe@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 135
Zoe grew up in New England where she discovered her love for the outdoors and art. Growing up, she studied ballet and contemporary dance from a young age into college. After leaving her dance career due to injury, she ventured out west where she began studying permaculture and hiking throughout the cascades.
In 2016 Zoe completed Oregon Tradeswomen’s Pre-Apprenticship Training Program. After graduating she began her career in the shipyard as an outside machinist while continuing her machining education at PCC. She became active in her union and traveled Maryland where she completed the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Women’s Leadership Program. As her career progressed, she became a Mechanical Inspector, working alongside multiple shipyard crafts and USCG to ensure seaworthiness of varies vessels.
In her role as Employment Case Manager, she is honored to assist tradeswomen on their path to economic independence in the construction trades. She is excited to work one on one with graduates to ensure that equal access to information, training, and employment are available to all women.
When not working Zoe spends her time advocating for recovery programs in Portland, walking her rescue pup, and trying new foods with her partner.
RISE Up Oregon
Lauri Rollings
RISE Up Oregon Director
lauri@oregontradeswomen.org | 503.335.8200 x 136
Lauri Rollings was born in Madison, Wisconsin and was grew up in Wisconsin and Iowa. She has worked in the construction industry for more than a decade, previously serving as Executive Director of the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association (PMCA) of Oregon and Executive Director of the Plumbing Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors’ Alliance of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lauri is passionate about making the trades more welcoming to women and people of color. She is actively involved with Safe from Hate, a coalition of Portland-area construction professionals dedicated to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on jobsites and within organizations. In Wisconsin, she served for many years as a board member of two organizations with missions of improving the access of under-served communities to family-sustaining careers—the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/Building Industry Group Skilled Trades Employment Program (WRTP/BIG STEP) and Employ Milwaukee (formerly the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board).
Before joining the construction industry, Lauri practiced law for more than a decade and, before that, was a newspaper reporter. Rollings graduated with honors from both Stanford Law School and the University of Wisconsin. She is honored and excited to be part of Oregon Tradeswomen’s team.
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