Claire (she/he/they)

President Auntie

Claire is a queer, fourth generation Xicanx artist, educator, and organizer. Claire has been passionate about working with youth of all ages since they were a teenager. Over the years they have taught art, dance, violence prevention, and activism to youth ages 2-22, and have worked extensively with youth impacted by abuse in social services settings. Additionally, Claire has done extensive organizing around healing justice, against racism and in movements to end interpersonal violence. Claire is a 2019 RACC project grant awardee and works as the Sex Trafficking Senior Strategist with Multnomah County. Their sweet spot is combining art and organizing to advance movements for social change.

Sarah (she/her)

Historian Auntie

As a biracial woman, Sarah is committed to applying an anti-racist lens to her life and work to dismantle systems of oppression through the development and restructuring of power, policies and procedures.

Sarah grew up in Hermosa Beach, CA, the eldest of three. The community was small and didn’t have a High School, forcing the family to split between two High Schools in the neighborhood. Sarah participated in Girl Scouts from Brownies to receiving her Silver Award in High School. This meant that Sarah was at summer camp throughout her K-12 education, and sold cookies every spring. It also meant that servant leadership and civil service were an integral part of Sarah’s identity. Sarah joined the US Navy after High School and spent two years in service.

Sarah began her career in Public Works with LA Consulting where as an assistant consultant, she worked with agencies nationwide, training employees on the use of Maintenance Management Systems. Her involvement with the agencies included policy documentation, developing work plans, and improving business processes. She became involved in the American Public Works Association (APWA) to begin a Young Professionals Committee. She participated in the APWA Emerging Leaders Class 10 in 2017 and presented at the local Public Works Institute and Complete Streets and Technology Conference, as well as two national PWX Conferences. She was a National Leadership and Management Committee member and wrote articles for the local Insight and the National APWA Reporter. She also received a Certified Public Works Professions (Supervision) certificate. Sarah volunteered for the Become An Engineer Program which encourages youth in the community to pursue careers in Engineering and Public Works.

After turning 30, Sarah decided to relocate to Oregon, where she met her husband and began her work in State service. She worked for the Oregon Department of Transportation at first due to her experience in Public Works but then found a home on the Government Relations Team at the Department of Education. After two years with two amazing Legislative Directors, she applied to be a Legislative Aide for an incoming member at the Oregon Capitol. Sarah was hired with Representative Hoa Nguyen of House District 48 and was able to be an intimate partner in the 2023 Legislative Assembly work on House Bill 3144, the Student Success Plan for Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students. Sarah made her way back to ODE after that long legislative session. Sarah now supports the Foster Care and McKinney-Vento programs at ODE and her responsibilities include grant management, program support, and district liaison support.

Sarah spends her free time hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and camping with her husband and three dogs. She also hass two chickens, four ducks, two bunnies and three cats. Sarah enjoys video and board games, acrylic painting, gardening, and reading. Sarah is attending University of Phoenix online to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, which she’ll finish in October of 2025. Sarah finds joy in service to others, with her animals, and in nature. She volunteers with the Salem Keizer Public School District, Black Joy Oregon and now Brown Girl Rise. As an Auntie, Sarah is looking forward to being a positive member of the BIPOC Femme Community in Oregon!

Bianca (she/they)

Treasure Auntie

Bianca (she/her, they/them) is a passionate non-profit professional, that currently serves as the Development and Communications Manager for a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering BIPOC youth and young adults in providing tailored culturally specific workforce and human development programs.

Before their current role, Bianca's work was in youth-centered non-profit community engagement, marketing, and outreach. They have also successfully managed small businesses with philanthropic-driven business plans, amplifying their dedication to positive change. Bianca also deeply values their connection to their Mexican and New-Mexican roots. As a practitioner of Curanderismo, they channel ancestral wisdom to create ceremonial healing spaces. Their work in Curanderismo promotes whole person and spirit wellness, especially for BIPOC individuals, through guidance sessions, herbal remedies and more.

A fierce advocate for social justice, Bianca has passion for uplifting and amplifying brown 'femmes and thems'. When they are not doing all of the above, you’ll find them enjoying quality time with their four dogs, and embarking on outdoor adventures alongside their wife, Melinda.

Equity, healing and community are anchor values for Bianca and they are excited to bring this into their new role as an Auntie for Brown Girl Rise.

Rubi (she/her)

Community Building Auntie

Rubi (she/her/ella) is a mixed (Mexican/White) queer femme who grew up on unceded Kalapuyan Land (Forest Grove, Oregon). Her work involves caring for sweet babies, community herbalism and studying/practicing curanderismo. She is committed to helping youth in fostering supportive community and growing and crafting with their ancestral traditions. Rubi currently lives in so-called Portland with her partner and cat Mosha.