Meet your action-driven support system 💛
Staff
Elona J Wilson
Executive Director
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Elona (she/her) has been Next Up and Next Up Action Fund’s Executive Director since 2021. Elona grew up in Portland and was a first-generation college graduate, graduating from Pacific University with a degree in early education and is dedicated to ensuring that equity becomes the pillar that holds up our communities here in Oregon. Before Next Up, Elona was at the Coalition of Communities of Color, where she worked as the Advocacy Director to pass impactful legislation like the abolition of post-prison supervision fees. Through her professional and community-based work, Elona has built a wealth of experience in community organizing, engagement, leadership development, policy and legislative agenda-setting, and electoral campaigns.
Isabela Villarreal
Policy and Communications Director
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Isabela (she/her) is a queer Latina youth organizer who started with Next Up in 2018 as a Youth Leadership Coordinator. Based in Portland, she holds a B.A. in Community Development from Portland State University. Her experiences led her to do intersectional youth organizing for societal and political change.
As a campaign manager at Next Up Action Fund, Isabela has organized coalitions to achieve multiple legislative victories, such as expanding automatic voter registration to Medicaid, modernizing online voter registration, and enhancing civic engagement standards in schools. She also co-manages the campaign to restore voting rights for incarcerated individuals. Her advocacy and communication approach revolves around anti-oppression and racial justice.
Angus Shumway
Executive Operations Manager
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Angus (he/him) is a queer white person dedicated to the advancement and security of rights for systemically oppressed communities. Angus comes from nine years of experience in operations coordination and administrative support for companies, from international corporations to local small businesses. He believes that passion, diversity, and empathy are the essential keys to success within the social justice movement, and he works hard to make sure those values are demonstrated at every opportunity.
As a trans man and openly queer individual, Angus hopes to make the path to living your true self easier for the people who come after him. Outside of work, he enjoys reading non-fiction books, playing Magic the Gathering, going to the gym, and spending time with his fiancé, Jordan, and their little dog, Dipper. He is currently working towards obtaining his B.A. in Religious Studies.
Devin Ruiz
Movement Building Director
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Devin (she/her) is a queer Latina from Los Angeles, CA, and finds revelatory opportunities in community work. Devin has an unwavering commitment to centering Black, Indigenous, people of color, low-income people, LGBTQIA individuals, and youth in their grassroots community engagement work. She obtained dual degrees in Political Science and Women’s Studies from PSU and wrote her thesis on how white supremacy is reproduced through racial grammar.
When Devin is not deep in theory or YouTube, you can find her at the spa or overdressed and trying to find any and all warmth in Portland (usually in the form of community, chisme, and food).
Jasia Mosley
Civic Action Organizer
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Jasia (she/they) is a queer black activist passionate about amplifying and centering the voices of youth in policy and social change. Her experience as a young organizer throughout high school to now has given her the power and drive to continue to advocate for youth empowerment, racial and climate justice, and centering the voices of marginalized groups. She currently serves on the Metro Transportation Advisory Committee and is always looking for opportunities to serve her community.
When they are not working for social change Jasia enjoys spending time at the beach, eating anything and everything spicy, rewatching New Girl 100 times, and spending time with friends and family.
IYANNA
Community Engagement Manager
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Iyanna (they/them) is a young Black activist, who holds many identities that influence their desire to show up for the community and the future generations to come. Born and raised in Portland, OR, they have dedicated time to understanding the systems of our society and how they impact and have harmfully impacted the communities they belong to, but also the communities that share similar systemic oppression. With this knowledge of systems of power and their own lived experience, they intend to use their passion and longing for a liberated and free world, to push for radical change within the institutions that make our society.
Outside of organizing Iya spends much of their time learning how they can practice holistic wellness as a form of radical self/community healing. They are a lover of astrology, literature, music, and nature!
EM Bookstein
Development Director
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Em (they/them) is a queer white person committed to moving resources to grassroots community organizing. As a chapter leader with Resource Generation and then as a board member with Social Justice Fund NW, they have developed organizing and fundraising skills rooted in social justice principles, dedication to redistributing wealth and power, and a belief in personal transformation through collective action.
Previously, they held a day job as a software engineer. Outside of organizing and fundraising, they appreciate book clubs, karaoke, beach days with their dog Buster, and personality analysis frameworks (personal stats: Enneagram type 1/INFP/Virgo).
Stephanie madrid
Campaign Manager
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Stephanie (she/her) serves as the Campaign Manager for the Community Budgeting for All Campaign. She received her Bachelor's degree in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and is pursuing a law degree at Willamette University. Her personal and professional experiences amplified her passion for working with grassroots organizations and will continue to help her advocate for progressive policies in Oregon.
JANNA TESSMAN
Field Manager, Community Budgeting for All
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Janna (she/her) has talked with hundreds of voters about the democratization of Portland through updating the city’s charter and is ready to make it many more for the Community Budgeting for All campaign. She is a wonky ideas-girl in a grass-roots world who came to Portland over ten years ago for the "weird" and woke up to the whiteness, including her own. When she isn't trying to answer the call for systemic change, she can be found enjoying a good seasonal event, like with blooms, lights, or harvests.
Our Next Up Board of Directors
The Next Up Board of Directors offers oversight and support to the work we and our youth do. They are a team of passionate community advocates in their unique fields of expertise and backgrounds, and are deeply committed to the success of our organization.
Lucy Williams
Board Chair
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Lucy (she/her) is passionate about inclusive public engagement and building political power for underrepresented communities. She brings a variety of skills and experiences from working with the Oregon State Legislature, local community organizations, and a public relations firm dedicated to engaging the public and decision-makers in conversations that define our communities. Lucy is excited about building formidable relationships and working to expand access to political structures for youth and diverse populations in Oregon.
*Also serves on the Next Up Action Fund Board
Senator WLnsvey Campos
Board Member
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Senator Wlnsvey (she/her) is the daughter of immigrants and brings knowledge from growing up in Bandon, OR and making her adult life in Aloha. She works as a Case Manager at Family Promise of Beaverton and is the youngest woman ever elected to the Oregon legislature (Aloha & Beaverton). She has extensive organizing experience and a desire to see more Latinx representation in public service.
Kenya Juarez
Board Member, also serves on C4
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Kenya (she/ella) is a Latina woman who is committed to pursuing social justice and empowering people from all walks of life. She grew up in Woodburn, Oregon with her first-generation Mexican immigrant family and is a communications professional who served as Next Up’s Interim Executive Director in 2021.
*Also serves on the Next Up Action Fund Board
Luis Velasco
Treasurer, also serves on C4
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Luis (he/they) is first generation queer and Chicanx community organizer. He is the founder and managing partner of Alma Nueva Solutions. Luis was born in Oregon, but raised in Colima, Mexico, and several other farmworker fields along the West coast. They’re passionate about food justice, fighting gentrification, and advocating for Migrant students.
*Also serves on the Next Up Action Fund Board
jacob bell
Board Member
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Jacob (he/him) is a Jewish person who grew up in Kansas, but is proud to now call Oregon home. He works in government relations, representing the interests of nonprofit organizations advocating for criminal justice reform and support for Oregon’s immigrant communities in Oregon’s capitol.
chloe acosta
Board Member
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Chloe (she/her) is passionate about issues facing young people and health equity. She resides in rural Southern Oregon. Chloe works with a variety of other community organizations and has multiple years of experience. Chloe is currently pursuing a Communications and Political Science degree and hopes to continue working in legislative advocacy and grassroots organizing.
charlie bloomer
Board Member
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Charlie (they/she) is a multiracial queer rural grassroots community organizer. She currently attends Sandy High School, and from witnessing how white supremacist culture has played a role in her life and education, she is passionate about creating systemic change through political and social outlets, especially for rural and queer communities. Outside of organizing, Charlie enjoys performing arts, music and talking to old people. She's a proud ENFJ and hopes one day to pursue journalism professionally.
victoria Huynh
Board Member
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Victoria (she/her) was raised by immigrants and has lived in Portland all of her life! She currently attends Franklin High School as a junior, with an interest in healthcare and social equity. Her passions lie in making health services more accessible, restorative justice, and dismantling stigma damaging oppressed communities. Her wide range of experience with organizing comes from her time serving as the Vice President of the Multco Youth Advisory Board, the President of Franklin's Red Cross Club, a Youth Intern at APANO, and a long-term member of Planned Parenthood's Teen Council. Outside of her work, she enjoys being out in nature and painting horror!
Lillia Diaz
Board Member
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Lillia (she/her) is a Women’s Studies Major at Portland State University who is passionate about Food Justice and works to dismantle the root causes of hunger within the lens of Black, Native, and Latinx feminism. Growing up in North and North East Portland, she aims to uplift youth in the community by supporting them in leadership-building roles. In her free time you can find her looking for waterfalls with her dog.
ivy Major-McDowall
Board Member
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Ivy (she/her) is a Chinese adoptee who grew up in Beaverton, OR. Ivy has a deep passion for advancing justice through organizing and advocacy, and has extensive experience in non-profits, lobbying, and election work. She strongly believes in uplifting community-centered approaches to create meaningful change.
Our Next Up Action Fund Board of Directors
The Next Up Action Fund Board of Directors offers oversight and support to the work we do through our c(4) organization. They are a team of passionate community advocates in their unique fields of expertise and backgrounds, and are deeply committed to the success of our work.
thien vo
Board Member
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Bio coming soon
Past Board members
Helena Huang
Heather Kmetz
Ethan Krow
Kelli Horvath
Gerik Kransky
Nolan Lienhart
Sarah Masterson
Jeff Malachowsky
Evyn Mitchell
Alberto Moreno
Jake Oken Berg
Justin Pabalate
Mac Prichard
Sara Ryan
Mike Radway
Josh GoldbergIan Greenfield
Carmen Vintro
Auna Castellón
Zoe Bluffstone
Mahala Ray
Gabrielle Cosey
Amira Tripp-Folsom
Robin Ye
Justin Low
Maurice Rahming
Linda Roman
Steve Rosenbaum
Amy Ruiz
Andrew Scott
Matt Singer
Jonathan Singer
Jason Skelton
Joel Shapiro
Representative Jefferson Smith
Joe Smith
Dan Torres
Nathan Howard
Kathleen Stuart
Tara Sulzen
David Vernier
Amy Sample Ward
Becca Uherberlau
Christel Allen
Courtney Graham
Jonathan Frochtzwajg
Sanne Stienstra
Amanda Squiemphen-Yazzie
Hayden Miller
Susan Allen
Lizzy Atwood Wills
Caitlin Baggott
Brendan Barnicle
Representative Brent Barton
Joe Baessler
Sarah Baessler
Steph Barnhart
Cyreena Boston Ashby
Representative Ben Cannon
Sam Chapman
Ryan Christensen
Charles Denson
Saul Ettlin
Kate Fagerholm
Joel Fischer
Senator Lew Frederick
Josh GoldbergIan Greenfield
Carmen Vintro
Winta Yohannes
Lex Jakusovszky
Aslan Newson
Senya Scott
Aanna Farhang
Michelle Hicks
Frmr. Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence
Anjali Weerasinghe
Josh Laurente