American Leadership Forum of Oregon

08/12/2026

We want to offer our deepest gratitude to Vicki Nakashima (Class 13), who just finished six years of service with the ALF Oregon Board of Directors. Vicki's compassionate and steady leadership on the board has been foundational to our success and longevity. She served on a variety of committees over the years and most recently served as board secretary. Vicki, we will miss your elegant questions, your thoughtful advice, your keen analysis, and your loving leadership. Thank you for all you've done to help ALF Oregon thrive.

08/12/2026

The American Leadership Forum of Oregon is excited to announce three new board members this month! Please help us welcome Derenda Schubert, Cheryl Myers, and Cory Misley.

Derenda Schubert, a member of Class 33, serves her community as the CEO of Bridge Meadows.

Cheryl Myers, a member of Class 46, works as a consultant and recently retired from her role as Deputy Secretary of State.

Cory Misley, a member of Class 36, works in city government and serves as the City Manager of Silverton, OR.

We're excited for their leadership and guidance on the ALF Oregon Board!

08/08/2026

ALF National announces a first-of-its-kind advanced leadership retreat especially for Senior Fellows!

Dates: April 4-8, 2027
Location: Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma, CA

Nothing replaces time in nature, with deep intention, listening and learning with other ALFers. Now you’ll have the chance to be in community with Senior Fellows from across the country for a five-day all-inclusive adaptive leadership retreat, ALF style. The retreat takes place at Westerbeke Ranch, a beloved, historic sanctuary nestled among stately oaks and rolling vineyards in Sonoma, California.

Learn more and sign-up to receive early registration access here:
https://www.alforegon.org/events/national-leadership-retreat

07/23/2026

Please join the ALF Oregon Board of Directors in welcoming Jessica Mole Heilman (Class 45) as our new Executive Director.

Jessica brings more than a decade of experience advancing leadership development, cross-sector collaboration, and equity-driven systems change across Oregon. She is a systems-minded, relational leader known for building trust across differences and supporting leaders to move from shared values to collective action.

Born and raised in Cherry Grove, Jessica is a first-generation Oregon college graduate whose rural roots continue to shape her leadership. She brings a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing communities across urban and rural Oregon alike, and a commitment to ensuring leadership pathways are accessible, inclusive, and grounded in lived experience.

We are excited about Jessica's leadership and grateful to our outgoing ED, Sarah Greenman for her remarkable stewardship of ALF Oregon over the past four years. Please read more about Jessica's leadership and her new role with ALF Oregon here: https://www.alforegon.org/blog/jessica-mole-heilman-alf-new-executive-director

07/14/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended ALF Oregon's Pride Happy Hour this past Saturday hosted by members of Class 40!

06/16/2026

TOMORROW is ALF's Annual Check on Your Buddy Day! In a time when so many across our country are feeling uncertainty, strain, and deep change, leadership rooted in connection matters more than ever.

This is a great opportunity to reconnect with your ALF Buddy in whatever way works best for you. You could send a text, schedule a call, or meet up for coffee. So reach out and make a plan to connect on June 17th!

06/16/2026

Hey Southern Oregon Senior Fellows, ALF Oregon is hosting a Thursday night happy hour at Moxie Brew in Phoenix just for you! This is a casual event, designed for conversation and camaraderie.

August 20 @ 5pm. Find more information here:
https://www.alforegon.org/events/southern-oregon-senior-fellow-night

ALF Oregon has reserved their back deck and will buy the first round of snacks. There is also a no-host bar available. Hope to see you there!

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026 Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm  Location: Moxie Brew, 106 E 1st St, Phoenix, OR 97535 Hey Southern Oregon Senior Fellows, ALF Oregon is hosting a Thursday night happy hour at Moxie Brew in Phoenix just for you! This is a casual event, designed

06/09/2026

June 17th is ALF's Annual Check on Your Buddy Day!

In a time when so many across our country are feeling uncertainty, strain, and deep change, leadership rooted in connection matters more than ever.

This is a great opportunity to reconnect with your ALF Buddy in whatever way works best for you. You could send a text, schedule a call, or meet up for coffee.

So reach out and make a plan to connect on June 17th!

06/03/2026

Happy graduation to ALF Oregon Class 47!

Thank you to class speakers Abelio Carrillo Chales of Cottage Grove, OR and Amari Fauna of Halfway, OR for sharing their insights about the year together. And a BIG thank you to the families, partners, colleagues, and friends who supported these Fellows during their year together.

This past year Class 47 visited a host of vibrant and varied communities across the state of Oregon: Klamath County, Woodburn, Sisters, Medford, Hood River, Grand Ronde, Newport, Baker City, and Portland. We wish them congratulations on a great year together and welcome to the Senior Fellow Network!

ALF Oregon celebrated the graduation of Class 47 on May 15th at the Matt Dishman Community Center in Portland, OR. Thank you to class speakers Abelio Carrillo Chales of Cottage Grove, OR and Amari Fauna of Halfway, OR for sharing their insights about the year together. And a BIG thank you to the f

05/18/2026

As many of you know, ALF Oregon is in the process of seeking and hiring its next leader. Our current ED, Sarah Greenman, will be with us through the summer and support the incoming ED's transition.

While Sarah is leaving her post as ED of ALF Oregon, she will remain as Board Chair of ALF National, where she has served on the board since 2022. Sarah has 18 more months of her term with ALF National before the next election.

(Photo: Sarah Greenman and the ALF National Board at their May 7th meeting via zoom.)