PRESIDENT

Shawn comes from an immigrant household that moved frequently, and arrived in Portland 6 years ago, fresh out of high school, determined to set down roots. Since moving to the city, Shawn has strived to seek avenues to implement changes in the built environment that foster a deeper sense of community in the city where he has found home. Studying Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus in Sustainable Urban Development at Portland State University, his first experience with Depave was de-paving parts of the Whitman Elementary playground which was an inspiring moment of 2021 for him. He hopes to continue to support work to uplift and empower communities to make their environments their own. In Shawn’s professional life, he designs stormwater solutions and fosters collaborative spaces for improving equitable community outcomes. In his free time, Shawn enjoys riding his fixed gear bike – dodging potholes – to Portland’s beautiful greenspaces, and taking pictures with his old Nikon film camera. serves on the Storytelling Committee and Executive Committee. Contact Shawn

TREASURER

Benni grew up in the Willamette Valley, in and around Corvallis. In 2017 they moved to Portland, the city that they have since proudly called home. As a lifelong enjoyer of the Oregon wilderness, their commitment to conservation has continually grown to include all of the flora and fauna, big and small, that make up this beautiful biome. Benni has worked primarily in the restaurant industry, with a focus on vegan and vegetarian cuisine and local agriculture. Additionally, they have spent a number of years supporting the local arts as a theatre front of house manager and volunteer supervisor. As the owner and operator of “U-Scream!”, they can often be found during the summer months near or atop a pink tricycle full of tasty vegan frozen treats. Through these varied work experiences, Benni has developed a strong sense of community and a deep understanding of the importance of teamwork.

Benni’s hobbies include music (playing, listening to, talking and obsessing about, etc), cycling (unicycling, bicycling, tricycling), gaming (board, card, tabletop), and making parenthesis-laden lists. Benni serves on the Executive Committee. Contact Benni

MEMBER

Liz grew up among the dense urban landscape of San Francisco and fell in love with the incredible landscapes and ecosystems of coastal California.   Liz’s professional work includes over eight years at conservation non-profits, studying breeding waterbirds in the South San Francisco Bay, and later pollinators in the Pacific Northwest.  Currently, they help run the kitchen at a farm fresh seasonal eatery, where their passion for food, land stewardship, and community connections all get a chance to shine.   Liz first heard about Depave after explaining what their ideal job would be to a friend, who replied “There is already an organization here doing that, you should get involved!” Contact Liz

SECRETARY

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Eden grew up enjoying the city parks and exploring Oregon’s landscapes. Her passion for environmental stewardship and love of art led her to pursue a landscape architecture degree at the University of Oregon. After college, Eden worked as an environmental educator on Catalina Island, an experience that fueled her commitment to environmental justice. Eden is a ceramic enthusiast and is happiest in the garden, basking in the sun or collecting rocks at the beach. She is excited to work with Depave to create green space that combats racial inequity and climate change to create more resilient and livable communities. Eden serves on the Site Stewardship Committee, Executive Committee, and Feedback Loops Working Group. Contact Eden

MEMBER

Paige grew up in the Sierra Nevada foothills of California, where she found her love for all things related to land, ecology, and being outside. She moved to Oregon to pursue degrees in psychology and gender studies, and has since worked in a variety of fields and communities, from therapeutic horseback riding to stream surveying to outdoor sport retail. In her free time, Paige can be found hiking, skiing, checking out new cafes in town, or working on a new craft. Across all of these experiences, she has maintained a deep interest in the intersection of human and environmental wellness, and is thrilled to be developing her relationship with the land and community of Portland through her work with Depave. Paige serves on the Site Stewardship Committee. Contact Paige

MEMBER

Jeremy grew up in Colorado’s rural San Luis Valley, and moved to Portland in 2013. He first Depaved in 2015, and became a crew leader soon after. At Depave, he’s grateful to have been welcomed to neighborhood schools, clubs, and churches to see firsthand the transformation that’s possible when neighbors work together. He’s constantly inspired by Depave and its rich community.

You might find Jeremy at OMSI, where he volunteers alongside brilliant scientists, educators, and community advocates who share a belief in the power of science education. Professionally, Jeremy works for a German mobility company that’s pioneering electric propulsion, as we near the sunset of internal combustion engines.

At home in Montavilla, he’s a clumsy amateur gardener learning to maintain a yard full of various plants. Jeremy serves on the Fundraising Committee and Storytelling Committee. Contact Jeremy