Appoint members to the New Portlanders Policy Commission for terms beginning September 2, 2026

The New Portlanders Policy Commission (NPPC) serves as the City of Portland's advisory body on issues affecting immigrant and refugee communities. The Commission advises the Mayor, City Council, and City bureaus on policies, programs, and initiatives that improve equitable access to City services, strengthen civic participation, and foster welcoming and inclusive communities for Portland's immigrant and refugee residents.Following an open public recruitment process and review by current Commission members, it is recommended that Council appoint the following individuals to the New Portlanders Policy Commission.As Mayor, I request a Council motion and vote to confirm the following appointments and reappointments for the term running from September 2, 2026 - September 1, 2028:AppointmentTerm Start DateTerm End DateReplacesBrina BolanzSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Sahar WilsonCindy ChenSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Kerri BabinLuciane DolgosSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Mia SabanovicJayotta Jefferson FeimoefiafiSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Rachel SwisherZeljka C. KekezSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Demet TuncerLinda LySeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028 Alejandro Martinez UbiedaSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Bernal CruzRita NwanzeSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Guluzar KaraKelechi OkereSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028 Evan RypelSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Sankar RamanYamungu SerayaSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Hussein D. IdowMarissa TapiaSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Mahad HassanDevin TauSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Kolini Fusitu'aReappointmentPrevious Term EndReappointed / Extended UntilJorge Sanchez BautistaSeptember 1, 2026September 1, 2028Marry KaramSeptember 1, 2026September 1, 2028Maritza KritzSeptember 1, 2026September 1, 2028Stephanie LauensteinSeptember 1, 2026September 1, 2028The full membership of NPPC, following this confirmation, is:MemberDate of First AppointmentCurrent Term EndsBrina BolanzSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Cindy ChenSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Luciane DolgosSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Jayotta Jefferson FeimoefiafiSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Marry KaramJanuary 18, 2024September 1, 2028Zeljka C. KekezSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Maritza KritzJanuary 18, 2024September 1, 2028Stephanie LauensteinJanuary 18, 2024September 1, 2028Linda LySeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Alejandro Martinez UbiedaSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Rita NwanzeSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Kelechi OkereSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Evan RypelSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Jorge Sanchez BautistaJanuary 18, 2024September 1, 2028Yamungu SerayaSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Marissa TapiaSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028Devin TauSeptember 2, 2026September 1, 2028These individuals collectively represent a broad range of lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, languages, professions, and community leadership. Together, they bring expertise in education, public administration, nonprofit leadership, business, healthcare, social services, refugee and immigrant advocacy, youth engagement, community organizing, and civic participation.The recommended appointments reflect Portland's diversity and include individuals with lived experience as immigrants, refugees, children of immigrants, multilingual community leaders, and professionals who have dedicated their careers to serving immigrant and refugee communities. They also provide representation from communities across North, Northeast, East, and Central Portland, strengthening the Commission's ability to advise City leaders on policies that advance equity, belonging, and meaningful civic engagement.Brief biographies and statements of interest for each appointee are provided below.Brief Biographies and Statements of InterestAppointmentsAlejandro Martinez UbiedaBiography:Alejandro Martinez Ubieda brings more than 30 years of professional experience in public service and international affairs, along with a strong commitment to inclusion and equity. He has worked with people representing diverse ages, cultures, ethnicities, religions, genders, abilities, and sexual orientations. As a multilingual refugee, Alejandro also brings firsthand understanding of the experiences and barriers faced by immigrants and refugees.Alejandro is active in community service, including volunteer work with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's food pantry. His professional and lived experiences have strengthened his commitment to supporting diverse communities, removing barriers, and helping Portland remain an open and welcoming city.Statement of Interest:Alejandro is interested in serving on the New Portlanders Policy Commission to help elevate diverse community voices and advance equitable and inclusive policies. He hopes to use his public-service experience, international perspective, multilingual skills, and lived experience as a refugee to support immigrants, refugees, and other underrepresented communities.Brina BolanzBiography:Brina Bolanz brings nearly six years of experience in affordable senior housing, including Section 8 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs. In this work, she has served residents from diverse cultural, linguistic, citizenship, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including older adults and people with disabilities. She has a strong working knowledge of landlord-tenant requirements and federal housing regulations, with an emphasis on equitable access to housing and services.Brina completed intensive diversity, equity, and inclusion training through Friends of Outdoor School and supported statewide advocacy that secured full funding for Oregon Outdoor School. Through that effort, she collaborated with immigrant- and minority-led organizations across Oregon. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also helped organize welcome and resettlement support for Ukrainian refugee families in Portland, including coordinating donations and moving assistance. Her experience teaching English in South Korea and traveling internationally contributes to her cross-cultural perspective.Statement of Interest:Brina is motivated to serve on the Commission because of her commitment to equitable access, community service, and ensuring that immigrant and refugee residents feel welcomed and supported. She hopes to contribute her housing expertise, advocacy experience, and cross-cultural perspective to policies that improve access to resources and opportunities for New Portlanders.Cindy ChenBiography:Cindy Chen is a high school student with a strong interest in civic engagement and supporting immigrant and refugee communities. She brings firsthand experience navigating communication barriers and has demonstrated resourcefulness and empathy when assisting people with different communication needs, including helping a deaf customer through lip-reading and gestures.Cindy participates in school-based leadership and service activities, including the Student Health Action Council and Constitution Team. Through these activities, she has developed skills in teamwork, communication, research, civic processes, and collaborative problem-solving. Her academic and extracurricular experiences have also strengthened her understanding of government systems and the importance of meaningful youth participation in public decision-making.Statement of Interest:Cindy is motivated to serve on the New Portlanders Policy Commission to apply her civic knowledge, represent youth perspectives, and support policies that improve educational access and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities. She hopes to contribute thoughtful ideas while learning from community leaders and other commissioners.Devin Tau Biography:Devin Tau is an immigrant, filmmaker, and entrepreneur with a background in business and storytelling. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, and later pursued filmmaking at Portland Community College. He is the founder of No Sunrise Wasted, a film production company dedicated to telling the stories of underrepresented communities and amplifying voices that are often overlooked.Statement of Interest:As an immigrant who now calls Portland home, Devin is committed to giving back to the community by serving on the New Portlanders Policy Commission. He hopes to help advise City leaders on policies that better support immigrant communities while bringing his experience in coalition building, collaboration, and consensus-building to strengthen partnerships and inform inclusive policy recommendations.Evan RypelBiography:Evan Rypel holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, which has developed his ability to analyze complex issues, identify underlying assumptions, and thoughtfully consider ethical tradeoffs. These skills support his ability to review policy questions and contribute to collaborative recommendations.As a volunteer lead with the Oregon Food Bank, Evan has coordinated diverse volunteer teams and worked directly with community members experiencing food insecurity, including immigrant and refugee families. This work has provided him with insight into systemic barriers related to language, documentation status, culturally responsive outreach, and access to essential services.Statement of Interest:Evan is interested in serving on the Commission to help translate community experiences and barriers into meaningful policy recommendations. He is especially interested in equitable access to City services and creating pathways for immigrant and refugee Portlanders to participate in civic life.Evan approaches collaboration by listening carefully, seeking to understand why different perspectives matter, and identifying shared values. He also recognizes that some policy disagreements require attention to the needs and voices of communities that have historically been overlooked.Jayotta Jefferson FeimoefiafiBiography:Jayotta Jefferson Feimoefiafi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Director with extensive experience serving individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, including immigrants, refugees, and people who have experienced trauma, displacement, and systemic barriers. Her professional experience includes advocacy, active listening, community engagement, program development, staff supervision, and collaborative problem-solving.Jayotta also brings a personal connection to immigrant experiences through her late husband, who was an immigrant. Through their life together, she gained a deeper understanding of both the strengths immigrants bring to their communities and the challenges they may face when navigating systems, accessing resources, and building a sense of belonging.Statement of Interest:Jayotta is committed to ensuring that immigrant and refugee communities have a meaningful voice in the policies that affect their lives. She hopes to contribute her clinical expertise, leadership experience, and personal perspective to recommendations related to mental health, healthcare, housing, culturally responsive services, and equitable access to resources.She brings experience facilitating difficult conversations, balancing competing priorities, and helping groups identify common ground while ensuring that community members feel heard and respected.Kelechi S. OkereBiography:Kelechi S. Okere is a Portland resident pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree. Their interests include transportation policy, multimodal transportation systems, public-sector service, and improving transportation access and equity for Black, Indigenous, and other underserved communities.As the child of Nigerian immigrants, Kelechi has firsthand understanding of the challenges immigrant families may experience, including language barriers, cultural differences, and immigration-related concerns. Through work with Transition Projects, Kelechi has also served people experiencing homelessness and housing instability and has gained insight into barriers involving housing, transportation, healthcare, and other essential services.Statement of Interest:Kelechi is interested in serving on the Commission to gain public-sector experience while contributing to policies that improve community well-being. They hope to bring their lived experience, public-administration training, and understanding of housing and transportation barriers to the Commission's work.Linda LyBiography:Linda Ly came to the United States as a refugee at four years old. She brings firsthand experience growing up in a refugee community, adapting to a new country, and learning to navigate different cultural and social systems. Her family received assistance from nonprofit and charitable organizations, and those experiences shaped her commitment to compassion, service, and giving back to the community.Linda has held leadership roles in which she mentored others and helped improve organizational and business practices. Her personal and professional experiences have connected her with people from many different backgrounds and strengthened her skills in empathy, active listening, leadership, and relationship-building.Statement of Interest:Linda is motivated to serve because she believes it is her turn to give back after receiving support from others during her family's resettlement experience. She hopes to use her refugee lived experience, leadership skills, and business perspective to support policies that help immigrant and refugee Portlanders thrive.Linda believes that authentic engagement, active listening, and a strong sense of personal identity help people remain open to perspectives and experiences different from their own.Luciane Sellberg Freire DolgosBiography:Luciane Sellberg Freire Dolgos is an immigrant from Brazil who was raised in a multicultural family with European and Afro-Brazilian roots. She brings personal and professional experience living and working across cultures and is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish. These experiences provide her with a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges immigrants may encounter while adapting to a new community.Luciane has more than 10 years of professional experience in information technology and human resources with multinational companies, where she has collaborated across diverse teams and led projects. She holds a master's degree in Engineering Technology Management from Portland State University. She has also volunteered to support new immigrants, including fundraising for English for Speakers of Other Languages programs at Portland Community College.Statement of Interest:Luciane is motivated to serve on the Commission to support inclusive policies and strengthen representation for immigrant and refugee communities. She hopes to contribute her lived experience as an immigrant, multilingual skills, global professional background, and experience supporting educational opportunities for newcomers.Marissa TapiaBiography:Marissa Tapia is a first-generation Mexican American and the daughter of immigrant parents. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from Portland State University and is a bilingual professional with approximately 10 years of experience providing mental health services to immigrant populations.Marissa currently oversees a clinical team serving unaccompanied minors arriving in the United States. Her work includes supporting immigrant youth and families as they navigate complex systems and access services needed for safety and stability. She has also facilitated training on decolonizing therapy and culturally responsive practices, helping professionals understand how culture, identity, historical oppression, and systemic inequities affect mental health and service delivery.Statement of Interest:Marissa is motivated to serve because she believes immigrant and refugee voices must be meaningfully included in policymaking and public decision-making. She hopes to contribute her lived experience, bilingual skills, clinical leadership, and expertise in immigrant-serving systems to policies that promote equity, access, dignity, belonging, and culturally responsive services.She brings extensive experience working across multidisciplinary teams and facilitating respectful conversations among people with different roles, priorities, and perspectives.Rita NwanzeBiography:Rita Nwanze is an educator with experience working with diverse students and families. Through her professional role, she has gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by immigrants and new residents as they navigate schools, community systems, and access to resources.Rita brings strong communication, organizational, facilitation, and educational skills. Her experience developing inclusive learning environments has strengthened her ability to engage people from different backgrounds, identify shared priorities, and support programs responsive to multicultural communities.Statement of Interest:Rita is interested in serving on the New Portlanders Policy Commission to help shape policies that ensure immigrants and refugees have equitable access to resources and a meaningful voice in local government. Her values are grounded in inclusion, education, and community empowerment.She approaches collaboration with empathy, active listening, respect for different viewpoints, and a commitment to finding common ground for the benefit of the broader community.Yamungu SerayaBiography:Yamungu Seraya is an immigrant, community leader, and advocate with experience working alongside immigrant and refugee communities through community organizations, faith-based groups, and advisory councils. Yamungu's work has focused on health equity, civic engagement, community empowerment, partnership-building, and connecting underserved communities with resources and opportunities.Yamungu brings lived experience as an immigrant and a strong understanding of the barriers many newcomer families encounter. Through community leadership and organizing, Yamungu has developed skills in advocacy, relationship-building, collaborative decision-making, and culturally responsive engagement.Statement of Interest:Yamungu is passionate about uplifting immigrant and refugee voices in local decision-making and helping create more equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive policies. Yamungu is motivated by community empowerment, collaboration, and ensuring that all New Portlanders have opportunities and resources to thrive.Yamungu approaches differing perspectives with respect, openness, patience, and a willingness to listen and learn. Yamungu believes sustainable solutions are built through honest dialogue, common ground, and environments where everyone feels heard and valued.Zeljka C. KekezBiography:Zeljka C. Kekez is the founder of an award-winning Minority Business Enterprise with a multicultural team and brings more than 20 years of professional experience in urban design and community engagement. She has worked extensively with diverse communities and public agencies, including the City of Portland, and has led inclusive engagement efforts related to public spaces, planning, and community projects.Zeljka serves on multiple boards and civic organizations and teaches as an adjunct professor at Portland State University. She has developed diversity, equity, and inclusion policies for professional boards and contributes to racial equity and inclusion through pro bono service, mentorship, education, and civic participation.Statement of Interest:Zeljka is motivated to serve on the New Portlanders Policy Commission to support inclusive policies, equitable outcomes, and a welcoming Portland for all residents. She hopes to contribute her experience in urban design, business leadership, community engagement, education, and public-sector collaboration to the Commission's work.ReappointmentsMarry KaramBiography:Marry Karam is a first-generation Syrian immigrant and attorney specializing in family law. She is one of Oregon's only Arabic-speaking domestic relations attorneys and is active in the Multnomah Bar Association and the Oregon Arab and Iranian Bar Association, where she promotes diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.Marry is committed to supporting immigrant and refugee communities by expanding access to justice and advocating for equitable opportunities.Statement of Interest:"I strive to encourage diversity and inclusion while supporting immigrant and refugee communities."Maritza KritzBiography:Maritza Kritz is a community leader with extensive experience in social services, community advocacy, and environmental education. She has led initiatives that support vulnerable populations and empower diverse communities.As an Environmental Conservation Educator and Ambassador with Latino Outdoors Portland, she promotes environmental stewardship and outdoor access. Through her work with the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program in Oregon, she has helped migrant youth build connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging through outdoor experiences.Statement of Interest:"I am committed to empowering immigrant and refugee communities by expanding opportunities, strengthening belonging, and improving the quality of life for all Portlanders."Stephanie LauensteinBiography:Stephanie Lauenstein is an immigrant from Germany with a diverse background in science, education, healthcare, and workforce development. Throughout her career, she has advanced clinical research, supported educational initiatives, and advocated for equitable opportunities for multilingual learners and immigrant communities.She currently serves as a Training Coordinator and ESL Instructor at IRCO, where she helps strengthen workforce development and English language learning for immigrants and refugees.Statement of Interest:"I am committed to helping organizations better understand and support the needs of immigrant and refugee communities."Jorge Sanchez BautistaBiography:Jorge Sanchez Bautista is a community organizer, a son of immigrants, and a student at Portland State University. He studies political science, criminal justice, and law, with a focus on public policy, governance, and community advocacy. Jorge currently works for Parks and Recreation, serving communities across Southeast and Southwest Portland.Statement of Interest:"I am committed to advocating for Latine communities, strengthening youth engagement, advancing equity, and ensuring that the voices and experiences of immigrant communities are meaningfully represented in decision-making."