Board members are critical to our success as a foundation. Over the last three months, PPF has had the honor of introducing four new board members to our team. We are very appreciative and grateful for their time and guidance. Today would would like to introduce each of them.
Jorge Guzman
Founder - Executive Director, Vive Northwest
What is your neighborhood park? Director Park
What is your favorite thing to do in a park? I enjoy hiking or simply sitting down and enjoying the fresh and clean air.
What inspired you to join the Portland Parks Foundation? My goal is to support the great work Portland Parks Foundation is already doing by providing a diverse and inclusive perspective.
Cristin O'Brien
Sales Manger - West, Sorel Footwear
What is your neighborhood park? Forest Park (photo from snowy Christmas hike 2017)
What is your favorite thing to do in a park? Hike, run, think, and de-stress!
What inspired you to join the Portland Parks Foundation? Desire to contribute to the community & ensure that as the city of Portland grows that access, maintenance, improvement, and development of city parks in all communities continues to happen for future generations.
Kathryn Beaumont
Retired Attorney, Portland City Attorney's Office
What is your neighborhood park? Irving Park
What is your favorite thing to do in a park? My favorite things to do in a park are walk, ride my bike, and enjoy the plantings throughout the seasons (and imagine them growing in the garden of my dreams). What makes me happiest is to see people of all ages engaged in all sorts of activities--recreational sports, picnics, family celebrations, relaxing, and enjoying the respite a green or natural space provides--in a park.
What inspired you to join the Portland Parks Foundation? I joined the Portland Parks Foundation Board of Directors based on my deep appreciation for the role public parks play in Portland. In my past work for the city, I helped support the Parks Bureau in creating and preserving needed parks and community centers. I saw first-hand how important they are in knitting neighborhoods together and providing places for all Portlanders to play, relax, enjoy nature, celebrate, and gather with others. By serving on the Foundation's board, I hope to help maintain these vital public spaces for all Portlanders to enjoy both now and in the future.
Lee Novak
VP of Development - Western Region, Fore Property Company
What is your neighborhood park? Healy Heights is our neighborhood park, but we love roaming throughout the hills.
What is your favorite thing to do in a park? We like to hike and walk our dog on the trails in the hills. We also enjoy attending events in our great public places like the Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
What inspired you to join the Portland Parks Foundation? Portland’s parks give all of us wonderful places to engage with nature and one another. They make the City beautiful. While we are relatively new to Portland, we want to help preserve and enhance the things that make it special.