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Learn more about District 1 Councilor, Candace Avalos.
Candace Avalos
Candace Avalos, also known as Candis Ávalos en español, is a first-generation “Blacktina” whose pronouns are she/her/ella. She is the daughter of Black Americans from southern Virginia and Guatemalan immigrants who made Washington, D.C. their home in the 1970s.
Her upbringing in a multiracial, multilingual household instilled a deep commitment to justice, equity, and people-centered leadership. These early experiences sparked her interest in government and politics, laying the foundation for a life of service and accountability. From her first leadership roles in student government to her years as an educator, Candace has always believed in the power of community to drive change.
After earning a Master of Education from James Madison University, Candace made Portland her home in 2013. Since then, she has dedicated over a decade to public service—first at Portland State University, where she mentored student leaders through civic engagement, and then as Executive Director of Verde, a nonprofit focused on delivering environmental justice and green infrastructure to frontline communities.
Now, as the elected Councilor for East Portland’s District 1 and Chair of the Homelessness and Housing Committee, Candace brings together her passion for systemic change, her vision for an inclusive future, and her natural ability to connect across difference. A values-driven leader with a talent for building coalitions, she is focused on transforming how government serves Portlanders—especially those who have historically been left out of the conversation.
Candace leads with empathy, insight, and ambition. She is energized by collective problem-solving and sees her role not only as a policymaker but also as a community-builder, mentor, and visionary for a more just and responsive city. She believes that government should reflect the full humanity of its people and that bold ideas rooted in care can shape a better future for all.
Outside of her work on Council, you can find her painting on canvas, experimenting with new makeup and fashion trends, playing Pokémon on her Nintendo Switch, dancing and singing karaoke with friends, playing fast-pitch kickball, and exploring every park Portland has to offer.
Meet Councilor Avalos’ Team
Eva Stanganelli, Council District Administrative Specialist
Eva Stanganelli (she/her) is the District 1 Administrative Specialist. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker who utilizes relationship building to work towards systemic change. She has spent the last five years working in direct service with low-income families. Most recently, Eva served as the Advocacy Director at Rose Haven Day Shelter and Community Center where she led program development and crisis intervention for unhoused women and children. On the District 1 Team, Eva provides schedule coordination, constituent support, and resource navigation.
Outside of work, Eva is a big crafter and loves to work with embroidery and felt. She also enjoys going on bike rides and playing with her cat.
Emily Aneja, Operations Coordinator
Emily Aneja (she/they) serves as the Operations Coordinator in Councilor Candace Avalos's District 1 office. A community organizer and queer woman of color, Emily brings a people-centered approach to public service rooted in education, advocacy, and relationship-based community building. In her role, she supports the day-to-day operations of the office while helping ensure systems and processes reflect the values of equity, accessibility, and accountability. She is passionate about uplifting marginalized voices, strengthening civic engagement, and fostering connection between community, policy, and place. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature and building community through creative and collaborative spaces.
Gloria Ochoa-Sandoval, Chief of Staff
Gloria Ochoa-Sandoval (she/her) is a proud advocate for immigrants, people of color, and queer communities. As a bisexual
woman and the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, these issues are close to her heart. She has contributed 13 years to volunteering and working in political movements, including several non-profits, campaigns, and in both the Oregon State Legislature and U.S. Congress. Her dedication is driven by her desire to create systemic change for our communities so that justice can be achieved faster than resilience.
Working as Chief of Staff for the Office of Councilor Avalos gives her an opportunity to continue her advocacy in District 1. As a new constituent herself, she is excited to get to know the district and learn how best to uplift East Portlanders. Outside of work, Gloria spends her time hanging with her doggos, Gustav & Frida.
Sofia Diffee, Senior Policy Advisor
Sofia Diffee (she/her/ella) has worked for the City of Portland for six years in roles spanning planning, community engagement, and Charter reform. She currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor to Councilor Candace Avalos.
Previously, Sofia served as Engagement and Communications Coordinator for the Charter Commission, where she co-developed and implemented equitable community engagement strategies to ensure all Portlanders—especially historically underserved communities—could meaningfully participate in the once-in-a-decade Charter Review process. Before that, she worked as a Planner in the Planning & Zoning team within the Bureau of Development Services.
Most recently, Sofia worked in the City Administrator’s Office on the Charter Transition Team as Inclusive Democracy Program Manager. In that role, she led the implementation of major election reforms, including managing the Independent District Commission and launching Portland’s first nonpartisan voter education program to inform residents about ranked choice voting.
As a multilingual, multicultural, immigrant woman of color, Sofia is deeply committed to advancing anti-racist and equitable outcomes across all communities. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending concerts, and doing crafts.
Lauren Jin, Communications Manager
Lauren Jin (she/her) has worked in Oregon politics for the past four years. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2021 with a B.A. in Advertising, she interned for former Congressman Peter DeFazio, worked for State Representative Nancy Nathanson, and most recently spent three years as Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici’s Press Assistant and Digital Manager. In Congresswoman Bonamici’s office, she led social media strategy and content creation, among other communication responsibilities.
Lauren grew up in Salem, Oregon, and has fond memories of getting groceries and eating dim sum in shops and restaurants along 82nd Ave with her family. As the daughter of Chinese immigrants, she deeply values the diverse communities that call East Portland home. Lauren strives to connect Councilor Avalos’s work with the Portlanders she represents in this role and uplift the voices of the people who have too often been left out of the discussions in City Hall.