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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 Housing and Permitting 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
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.
Xitlali Torres (she/her), Community Organizer
Xitlali serves as the Community Organizer in Councilor Avalos' office. Xitlali will continue to work towards achieving her personal
mission to create culturally informed and accessible pathways to engaging in policy and decision-making for all in this position.
Xitlali received a degree in City Planning, Public Policy, and Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon in 2022. With over six years of experience in the nonprofit and environmental space, she is skilled in project management, coalition building, community engagement, organizing, and policy research and advocacy. After graduating, she served a year of service as an AmeriCorps service member in Klamath and Lake Counties with Klamath and Lake Community Action Services as an Energy Resource Specialist. Most recently, she worked as Air Quality and Climate Program Coordinator at the environmental justice nonprofit, Verde, where she advocated for climate and air justice at city, state, and regional levels.
As a daughter of a low-income and immigrant family, Xitlali is passionate about community led change and building people power. She is excited to use this passion to meet, connect, and work for constituents in District 1. When she is not working, she enjoys making art, hanging out with her cat, reading fiction, or enjoying nature.