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.
Jamey Evenstar, Chief of Staff
Jamey Evenstar (she/her) has worked for the City of Portland for eight years. She started as Policy Director for former Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, where she led the development of innovative tenant protection policies, many of which are now being replicated in other cities. In 2021, Jamey transitioned to the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), where she continued her work and developed PBOT’s anti-displacement framework, Building Belonging, which aims to minimize gentrification risks in investment projects. She also led the bureau’s gun violence response program that focused on minimizing community violence through activating public spaces.
Most recently, Jamey worked in the City Administrator’s Office on the Charter Transition Team, leading the work of the Independent Salary Commission, supporting the City Organization Project to create the city’s new organizational chart, co-leading the Change Management Plan designed to help the City's 7500 employees navigate to the new form of government, and leading the Citywide Practices: Engagement Officer Project to help design the new roles, responsibilities, and structure of the City's first Chief Engagement Officer position.
Jamey is committed to implementing solutions that reflect the collective vision of those most impacted by the issues at hand, believing the best solutions come from people with lived experience. Outside of work, Jamey enjoys spending time with her friends and family. Nothing brings her more joy than a long happy hour with girlfriends.
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.
Sabina Urdes, Community Organizer
Sabina Urdes (she/they) is a dynamic community-driven organizer and advocate with deep roots in East Portland. Her passion is fostering partnerships that elevate neighborhoods and empower historically marginalized voices.
Sabina’s commitment to public service in East Portland began in 2017 when she was elected for two consecutive terms as Chair of the Lents Neighborhood Association. Her leadership quickly expanded as she became Co-Chair of the East Portland Action Plan (EPAP), founded the LGBTQIA-centered nonprofit East Portland Collective, and co-founded Thrive East PDX, a coalition of 25+ East Portland organizations dedicated to building community resilience.
Sabina's grassroots organizing work has led to several key advisory roles, including positions on Prosper Portland’s Community Budget Advisory Committee, the Portland Street Response Stakeholder Group, the Portland Farmers Market Board, and CareOregon's Community Advisory Board. With a degree in Journalism & Communication from the University of Oregon, she began her career as a broadcast news writer and producer at stations in Eugene, Portland, and San Francisco. In recent years, to support her family while dedicating extensive time to unpaid community work, Sabina worked as a server and bartender.
Sabina is a multilingual, multicultural immigrant, a proud Queer woman, a mom, and a thriving resident of East Portland. Outside of work, she enjoys group fitness classes, biking, going to shows, and spending time with her rescued pets: Finn, Fiona, and Jack.