Meet the Streets to Stability Team

Information
Some of the Safe Rest Village team at a site visit at Menlo Park before opening

This page originally published Thursday 9.23.21; updated Tuesday 2.13.24

Streets to Stability Team

Brandy Westerman (she / her)

Emergency Humanitarian Operations Director 

Inspired by the diligent, compassionate work of countless individuals and organizations serving Portland’s houseless community, Brandy Westerman joined the City in September 2023 in a brand-new role as the Emergency Humanitarian Operations Director. She manages both the Safe Rest Villages and Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites programs.

Brandy Westerman

After more than two decades leading humanitarian response teams across the globe for international non-governmental organizations (most recently in her role as a senior director at Mercy Corps), Brandy is bringing her passion and expertise to serve her local community.

Brandy is committed to alleviating the suffering on Portland’s streets through effective coordination within the City’s unhoused services system.

Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to sleep tonight and every night. I see shelter as a necessary part of the service ecosystem, while recognizing that secure housing with adequate and tailored services for every individual and family experiencing houselessness is our goal.”

Brandy is a longtime Portland resident and holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and economics from Portland’s Lewis and Clark College. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest by bicycle.


 Molly Valceschini

Shelter Operations Coordinator 

Molly's headshot

 Molly Valceschini brings a background in non-profit, government, and healthcare administration in a variety of organizations supporting refugee resettlement, adult education & GED services, and economic empowerment programs –most recently, she served as Code and Policy Analyst with the City of Portland's Bureau of Development Services. Molly holds a bachelor's in communication and a master's degree in public administration. She enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and especially enjoys running in Forest Park. 


Jake Dornblaser (he / him)

A photo of Jake Dornblaser

Program Coordinator

Jake Dornblaser most recently served as the Vaccine Operations Chief with the City’s Emergency Coordination Center, working to create access to the COVID-19 vaccine for Portland’s BIPOC, houseless, and other marginalized communities typically underserved by the health care system. Prior to that, he worked with houseless and other marginalized communities at Outside In. Jake is passionate about serving our most underserved neighbors and fostering communities where everyone can thrive. 


Bryan Aptekar (he / him)

A photo of Safe Rest Villages Communication Liaison Bryan Aptekar

Communications Liaison

Bryan Aptekar joins the team after 20 years at Portland Parks & Recreation in several roles—all of which focused on collaboration with community partners and stakeholders and maintaining public lands as safe and accessible places for all. His past projects range from managing the public process for skatepark siting for the Skatepark System Plan, to policy development and serving as a liaison to park partners and Friends groups. He managed the Portland Loo® program and led efforts to ensure hygiene access in parks through the COVID pandemic. Bryan is committed to ensure those impacted by decisions are included in the decision-making process.


Laudie Porter (she / they)

Photo of Laudie Porter, Constituent Relations staff member

Community Engagement Coordinator

Laudie Porter serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator. She comes from 4 years of nonprofit database management, helping organizations ranging from SPOON to the Children’s Book Bank build sustainable data hygiene practices. She previously worked for Congressman Earl Blumenauer and Commissioner Dan Ryan in Constituent Services roles.

Laudie is a lifelong Portlander. She also works hard to keep her two cats, Tao and Tulip, in line. She holds a double B.A. in Theater Arts and Psychology from Carleton College.


Michelle Ladd  (she / her)

Image of Michelle Ladd

Asset Construction Project Manager

Michelle has been with the City of Portland since 2000.  She is currently working on developing sites for the Safe Rest Villages. Previously she served as one of the Project Managers for the Portland Building Renovation Project.  On this project, Michelle managed the move out of 1700 employees to various locations throughout the City of Portland as well as the move back into the Portland Building.  Michelle is passionate about working with the underrepresented and people from diverse backgrounds - she feels it is important that their voices be heard. Michelle enjoys outdoor concerts, paddle boarding, traveling and, spending time with friends and family.


Mike Johnson (he / him)

Grants Analyst

Image of Mike Johnson, Grants Analyst

Mike works for the OMF Grants Management Division and serves as the teams fiscal support person. He has been employed as a public administration professional for over 30 years in budget and finance related jobs, including the budget offices in the cities of Fresno, California and Portland, Oregon; and as the Finance Manager for the Portland Housing Bureau.


Emily Mann (she / they)

Administrative Assistant

Emily stands in front of the ocean, smiling and wearing a cap that reads Cannon Beach

Emily works as Administrative Assistant for the Streets to Stability team and as Executive Assistant to Director Westerman. Previously, she worked for the City of Portland's Community Safety Division in a supportive role for the Portland Committee on Community-Engaged Policing (PCCEP) and the Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group (FITCOG).

Emily was born and raised in Portland, and holds a double bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Policy from the University of Puget Sound.