This page originally published Thursday 9.23.21; updated Tuesday 9.17.24
City Shelter Services 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.
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.
Marjie Sackett (she / her)
Shelter Operations Manager
Marjie Sackett comes to the team with a professional background in non-profit and international non-governmental organizations. She spent the last decade implementing humanitarian projects around the globe, working with frontline communities as they respond to and recover from natural disasters and conflict. Born in Portland and raised in eastern Oregon, Marjie holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology and a master's in international development. She enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and rowing on the Willamette River.
Molly Valceschini (she / her)
Shelter Operations Coordinator
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.
Jon Seibert (he / him)
Shelter Operations Coordinator
Jon joins the City Shelter Services team after a career in the nonprofit humanitarian sector. He served as the Blanchet House Director of Programs, during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping individuals connect to resources and housing. He has also worked in disaster response for the American Red Cross and served in the Peace Corps. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from UC San Diego and completed an MBA in nonprofit management at the University of Portland. He is an avid runner and baseball fan.
Rob Layne (he / him)
Senior Communications Strategist
Rob Layne is a passionate storyteller that has built his career on centering underserved communities. Rob completed his PhD in Communication from the University of Utah in 2018. Rob joins us after most recently serving as the Senior Communication Coordinator for Portland Permitting & Development, in which he also served as the communication and change management subject matter expert in developing the newly formed city bureau. Rob will be overseeing the media and public messaging for City Shelter Services, working in cooperation with the Joint Office of Homeless Services, shelter operators, and other relevant City of Portland offices.
Rob is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, where he has been a life-long Chiefs and Royals fan. In 2004, Rob transplanted to Oregon. In his free time, Rob enjoys volunteer work, barbecuing, and playing with his dog, Scout.
Bryan Aptekar (he / him)
Homelessness Response System Project Manager
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)
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 and is currently in graduate school at Portland State University to receive her Master's in Public Administration.
Michelle Ladd (she / her)
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
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 works as Administrative Assistant for the Shelter Services 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.
Trey Brown (he / him)
Facilities Maintenance Specialist
Trey is a lifelong Oregonian. Currently living in Beaverton, he attended Lincoln High School. He loves to drive go carts and fly his personal drones, but most importantly he loves to spend as much time as he can with his two teenage daughters.