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The volunteer members appointed by the Mayor to the Sustainability and Climate Commission.
| Appointment | Term | District |
|---|---|---|
| Damon Motz-Storey | June 7, 2029 | 1 |
| Jessica Zahn | June 7, 2029 | 1 |
| José Gamero-Georgeson (co-chair) | June 7, 2029 | 1 |
| Maya Puggarana | June 7, 2029 | 2 |
| Vivek Shandas | June 7, 2029 | 2 |
| Charity Fain | June 7, 2029 | 3 |
| Nora Apter | June 7, 2029 | 3 |
| Dana Visse | June 7, 2029 | 4 |
| Alina Pawchareune | June 7, 2027 | 2 |
| Galen Whalen | June 7, 2027 | 2 |
| Carla Chen | June 7, 2027 | 3 |
| Dan Trifone | June 7, 2027 | 3 |
| Stephanie Kaza | June 7, 2027 | 3 |
| Angus Duncan | June 7, 2027 | 4 |
| Skai Dancey | June 7, 2027 | 4 |
| Suze Wehr | June 7, 2027 | 4 |
| Celeste Ruiz | One-year; youth | 1 |
| Christian Flores | One-year; youth | 1 |
| Alma Valls | One-year; youth | 4, student in 3 |
| Shubh Narayan | One-year; youth | 4 |
| Ben Hodgson | Alternate | 2 |
| Garrett Wong | Alternate | 2 |
Individuals represent themselves; affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.
Damon Motz-Storey
Damon Motz-Storey (D1) is Director of Sierra Club Oregon Chapter, and brings a strong commitment to intersectional climate justice, combining policy advocacy with grassroots organizing and community-centered solutions. Damon values data-driven strategies, clear processes, and systems that support long-term climate resilience and adaptation. They envision the Sustainability and Climate Commission as a well-established and respected body that can help Portland learn from past climate plans and improve outcomes moving forward. Their work focuses on effective messaging and grounded leadership that connects vision to action.
Jessica Zahn
Jessica Zahn (D1) is the Senior Manager of ESG Reporting at Lam Research and Board Secretary of Waste-Free Advocates. She is grounded in the goals of the City’s Climate Emergency Workplan and data-driven planning and mitigation. Jessica is experienced in engagement and communication, sustainability data management and reporting, and setting and tracking measurable goals. She is also active in waste reduction advocacy, working to connect real-world impact with community priorities.
José Gamero-Georgeson
José Gamero-Georgeson (D1) is a School Board Member of David Douglas School District, a past Co-Chair of the Government Transition Advisory Committee, and brings lived experience with disability and a background in environmental science and extensive community governance experience. José is committed to setting achievable climate benchmarks and ensuring the community is involved in shaping solutions from the start. He works closely with the City Council and encourages commissioners to engage directly with their communities to gather feedback, build buy-in, and refine ideas. His leadership is grounded in trust, accessibility, and action.
Maya Puggarana
Maya Puggarana (D2) is a Programs Associate at the World Forestry Center, where she develops programs that educate and convene cross-sector stakeholders to advance sustainable forestry. She approaches her labor through relationship-building - the foundation for enduring, collective action to combat climate change. Maya is committed to shifting power to frontline communities and strengthening the Sustainability and Climate Commission as a trusted bridge between working-class Portlanders and the City.
Vivek Shandas
Vivek Shandas (D2) is a Professor at Portland State University in Geography. He brings deep experience translating climate theory into practical, community-based solutions. Vivek focuses on climate adaptation and mitigation through strategic planning, staff capacity building, and effective partnerships. He emphasizes the importance of assessing local context to ensure practices are both equitable and impactful. His approach calls for the Sustainability and Climate Commission to be present, vocal, and clearly aligned with City Council and other advisory bodies to advance shared values and priorities.
Charity Fain
Charity Fain (D3) is the Executive Director of Community Energy Project, and brings lived experience with poverty and disability, which informs her deep commitment to energy and climate justice. Charity is rooted in creating transparent, justice-driven processes that guide how decisions are made and who benefits. She has experience tracking programs to ensure they deliver measurable, community-wide outcomes. Her approach focuses on building systems of accountability that center frontline communities in shaping Portland’s climate future.
Nora Apter
Nora Apter (D3) is the Oregon Director of Climate Solutions and a Commissioner on the Oregon Climate Action Commission. She works at the intersection of public policy and climate justice, advancing bold, community-driven solutions that center equity and long-term impact. Nora values collaborating with diverse partners to shape and implement Portland’s climate roadmap, with a focus on measurable outcomes and transparent processes. Her approach prioritizes clear communication, strong metrics, and inclusive engagement to ensure that policy drives just and lasting change.
Dana Visse
Dana Visse (D4) is the Senior Climate Analyst at Metro, where she leads efforts to decarbonize operations while applying an equity lens to climate action. She previously supported the implementation of the County of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan and brings a strong focus on growing economic vitality, workforce development, and community resilience through sustainability. Dana’s approach is grounded in deep listening, transparent reporting, and relationship-building across sectors. She believes in iterative, data-informed processes that empower communities, especially those historically marginalized, to shape solutions. Her work emphasizes collaboration, humility, and ensuring that climate action serves people and place.
Alina Pawchareune
Alina Pawchareune (D2) is an Innovation Portfolio & Operations Manager at Nike and brings a background in biotechnology and professional sustainability experience across marketing and supply chain systems, with a strong focus on aligning corporate action with social and climate justice. As a daughter of immigrants, Alina draws on her lived experience to advocate for transparency, accountability, and equitable investment in frontline communities. She has contributed to internal accountability task forces and led education and public engagement efforts rooted in data-driven solutions. Alina believes in the power of public-private partnerships to advance community-centered climate action and sees strong needs for alignment between the Sustainability and Climate Commission and the goals of the Portland Clean Energy Fund.
Carla Chen
Carla Chen (D3) is the Sustainability Lead at LAIKA, a stop-motion animation studio based in Hillsboro. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering and brings with her expertise in continuous improvement, quality and sustainability roles. She is a Master Recycler and is currently pursuing her Master Gardener Certification. Carla currently serves on the Hillsboro Environmental Stewardship Committee.
Dan Trifone
Dan Trifone (D3) is the Climate and Health Specialist for Multnomah County. His work focuses on the intersection of climate justice and public health, with a commitment to addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on frontline communities. At the Multnomah County Health Department, Dan supports initiatives that integrate health equity into climate resilience planning. He brings a systems-level perspective to community well-being, ensuring that climate strategies protect and prioritize those most at risk.
Stephanie Kaza
Stephanie Kaza (D3) is Professor Emerita at the University of Vermont in Environmental Studies. She brings deep experience in environmental ethics, intergenerational collaboration, sustainability education, and systems thinking. Stephanie advocates for clear roles between staff and commissioners, with transparent reporting procedures that support effective governance. She supports aligning the Sustainability and Climate Commission’s work with statewide efforts like the Oregon Climate Action Commission. Her approach emphasizes thoughtful coordination, continuity, and long-term vision.
Angus Duncan
Angus Duncan (D4) was the founding President of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and is a lifelong champion of renewable energy and climate policy in the Pacific Northwest. He played a key role in drafting the Northwest Power Act, which prioritized energy efficiency, renewable energy, and full-cost accounting, and established the four-state Northwest Power Planning Council. Over several decades, he led early wind and solar projects, chaired the Northwest Power Planning Council and Oregon’s Global Warming Commission (2008–2020 - now named the Oregon Climate Action Commission), and contributed to landmark policies phasing out fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. As an 18-year consultant for the Natural Resources Defense Council, Angus continues to advise on regional climate, energy and transmission policy and planning.
Skai Dancey
Skai Dancey (employed in D4) is Associate VP of Facilities at Oregon Health & Science University, overseeing campus operations—including buildings, grounds, energy, transportation, and environmental health and safety. Skai has championed environmental sustainability at OHSU since 2003. A licensed mechanical engineer and MBA with over thirty years of experience leading the development and operations of complex facilities, Skai hopes to leverage his strategic skills and results-driven approach to support Portland's new government structure and advance the City's sustainability goals.
Suze Wehr
Suze Wehr (D4) is an advocate, researcher and multi-disciplinary creative committed to advancing ecological justice, and as the Communications and Advocacy Associate at the Western Environmental Law Center, Suze works to protect wildlife, ecosystems, and communities across the western U.S. through storytelling and organizing. Through her background in grassroots environmental organizations and K-12 educational programming, Suze is grounded in community listening and engagement that empowers. She envisions the Sustainability and Climate Commission applying data-driven climate strategies that reflect the diverse needs of Portland’s neighborhoods, protect local biodiversity, and incorporate Tribal co-management and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Suze is thrilled to join this team’s efforts towards achieving equitable climate solutions through strong partnerships across the city.
Celeste Ruiz
Celeste Ruiz (D1) is a Parkrose resident who brings lived experience as Mexican American constantly confronted with environmental injustices in our community, which has led her to become an advocate for other underprivileged minority communities facing similar issues. She serves on the Multnomah Youth Commission’s Transit Equity Environmental Advocacy Committee and as a Community Representative with 1000 Friends of Oregon, where she supports collaborative, community-driven climate and land use policy. Celeste is deeply committed to environmental justice, inclusive engagement, and elevating underrepresented voices in public decision-making.
Christian Flores
Christian Flores (D1) is a student at Portland State University studying Geography with minors in GIS and Sustainability. His research has examined tree canopy coverage, transportation access, and urban heat islands across Portland, and he brings professional GIS experience from a solar siting internship spanning multiple states. Christian is motivated by using data and community engagement to empower neighborhoods and advance sustainable energy and climate solutions.
Alma Valls
Alma Valls (D4, student in D3) is a senior at Cleveland High School, where she is the president of the Cleveland Climate Club. Alma believes that building an informed, empowered community is the foundation for all other climate priorities, and believes in engaging with peers to ensure her advocacy reflects the broader student voice. She is committed to compiling and sharing existing resources and curriculum to improve climate literacy without recreating work that's already been done.
Shubh Narayan
Shubh Narayan (D4) is a Lincoln High School senior and SIV Impact intern who utilizes a global perspective shaped by living around, Chennai, Indonesia, and Portland. Bilingual in English and Hindi, he applies a business driven lens to sustainability by breaking down complex city policies into manageable, data backed actions for Portland's youth. Shubh is dedicated to ensuring that climate work is not only visionary but also actionable, measurable, and deeply informed by student voices.
Ben Hodgson
Ben Hodgson (D2) holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning from UC Davis, where he served on the university's Environmental Policy and Planning Commission and conducted a sustainability audit of campus organizations. He works as a GIS analyst researching how transportation infrastructure affects wildlife populations. Ben is focused on promoting sustainable transportation and pedestrian safety and believes that including community as direct participants in climate decision-making is essential to building a more equitable Portland.
Garrett Wong
Garrett Wong (D2) is an Associate in Advisory Services at WM (formerly Waste Management) and serves on the Emerging Professionals Board for Blanchet House. He brings experience in sustainability and waste systems with a focus on advancing environmental justice through practical, community-oriented solutions. His approach focuses on reducing environmental harm while promoting equitable access to services. He aims to bridge operations and advocacy to create more sustainable and inclusive systems solutions.