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ABOUT US.
KairosPDX was established on the belief that every child is uniquely capable, innately curious, and inherently creative. KairosPDX cultivates and illuminates the next generation of diverse leaders to build a better future for all.
Our approach of dismantling structural racism to create lasting change includes policy advocacy, non-discriminatory training, and professional development services. We provide hands-on learning through our flagship school and serve our community via partnerships and family engagement programs.
Through culturally-competent teaching, intentional interaction, and exposure to diverse role models, we help break down fear and build empathy. We teach our children through our actions and our voices to reject stereotypes and above all, to see the humanity in one another.
KairosPDX is transforming education by catalyzing change and proving that a positive, loving, and secure community can prepare students for optimal learning and compassionate leadership.
Who Are We?
Leadership.
Key Staff.
Board.
Advisory Board.
Founders.
Leadership.
Terry-Ann Cabine
Key Staff.
David Shephard
Dean of School Performance
David Shephard, a Portland native with a diverse background, attended Marylhurst University, majoring in Liberal Studies, and earned a Bachelor of Theology from Bishop A. L. Hardy Academy of Theology. A lifelong learner, he has lived in various states including Washington, Virginia, California. He now calls Oregon home while also being a small business owner in Washington for the past ten years.
With 28 years of experience, Mr. Shephard recently served as the first Black Administrator in 82 years at Central Catholic High School, contributing 3.5 years as its Dean of Student Management, Safety, and Security. His extensive career includes roles at institutions such as Multnomah County Library, Parkrose School District, Portland Public Schools, Albina Head Start, Rosemary Anderson High School, Self Enhancement Inc., and Western Washington University.
Mr. Shephard’s return to KairosPDX is a full-circle moment because it is where he discovered his passion for working with kids in the early ’90s. Two of his adult children attended Humboldt Elementary from pre-K to 5th grade. A firm believer in lifelong learning, he plans to achieve his educational goals.
Lisa Sloan
Lisa has been working in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years, helping organizations chart a solid course for longevity and impact. She has been an executive director, development director and has held several interim and contract positions in both leadership and consulting roles. Most recently she has worked with SE Uplift, Sarah Bellum’s Bakery and Sellwood Community House and facilitated a merger between Rock ‘n Roll Camp for Girls and Friends of Noise. She is adept at jumping into transitional situations and is especially drawn to community-driven organizations. She is thrilled to be working with KairosPDX.
Nikki Blake
Director: Operations
Nikki grew up in Portland and has since recently returned to the area, bringing her wealth of experience and expertise in leadership in higher education administration back to her hometown. Most recently she was the Assistant Director of Operations at The University of Massachusetts Global, she oversaw the awarding of $140 million in financial aid and acted as a liaison between multiple departments and organizations. In addition she provided leadership and training to ensure the delivery of high quality financial aid services. Nikki’s previous roles at prominent institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and UCLA reflect her dedication to servant leadership, optimizing processes, reducing barriers, and managing substantial endowment funds.
Nikki’s career has been defined by her commitment to improving student financial services and her ability to adapt to evolving regulations. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Social Science, and she is currently pursuing Masters of Arts in Organizational Leadership. With proficiency in various systems and extensive experience in leadership, Nikki Blake is a standout professional in the field, now making an impact in her hometown of Portland once again.
Tara has been an educator, researcher, program administrator and school leader for over 20 years. Her work is grounded in social constructivism, and guided by a set of beliefs about children: they have rights and gifts that the world needs; they play a central role in their own learning; they are curious and creative pattern seekers who continuously make meaning through interactions with people, materials, ideas and the natural world; they are hard-wired for connection; they are capable problem solvers; and they use their natural learning strategy of play to develop and revise theories about themselves and others.
Tara was born and raised in Honolulu, and now lives in Portland with her family. She has influenced the educational landscape through her teacher-research and leadership at Opal School, and by collaborating on a digital library for inclusive practices with Teaching Preschool Partners. Tara has facilitated professional development workshops for educators and administrators around the world. Since serving as a founding board member of KairosPDX, when the organization was establishing its charter with Portland Public Schools, she has held a deep commitment to its mission. Currently, in addition to being a director at KairosPDX, she is a professor at the Portland State University College of Education.
Tiffany Dempsey
Director: Community Relations
Tiffany Dempsey is a passionate leader who focuses on people. She co-founded and lead the 1st Intel Oregon “Historically Black Colleges and Universities” Alumni special interest group that annually supports several community events geared towards the education and the promotion of attendance at HBCUs.
Tiffany has recently “retired” from Intel Corporation an experienced Product Ecology Engineer with a demonstrated history of twenty-five plus years working in the semiconductor industry. She is skilled in People Management, Operations Management, Business Process Improvement, Technical Training, Team Building and the emotional intelligence to drive impact in business and the community. As an Intel Encore Fellow, she was previously the “Cultural Integration & Investment Leader” at KairosPDX Elementary School in Portland, OR. As of February 2023 she has accepted the role “Director of Community Relations” at KairosPDX Elementary. In this role she provides the connective infrastructure to further embed Kairos in the pipeline of the local and HBCU community. Tiffany takes pride in providing the best learning and development opportunities wherever possible.
Tiffany is a mentor for the Portland UNCF Portfolio Project, an 11-week college preparatory program, and serves on the boards for the United Negro College Fund PDX and Friends of Baseball. She has been a volunteer with Black Educational Achievement Movement (BEAM) for 8 years in various capacities, including Black Student Success Summit (BSSS) HBCU fair; HBCU workshop development lead and panelist.
Tiffany is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a “PROUD” graduate of Prairie View A&M University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. When she’s not busy coordinating community and HBCU educational events at Kairos, she can be found singing at professional sporting events, or co-managing her sons’ creative arts business Emagination Creation Dezigns.
Board.
- David Anderson, Associate, Schwabe, Williamson, and Wyatt
- Brooke Brownlee, State Legislative Affairs Manager, Portland General Electric
- Kira Cador, KairosPDX Board Vice Chair – President, Rembold Properties
- Ashley Clinksdale, Commications & Brand Strategist
- Stuart Ellis, CEO & Founder, Charter School Capital
- Tyrone Foster, President, Precision Landscape
- Garmai Gorlorwulu, Perkins Coie, LLP
- Kaaren Heikes, KairosPDX Co-Founder, Board Secretary
- Melissa L. Naito, Community Activist
- Chris Nelson, Principal, Capstone Partners LLC
- Tiffani Penson, KairosPDX Board Chair – People & Culture Strategist, City of Portland, Portland Community College Trustee
- Kali Thorne Ladd, KairosPDX Co-Founder
- Mark Washington, KairosPDX Treasurer, Executive Vice President CBRE Capital Markets
- Marsha Williams, KairosPDX CEO & Co-Founder
Our next meeting is: TBD
Agenda: TBD
Advisory Board.
- Michael Alexander, Past President Urban League of Portland
- Swati Adakar, Past President and CEO, Children’s Institute
- Jeffrey Camarillo, Assistant Director, Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP), Pablo Alto, CA
- LaTrece Gaither, Counselor/ Instructor, OHSU Avel Gordly Center for Healing
- Daniel B. Garrie, Esq, Senior Managing Partner & General Counsel, Law & Forensics, LLC
- Amy Han, Director of School and Systems Leadership Opportunities, Teach for America
- Margaret Hinshaw, President, Insight Center
- Megan Irwin, Administrator for Early Childhood Education, Beaverton School District
- Julie Mancini, Executive Director, College Possible
- Ben Sand, CEO, The Contingent
- Daniel Valliere, Chief Executive Director, REACH
- Fran Von Schlegell, Education Advocate
- Ken Weigel, Consultant
Founders.
What We Do?
Board.
The community we serve is reflected in our founders, our employees and our board. The building we are currently housed in intentionally serves as historical tie and space for the African-American community in North/Northeast Portland.
- David Anderson, Associate, Schwabe, Williamson, and Wyatt
- Brooke Brownlee, State Legislative Affairs Manager, Portland General Electric
- Kira Cador, KairosPDX Board Secretary – President, Rembold Properties
- Ashley Clinksdale, Senior Vice President, Communications, Community & Diversity and Executive Director of the Trail Blazers Foundation, Portland Trail Blazers
- Stuart Ellis, CEO & Founder, Charter School Capital
- Tyrone Foster, President, Precision Landscape
- Zalika Gardner, KairosPDX CECO & Co-Founder
- Kaaren Heikes, KairosPDX Co-Founder, Board Secretary
- Melissa L. Naito, Community Activist
- Chris Nelson, Principal, Capstone Partners LLC
- Larry Nelson, KairosPDX Board Treasurer – Finance Professional
- Tiffani Penson, KairosPDX Board Chair - People & Culture Strategist, City of Portland, Portland Community College Trustee
- Kali Thorne-Ladd, KairosPDX Co-Founder
- Mark Washington, Senior Vice President, Eastdil Secured
- Marsha Williams, KairosPDX CEO & Co-Founder
- Michael Alexander, Past President, Urban League of Portland
- Swati Adakar, President & CEO, Children’s Institute
- Jeffrey Camarillo, Founding Director & Principal, Luis Valdez Leadership Academy
- LaTrece Gaither, Counselor/Case Manager, Central City Concern
- Daniel B. Garrie Esq, Senior Managing Partner & General Counsel, Law & Forensics, LLC
- Margaret Hinshaw, President, Insight Center
- Julie Mancini, Executive Director, College Possible
- Ben Sand, CEO, Portland Leadership Foundation
- Daniel Valliere, Chief Executive Director, REACH
The KairosPDX Board of Directors generally meets on the second Wednesday every other month. The Learning Academy section of the meeting is public. To ensure access or request interpretation services, please contact us at boardsecretary@kairospdx.org.
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