Partnership to End Poverty Staff
We are a small, but dedicated staff who are passionate about our mission. Some of us come from a social service background. Some of us come from the private sector. Others come from within government and education. Together we create a team dedicated to finding resources and solutions that bring our communities and region together. This effort benefits the community as a whole: by helping others, we make our region a better place to live for all of us.
Scott Cooper
Scott Cooper has 23 years experience as a nonprofit administrator, public policy advocate, and consultant for statewide programs and initiatives. He has served in elected and appointed offices for the past fifteen years. His fields of expertise include local government, nonprofit management, media relations, government relations and public policy.
Sarah Holtzclaw
As Deputy Director, Sarah is responsible for outreach, PR and all our communications efforts including the newsletter and website. She also advocates for poverty-related issues with our elected officials.
She is developing and expanding regional programs which help low-income families to acquire and save money, develop financial fitness and progress toward their financial goals, with an aim of self-sufficiency. She brings together local businesses, regional nonprofits, the faith community, and public and private entities to raise the standard of living for the region through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, banking options and other asset-acquiring programs. She is an experienced project manager with extensive experience in marketing and advertising.
Sarah serves in a leadership role as well at her church, Volunteer Connect and several advisory groups.
Jim Schell
Jim leads our organization's friend- and fund-raising efforts with a goal of developing a diverse financial sustainability model. In past careers, he has owned four small and medium-sized businesses, been a published author of five small business books, helped reorganize the Humane Society of Central Oregon (and construct its new shelter), and helped startup two Central Oregon nonprofits; The City Club and Opportunity Knocks.
In addition to his financial sustainability responsibilities, Jim serves as The Partnership’s liaison to the business sector. He also works on creating and developing Special Projects (such as CO 2-1-1 and Volunteer Connect), supports The Partnership’s nonprofit partners in need of organizational and management assistance, and will kick-off two new programs for The Partnership in 2011; Friends of The Partnership and Circles of Change.
Janet Brown
As Director of Policy and Workforce, Janet leads our organization working with policy and decision makers at all levels of government and business. Her ability to work with government policy makers to implement new ideas and changes are vital to making a difference in these economically challenged times. She is also helping to implement vocational and workforce training programs in the region, while also furthering ways to make all levels of education available to as many people as possible.
Having served as a city councilor, county commissioner and having been appointed to positions in the offices of Governor Kulongoski and US Senator Ron Wyden as well as numerous boards and committees, Janet brings a wealth of leadership and political skills to the organization. With 33 years of experience working at local, state and federal levels, she has helped move multiple projects, policy and ideas forward. Her collaborative approach and commitment help further our organizations' work toward building a trained, educated workforce to help lift the working poor out of poverty. Janet and her husband are also small business owners, for 31 years, giving her first-hand knowledge and experience to help meet business workforce needs.
Lori Scharton
As Office Manager, Lori is responsible for daily operations in the office. She wears many hats throughout the day from accounts payable and managing the budget, to fixing jams in the copier when nobody else can. She also co-manages the Redmond Faith Network and she's generally the voice you hear on the other end of the phone. She is the true boss in the office.
