Shannon Olive was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She is 40 years old with two boys (22 and 20) who also live in Portland. After graduating from Concorde Career Institute with her Medical Assistant in 2004 it was very challenging to find a job. Later that year, she was introduced to Oregon Action by Johnnie Gage during the George Bush vs John Kerry 2004 Presidential Election and they were recruiting for their voter registration campaign.

Shannon never voted, but that year discovered that she can too make a difference and was glad to be a part of something different. Shannon was unstoppable, and now had joined the social movement, fighting for our rights, addressing issues then and now that would make Oregon a better place for low-income communities of color. Her first organizer position was with OPAL (Organizing People, Activating Leaders) and Environmental Justice Group in SE Portland. She organized their first Bus Riders Campaign and they informed over 2,000 Bus Riders about the fare increase and budgets cuts.

After her work with OPAL, Shannon returned to Portland Community College to further her education with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. While attending school she became an employee working with ASPCC Student Government for two years as the Director of Legislative Affairs. In June 2015, Shannon received her Associate Degree. Shannon has been serving her community since 2004. Now she’s the Founder/President for WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center, working to serve women in re-entry and recovery - supporting them to rebuild their lives to succeed. She will never stop. The fight is in her and she will continue to fight for change until it comes.

La’Shawanta Spears-Hardy graduated from Portland State University in 2000, with a BA in Speech Communications. Later returning to George Fox University, earning a MA in School Counseling. After working in the David Douglas School District for 10 years, she decided to return to school and pursue her IAL in School Administration. La’Shawanta has served as a David Douglas SD Assistant Principal for seven years, recently transitioning to District Office. She now serves as the Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion. She hopes to return to school in effort to obtain her PhD in School Leadership or Restorative Practice.

La’Shawanta has a deep love and commitment to Conflict Resolution. She strives to support all students around resolving conflict, while providing students with the language to successfully problem solve-by implementing a non-violence approach. She has served as the building PBIS (Positive Behavior Support) coordinator, building level SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) leader; COSA Equity support, all while maintain the day-to-day responsibilities of a building level assistant principal. Her recent position as the Director of DEI, has allowed the opportunity to support the implementation of the David Douglas Equity/Strategic Plan. La’Shawanta also oversees the DDSD Grown Your Own Program, where the district aims to recruit, employ, support, retain and continue to develop a workforce that is racially diverse and culturally responsive in all employee groups, in accordance to state law and beyond.

As she purses the role as President of Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA) La’Shawanta will bring not only the qualities already listed but many more. Strong relationships with 2,400 school administrators, managers and executives, contributes to her vision and values as a leader and educator. She would continue driving the importance of school and students ahead of self-interest.

La’Shawanta is the proud mother of; Dwightaye (24), Monnie (22), Amira (16) and the wife of De’Shawn Hardy.

Cathy’s story begins in Spokane and unfolds in Portland where she met her husband, they have called the Hazelwood neighborhood home raising two sons who attended David Douglas, Eastern Oregon University (Go Mounties) and Oregon State University (Go Beavs) With an undergraduate degree in education and a graduate degree in public administration a varied and diverse career in higher education and local government has been often been challenging, but highly rewarding.

Master partnership and program developer, Cathy has produced large events, promotional videos, courses and curriculums in addition to managing numerous community recreation and education programs and services. She has served on the boards of Human Solutions, (now Our Just Future) Metro East Learning Academy and East Metro Arts, Culture and Community and volunteered with David Douglas schools, St. Joseph the Worker Parish and Play Grow Learn building connectedness and having fun. A devotee of the Oregon coast Cathy prefers the outdoors; hiking and gardening (poorly) and attending local festivals and events where she has been known to eat fried food and dance.

I have lived in the Metro Northwest for most of my life and currently in a marriage of about 2 years, now. Being a Cherokee-Black Foot Native/Indigenous living in America, I realized at an early age how racism impacted the lives of folks who look like me in such a way that it destroys family units and creates life long dysfunction and poverty in our communities.

It became very clear that not only are our Native/Indigenous communities intentionally, systematically targeted, but in particular our Native/Indigenous men are targeted to thwart them from tapping into their true ' genius' becoming the outstanding creative citizens that they truly are. This is done by the placement of, and the encouragment of drugs into our community, prison, school-to-prison pipeline, and other non productive activities to be their way of life. This includes our Native/Indigenous mens’ systemic absenteeism from the home that further perpetuates and permeates this dysfunctional state of crisis in our community.

I believe that the Majority of our Native men have been ostracized to the point where they do not feel secure with themselves and society has made them so obsolete in community and the family unit, to the point where our men want to war with their own Native/Indigenous women, who in turn defends herself - resulting in leaving each other unprotected - open to other forces who do not have our community’s best interest at heart, and in the end we all lose!

I would like to see my Native/Indigenous tribes unite in ways that will cause cosmic shifts that will change the way we see and interact with each other in respect, love, and economics; thereby encouraging our Native/Indigenous men to operate in their rightful roles in family and community, providing protection to our Native/Indigenous women/children - whilst positioning us in the place of power and governance over our own affairs and monetary policy, passing it down to our next generations to come.

With support of my husband, I have begun my work to help mitigate the severity of this crisis, consisting of building relationships with community organizations and nonprofits, offering solutions that include employment, self-employment, mental health, and the provisions of other necessary resources in order to begin this process. I serve on WomenFirst’s board because women in our program are victims of this agenda meant to sabotage our nation, and I research new innovative ways to give back by offering empowerment and solutions to the access of opportunities for the betterment of our Nation - moving us forward to self-sufficiency, protections, and prosperity.

We must open our eyes and recognize the trickery, deceit, and manipulation from our predecessors and ascertain solutions that benefit us as a Native/Indigenous Nation, so that we may all thrive!

Sunny Briscoe, MPA, joined WomenFirst's Board of Directors in 2024. Sunny is dedicated to resolving Social Justice issues and supporting Environmental Stewardship. Currently, she works as the Director of Finance & Policy for El Jardin Recovery Centers, a non-profit dedicated to providing culturally and linguistically specific Peer services for the Latinx community. Sunny brings her expertise in Finance, Operations, Human Resources, and Development for the enrichment of WomenFirst's clients. She is a mother of two and enjoys the outdoors and gardening.

Monta Knudson is a dynamic leader dedicated to social equity and community transformation. With over two decades of recovery from addiction, he brings a powerful voice of lived experience. His journey began in 2003, and he quickly dedicated his life to helping others. Starting as a recovery mentor in 2007, he advanced to leadership roles by 2009.

From 2015 to 2024, Monta served as the CEO of Bridges to Change, where he dramatically expanded housing, behavioral health, and peer services by over 1000%. His strategic foresight and financial acumen were key to this growth. Recognized for his contributions, Monta received the Spirit of Recovery Award from Fora Health and was named Contractor of the Year by Washington County.

Monta's advocacy has been instrumental in shaping legislation that positively impacts behavioral health services. He serves on the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission, appointed by the Governor. Additionally, he provides contract and technical assistance in supportive housing across the state, leveraging his extensive experience and relationships with legislators and partners.

Outside of work, Monta enjoys racing motorcycles, surfing, and performing acrobatics. His passion for life and dedication to community well-being inspire those around him.