PIETRO FERRARI, Executive Director, has dedicated his career in community development, both domestically and internationally, working on issues such as affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, community building, micro-enterprise development, organizational development and management. Prior to joining Hacienda, Pietro managed a statewide private-public funder collaborative to support Oregon’s nonprofit housing development organizations. He also worked as senior regional underwriter of tax credit financed real estate projects and as program manager for a nonprofit housing development organization.
Pietro’s strong affinity to work with under served ethnic minority populations started in his native Bolivia where he worked on private enterprise, community infrastructure development, literacy, nutrition, regional planning, emergency relief response and civil society. In 2004, he led a Northwest delegation of volunteers to build five homes for the poor in his Andean hometown of Oruro, Bolivia through Habitat for Humanity.
Pietro’s academic degrees include: Master in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Oregon (1991); Master of Science in Management from Marylhurst University (1991); and Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from Lewis & Clark College (1987).

TANYA WOLFERSPERGER, Deputy Director since 2001. Her work focuses mainly on internal operations, organizational development and oversight of the Community Building and Asset Management departments.  For four years, Tanya also served as Hacienda's Asset Manager.  While at Hacienda, Tanya has also served on the Board of Directors for the Community Development Network and chaired their Banquet Committee.  Tanya began her non-profit career in 1995 in New York City working to support an inner-city elementary school.  After living in Guatemala, she returned to Portland and began working at the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing.  Tanya received her B.A. degree in rhetoric and communication from University of Oregon.  She currently lives and gardens in a co-housing community in Portland with her husband and son.

MICHAEL FUSS, Finance Director since 2006. Michael has a strong understanding of CDC accounting, having worked for the past six years as Finance Director for The Neighborhood Partnership Fund. He has also operated a CPA practice working with small business, non-profits and individuals in the area of accounting and taxes. His prior work experience includes controllership positions for a real estate developer, a residential builder and several manufacturing companies. Michael graduated with a B.S. degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. Besides work, Michael’s other interests include hiking, running and family activities.

 

SUZANNE GEARY, Director of Fund Development. Suzanne has over eight years experience in nonprofit management and consulting. She worked for large health systems, a consulting firm and a foundation before establishing her own grant writing and development consulting business. As a former foundation director, she brings a strong understanding of philanthropy to the position, and will use that training to help Hacienda diversify its funding streams. Suzanne holds a master’s degree in health administration from Tulane University, and she serves on the board of SEI Academy in North Portland.

CATHERINE KES, Director of Housing Development. Catherine is an attorney licensed in Oregon. After completing law school in 2005, she began doing pro bono work for Hacienda. Intrigued by the work being done by the organization, Catherine joined Hacienda after 20 years in the corporate world. In addition to Housing Development, Ms. Kes oversees the organization’s homeownership and economic development programs and brings both legal and managerial skills to the position.

TANYA STAGRAY, Asset Manager/Safety Coordinator. Tanya fulfilled the position of Resident Services Program Manger for the first five years with Hacienda and transitioned into Asset Management with a desire to broaden her knowledge and understanding of the affordable housing industry. Her responsibilities include Asset Management of Hacienda’s 349 units of housing and one commercial building as well as the facilitation of safety initiatives which contribute to the enhancement of neighborhood livability.

JORGE ALVARADO, Micro Mercantes Coordinator. Jorge returned to Hacienda after over two years coordinating PCRI’s homeownership program. At Hacienda, Jorge coordinates Micro Mercantes, our economic opportunity initiative.

GUADALUPE AVILA, Community Health Coordinator for Portland Niños. Guadalupe has four years experience working with the Latino community in Portland in a variety of ways: implementing classes, case management, home visits with teen moms and parenting education. Guadalupe also has eight years experience volunteering with Latino families. She graduated from Portland Community College as a community health worker. Guadalupe has lived in Portland for 17 years.

ADELIA GALAVIZ, Portland Niños instructor. Adelia moved here from Sinaloa, Mexico two years ago and was a childcare provider at schools in both Mexico and the United States before joining Hacienda in 2006. She is a Portland Niños instructor and teaches safety, health and nutrition classes. In her spare time, Adelia also enjoys oil painting.

MARIA GASTELUM, Housekeeping Staff for the Baltazar Ortiz Community Center. Maria has also taken on a support role in Hacienda’s community organizing work at Villas de Clara Vista. Maria is an active member of the community, volunteering at her daughters’ schools, at community events, and serving as goalie for an all-women’s soccer team. She is also renowned for her tamales and authentic Mexican cooking, which she shares with Hacienda staff on special occasions.

ERICA GOMEZ, Academic Support Coordinator. Erica joined Hacienda in 2007 after moving from her native Miami, Florida. She is the Academic Support Coordinator for Latino middle school students and families in NE Portland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida, and for the past three years, she's used her background in writing, media, art and education in the non-profit sector.

OMAR MARTINEZ, Homeownership Program Manager. He has over 10 years experience in banking with extensive knowledge in community lending and counseling. His career in affordable housing began in Denver, Colorado where he worked closely with local housing non-profit organizations as a community lender and community housing officer. Omar graduated with a B.A. in Economics and a B.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Arkansas. Besides his work, Omar is an active cyclist and skier.

DULCE MENDEZ, Afterschool Assistant. Dulce has lived in Portland for 15 years and joined Hacienda in 2007 as an Afterschool Assistant for the Expresiones program. She is now an Afterschool Coordinator for Expresiones at the Jardines site. She is currently working on her associate’s degree at Portland Community College and is considering pursuing a bachelors degree in community development.

MARLEN PEREZ, Academic Support Coordinator. Marlen joined Hacienda in August 2006 as the parent coordinator for the Expresiones Program, Hacienda’s after school program for resident middle school students and is now an Academic Support Coordinator for Latino middle school students and their families in North Portland. Marlen has over ten years of experience in educating Hispanic families in different community programs: Parent Education, Domestic Violence, Mujer Sana, and Nacer Sano. Marlen earned a degree in social work from México University.

DIANNE PERKINS, Office Manager/Bookkeeper. Dianne joined Hacienda’s team in June of 2006. She works closely with the Finance Director and handles daily bookkeeping for Hacienda. Dianne brings over 15 years experience to the position. She has an Associates Degree in Business/Business Administration with an emphasis on Accounting. Dianne lives in Portland with her family.

REBECA REYES, Resident Services Specialist. Rebeca joined Hacienda CDC in August 2006 as Community Health Specialist for the Portland Niños program before transitioning to her role as Resident Services Specialist. She moved to Portland five years ago from Mexico City, where she graduated from college as a secretary executive. Rebeca’s prior experience includes work as an administrative assistant to the Oaxaca Governor. In her free time Rebeca likes to explore new places with her family.

ALMA RIVERA, Community Health Coordinator. Alma has over 4 years experience in working with the Hispanic community in different health care programs, focusing on education about breast cancer. At Hacienda Alma coordinates the Mujer Sana Program, which provides breast cancer education to Portland-area Latina women. She graduated from the University of El Salvador with a Doctor of Medicine degree, with a specialty in pediatrics. Alma has lived in Portland for four years, with her husband and two sons.

VALENTINA SMITH, Community Building Manager. Valentina came to Hacienda in early 2007 after moving to Portland from Chiapas, Mexico with her husband. She brings seven years of volunteer and non-profit experience, including managing a microfinance group that awarded loans to groups of women from low-income communities in the rural zones of Chiapas. In her hometown, she helped create a local environmental youth group focused on preservation and outdoor recreation. Valentina has studied in Switzerland as part of an International Culture and Youth Program and holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the Center of Professional Studies “Frail Bartolome de las Casas”, Mexico

RUDY ULIN, Housing Program Associate. Rudy works closely with the housing development director on Hacienda's new affordable housing developments. He has a degree in Business Administration from the National University of Guatemala USAC and enjoys dancing and learning about the history, culture, economy and politics of his home country.