Our Team WHO WE ARE As the most comprehensive public involvement firm in Oregon, we know working with a variety of people and skillsets is key to our clients' success as well as our own. We’ve grown into a firm of more than 20 public involvement professionals, who bring many specialties but share one focus. Here’s a little bit about us. LEADERSHIP TEAM JEANNE LAWSON Founder + Chairperson Jeanne is a highly sought after strategist and facilitator, having helped clients around the Northwest confidently work through complex and contentious issues. The founder of JLA, Jeanne is recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of public involvement and is an establishing member of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2). Jeanne has three grown children and lives with her husband, Scott. Her dog, Xena, is JLA’s resident canine. JESSICA PICKUL Chief Operating Officer + Senior Program Manager Jessica understands the value of visual communication, how to tell a complex story that everyone can understand, and that great public events can inform, connect and inspire. She develops and implements creative outreach plans and is energized by finding new solutions to public involvement challenges—online or on-the-ground. Jessica lives in the Lents neighborhood with her partner, Brady, and daughters, Piper and Rooney. KRISTEN KIBLER Chief Client Officer + Senior Program Manager Kristen works with agency clients to design community engagement and outreach programs for a variety of public projects, from water infrastructure and transportation improvements to park designs and site-specific master plans. Clients rely on Kristen for strategy tailored to each project, a responsive management approach, and exceptional team organization. Kristen lives in Portland near Rocky Butte with her family. KALIN SCHMOLDT Chief Creative Officer + Senior Program Manager Kalin’s diverse role includes leading comprehensive public involvement programs and managing our technical and creative services—developing strategy, custom tools and engaging graphics. JLA's online engagement virtuoso, Kalin has long been a pioneer in developing online open houses as engagement tools. He lives in the King neighborhood with his wife Kate, daughter Elena, and their cat Juliet. BRANDY STEFFEN Chief Talent Officer + Senior Program Manager Combining a background in Transportation and Urban Planning with her love of educating and empowering communities throughout Oregon, Brandy has found unique ways to collaborate with government agencies and the communities they serve. With facilitation, community engagement, and a focus on equitable outreach, Brandy helps communities find success, even on controversial projects. Brandy lives in Rose City Park with her family, one cat, and a brood of chickens. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT SPECIALISTS ADRIENNE DEDONA Senior Program Manager — SW Washington A Clark County native, Adrienne has led collaborative decision-making efforts and community outreach programs in southwest Washington and Oregon for more than two decades. She also provides senior-level facilitation, leading advisory committees and public forums of every shape and size. She currently lives in Amboy with her husband Steve, son, Evan, two dogs, and a few horses. ALICE HODGE Program Coordinator Alice brings a creative approach to public outreach, digital media and communication campaigns. With a background in arts marketing, she specializes in social media, email marketing and content creation. When not in pursuit of snappy copy, she is thinking about cooking, reading about cooking or actually cooking. Alice shares her multi-generational home with her husband, son, mother and a flock of wild backyard birds. ALLISON BROWN Program Manager Allison brings facilitation, mediation and outreach strategy focused around inclusive involvement approaches. Prior to arriving in Oregon, she designed and facilitated peace and reconciliation programs in Northern Ireland, and she brings a keen interest in complex group dynamics and conflict transformation to her work at JLA. Originally from Hawaii, Allison’s a recent transplant to the Sellwood neighborhood and urban apartment living. ANDREA MALDONADO Design + Program Assistant Andrea a daydreamer turned graphic designer. Fluent in Spanish, English and Spanglish, she is passionate about design thinking, storytelling and providing an outlet for communities who don’t have a voice. When she’s not dreaming up new designs, you can find her in the boxing ring or on her couch watching slime videos on an endless loop. APRIL HASSON Program Manager April is a born-and-raised Portlander who has also lived in Iowa, New York, and Italy. She is now happily ensconced in Portland’s Overlook Neighborhood with her husband Elon, children Emerald and Aviva, and cats Caper and Prank. April loves working on public infrastructure projects, infusing creative graphics and videos to tell a story, and planning engaging public events. April is a founding member of the Rose City Rollers roller derby league, and a committee leader of ninety-nine girlfriends. ARIELLA FRISHBERG Program Coordinator Ariella’s strong active listening and empathy skills are an asset to any project. With a background in social services, non-profits and grant management, she tackles big projects with attention to detail, creativity, diplomacy and effective communication. Passionate about the intersections of equity, business and complex systems, she joined JLA after completing an MBA at PSU. Ariella was raised in Portland and currently lives in Milwaukie. Outside of work she can be found taking ballet classes and hanging out with her two cats. BILL WALTERS Editor + Copywriter Bill likes to describe complex ideas with simple language—a useful trait for many public projects. He's a content wrangler, having been a technical writer, a magazine editor, staff writer, and marketing copywriter. He lends his skills to JLA’s communications programs in between building milk carton boats. Bill lives in Southeast Portland with his artist wife, teenage son, and two energetic young cats. CAMILLE PEARCE Program Coordinator Camille’s background in customer service and student support roles has given her a talent for understanding others. Energized by community work, she joined JLA in 2021 eager to start her career in public involvement. She brings both head and heart to the team by offering an efficient and organized work ethic as well as a passion for serving others. Outside of the office, you can find Camille enjoying live music, trying out new recipes, checking out the local arts scene, and spending time with her dog Louie. DARREN COOLS Designer + Program Manager Darren was a farmer, winery laborer, auto and motorcycle mechanic, bicycle builder, and brewery technician before becoming a graphic designer and illustrator. As a designer, copywriter and graphic recorder, his deep understanding of communication strategy and innovation is driven by authentic connection with people. Originally from eastern Washington, Darren now lives in Michigan with his wife Anna, and children Charles, Emily, and Miles. JAMIE HARVIE Marketing + Communications Jamie understands the interplay between graphics and written content. She provides strategic communications for JLA’s project and marketing materials, specializing in audience-specific content that’s true to core values. Jamie is a citizen of Australia, the United States, and The World—and currently resides in the South Tabor neighborhood with her husband, two children and sheepadoodle. JEN WINSLOW Program Coordinator Jen understands the value that collaboration and effective listening have in public involvement. With a background in environmental communication and nonprofit development, she strives to approach complex scenarios in an analytical way that promotes equitable outcomes. Jen appreciates the beauty of the PNW and can often be found exploring the coast, rivers and forests. She currently lives in N. Portland with her partner, son and cat. JESSICA BULL Program Manager Jessica manages engagement programs for transportation, education and other sectors, providing clients guidance in outreach strategy and communications. A passionate advocate for robust community involvement, she sought out JLA after completing an MPA focused on Civic Engagement. Jessica has lived in Portland for 15 years and recently bought a fixer upper in Madison South. LESLEY YAN Staff Accountant Lesley keeps JLA’s contracts and accounts in order and is the official office "dog whisperer." Lesley has over 30 years combined experience in business, banking and nonprofit accounting. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and enjoys ballroom dancing, traveling and culinary experiences. Lesley moved to Oregon in 1992, happy to have made Happy Valley her permanent home. MIRIAM HANES Office Manager Miriam is your first point of contact when you visit or call JLA. She champions the front desk and keeps the balls rolling for clients and staff. Miriam lives in Rose City Park with her cat Michelle. She is a huge movie-buff (pre-code, Kar-Wai Wong, Fassbinder are some faves), volunteers with seniors, and is an avid fan of the Portland Thorns (P-T-F-C!). NELLY HADDAD Finance Manager Nelly joined JLA in 2007. After a short stint away, she rejoined the team in 2019 to support a revamp of JLA’s finance operations. Nelly brings more than two decades’ experience in accounting and finance, and experience leading international financial systems for companies such as Otak International. Nelly is a wonderful cook, and her extended family co-founded the Al Amir restaurant in downtown Portland. Fluent in Arabic, French and English, Nelly telecommutes from Lebanon where she lives with her husband, Adnan, and daughters Jaimee and Nada. NICOLE METILDI Program Coordinator Nicole is passionate about helping people meaningfully engage in creating solutions for projects that directly affect them. With a background in communications strategy and community organizing, Nicole supports her projects with creative content and excellent planning. She is Board Co-President for Beyond Toxics, a statewide environmental justice organization. When not at work, you can find Nicole baking, watching Star Trek with her husband, or reading fantasy and sci-fi novels. TRAVIS RUMOHR Program Coordinator Travis makes a personal investment in his projects and the people impacted by them. He has a bachelor’s degree in international relations with a minor in journalism and a master’s degree in international development and service. Travis has parlayed his skills into extensive work in writing, community development, and public outreach. His experience working in conflict afflicted communities around the world makes him an asset in mediating complex and contentious projects. In his spare time, Travis likes to play music and go hiking with his partner, Erika, and his best friend, Max the dog. SAM BERESKY Digital Storyteller + Program Manager Sam is seasoned in managing stakeholder engagement programs for complex and contentious projects, particularly in the water and transportation sectors. He’s also JLA’s Digital Storyteller, advising clients on the use of video as a public engagement tool and providing full video production capabilities. Sam is an avid traveler with surprisingly frequent trips across Latin American and Canada. He lives in NW Portland. TRACIE HEIDT Program Manager Tracie specializes in stakeholder engagement and written communications for impactful construction projects. Her direct, diplomatic interpersonal skills are an asset to both agencies and stakeholders, especially during challenging infrastructure projects. She also brings firsthand knowledge of local government as a former Canby City Councilor. Tracie lives in Canby with her husband, Myron, and daughters Eris, Sophie and Monika. JLA Public Involvement 921 SW Washington Street, Suite 570 Portland, OR 97205 Phone: (503) 235-5881 7720 NE Hwy 99 Suite D #186 Vancouver, WA 98665 Phone: (360) 993-0025 Sign up for our newsletter * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name * View JLA’s Privacy Policy » Amended availability during Covid-19 pandemic: JLA is committed to meeting the needs of stakeholders, clients and staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. To support productivity while balancing the stressors of living through large-scale social changes, JLA’s working hours have changed. We are responsive via email and phone Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Accessing JLA: Our office is currently restricted only to staff, and many staff are working from home. When our offices re-open, we look forward to meeting with you at the Pittock Block in downtown Portland. There are many sustainable means of getting there, including bus routes and nearby light rail and streetcar lines. Bike parking is available in the building. The west and south building entrances are ADA accessible. Visit TriMet’s Trip Planner to find your route »