WOHESC

Terrence R. (Terry) McDonald is the entrepreneurial-minded executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, Inc. (SVdP) who has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for innovations not just in reuse and recycling enterprises, but also for the programs that serve the disenfranchised in Oregon. Terry's passion is creating avenues out of poverty through a unique kind of reclamation: finding new uses for consumers' "useless" discards, creating new strategies and community coalitions to deal with old problems, and giving low-income and homeless people a chance to reclaim their dignity through employment and self-sufficiency. His agency operates multiple social enterprises including mattress recycling facilities, a fashion upcycling workshop, used bookstores, retail thrift stores, a used car lot, an appliance repair and recycling operation and reverse logistics contracting that aids retailers dealing with returns, and warehouse damaged materials. Terry also oversees the Cascade Alliance - a national network of 14 nonprofits in 13 states developing socially responsible diversion of useable materials from the waste stream, a project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that to date has created hundreds of sustainable jobs, annually diverts millions of pounds of materials and generates millions in annual revenue that add resilience to the nonprofit agencies, allowing them to serve more needs in their communities.

Michele Crim has worked in the environmental field for over 20 years. Her professional expertise in the areas of climate action, pollution prevention, environmental management systems and resource conservation led to her current position as the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Michele is responsible for leading the work of innovative and talented teams focused on climate action, sustainable development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, emerging mobility, sustainability engagement with both businesses and the community, climate resilience and adaptation, as well as recycling, composting and waste collection. Michele works to advance the integration of equity into all aspects of the city's sustainability and climate work to help ensure all Portlanders have access to the opportunities necessary to satisfy their essential needs, advance their well-being and achieve their full potential. Michele has a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Washington State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology and Technology, and a minor in Space Studies, from the University of North Dakota.