Ben Sand, CEO, Portland Leadership Foundation

Passionate about the city, Ben’s goal as the CEO of Portland Leadership Foundation is to develop leadership, mentoring, and education collaboratives. His role on the PLF team centers on building strategic relationships and overseeing the quality control of our organization. PLF believes that relationships are the framework for addressing systemic change in the city, so we live by a basic rule that we don’t do anything alone.

With Act Six, Ben oversees the George Fox University Direct Four Year Track. He is also responsible for the growth of the Act Six movement in identifying new partners locally and as a part of the Act Six National Office team.

His joys include: Jesus Christ, my family, Gonzaga basketball, writing (speeches and the like), and the nostalgia of Friday night high school football.

Anthony Jordan, President, Portland Leadership Foundation

Anthony wakes up everyday motivated to serve the broken and hurting. Our community suffers from a myriad of systemic issues, and as President of the Portland Leadership Foundation, it is his privilege to attack these issues through building strategic partnerships. At PLF, Anthony oversees the finances of the organization while sending the message to our community that, “We are better together!” We need those who are willing to head into the brokenness of others—not shy away, and Anthony’s strength is mixing his passion for this city with the boldness to move forward without fear.

With Act Six, Anthony oversees the Warner Pacific College Urban Service Track.

He is excited about Jesus, his wife, children, and the joy of investing in the lives of others. In his spare time, Anthony coaches youth sports and own a sports photography business. He does these things because they provide avenues to build healthy relationships.

Joel Perez, Dean of Transitions and Inclusion, George Fox University

Joel serves as dean of transitions and inclusion at George Fox, and understands the difficulties students of color face when adapting to a new culture. When he began college at Biola University, he initially assimilated into its then predominately white culture by joking about his background in a virtually homogenous Hispanic community. It may have helped him gain acceptance, but Perez began realizing he was rejecting his identity.

After going through a confrontational stage, he decided to become a bridge-builder. Perez became president of Hispanic Fellowship, helped develop social action clubs, and became involved in student government to help increase awareness of diversity issues and the concerns of first-generation students. "I had found my voice and believed I could best express my perspective and the needs of marginalized students through involvement in the life of the college," he says. Perez looks forward to sharing his experiences with students who will relate. "When you're a person of color, you can become a mirror, reflecting how you worked through similar experiences."

Perez comes to George Fox from Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., where, since 2001, he was associate director of student programs and was instrumental in developing diversity programs on campus. Perez earned a master's degree in education from Azusa Pacific in 1998 and is working on a doctorate in higher education from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif.

Rachel Dixon, Director of Multicultural Recruitment and Retention, Warner Pacific College

As a young child, Rachel was encouraged to excel in her studies as a key to a successful career path. Today, Rachel finds joy in encouraging others who also wish to pursue their personal growth through education.  And though she has chosen to serve in higher education, Rachel hopes to make a larger impact on young people of all ages by encouraging them to excel by living a life filled with faith, grace, discipline and wisdom.

One of her goals in her new role is to grow the Act Six program at Warner Pacific College and to help the college move forward with their urban initiative. She is excited about the energy, excitement and direction of the college and is looking forward to serving the students, their families and the community.

Though raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rachel admits to enjoying the summer months the most. Her other interests include a love for animals and travel.  In her personal time, Rachel enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking and reading.

Rachel comes from Concordia University-Portland where she served as the Diversity Student Advocate for over three years and has developed diversity and multicultural related programming with community and corporate partners for over seven years.

Gail Grimston, Act Six Organizer

Jodi Stiegemeyer, Act Six Urban Service Track Facilitator

Julianne Johnson-Weiss, Act Six Direct Four-Year Facilitator