Board of Directors, 2022-2023

Mary Johnson

President

Mary graduated from the University of Idaho with a degree in Communications with emphasis in Public Relations & Advertising.  She joined the Assistance League of Greater Portland in 2017.  She recently served a two-year term as VP Membership, one year as President-elect and twice as Promenade Fashion Show coordinator for the league’s major fundraiser.  Mary introduced Instagram and Facebook to the league for promoting our retail shops and membership, and is an active contributor to our social media promotions.  Mary is a full-time Portland Metro Realtor.

Robbie O’Brien

President-Elect

Robbie graduated from Oregon State University with a Master’s Degree in Education, with a focus on physical education. Her career spanned 30 years, where she taught students at all grade levels including community college. She has served as VP Fundraising and has been extensively involved in the chapter’s major fundraising events, as well as serving as chairperson numerous times. When not volunteering, she spends her time reading, golfing, and working out. Her passion – Assistance League “Paying it forward to the Community”.

Patty Funes

VP Membership

Patty graduated from Willamette University in Salem. She taught Math in the Parkrose School District. She joined Assistance League: Greater Portland in 2003. Patty has worn many hats at the chapter including President, VP Membership, VP Philanthropic Programs, VP Finance, VP Strategic Planning, Treasurer, Fundraiser Chair, and Operation School Bell co-chair. She has a busy life full of friends, family, laughter, gardening, and good food.

Kim Higgins

VP Philanthropic Programs

Kim has a degree in History from the University of Washington and MAT from George Fox University. Her love of travel and photography led her to pursue a career as a Travel Agent. After raising children, she worked for several years as a Middle School Humanities Teacher. Now retired, she is able to take part in the artistic, philanthropic, and social activities.

Sue Eiler

VP Retail Sales

Sue is from Southern California. She went back to school at night at age 41 and reached her goal of an MBA in business 14 years later. She was Chief Operations Officer for a urological surgery group before moving to Tigard to be near her grandchildren. She is crazy about her Golden Retriever Remington!

VP Resource Development

The VP of Resource Development has served two chapters with roles in program management, grant writing, fundraising, marketing and as a past President. She built a career in insurance and health care administration with an undergraduate degree in communication and graduate coursework in public health.

Michele Wiitala

VP Building Management

This passionate Gonzaga University graduate has spent years in the classroom as an educator and has committed the last 25 years as a community volunteer and board member of several nonprofits. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, zumba, her Neskowin beach house, and entertaining. She is transitioning from VP of Philanthropic Programs to all things building.

Pam Quale

VP Marketing Communications

Pam is originally from Corvallis, OR and attended University of Oregon and Boston University. She has taught elementary, middle school, high school, community college, and The Reading Institute students in Oregon, California, Athens Greece, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Family is important with a 100-year-old mother, and 5 siblings who live in the area. Her volunteer work includes Cross Roads International, Portland Classical Chinese Garden and other non-profit

Rudy Rudolph

VP Strategic Planning

Rudy has lived in Michigan, Utah, and Oregon. She graduated from the University of Michigan. Over her long career in education, she taught in elementary, middle, and high schools. Rudy spent many years as a principal and a school district director before retiring. Her two daughters and five grandchildren live in Salt Lake City, Utah. When not volunteering, Rudy enjoys putting together jigsaw puzzles, and she spends time creating crossword puzzles, which she submits to the NY Times.

Leslie Anton

Secretary

Leslie grew up in the Bay Area in California. She graduated from Portland State with a degree in General Studies. Leslie had an eclectic working career doing Admin and Finance work, and working for a small high tech company in sales and technical recruiting. As a semi-retirement gig Leslie worked at New Seasons Market for thirteen years before retiring in 2015. She joined Assistance League in 2017 and she has been amazed at what the chapter accomplishes and how the members work as a corporation with all volunteers. The diversity of backgrounds within the membership is what makes everything happen.

Janet Murray

Treasurer

“Shopping is my vocation.” This quote might explain why Janet was drawn to the Consignment Shop. She loves jewelry and has worked in both shops, including managing the Consignment Shop and a long-time member of the jewelry team. Janet had a busy career in data processing and computer technical support, mainframe computer operations, hardware installation, technical staff training and development, project management, data storage systems and technical support. Janet previously has held the Chapter positions of President (2017 – 2018) and VP Strategic Planning.

Previous Board of Directors

Year 2021-2022