Tim Rusk brings over 30 years of nonprofit work experience to his position as Nonprofit Education Specialist at NAO. He was executive director of an early childhood program in Central Oregon and led the organization from start-up, to a well-respected, tri-county program, and through a successful leadership transition when he left after 20 years. He loves learning, helping people succeed, applying best-practices, and being a part of a strong team. He graduated from UC Santa Cruz (go slugs!), has a Masters in Organization Development from Sonoma State University, and believes in the transformative power of working together for the common good.

Connection and community are important to me, whether I’m at work or play. My 19 years of nonprofit work has spanned CARDV, Girls on the Run, and Corvallis Bicycle Collective’s initiatives Open Streets and Spring Roll. When I joined Vina Moses Center as the Executive Director in April of 2020, my community came with me and buoyed our work and my spirit during those early days of the pandemic. I truly believe we can get more done when we work together! In the last five years, Vina has leaned into our role as community connectors: we’ve grown from one paid employee to seven and from 125 annual volunteers to 400. It’s great when work and play overlap, too: at Vina’s annual volunteer appreciation event, the dress code is Something Found in the Donation Room!

Jessica became the Executive Director of Greenbelt Land Trust, a regional conservation organization in the Willamette Valley, in 2020 after having served as the Associate Director and Development Director for the organization since 2009. As the Executive Director Jessica oversees the strategic vision, financial resiliency, and operations for the Land Trust. Jessica has deep roots in the local community, having served on boards and commissions advocating for voting rights, watershed health, affordable housing, and community storytelling. Additionally, Jessica has served on the board of a statewide conservation alliance, currently sits on a national leadership council for conservation, as well as a state coalition to advance Indigenous sovereignty and access to land. Jessica believes in the power of striving towards a servant leadership style, centering the voices of those who have been most impacted by any given issue, embracing change, and the power of individuals to effect change in their own communities.

With over 28 years of experience in the non-profit sector, Kendra has dedicated her career to supporting children, youth, and young adults. Her work spans outdoor ministries, early childhood education, and over a decade of service in the field of runaway and homeless youth. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Jackson Street Youth Services, she has led the organization since 2023, after spending ten years as Program Director. Kendra's academic background includes degrees in Early Childhood Education, Human Development and Family Services with a Youth Services specialty, Sociology, and Spanish. Her deep commitment to youth and community work is matched by a passion for building responsive, inclusive programs that empower young people experiencing homelessness. Outside of her professional life, Kendra enjoys spending time with her son, exploring the outdoors, quilting, caring for plants and animals, and reveling in all things water-related. A true Pacific Northwesterner at heart, she finds joy in the rain.