Meet The Staff

Curtis Young (he/him)

Executive Director

Curtis Young (he/him)

Executive Director

With over 25 years of dedicated nonprofit experience, Curtis is a passionate professional committed to assisting individuals and organizations in achieving their desired outcomes. As a consultant for the past year, he successfully guided multiple mission-based organizations to secure over $2M in grants and donations, contributing significantly to their financial sustainability. He coached their staff and board members to more significant achievements. His true expertise lies in organizational development, fundraising, and leadership, evident in his prior role as the Executive Director at Chess for Success, where he led the organization through a founder-to-staff transition, oversaw revenue growth from $500k to $1.5M, and implemented a strategic philanthropy plan that involved cultivating new donors, stewarding existing relationships, and implementing comprehensive data management systems. His passion for justice and equity also transformed the organization's demographics and fostered an inclusive culture of belonging. Curtis’s educational background includes a master’s in industrial and organizational psychology, which complements his skills in public speaking, leadership, budget management, and strategic planning.

Email:curtis@theblueprintfoundation.org

Derron Rafiq Coles, PhD (he/him)

CAP Program Director

Derron Rafiq Coles, PhD (he/him)

CAP Program Director

Derron Coles is a Learning Strategist with over 20 years of experience designing learner-focused competency development training. Derron has a wide-ranging portfolio that runs the gamut from learning solutions for technical topics, like a globally utilized online training on river system analysis, to interpersonal skills training, such as his award-winning JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) training curriculum. Upon completing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Derron moved to Oregon to complete a masters and doctorate in civil engineering at Oregon State University. Derron spent 8 years managing the mathematics program for the OSU Educational Opportunities Program. In this role, Derron led culturally responsive efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented science and engineering students. In addition to his position as CAP Program Director of Derron is also owner and principal consultant for DRC Learning Solutions (DRC LS). Through DRC LS, Derron facilitates JEDI change initiatives and develops green-sector, workforce development curriculum. Derron is an avid gardener and river enthusiast. In his spare time, he can be found hiking and hanging out with husband, Alex and their flat-coated retriever, Wirbel.

Email:derron@theblueprintfoundation.org

Bria Beale (they/them)

Program Director

Bria Beale (they/them)

Program Director

Bria Beale (they/she) was born and raised in Southern California and studied Communications and Sociology while also obtaining an Agriculture certificate specializing in Beekeeping on the Big Island of Hawaii. They are hoping to complete their Master’s in Counseling Psychology in pursuit of providing hope, wellness, and mental health education to their BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, specializing in trauma-related care. Since moving to Portland, Bria has worked as a substitute teacher in many schools in the Gresham area as well as a beekeeper. They are passionate about contributing to their community and environment, living with intention, and creating a more just society and relationship to each other and the earth. In their free-time, Bria likes to travel, go to live music events, thrift shop, paint and create with friends, hike, cook, meditate and do yoga with friends.

Email:bria@theblueprintfoundation.org

Jason Stroman (he/him)

Director of Community Engagement and Mentoring

Jason Stroman (he/him)

Director of Community Engagement and Mentoring

Jason Stroman is a counseling specialist with over 20 years of experience mentoring future leaders through various professional and volunteer positions. Prior to supervising staff and organizing TBF programming, Jason spent several years as a Senior Technician for QuantumClean Global Technologies, a leading process tool and parts cleaning provider for the semiconductor industry. As a mental & behavioral health counselor, Jason worked nearly a decade supporting youth in residential treatment facilities. Jason studied Psychology & Sociology at Washington State University, where he also played football and joined the historically Black Greek-letter organization Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Currently serving as Director of Education for the fraternity’s Oregon alumni chapter, Omicron Theta Sigma, he previously served two terms as Chapter President during which time he helped establish The Blueprint Foundation. Jason is a member of Mannahouse Church and has served as a bus driver for its outreach ministry. When not working or engaged in community service, Jason enjoys cooking, traveling, exploring the outdoors, watching movies, college football, and spending quality time with family.

Email:jason@theblueprintfoundation.org

Ayanna Nance (she/her/hers)

Workforce Program Director

Ayanna Nance (she/her/hers)

Workforce Program Director

As Workforce Director of the Connecting Canopies Program, Ayanna will focus on the economic empowerment, professional growth, and development of our future Black, BIPOC leaders of the world. Ayanna has a background in youth enrichment and civic engagement within culturally specific nonprofit organizations in the Portland Metropolitan area. She firmly believes in being the change she wants to see in the world and is committed to doing the work to get there. Ayanna is very excited to be a part of such an amazing team and organization and is looking forward to what the future holds for her at The Blueprint Foundation.

Email:ayana@theblueprintfoundation.org

Bianca Gonzalez (she/her, they/them)

Communications and Development Manager

Bianca Gonzalez (she/her, they/them)

Communications and Development Manager

Bianca is a dedicated development professional. They are deeply passionate about social justice, youth empowerment, and fostering well-supported communities. Their work centers around supporting culturally responsive programming that addresses the unique needs of diverse populations. With experience in youth mentoring programs and a background in running various small businesses and healing practices, they bring a holistic perspective to their endeavors. They are committed to making a meaningful impact for The Blueprint Foundation in philanthropic initiatives, communications and other partnership support. During their leisure time, Bianca actively participates as a moderator and participant in The Brown Book Club, practices the traditional healing practice of Curanderismo, serves as an "Auntie" Board Member in the Brown Girl Rise program, and enjoys being outside and spending quality time with her spouse and their four dogs.

Email:bianca@theblueprintfoundation.org

Josh Cauthen (he/they)

Mentor

Josh Cauthen (he/they)

Mentor

Joshua Cauthen is an Environmental Professional in the Portland area. He moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2022 after graduating from the University of Virginia. He has been a mentor with Blueprint since the start of 2023 and loves to see Black joy in nature.

Chea Liwaru (she/her)

Mentor

Chea Liwaru (she/her)

Mentor

Chéamera Liwaru (she/her) is a mentor from Omaha, NE. In various roles, she has been guiding and supporting students of all ages for 10+ years. She currently works with middle school students in the Portland Public School district. She enjoys spending time with her family, creating art, and reading.

Mason Martinez (they/them)

Program Assistant

Mason Martinez (they/them)

Program Assistant

Mason Martinez (they/them) is a published Latinx writer born and raised in New York City. They received their BA in Creative Writing and Literature from SUNY Purchase. They are deeply passionate about highlighting their youth and culture through storytelling, weaving in the environment, and how it has shaped them and their communities. After spending a year traveling the United States, Mason found a home in Portland and strives to give back to the community that has welcomed them so kindly. In their off-time, Mason enjoys visiting National Parks (with the ambitious goal of hitting them all), hiking, volunteering, creating art, and spending time with the people they love.

Lashay Gates (she/her)

Mentor

Lashay Gates (she/her)

Mentor

Lashay Gates has been a part of The Blueprint Foundation since she was a freshman at Roosevelt High School. Lashay graduated in 2021, and is now a Biology major at Portland State University. She also started and manages a clothing business based on the idea of loving yourself for who you are as a person and embracing it. She loves the outdoors and helping her community as well as being a part of a great organization like Blueprint. Lashay strives to be the face of a successful young Black woman so other young Black people can see a representation of themselves and know that success is possible.

Nicole Allen (she/they)

Mentor

Nicole Allen (she/they)

Mentor

With over 15+ years of professional experience working in the field of education as a director, coach, and mentor - Nicole Allen (she/they) has dedicated their life's work and mission to the service of people. Nicole's passion is to empower marginalized communities, as they are often limited in access to diverse opportunities to learn and grow. To Nicole, when we heal communities, we allow for a world that reflects greater innovation, collaboration, understanding, and ultimately abundance. In 2019, Nicole stepped into the role of Rootworker and Healer, following in the footsteps of their ancestral heritage. In 2020, they started a nature-based wellness business, Through The Trees Collective (T3C), where they use natural healing methods to assist and mentor BIPOC individuals on their personal journeys towards healing and 360 Wellness (the balance of the mind, body, spirit, soul, and psyche). This looks like large, outdoor engagement events, ritual + healing circles, and 1-on-1 wellness mentoring.

Essence Satterfield (she/her they/them)

Program Assistant

Essence Satterfield (she/her they/them)

Program Assistant

Essence is a horticulturalist, permaculture enthusiast, community organizer, and social justice advocate. With a background in Agriculture from Mendocino College, she combines her love for plants with a commitment to creating a more equitable world. She brings a unique blend of strategic planning, emergent strategy assessment, and relationship-building skills, and a relational worldview complimented by a profound love for nature. Her personal connection to the forest runs deep, and since childhood has oriented her place in the world and guides her study of systems. She is mother, dancer, actress and artist, she draws inspiration from her vibrant community, and finds peace and solace in Yoga, Gardening, urban foraging, and swimming.

Caylah Dillard (they/she)

Mentor

Caylah Dillard (they/she)

Mentor

Caylah (they/she) is an undergraduate student at Portland Community College planning to major in Marine Biology and Environmental Science upon transfer. While growing up in Southern California, despite not having access to many outdoor spaces, Caylah developed a deep passion for the environment around them and understanding how we as people connect with and impact it. Closely witnessing the effects of long-term drought and wildfires firsthand pushed them even further, eventually inspiring them in their choice of study. Through mentoring with The Blueprint Foundation, they hope to be able to give the encouragement and guidance they were looking for when they were younger and first expressed interest in environmentalism. In their free time, Caylah enjoys traveling, thrifting, working on creative projects, reading and getting outside as much as possible.

Joshua Joseph (he/him)

Program Assistant

Joshua Joseph (he/him)

Program Assistant

My name is Josh, also go by Jay. Either works for me and my journey with Blueprint began when I was 15 and have been involved ever since. It is amazing to see and acknowledge the growth of this organization and it feels like both a full circle and an honor to get the opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation. When I am not with Blueprint, I enjoy spending my time at the gym playing basketball, taking long walks or going on a nice hike, or playing the bass. Looking forward to my personal development with Blueprint as well as witnessing the upward trajectory of an organization.

Gabrielle Liwaru (she/her)

Mentor

Gabrielle Liwaru (she/her)

Mentor

Gabrielle Gaines-Liwaru, a.k.a. Ms. Gabby, is a certified educator with a BS in Education and Art Endorsement from University of Nebraska and an ESL Endorsement from Concordia University. Ms. Gabby celebrates being a wife, mother, and grandmother. On her journey, she has been committed to mentoring and educating students in her home, in the classroom, in her teaching artist workshops, and anywhere in the community she belongs to. An advocate for social justice, Ms. Gabby has led sessions on art activism and civil rights/EDI education for youth programs, in Nebraska and Oregon. Additionally, she has coordinated art productions with the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, trained and facilitated with the Anti-Defamation League, worked as a facilitating consultant with Minnesota Humanities Center, and designed and implemented many youth and adult workshops on anti-racism/cultural empowerment. Overall, Ms. Gabby is dedicated to nurturing youth potential and holistic wellness for building a better future.

Jo’Sean Joseph (he/him)

Mentor

Jo’Sean Joseph (he/him)

Mentor

Jo’Sean Joseph, who also goes by JJ, has been a member of the Blueprint family since he was 14 years old and now he’s a mentor. The Blueprint Foundation has made a huge impact on his life especially in the development of his character. JJ was placed in environments to thrive and be better than what he thought of himself. He’s loved being a part of Blueprint for six years because he wants to be the role model someone else needs just like how his older brother was for him. JJ is a really great guy, and he’s also very unique. JJ loves creating community and he invites folks to come out and get to know him at our tabling events.

Sharif Liwaru (he/him)

Mentor

Sharif Liwaru (he/him)

Mentor

Sharif Zakir Liwaru is the director of Equity and Family Partnerships for Northwest Regional Education Service District (ESD). He has nearly 30 years of professional experience in equity roles, including most recently as the Equity and Inclusion director for Multnomah ESD and the Regional Director of Equity Initiatives and Partnerships for the Cascade Alliance for Equity. Liwaru is a family man. He and his wife Gabrielle have three children and a grandson. He is a life member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc, a service-oriented organization. As an enduring and dedicated mentor, he has volunteered in youth and community serving organizations for decades.

Board Members

Marc-Daniel Domond (he/him)

Board Chair

Marc-Daniel Domond (he/him)

Board Chair

Marc-Daniel Domond serves as Executive Project Manager for COLAS where he oversees the estimating department and all project managers. With nearly a decade of construction experience, Marc-Daniel’s work has spanned the entire CSI and uniquely orients him to manage value engineering opportunities and construction challenges. Adept in finance, construction delivery systems, value engineering, sequence of operations, crew size requirements and determination of physical constraints for project sites, Marc-Daniel is able to efficiently lead his team through challenging details. Known for his thorough and fair approach, Marc-Daniel is charged with infusing his teams with his signature focus and the tools to stay on-time and on-budget. Marc-Daniel holds a degree in Business Finance and Management from the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon and is trilingual, fluent in English, Spanish and French. Guided by a commitment to social justice and community involvement, he is a Big Brother for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America and volunteers extensively for causes such as the Oregon Food bank, Race for the Cure, March of Dimes, and the American Red Cross.

Ian Heisser (he/him)

Board Secretary

Ian Heisser (he/him)

Board Secretary

Ian Heisser is Director of Technology for Transactional Services Operations at Expedia. His background is in computer science, receiving his bachelor’s of applied science degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. Currently, Ian is also the Western Region Director and Board Member of the National Sigma Beta Club Foundation. His previous work experience includes 14 years as a lead test engineer for Microsoft.

Aubré Dickson (he/him)

Board Treasurer

Aubré Dickson (he/him)

Board Treasurer

Aubré Dickson is Principal at PARAH Development Services, LLC, a real estate development consulting company. Its purpose is to help individuals and organizations use real estate to diversify their assets and maximize their returns through real estate development and investment. Aubré has spent the past 18 years in commercial real estate with an emphasis in affordable multifamily housing and mixed-use development finance, including mixed-income, permanent supportive housing, farmworker housing, senior housing, assisted living and community facilities. PARAH Development Services, LLC is a provider of debt and equity solutions through capital structure assessment and feasibility analysis. Aubré assists clients with project management, strategic planning and budgeting, including forecasting, financial and pro forma analysis, investment and portfolio review, cash management, and banking. Aubré is a native Portland, Oregonian and graduate of Benson Polytechnic High School with a B.S. in Finance and Management from Portland State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Aubré has served on a number of nonprofit and public boards and has contributed years of service to the Portland community and the State of Oregon at large. He is very passionate about youth and has been mentoring young Black males for over 25 years, in addition to being a husband and proud father of three sons of his own. He enjoys family time going on walks, playing cards, board games and watching movies; reading, traveling, and attending whatever events and activities his boys are participating in.

Cashauna Hill (she/her)

Board Member

Cashauna Hill (she/her)

Board Member

Cashauna Hill has served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center (formerly the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center) since 2015. In that role, Cashauna leads a team that challenges discriminatory housing policies and practices through litigation and policy advocacy. Cashauna has written extensively about housing segregation and civil rights, and has testified before the United States Congress as a fair housing expert. She is a graduate of Spelman College and Tulane Law School.

Bobby Daniels (he/him)

Board Member

Bobby Daniels (he/him)

Board Member

Bobby’s career in the design & construction industry spans more than 25 years. With an emphasis on housing and education, he continues to leverage his roles in both the public and private sectors to advocate for equitable workforce practice. Bobby is an Owner’s Representative for the Native American-owned construction management firm. He provides architectural design consulting services through his own company and serves on the Design Review Advisory Committee for the City of Portland. Bobby was educated through the Portland Public School system and holds an architecture degree from Portland State University.

Kimberlynn Heller, DO, FACOG (she/her)

Board Member

Kimberlynn Heller, DO, FACOG (she/her)

Board Member

Dr. Heller received her DO from Michigan State University and completed her medical residency at the University of Illinois in Peoria. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a member of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of Oregon, the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, and several other medical organizations. Dr. Heller now has a busy practice and enjoys helping patients achieve whole body health and natural birthing methods. Dr. Heller enjoys camping, hiking, biking, fishing and jogging with her husband.

Blake Dye (he/him)

Board Member

Blake Dye (he/him)

Board Member

Blake Dye, is a public administrator with a focus on Human Resources. Blake currently is an HR Manager for the State of Oregon. He also serves as Planning Commissioner, representing District 3, for Washington County, Oregon. He is passionate about diversifying workplaces for effective change from within approaches to equity initiatives. Blake’s credentials include a Master of Public Administration and the following certifications: 1) Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), 2) SHRM - Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and 3) Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA). Blake is a sports fan, who is also devoted to both his fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. and his partner, Chris.