Leadership Team

Eddie Almeida, Finance Director

Eddie joined Impact NW in July of 2022 as a transplant to the Portland community from New York City. He most recently worked as the Chief Operating Officer at Neighborhood House and has been growing his knowledge and love for his new city. Having both grown up in and served professionally in underserved communities, he harbors a special passion for the mission of Impact NW. He started his career in nonprofits in 2002 as Program Director at a settlement house, then spent the last 13 years working in finance and operations for an agency that offered comprehensive family services. Eddie lives in NE Portland with his family.

Ada Dortch, Director of Development and Advocacy

Ada Dortch has been with Impact NW since 2013. She brings 20 years of experience in human rights advocacy, nonprofit fundraising, program development, and project management. She previously worked in a large hospital system, and with an international human rights organization where she was responsible for program development and fundraising across 40 countries in Europe and Central Asia. Ada also comes from a social work background and brings these experiences with her in her fundraising role. Ada is committed to helping the community where she was born and lives. Ada lives in Northeast Portland.

Wildia Gonzalez Santos, Director of People & Culture

Wildia joined Impact NW in 2018 as the People & Culture Generalist, and moved into the People & Culture Director role in 2023. She is passionate about Human Resources, specially designing equitable and inclusive policies and procedures to promote a positive work culture and safe work environment for all Impact NW’s employees.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Prior to working at Impact, Wildia worked in several Human Resources positions in Portland, Minnesota, and her native country the Dominican Republic.

Lydia Gray-Holifield, DEI Director

Lydia leads the movement at Impact NW to uphold our work around diversity, equity and inclusion and anti-racism by partnering with employees, communities and board members to help them on their journey to understand equity rights. Lydia joined Impact NW in 2019, working in the Early Childhood Department, and moved to lead our DEI work in 2020. Lydia is a member of the Parent Leader Network and serves on the Early Learning Multnomah Parent Accountability Council as well as the Board of Directors for Our Just Future. She is a passionate advocate in her community and contributed in developing and getting out the vote for the Preschool for All legislation that passed in November of 2020 in Multnomah County. Lydia received the Hostetter-Habib Family Award in 2020 for her extraordinary dedication to and support of Family Equality’s mission to support LGBTQ+ families.


Jana Hak, Director of Housing & Safety Net Services

Jana joined Impact NW’s Housing and Safety Department in February 2011 after immigrating from the Czech Republic in 2010. She holds a Master of Law Degree, and prior to her employment with Impact NW, worked for the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic in the Prime Minister’s legislative office.

Sharing similar experiences with many of Impact NW’s clients from the early stages of her immigration, Jana has a deep understanding of issues such as poverty and lack of resources. Because of that experience, she is also aware of the need for empowerment, Trauma-Informed Care, wrap-around services, and community support.

In her role as the Director of Housing and Safety Net services, Jana oversees our housing services, veteran programs, energy assistance, and recovery and resource navigation services. As an involved member of the Czech and Slovak community in the tri‐county area, Jana keeps busy helping new immigrants navigate systems in the US, and serves as the President of the Board of the Czech School of Portland.


Julie Houston, Director of Early Childhood & Family Services

Julie Houston has been the Director of Early Childhood & Family Services since July 2010. Julie comes to Impact NW with a Master’s degree in Education, 16 years of experience teaching in Early Childhood classrooms, seven years supervising student teachers in Early Education programs, and five years as an adjunct faculty member in the Early Education and Family Studies department at Portland Community College.

After the birth of her first child, Julie began to focus her efforts on working not only with children, but with families as a whole. Her passion is helping individuals and families realize their value and importance in the lives of children, as well as in their local schools, communities, and society.

Since joining Impact NW, Julie’s passion has led her to become a leader in the community, volunteering for Stand for Children and for the North Clackamas School District, and supervising Impact NW first Healthy Start program until she became a Director.

Kendra Johnson, Deputy Director

Kendra is the leader of all programs and program staff. With over 10 years of experience, Kendra’s career began by providing direct services to children, youth, families, and communities. Kendra began working at Impact NW in 2009 and has a strong background in community outreach and working with marginalized and oppressed identity groups. She is passionate about effecting systemic change, which led her to take on a leadership role at Impact NW in 2015.

Kendra is the recipient of the 2021 Skidmore Prize Award. She is an alumna of Portland State University, receiving a Master of Social Work degree. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Services from the University of Oregon. Kendra is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.—a community service organization led by African American college-educated women that is continually leading effective advocacy and social change for equality and equity for all.

Gina Kim-Folston, Director of Youth and Family Services

Gina has been with Impact NW since 2008 and spent the majority of her years working with SUN Community Schools as the SUN site manager at Marysville School then moving on to becoming the SUN CS Program Manager and Assistant Director at Impact NW. In July 2019, Gina became the Director of Youth and Family Services. As Director of Youth and Family Services, Gina oversees programs that strive to strengthen and stabilize youth and their families by providing an array of services in partnership with local school districts, stakeholders and other community based organizations.

Gina always knew she wanted to work in education and social services and being at Impact NW was a way of combining her passion for education and supporting historically underserved communities. She values the importance of bringing in trauma informed practices, equity and mindfulness into her work. Gina continues her work in supporting communities of color by being a board member of the Korean American Coalition of Oregon where she is able to bring in her experiences of working in nonprofits for 20 years and connect with other Korean Americans who have lived similar experiences. Gina holds a Bachelors in Sociology from the University of Oregon and a Masters of Education from Portland State University. She lives in East County Portland with her husband and three boys.

Andy Nelson, Executive Director

Andy Nelson has served as Executive Director since 2019, after rejoining Impact NW in 2016 as Associate Director. It was a homecoming of sorts. Andy served as Development Director of Impact NW from 2000 to 2002. He went on to lead Hands On Greater Portland’s evolution from a start up to the region’s leading volunteer service engine. Andy next led Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest to become Oregon’s Most Admired Nonprofit. Andy is past chair of the Portland Parks Board and vice chair and founder of Partners in Diversity – the people who bring you Say Hey!

He is the recipient of a Points of Light Award and Spirit of Portland Award. Originally from New England, Andy earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. He lives in Northeast Portland.


Mamak Tabrizian, Director of Senior Services

Mamak has been with Impact NW for over 33 years. In her current position, which she has held since 1999, Mamak oversees all agency services for seniors and adults with disabilities including transportation, case management, educational and recreational activities, and caregiver support.

Mamak holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Lewis & Clark College and a Master’s degree in Social Work ‐ Counseling Education from Portland State University. She is a certified mediator and is fluent in Farsi. Mamak also sits on the Regional Transportation Coordinating Council’s Executive Committee.

In addition to spending time with her family, Mamak is incredibly active in her life outside of Impact NW. She’s an active participant in Portland’s Iranian community and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Iranian Seniors’ Club amongst her many other commitments.