Our team
As the most comprehensive public involvement firm in Oregon, we know working with a variety of people and skillsets is key to our clients' success as well as our own. We’ve grown into a robust team of public involvement professionals, who bring many specialties but share one focus. Here’s a little bit about us.
Leadership
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Jessica Pickul
She/her | Principal and Senior Program Manager
Jessica understands the value of visual communication, how to tell a complex story that everyone can understand, and that great public events can inform, connect and inspire. She develops and implements creative outreach plans and is energized by finding new solutions to public involvement challenges—online or on-the-ground. Jessica lives in the Lents neighborhood with her partner, Brady, and daughters, Piper and Rooney.
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Kristen Kibler
She/her | Principal and Senior Program Manager
Kristen works with agency clients to design community engagement and outreach programs for a variety of public projects, from water infrastructure and transportation improvements to park designs and site-specific master plans. Clients rely on Kristen for strategy tailored to each project, a responsive management approach, and exceptional team organization. Kristen lives in Portland near Rocky Butte with her family.
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Brandy Steffen
She/her | Principal and Senior Program Manager
Combining a background in Transportation and Urban Planning with her love of educating and empowering communities throughout Oregon, Brandy has found unique ways to collaborate with government agencies and the communities they serve. With facilitation, community engagement, and a focus on equitable outreach, Brandy helps communities find success, even on controversial projects. Brandy lives in Rose City Park with her family, one cat, and a brood of chickens.
The team
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Adrienne DeDona
She/Her | Senior Program Manager — SW Washington
A Clark County native, Adrienne has led collaborative decision-making efforts and community outreach programs in southwest Washington and Oregon for more than two decades. She also provides senior-level facilitation, leading advisory committees and public forums of every shape and size. She currently lives on a small farm in Hockinson with her human and animal family members.
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Alyssa Pratt
She/Her | Web Coordinator
Alyssa has a broad skillset, with an equally keen interest in art and technology. Creating digital art and online graphics fueled her pursuit of web and software development. She joined JLA to expand the company’s engagement with emerging technologies and virtual platforms. An Oregon transplant via California, Colorado, and St. Louis Missouri, she has a passion for travel and diversity. She lives in Portland with her husband, two cats, and a Shiba Inu named Kiki.
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Anastasia Zurcher
She/Her | Program Manager
Having worked in neighborhood community involvement and outreach for eight years, Anastasia joined JLA with a passion for community building, civic engagement, and increasing equitable outcomes. She strives to bring more inclusive, welcoming approaches to every activity and loves designing highly functional systems and processes. Anastasia and her daughter Zahara live in St. Johns and can usually be found planting a few more flowers in the garden or exploring one of Portland’s lovely parks.
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Andrea Maldonado
She/Her | Design and Program Coordinator
Andrea a daydreamer turned graphic designer. Fluent in Spanish, English and Spanglish, she is passionate about design thinking, storytelling and providing an outlet for communities who don’t have a voice. When she’s not dreaming up new designs, you can find her in the boxing ring or on her couch watching slime videos on an endless loop.
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Anna Marum
She/Her | Program Manager
Anna is storyteller at heart. She thrives on digging into complicated topics and delivering compelling messages that make sense to everyday people. She has worked in economic development and as a reporter for The Oregonian. Anna lives in Southeast Portland with her fiancé and enjoys cooking new dishes, exploring the city by bike, and trying out new bars and restaurants.
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Ashley Balsom
She/Her | Program Coordinator
Ashley finds joy in public planning processes that listen and respond to the needs of communities. Currently splitting her time between JLA and Lane County, where she works as a Transportation Planner, Ashley’s professional and educational experience includes community and regional planning, and parks and recreation management. Ashley lives in Eugene, where she loves to take walks in the sunshine, read mystery books and work on massive crochet blankets.
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Bill Walters
He/Him | Editor and Copywriter
Bill likes to describe complex ideas with simple language—a useful trait for many public projects. He's a content wrangler, having been a technical writer, a magazine editor, staff writer, and marketing copywriter. He lends his skills to JLA’s communications programs in between building milk carton boats. Bill lives in Southeast Portland with his artist wife, teenage son, and two energetic young cats.
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Camille Pearce
She/They | Program Manager
Camille’s background in customer service and student support roles has given her a talent for understanding others. Energized by community work, she joined JLA in 2021 eager to start her career in public involvement. She brings both head and heart to the team by offering an efficient and organized work ethic as well as a passion for serving others. Outside of the office, you can find Camille enjoying live music, trying out new recipes, checking out the local arts scene, and spending time with her dog Louie.
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Darren Cools
He/Him | Creative and Design
Darren was a farmer, winery laborer, auto mechanic, bicycle builder, and brewery technician before changing course to become a graphic designer and illustrator. He believes that effective communication strategy and innovation is driven by authentic connection with people. Originally from eastern Washington State, Darren now lives in Michigan with his wife Anna, and children Charles, Emily, and Miles (and two mischievous cats).
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Esme Schornstein
She/Her | Program Coordinator
Esme has a passion for sustainable and equitable urban planning projects, and strongly believes that inclusive community engagement is the foundation for these practices. She loves connecting with community members and hearing different stakeholders and community perspectives. Growing up in Portland, she developed a profound interest in her city and community and brings this local curiosity to her work. She currently lives in NE Portland and loves to travel, watch skincare and make-up tutorials, and explore new food and music spots in Portland!
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Ilana Cour
She/Her | Program Manager
Ilana has a passion for connecting communities and creating quality engagement opportunities. She believes firmly that public involvement is critical to the success of public projects. With a background in public affairs and communications, she supports organizations in navigating complex media relations and launching large-scale initiatives. Ilana also skillfully takes complex information and communicates to community members in a variety of formats. She lives in Clark County with her husband, infant and pup.
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Jamie Harvie
She/Her | Marketing and Business Development
Jamie supports JLA’s team in bringing on meaningful work and building a strong network of clients and partners. She’s at her best collaborating on strategy and crafting communications true to core values. Jamie is a citizen of Australia, the United States, and The World—and currently resides in Portland’s South Tabor neighborhood with her husband, two children and sheepadoodle.
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Jen Winslow
She/Her | Program Manager
Jen understands the value that collaboration and effective listening have in public involvement. With a background in environmental communication and nonprofit development, she strives to approach complex scenarios in an analytical way that promotes equitable outcomes. Jen appreciates the beauty of the PNW and can often be found exploring the coast, rivers and forests. She currently lives in N. Portland with her partner, son and cat.
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Katie Nelson Stone
She/Her | Program Manager
Katie is inspired by impactful community initiatives and has a talent for fostering meaningful connections. With a background in community engagement, program management and event planning, Katie loves connecting with diverse stakeholders. She brings this passion for people and their projects to her work every day. Katie lives in Foster-Powell with her husband. Outside of work, she enjoys camping with her two dogs, Pam and Angus, and reading with her cats, Oyster and Phil.
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Kendra Roberts
She/Her | Human Resource Manager
Kendra is dedicated, compassionate and an invaluable asset to JLA’s team. Kendra provides support and guidance to individuals, as well as expertise in fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace. Outside of work, Kendra resides in a close-knit community with her beloved children, who bring immense joy and fulfillment to her life. She enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring nature by camping, and engaging in creative pursuits such as skating.
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Lesley Yan
She/Her | Staff Accountant
Lesley keeps JLA’s contracts and accounts in order and is the official office "dog whisperer." Lesley has over 30 years combined experience in business, banking and nonprofit accounting. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and enjoys ballroom dancing, traveling and culinary experiences. Lesley moved to Oregon in 1992, happy to have made Happy Valley her permanent home.
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Nelly Haddad
She/Her | Finance Manager
Nelly joined JLA in 2007. After a short stint away, she rejoined the team in 2019 to support a revamp of JLA’s finance operations. Nelly brings more than two decades’ experience in accounting and finance, and experience leading international financial systems for companies such as Otak International. Nelly is a wonderful cook, and her extended family co-founded the Al Amir restaurant in downtown Portland. Fluent in Arabic, French and English, Nelly telecommutes from Lebanon where she lives with her husband, Adnan, and daughters Jaimee and Nada.
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Sam Beresky
He/Him | Digital Storyteller and Program Manager
Sam is seasoned in managing stakeholder engagement programs for complex and contentious projects, particularly in the water and transportation sectors. He’s also JLA’s Digital Storyteller, advising clients on the use of video as a public engagement tool and providing full video production capabilities. Sam is an avid traveler with surprisingly frequent trips across Latin American and Canada. He lives in NW Portland.
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Tracie Heidt
She/Her | Program Manager
Tracie specializes in stakeholder engagement and written communications for impactful construction projects. Her direct, diplomatic interpersonal skills are an asset to both agencies and stakeholders, especially during challenging infrastructure projects. She also brings firsthand knowledge of local government as a former Canby City Councilor. She lives in Southwest Portland with her family.
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Tuyen Ta
She/They | Program Coordinator
Growing up in Portland, Oregon, Tuyen developed a strong sense of place and a commitment to give back to the community she calls home. She brings enthusiasm and a thoughtful approach to her work supporting projects that make a lasting difference in the PNW. Tuyen’s experience in customer service and fundraising has instilled a deep appreciation for building connections to foster positive impact. Outside of work, Tuyen loves to explore Portland’s food scene and cook with her family.
Jeanne Lawson
Founder
JLA’s founder, Jeanne Lawson, is recognized as a pioneer in the field of public involvement and an establishing member of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2). Jeanne is a highly sought after strategist and facilitator, having helped clients around the Northwest confidently work through complex and contentious decision-making processes. While Jeanne is in what we fondly call “retirement lite,” her expertise remains available to support JLA’s team and projects. She most often provides advice from her patio overlooking the river.
GABRIELA JIMENEZ
Gabriela (Gaby) Jimenez passed away in November 2022. Gaby was a valued member of our team; her kindness, humor and smile are greatly missed.
“It’s comforting to know that I have such competent, personable people working with me and that they can be counted on to [get our message out to the community] with a high degree of professionalism.”
— Alan J. Fox, Oregon Department of Transportation