Our all-star *all-volunteer* staff
Advisory Board members
Britney VanCitters (she/her)
Britney is the Political & Organizing Director at the Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV). She’s been working at OLCV 2020, when she started as an engagement organizer. Prior to working with OLCV, she ran the Environment Oregon Portland canvas office for 3 years. She started her career as a community organizer in Clean Water Action’s Oakland office, not too far from where she grew up (just outside of the Bay Area). Britney graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014 with a BS in environmental studies. In her free time she enjoys watching Law & Order SVU, RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Oregon football; playing the Legend of Zelda, coloring and watercolor painting. She lives in SE Portland with her long-time partner and their dog.
Cheyenne Holliday (she/her)
Cheyenne is a born and raised Oregonian who grew up on a small farm outside of Portland where her family rescues and rehabilitates horses. She has a background in Conflict and Dispute Resolution and has worked as a conflict resolution specialist, facilitator, and mediator. She works at Verde as the Advocacy Manager to focus on policy development, education, and outreach around economic, environmental, and racial justice issues at both the statewide and national level. In 2020 Cheyenne collaborated on and co-authored the Oregon Water Futures Report which facilitated a series of conversations with Native, Latinx, Black, and various migrant communities across the state. In her spare time, she also coaches competitive cheerleading to Oregon and Washington youth.
David Hakan (he/him)
David has been designing curriculum for 50 years. He has spent the last six years teaching adults about getting into action to reverse global warming. He was a Project Advisor for the environmental nonprofit Pachamama Alliance, and is on the design team of the current course, the Introduction to Community Climate Action Training.
Lena Karam (she/her)
Lena is the Healthy Homes Coordinator at Community Energy Project. Lena is passionate about community education and sustainable solutions and is eager to share resources and practical skills with community members so they can lead healthy and safe lives! In her free time, Lena enjoys walking and hiking, learning to cook new things, and enjoying a good book.
Metzin Rodriguez (she/her)
Metzin is the Climate and Environmental Justice Policy Coordinator at Unite Oregon – she is interested in Sustainable Communities and International affairs. From Coos Bay, Oregon located in the beautiful and windy south coast of Oregon. Metzin graduated from Oregon State University with a degree from the College of Agricultural Sciences in Bioresource Research Option: Sustainable Ecosystems and a minor in Spanish in 2021. After graduating she has been to South Korea at Yonsei University and Sheffield, United Kingdom continuing learning about foreign affairs and sustainable development seminars thanks to the Gilman Scholarship. Before joining Unite Oregon she worked at the United States Senate. Metzin hopes to support underrepresented communities and move forward the environmental justice agenda.On her free time she enjoys long runs and photoshoots. Lastly, a fun fact about her names “Metzin Aketzali” is that these ones are aztec names and mean: “nube venerable” (venerable cloud) “agua bella y clara” (clear and pretty water). Metzin is looking forward to be part of the Oregon Climate Action Hub advisory board!
Ryan Rittenhouse (he/him)
Ryan has been both a volunteer and professional activist and organizer for organizations throughout Ohio, Texas, Washington, Oregon, and elsewhere across the country and globe. The groups he has worked or volunteered for include Public Citizen, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd, and others. Over two decades he has led or supported 50 campaigns to oppose new fossil fuel developments throughout those regions, including proposals to build 12 new coal and oil export facilities along the Pacific Northwest coastline. He has experience in coordinating and cooperating with tribal communities throughout the United States and has always followed a methodology of grassroots activism and empowerment. He currently works for a fine arts center in Beaverton.