Leadership Team

Susan Stoltenberg, Executive Director
Susan is a recognized leader in the Portland community, having served as executive director of many agencies, including Cascade AIDS Project, Mt. Scott Park Center for Learning, The New Rose Theatre and Open Adoption & Family Services, over the past thirty years. Her education includes Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University, University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Portland State University with a major in journalism and pre-law/social science. She has demonstrated successful leadership skills in non-profit organizational, financial and program development, education, marketing, advocacy, fundraising and outreach. She has served in a number of politically related capacities including, as a Commissioner on the Housing and Community Development Commission (2004-2007), a Board member at Southeast Uplift (2004-2006), a member of the SUN Service System Task Force (2006-2007), and on the Special Needs Committee of the Housing and Community Development Commission (2004-2007). Currently, Susan is a Commissioner on the Washington County Commission on Children and Families, and is a member of the subcommittee on Community Schools for the Oregon State Commission on Children & Families.

Suzanne Washington, Deputy Director
Suzanne began working at Impact NW in 1987 and has been the agency’s Deputy Director since 2000. Her responsibilities include directing overall agency operations as well as establishing and managing strategic relationships to leverage long-term opportunities and support. Suzanne has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Oregon and a Masters Degree in Psychology from United States International University. After starting her career as a teacher, coach, and professional basketball player in South America, Australia and the US, Suzanne brought her international experience working with youth to Impact NW’s Youth Service Center in 1987. Throughout her years of service at Impact NW, she has spearheaded the development of programs such as Richmond Place, Impact NW’s transitional housing facility for homeless families, Mentoring, and Bridges to Housing.

Katherine Pedery, Finance Director
Katherine has been with Impact NW since 1999 overseeing the agency’s Finance and Administration Department, including Human Resources. As an immigrant to the U.S., Katherine is grateful for the experience of living for a short period of time during South Korea’s rapid industrialization in the 1970s. The life experience of growing up in “two worlds” has provided the foundation for Katherine’s interest in human services. During her free time, Katherine is an avid photographer taking pictures while hiking and kayaking. Having grown up in the Northwest, Katherine received her Bachelor’s Degree in Administration (Accounting) from the University of Washington and her MBA from Atkinson’s Graduate School of Management from Willamette University. Katherine has over 13 years of experience in accounting and management.

Scott Shlaes, Director of Development
Scott received his Bachelor of Arts from the College of Wooster. He was drawn to Impact NW because of his desire to contribute to an organization that effectively helps people create change in their lives and overcome societal barriers to their personal success. As Director of Development for Impact NW, Scott oversees all of the agency’s fundraising, volunteer programs, marketing and public relations. Prior to working at Impact NW, his vocational background included experience with media sales and events marketing. As a self-proclaimed “development generalist,” Scott spends his spare time volunteering with an array of small non-profit organizations, using his experience to help them improve their management, operations and fundraising capacity. In addition, he enjoys taking advantage of the beauty offered by the state of Oregon by hiking its various landscapes and gardening year round.

Sik Yin Chan, Quality Assurance Director
Sik has been with Impact NW since 1994 and has served as the Quality Assurance Director since 1998. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in social work from Concordia University and a Master’s Degree in social work from Portland State University. He is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Oregon. Sik is also an adjunct professor at Concordia University where he teaches social research methods and psychology. Sik has over 10 years of experience in program evaluation, contract management, supervision, research, and cross-cultural family and mental health counseling. He is currently a member of the Oregon Program Evaluators Network.

Rachel Spigal, M.S.W., Director of Children, Youth & Family Services
Rachel is the new Director of Children, Youth & Family Services as of October 2008. In this role, Rachel oversees all school and community-based services for children and youth, including mentoring, parent and early childhood education, community schools programming, and youth case management and group skill-building. Her education includes a Masters of Social Work from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and History from the University of Oregon. Rachel has 17 years of experience working with children and families in community, mental health, and addictions settings.

Mamak Tabrizian, Director of Senior & Adults with Disabilities Services
Mamak has been with Impact NW for 25 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 B.A. in Communication from Lewis & Clark College and a M.S. in 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 participate in Portland’s Iranian community and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Iranian Seniors’ Club amongst her many other commitments.

Renata Wilson, Director of Housing & Safety Net Services
Renata has been working with low-income and homeless families since 1996. She has been with Impact NW since 1998 and in her current position since 2002. She has extensive experience managing a wide range of anti-poverty contracts and programs, including utility assistance, housing assistance, case-management, and employment support services. Her involvement in the community includes serving as the chair of the League of Utilities and Social Service Agencies, participation on the Coordinating Council of Portland’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, the Coalition for Homeless Families, and the CDN Permanent Supportive Housing Project Workgroup sponsored by the Bureau of Housing and Community Development with the City of Portland. Renata is fluent in five different languages including Russian, Slovak, Czech, and German.