Meet our Board of Directors
Okima Amaranthis (they/she)
President
As President Okima makes community engagement and resources for economic empowerment a priority. They find collaboration and connection with ORPIB membership and the greater business community as their greatest strength.
Okima moved from SW Oregon to Portland in 2009. Okima received their Bachelor of Science with a focus Psychology from Portland State University in 2015, where they built a passion for understanding individuals and the intersectionality of experience. Okima went on to be licensed as a General Securities Principal, and currently works in Compliance for a local Financial Firm. Their experience, and skills have caused them to be deeply ethical, compassionate, and devoted to fostering an equitable and inclusive future. Okima is excited to realize these passions with ORPIB and their members.
Jill Nelson
(she/her)
Interim Treasurer
Jill has been a member of ORPIB (previously PABA) since 2007, serving in the past as treasurer and as president. She also served for three years as the Regional Chair of NGLCC’s CCBO (chambers of commerce & business organizations) for the Pacific Region. With this background Jill provides a reservoir of experience in chamber leadership. Jill is currently serving as Treasurer, and is looking forward to supporting ORPIB’s financial growth and stability.
With over 20 years of business management experience she brings a broad range of experiences from both For profit and Nonprofit organizations. Jill has owned her own coaching and consulting business, working with numerous LGBTQ+ business owners to launch and/or build strong, vibrant businesses. She currently owns and is director of operations for hot diggity dog walking and pet sitting, Portland’s largest privately and locally owned pet sitting business. Hot Diggity is an LGBT Certified Business.
Jill has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, an MBA from Drake University and an MDiv from Saint Paul School of Theology. She also is a certified Organization and Relationship Systems Coach.
Jeana Hooker (she/her)
Vice President
Jeana wants to use her knowledge, skills and talents in the pursuit of economic empowerment and justice for the LGBTQ+ community. She is passionate about elevating minority owned local businesses, community partnership, providing resources and connecting people. She brings 5 years of experience in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and 15 years of experience in the enterprise software industry. She is currently a Sr. Diversity & Inclusion Partner at Vizient Inc., a healthcare performance improvement company, where she is able to pursue her passion for fostering systemic change and creating a culture of equity and belonging in organizations. She received an MPA in Nonprofit Management, a certificate in Women’s Studies, and a B.A. in English from Portland State University, and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Georgetown University.
In 2021, Jeana was recognized on the Involve OUTstanding top 100 LGBTQ+ Future Leaders list sponsored by Yahoo Finance. When she’s not working, or volunteering, you can find Jeana adventuring with her wife and two dogs or spending time with friends and family. Jeana is looking forward to connecting with LGBTQ+ business owners, community partners, and other leaders to listen, learn and take action to ensure a thriving Oregon economy that includes, supports and elevates the LGBTQ+ business community.
Molly S. Callahan (she/her)
Interim Secretary
Molly Callahan gets the word out. For over a decade, she has gotten her hands dirty in media creation, leading to her role as the marketing manager for Dovetail Workwear. In high school, Molly served in her first non-profit leadership role as a co-president for teen arts organization Playing For Others. She received a Bachelor's of Mass Communication with honors from the University of North Carolina. Her capstone project was a research-based communication strategy for local non-profit business organization Leadership Asheville. These experiences taught her that to communicate the values and work of a non-profit, you need heart, truth, and strategy backed by data. In her spare time, she writes and performs stand-up comedy.
Trista Okel
(she/her)
NGLCC Certification Director
Trista has spent her life advocating for others and continues to do so through her business and civic activities.Trista attended the University of Oregon. As the owner of Empower BodyCare, which makes topical cannabis and hemp products, she works to give everyone relief from pain with natural remedies as well as empowering communities through education, training, and financial support. Her passion for transformative justice, equality, and social justice drives her in her work every day. She works closely with her wife to attain her goals and they both strive to continually make a positive impact on their community. Trista is thrilled to serve LGBTQ+ businesses in Oregon as the NGLCC Certification Chair.
Michael Coon
(he/him)
Mentorship Board Director
Michael is an energetic professional focused on discovering insightful solutions to complex challenges, both in design and in his community. As an architect, Michael is passionate about uncovering the opportunities and challenges inherent in the growth of the city or neighborhood and works to gain a broad perspective on the issues facing communities through his work.
As the chair of numerous community organizations, Michael is committed to making a difference through mentorship, advocacy, and spirit. His love for mentorship truly shows through his role as Chair of the Rotary Club of Portland’s Enterprise Academy Camp, an entrepreneurship focused camp for local High School students and his involvement with De La Salle North Catholic High School’s Corporate Work Study Program, wherein he mentors high school students with an interest in the profession of architecture by providing hands-on experience in the field.
Work and community involvement aside, Michael is never more at peace than when he is with his partner, his dogs, a glass of wine, and a riveting discussion about the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Michael can’t wait to apply his years of knowledge and expertise in mentorship at ORPIB and believes our community has no greater call to action than the mentorship of the next generation of LGBTQ+ individuals and business owners.
Nicole Hetz (she/her/ella)
Education Board Director
Nicole brings a diverse legal perspective to the team. She is an attorney in Argentina and Oregon with years of experience in business law in a wide range of areas. As a board member, Nicole contributes her diverse point of view and provides rational solutions to the board. She is the program director for ORPIB's Incubator program. She dedicates her time to work with community-based businesses and helps them develop a strategy for their growth. Her goal is to empower the queer community to build and feel confident about their businesses.
More Board Profiles Coming Soon
Dan Cushing
David Audley
Elliott Hinkle
Kellen Moody
Mike Watters
janine winters
(she/her)
Volunteer Coordinator + Admin
janine creates and implements systems for ORPIB’s backbone: volunteers. With a varied background in creative services, Philosophy, gender-affirming care, design, and project management, she identifies as values-driven generalist, plugging into ORPIB operations wherever there is need, and empowering our volunteer staff as our organization continues to grow and develop. As the organization’s Admin and Volunteer Coordinator, she is honored to serve as the point of contact for membership and the supporter of those looking to serve their communities.
janine has lived in Oregon since 2004, having received her BA in Arts and Letters with emphases in Philosophy and Communications from Portland State University, where she also studied for her Master's in Book Publishing, and co-created Ooligan Press's Sustainable Publishing Initiative. She is beyond grateful to serve queer communities throughout Oregon through ORPIB's reach and programs.
