Meet our 2012 Leadership Team
Rob Selva
Founder & Director
Favorite F4SE Moment
Wow, where do I begin? My favorite Feast for Southeast moment happened the night
before our very first Feast for Southeast (2010). By this point, all we had done was coordinate and plan a huge meal for our neighbors (which we didn’t know if anyone was going to show). When I arrived at the Community Center to help set-up, is when the reality of what we were doing hit me like a ton of bricks. That night, a diverse group of volunteers anxiously waited to transform the Community Center into a festive extension of our homes for others to experience. All of our hard work was becoming reality.
My second favorite F4SE moment came last year when we introduced Toys for Southeast. Toys for Southeast is a layer we added to F4SE in order to provide the children of our guests with a little unexpected gift/surprise. The moment came towards the end of the event when a mother, volunteering with her child, came up to me and said, “Thank you so much for doing Toys for Southeast. Because of it, my daughter learned a huge lesson about “giving” that I could not have done by myself”. This really moved me and made me realize how powerful Feast for Southeast is.
Why are you working with F4SE?
I recently realized, through the help of a professor, how important my ontology is to my vocation. I am working with Feast for Southeast because I love to serve others. This truly is the reason why I work with Feast for Southeast.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
I am a Nicaraguan -born immigrant who has lived in San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, and now Portland. I really enjoy playing frisbee with my children. My family loves to travel. This year, we have been lucky enough to vacation in Maui and in Cabo San Lucas. I work full-time and have been in sales for the last 15 years. I plan on graduating next year with my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
Since I was raised in a home that did not celebrate Thanksgiving, my Thanksgiving traditions have been somewhat limited. Despite this fact, my favorite Thanksgiving tradition in the past few years has been spending quality time with my beautiful wife and three amazing children. The one Thanksgiving that stands out for me is when we lived in the East Coast. My family traveled to Newport, Rhode Island and met up with Horacio and Liliana, my wonderful and loving in-laws. We had such a good time with them while we hung out visiting whatever
shops were open at the time (it’s a seasonal location).
Wow, where do I begin? My favorite Feast for Southeast moment happened the night
before our very first Feast for Southeast (2010). By this point, all we had done was coordinate and plan a huge meal for our neighbors (which we didn’t know if anyone was going to show). When I arrived at the Community Center to help set-up, is when the reality of what we were doing hit me like a ton of bricks. That night, a diverse group of volunteers anxiously waited to transform the Community Center into a festive extension of our homes for others to experience. All of our hard work was becoming reality.
My second favorite F4SE moment came last year when we introduced Toys for Southeast. Toys for Southeast is a layer we added to F4SE in order to provide the children of our guests with a little unexpected gift/surprise. The moment came towards the end of the event when a mother, volunteering with her child, came up to me and said, “Thank you so much for doing Toys for Southeast. Because of it, my daughter learned a huge lesson about “giving” that I could not have done by myself”. This really moved me and made me realize how powerful Feast for Southeast is.
Why are you working with F4SE?
I recently realized, through the help of a professor, how important my ontology is to my vocation. I am working with Feast for Southeast because I love to serve others. This truly is the reason why I work with Feast for Southeast.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
I am a Nicaraguan -born immigrant who has lived in San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, and now Portland. I really enjoy playing frisbee with my children. My family loves to travel. This year, we have been lucky enough to vacation in Maui and in Cabo San Lucas. I work full-time and have been in sales for the last 15 years. I plan on graduating next year with my Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
Since I was raised in a home that did not celebrate Thanksgiving, my Thanksgiving traditions have been somewhat limited. Despite this fact, my favorite Thanksgiving tradition in the past few years has been spending quality time with my beautiful wife and three amazing children. The one Thanksgiving that stands out for me is when we lived in the East Coast. My family traveled to Newport, Rhode Island and met up with Horacio and Liliana, my wonderful and loving in-laws. We had such a good time with them while we hung out visiting whatever
shops were open at the time (it’s a seasonal location).
Carolina Selva
Founder
Favorite F4SE Moment
Before Feast for Southeast began our family spent our Thanksgivings at a cozy cabin in the woods. In fact, the year that we began Feast for Southeast I already had a place in mind to go. But once our plans started to come together, and our friends and other community organizations became involved, I soon realized I would have to cancel our plans.
Despite our hard work and planning, we still worried that no one would show up for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving day 2010, I drove up to Mt. Scott Community Center an hour before dinner and wen I walked into the building, it was FULL of people. People from all walks of life were there - excited, happy, in a festive mood, and ready to kick off the first Feast for Southeast. When I saw the crowd, tears of joy started immediately streaming down my cheeks - and that was the moment I knew we'd never leave Southeast Portland on Thanksgiving again!
Why are you working with F4SE?
I had no choice but to volunteer to help with F4SE! Doing this has been my husband's dream for a long time. Seeing it come to fruition in such a beautiful way has become the inspiration of a lifetime. I'm so excited about the growth that will inevitably come in the future.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
I am a business consultant and career coach, as well as a business professor at PCC and Marylhurst University. My masters' thesis was entitled "From Project to Nonprofit" and included a rudimentary nonprofit startup "business" plan to help F4SE achieve more. I currently act as a "business" consultant to F4SE leadership in the areas of organizational development, communications and more. Even more interesting - I am an Argentine-born Latina, mother of 3 awesome people (12, 10 and 9) and love to cruise around in my '63 Mercury Comet with them and Rob.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
One year we visited my brother and family in the Bay Area for Thanksgiving and the whole family came (brothers, sisters, parents, kids…) My sister-in-law Janira always has a way of making things special. She took beautiful, autumn leaf paper cutouts and handed one to each family
member along with a marker and told everyone to make a list of some things they're thankful for. When everyone was done, she collected the leaves and put them up all over the fireplace so we could see them all. It was beautiful. The funny thing, though, is that one of my female family members (who shall remain nameless) actually had the nerve to add "good sex" to her list!
Before Feast for Southeast began our family spent our Thanksgivings at a cozy cabin in the woods. In fact, the year that we began Feast for Southeast I already had a place in mind to go. But once our plans started to come together, and our friends and other community organizations became involved, I soon realized I would have to cancel our plans.
Despite our hard work and planning, we still worried that no one would show up for Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving day 2010, I drove up to Mt. Scott Community Center an hour before dinner and wen I walked into the building, it was FULL of people. People from all walks of life were there - excited, happy, in a festive mood, and ready to kick off the first Feast for Southeast. When I saw the crowd, tears of joy started immediately streaming down my cheeks - and that was the moment I knew we'd never leave Southeast Portland on Thanksgiving again!
Why are you working with F4SE?
I had no choice but to volunteer to help with F4SE! Doing this has been my husband's dream for a long time. Seeing it come to fruition in such a beautiful way has become the inspiration of a lifetime. I'm so excited about the growth that will inevitably come in the future.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
I am a business consultant and career coach, as well as a business professor at PCC and Marylhurst University. My masters' thesis was entitled "From Project to Nonprofit" and included a rudimentary nonprofit startup "business" plan to help F4SE achieve more. I currently act as a "business" consultant to F4SE leadership in the areas of organizational development, communications and more. Even more interesting - I am an Argentine-born Latina, mother of 3 awesome people (12, 10 and 9) and love to cruise around in my '63 Mercury Comet with them and Rob.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
One year we visited my brother and family in the Bay Area for Thanksgiving and the whole family came (brothers, sisters, parents, kids…) My sister-in-law Janira always has a way of making things special. She took beautiful, autumn leaf paper cutouts and handed one to each family
member along with a marker and told everyone to make a list of some things they're thankful for. When everyone was done, she collected the leaves and put them up all over the fireplace so we could see them all. It was beautiful. The funny thing, though, is that one of my female family members (who shall remain nameless) actually had the nerve to add "good sex" to her list!
Louisa Lakos
Co-Director
Favorite F4SE Moment
What is most impactful is witnessing neighbors coming together, sharing a meal, stories, and conversation. The positive energy, welcoming atmosphere and sense of community is magical. There are so many moments to share from the past 2 years, but what stands out is being approached by a family whom had just moved to Portland and found a sense of ownership and place in their new community, they expressed their thanks with such gratitude
and sincerity.
Why are you working with F4SE? I volunteer for Feast4SE because it embodies community and celebrates compassionate action! I believe strongly in incorporating service into our lives, it is truly an expression of my core values ~ it helps strengthen my community, allows for authentic connections with a diverse group of people, and builds my capacity for positive engagement ~ beneath surface differences we are all one, interconnected and interdependent!
"Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more" (Anthony Robbins).
Tell Us an interesting Fact or Hobby
I am drawn to the outdoors and to traveling. The simplicity of life in the backcountry, its beauty and stillness bring a sense of centering and spiritual/personal growth. Traveling has brought a broadening of perspective, an ability to experience unique
cultures/traditions, and see/connect with the beauty that exists in its people and natural landscape . . . there is no better education!
Favorite Thanksgiving Memory
My favorite piece of Thanksgiving is the cooking of the meal, the laughs shared, and the gathering of friends and family - the true nourishment of one's soul.
What is most impactful is witnessing neighbors coming together, sharing a meal, stories, and conversation. The positive energy, welcoming atmosphere and sense of community is magical. There are so many moments to share from the past 2 years, but what stands out is being approached by a family whom had just moved to Portland and found a sense of ownership and place in their new community, they expressed their thanks with such gratitude
and sincerity.
Why are you working with F4SE? I volunteer for Feast4SE because it embodies community and celebrates compassionate action! I believe strongly in incorporating service into our lives, it is truly an expression of my core values ~ it helps strengthen my community, allows for authentic connections with a diverse group of people, and builds my capacity for positive engagement ~ beneath surface differences we are all one, interconnected and interdependent!
"Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more" (Anthony Robbins).
Tell Us an interesting Fact or Hobby
I am drawn to the outdoors and to traveling. The simplicity of life in the backcountry, its beauty and stillness bring a sense of centering and spiritual/personal growth. Traveling has brought a broadening of perspective, an ability to experience unique
cultures/traditions, and see/connect with the beauty that exists in its people and natural landscape . . . there is no better education!
Favorite Thanksgiving Memory
My favorite piece of Thanksgiving is the cooking of the meal, the laughs shared, and the gathering of friends and family - the true nourishment of one's soul.
Megan Coy
Food and Beverage Coordinator
Favorite F4SE Moment
This was my 3rd feast for south east!! The event, although chaotic is really fun! The day of the event is a crazy busy day full of excitement and great energy! This is certainly no soup kitchen! People are really excited and ready to enjoy the equally great food and company during the event. I LOVE all the smiles and comments from everyone as they go through the line packing their plates full of delicious Thanksgiving foods.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
Hosting parties and having people over at our house for fun times!
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
My first year with Sam’s (my husband) family they played a big game of Charades, but they play with Pictionary cards and you have to act out whatever is on the card. I am super shy and hate public speaking so as you can imagine I was super embarrassed!!
This was my 3rd feast for south east!! The event, although chaotic is really fun! The day of the event is a crazy busy day full of excitement and great energy! This is certainly no soup kitchen! People are really excited and ready to enjoy the equally great food and company during the event. I LOVE all the smiles and comments from everyone as they go through the line packing their plates full of delicious Thanksgiving foods.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
Hosting parties and having people over at our house for fun times!
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
My first year with Sam’s (my husband) family they played a big game of Charades, but they play with Pictionary cards and you have to act out whatever is on the card. I am super shy and hate public speaking so as you can imagine I was super embarrassed!!
Sam Coy
Hospitality Coordinator
Favorite F4SE Moment
I have been doing this since the beginning and I think each year has it's own uniqueness. It was a big change for me to do this instead of being with my family, but it has been worth it every year. I feel as if I am bringing the love my family and I have for each other to those in my neighborhood. I think everyone deserves that kind of
love.
Why are you working with F4SE?
I volunteer for F4SE because I believe in what it
represents and I want to make a positive impact in my community. It's amazing to me to see a community like this come together to serve each other and make an event like this possible.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
I love to play soccer and anything adventurous and I run my own Farmers Insurance Agency in Milwaukie, OR. I have 3 brothers and 4 sisters and Thanksgiving is our biggest holiday of the year. I have a weakness for pizza. I have two middle names and I've lived in so many states before I was 12 that I failed my own identity test when buying a car last year!
I have been doing this since the beginning and I think each year has it's own uniqueness. It was a big change for me to do this instead of being with my family, but it has been worth it every year. I feel as if I am bringing the love my family and I have for each other to those in my neighborhood. I think everyone deserves that kind of
love.
Why are you working with F4SE?
I volunteer for F4SE because I believe in what it
represents and I want to make a positive impact in my community. It's amazing to me to see a community like this come together to serve each other and make an event like this possible.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
I love to play soccer and anything adventurous and I run my own Farmers Insurance Agency in Milwaukie, OR. I have 3 brothers and 4 sisters and Thanksgiving is our biggest holiday of the year. I have a weakness for pizza. I have two middle names and I've lived in so many states before I was 12 that I failed my own identity test when buying a car last year!
Rebekah Mende
Canvassing Coordinator
Tell us a little about yourself
I'm an obsessed gardener with lots of little salvaged wooden boxes that have turned into my lawn garden of sorts. this fall I'm trying to grow carrots, beets, chard, kale, salad greens, and romanesco as they do better in cooler temps. We shall see!
Why are you working with F4SE? While studying Community Development at PSU, I became more aware of environmental justice, specifically food justice. Issues of food access and affordability have become my driving force and volunteering with F4SE will not only be a great educational experience, but also put that force into action.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
After moving from the right side of the coast to the left, there are definite food options that I miss that aren't easily accessible on the West. My boyfriend and I try to incorporate some sort of Maine centric recipe into our dinner so that I have a little bit of "home" out here in my new home.
I'm an obsessed gardener with lots of little salvaged wooden boxes that have turned into my lawn garden of sorts. this fall I'm trying to grow carrots, beets, chard, kale, salad greens, and romanesco as they do better in cooler temps. We shall see!
Why are you working with F4SE? While studying Community Development at PSU, I became more aware of environmental justice, specifically food justice. Issues of food access and affordability have become my driving force and volunteering with F4SE will not only be a great educational experience, but also put that force into action.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
After moving from the right side of the coast to the left, there are definite food options that I miss that aren't easily accessible on the West. My boyfriend and I try to incorporate some sort of Maine centric recipe into our dinner so that I have a little bit of "home" out here in my new home.
Jaime Gallagher
Volunteer Coordinator
Why are you working with F4SE?
This is my first year volunteering. I knew immediately when I heard about it that I wanted to be a part of it. My favorite part is that the event is for the whole community.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
My hobbies include singing and dancing. I can be a bit of a ham.
Favorite Thanksgiving Memory
I have many favorite memories of Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday because it combines two of my favorite things: food and family! When I was about 10 or 11 and the "kid" table was getting too full and I was upgraded to the "adult" table. I remember feeling so grown up at that point!
This is my first year volunteering. I knew immediately when I heard about it that I wanted to be a part of it. My favorite part is that the event is for the whole community.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby
My hobbies include singing and dancing. I can be a bit of a ham.
Favorite Thanksgiving Memory
I have many favorite memories of Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday because it combines two of my favorite things: food and family! When I was about 10 or 11 and the "kid" table was getting too full and I was upgraded to the "adult" table. I remember feeling so grown up at that point!
Danielle Newman
Volunteer Coordinator
Why are you working with F4SE?
I learned about F4SE from my co-worker and now co-volunteer coordinator, Jaime and was inspired by the vision. The “for the community, with the community” motto really stuck with me. After meeting with Rob, Louisa and the team I felt the enthusiasm and passion and knew it was something great that I wanted to be a part of. I love the idea of a community coming together and am honored to be a part of this team. Food is such a basic
life necessity and not everyone is as fortunate so helping to bring people together around a Thanksgiving Feast is a tangible way to improve our community!
What are a few of your interests?
I love to travel and had the opportunity to live in Spain for a year. I also love to cook and experiment in the kitchen! The best is combining my love for travel and food by learning how to make dishes from the various places I have been. I’m perfecting my paella!
Favorite Thing About Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a big celebration in my family, which involves lots of food, family, friends and laughter. While there is always some fun memory that is created each year, I think my favorite thing about the holiday is when each member of my family shares what they are thankful for. Thanksgiving is always a wonderful reminder of all the blessings we have in our lives.
I learned about F4SE from my co-worker and now co-volunteer coordinator, Jaime and was inspired by the vision. The “for the community, with the community” motto really stuck with me. After meeting with Rob, Louisa and the team I felt the enthusiasm and passion and knew it was something great that I wanted to be a part of. I love the idea of a community coming together and am honored to be a part of this team. Food is such a basic
life necessity and not everyone is as fortunate so helping to bring people together around a Thanksgiving Feast is a tangible way to improve our community!
What are a few of your interests?
I love to travel and had the opportunity to live in Spain for a year. I also love to cook and experiment in the kitchen! The best is combining my love for travel and food by learning how to make dishes from the various places I have been. I’m perfecting my paella!
Favorite Thing About Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a big celebration in my family, which involves lots of food, family, friends and laughter. While there is always some fun memory that is created each year, I think my favorite thing about the holiday is when each member of my family shares what they are thankful for. Thanksgiving is always a wonderful reminder of all the blessings we have in our lives.
Kendall & Mike Palmer
Event Decor
Our daughter Bridget, who is 9, is also very involved with volunteering with Feast for Southeast.
Favorite F4SE Moment
Our favorite memory so far has been to see so many individuals and local businesses bringing their energy to such a meaningful event. The first year, we helped serve beverages and an older gentleman walked up to us and stated, "This was just amazing." His eyes were clear with absolute
sincerity and thankfulness.
Why are you working with F4SE? We volunteer with Feast 4 SE because we both believe that faith without actions is meaningless.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby: Mike is an avid gardener and our yard is truly like paradise. We all love to read and travel.
Favorite Thanksgiving Memory: I think for both of us, it would be attempting to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meals while living overseas where items such as turkeys and pumpkins do not exsist... but really it comes down to - no matter what the menu, the most important part of Thanksgiving is taking that moment to remember how blessed we really are.
Favorite F4SE Moment
Our favorite memory so far has been to see so many individuals and local businesses bringing their energy to such a meaningful event. The first year, we helped serve beverages and an older gentleman walked up to us and stated, "This was just amazing." His eyes were clear with absolute
sincerity and thankfulness.
Why are you working with F4SE? We volunteer with Feast 4 SE because we both believe that faith without actions is meaningless.
Tell us an interesting fact or hobby: Mike is an avid gardener and our yard is truly like paradise. We all love to read and travel.
Favorite Thanksgiving Memory: I think for both of us, it would be attempting to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meals while living overseas where items such as turkeys and pumpkins do not exsist... but really it comes down to - no matter what the menu, the most important part of Thanksgiving is taking that moment to remember how blessed we really are.
Maria Holmes
Social Media Marketing & Community Outreach
Why are you working with F4SE?
I was deeply inspired by the idea of an entire community sitting down to share a meal. I have always believed that food has the power to bring people together. We are all so busy going to school, going to work, taking care of our families that we sometimes forget how important it is to connect to people outside our immediate circles.
We are all hungry for community.
And Feast for Southeast's Thanksgiving meal is more than just about serving food, it's the instrument that allows us to finally sit down and see each other for we truly are: neighbors.
What are some of your interests?
I have a rather unhealthy obsession for the British Television Show called "Doctor Who." This show has been on British TV for 50 years now and I swear that my husband and I have probably watched every episode! I also love to knit, I collect (some might say "hoard") stationary and I am currently on a weird quest to find the perfect fountain pen.
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
My mom is from Vietnam and although she is a wonderful cook, she never quite got the hang of roasting a large turkey. So one year, after a particularly unsuccessful attempt at a Thanksgiving bird, she finally just decided she was done with this particular tradition. The following year she decided to cook her famous egg rolls instead. Best thanksgiving meal ever. This is something she still does to this day and a tradition I try to carry on in my home with my husband and son.
