Staff
Our commitment to pursuing health and equity for all comes with both an external and internal lens.
Staff Profile
We intentionally seek talented people representing a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences to join our team. Moving the dial on a broader understanding and acceptance of diversity, equity and inclusion in our communities is hard work. It only makes sense that our staff and board reflect the communities we serve.
Staff
Zeke Smith, President
Zeke Smith serves as president of EHF and its affiliate organization, the Empire Health Community Advocacy Fund. Over the past 30 years, Zeke’s professional career has focused on strategic planning, community engagement and social justice, supported by a strong commitment to equity. His career includes tenure as Vice President of Programs for FoodCorps, a national nonprofit dedicated to connecting kids to healthy food in schools; Chief Impact Officer of the United Way of the Columbia Willamette, where he led the effort to address childhood poverty and systemic inequities across the Portland, Oregon metropolitan region; and as Chief of Staff of Portland Public Schools, a district of almost 50,000 students, where he supported PK-12 strategic planning that led to an increase in graduation rates and a decrease in achievement gaps for students of color. Zeke serves on the boards of the Native American Youth & Family Center and the Lowenstein Trust. He also served as chair of the Governor-appointed Oregon Health Policy Board overseeing the Oregon Health Authority and the state healthcare system.
Dan Aune, Senior Program Director
On staff since: October 2019
Working here is: Unconditional
How I describe my work: Centering families for health and healing.
Fun fact: Working with my hands - woodworking, masonry, etc. - is my therapy.
Rocío Caravantes Wofford, Program Associate
On staff since: October 2020
Working here is: Motivating
How I describe my work: Helping communities develop their projects.
Fun fact: I became a radio host at age 10 when I started to collaborate with a cultural and educational radio station.
Rebecca Johnston, Senior People & Culture Manager
On staff since: August 2017
Working here is: Exciting
How I describe my work: Supporting employee engagement and experience.
Fun fact: I have lived in Alaska, and learned that I love the warmer Spokane weather!
Richard Kier, Facility & IT Manager
On staff since: April 2015
Working here is: Challenging
How I describe my work: Connecting people to necessary resources.
Fun fact: I worked on an exotic animal farm.
Kelly Knutson, Executive Assistant
On staff since: December 2016
Working here is: Rewarding
How I describe my work: Always helping EHF program team.
Fun fact: I love pistachio lattes!
Dave Luhn, Controller
On staff since: 2010
Working here is: Challenging
How I describe my work: Maintaining accurate accounting records.
Fun fact: My first paying job involved blowing things up.
Laura Martin, Vice President of Operations
On staff since: September 2011
Working here is: Inspiring
How I describe my work: Support daily operations of EHF.
Fun fact: I paid for college by working in fish camps in Alaska in the summer.
Charlotte Matthews, Staff Accountant
On staff since: April 2019
Working here is: Rewarding
How I describe my work: I get to write checks!
Fun fact: I am the oldest EHF employee on staff.
Colleen Nick, Executive Assistant
On staff since: November 2013
Working here is: Inspiring
How I describe my work: Supporting staff, board, and all events.
Fun fact: I am the mother of two wonderful boys (well, men).
Jeri Rathbun, Program Officer
On staff since: September 2015
Working here is: Exhilarating
How I describe my work: Expanding access to care coordination.
Fun fact: I enjoy simple pleasures, like my morning coffee and the snoring of my old dog.
Wendy Xue, Senior Accountant
On staff since: July 2016
Working here is: Compassion
How I describe my work: Providing financial information to stakeholders.
Fun fact: I go to the Toastmasters International local club every weekend to practice public speech.
Kellie Miner, Payroll Specialist
On staff since: August 2020
Working here is: Unity
How I describe my work: Getting employees paid on time!
Fun fact: I grew up on a farm harvesting crops, raising and showing animals. I still love to talk farming!
Diego Rodriguez, People & Culture Coordinator
On staff since: March 2020
Working here is: Collaborative
How I describe my work: Assisting all that we do.
Fun fact: Cherry is my favorite flavor.
Ranjan Shakya, Program Associate
On staff since: July 2020
Working here is: Fulfilling
How I describe my work: Providing resources to marginalized communities.
Fun fact: I speak three languages fluently, English, Nepali and Hindi, and can get by conversationally in Spanish.
Lily Zhang, Chief Financial Officer
On staff since: August 2021
Working here is: Water
How I describe my work: The storytelling power of numbers.
Fun fact: I am obsessed with the gold dust of snow on a winter morning.