Leadership

Bill Aronson | MS

Support Services Director

Pronouns: he/him/his

Bill joined Outside In in 1999. His tenure with the agency has included work in human resources, information technology, data & reporting, grants administration, facilities management, building multi-cultural capacity, and vendor accounts/relations. Bill is results-oriented, with a focus on continuous quality improvement agency-wide. Prior to Outside In, he achieved a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Black Studies from UCSB, and a Master’s in Sociology from Portland State University. He gained professional experience by working and volunteering for other non-profits. When not at work, Bill enjoys socializing, running, cycling, hiking, camping, and most other (preferably outdoor) activities where he can relax.

Kathleen Carter | MPH

Health Services Director

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kathleen Carter has dedicated her career to improving health equity, and brings a range of experience in non-profit and public health settings. Prior to joining Outside In as Health Services Director in 2021, she managed a Federally Qualified Health Center primarily serving Portland’s Native American communities. Kathleen spent years in patient advocacy work for a national non-profit, implementing a case management program designed to reduce barriers to care for chronic disease patients. She holds a BA in anthropology from Reed College and an MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing in health promotion and health policy. Kathleen enjoys spending time outdoors, practicing yoga and is a certified instructor.

Kiku Johnson

Executive Director

Pronouns: he/him/his 

Kiku (he/him) is an intersectional, queer, Chinese, transgender man originally hailing from Michigan and had been living and thriving with his partner in Oakland, CA since 2004 relocating to Portland in November 2022 to lead with Outside In. Kiku is an educator, trainer, and consultant engaging his human-centered design thinking, with a visual arts background focused on diversity, equity, and expansion. Kiku has 30+ years of experience with youth development and responsive community program design, outreach, implementation, evaluation, and advocacy through a social justice lens. He is adept at creating culturally, trauma-informed and healing-centered, accessible, affirming approaches and content for a wide variety of intersectional communities including LGBTQIA+, People of Color, immigrants, low-access and low-resourced people, youth, and adults working across sectors including juvenile justice, education, mental health, community-based, and faith-based organizations. Kiku has traveled the country educating on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Affirming Approach and Expansive Practices connected with the CDC-funded handbook he authored, available for open-source access here. 

He is a Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy/Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, Supporting LGBTQ Youth Program Fellow. He loves being in community with all folx with a special affection for the cat community. Kiku loves teaching mediums for expression like stained glass construction and is fascinated with how things work and embodying MacGyver at every opportunity! He’s writing a book about his life journey through trauma and as a man of trans experience. Most importantly, Kiku knows liberation is found every time he gets on the dance floor!

Raphael Irving

Finance Director

Mr. Irving has been practicing accounting professionally since 1988 highlighted by his tenure at the Big 4 accounting firm Ernst & Young, LLP where he managed the financial affairs of high net-worth individuals and corporations in the Business Management Group from the Century City, CA location.  He also performed services for individuals, small businesses, corporations, and non-profits in the areas of taxes, financial reporting, and record keeping over the past 30+ years.

Mr. Irving is a Past Board Chairman of the Executive Board of Directors for Watts Healthcare Corporation (FQHC) in Los Angeles, CA.  Under his leadership as chairman, the center hired a new CEO, added a new facility, increased productivity, and reached record numbers in annual surplus that were reinvested in the center and staff. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (Accounting) from California State University at Dominguez Hills, a Master of Art in Theological Studies Degree, and Master of Divinity Degree from Faith International University & Seminary. He graduated from the Financial Literacy Institute, a cohort program under the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement at the University of Southern California.  In 2018, he completed Conflict Resolution Training from Loyola Law School.

Brian Weaver

Artistic Director, Portland Playhouse
Pronouns: he/him/his

Brian co-founded Portland Playhouse in 2008 with Nikki and Michael, and has directed productions of Peter and the Starcatcher, Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, Radio Golf, Gem of the Ocean, Angels in America, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Dying City, Detroit, The Light in the Piazza, After Ashley, and bobrauschenbergamerica.  Regional credits include Third Rail Repertory, Intiman Theatre Company, Shakespeare & Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Seattle Public Theatre. Brian is also a founding member of New World Theatre and directed the U.S. premiere of the Spanish translation of Jose Rivera’s play, Marisol.

Chris Machuca

Experience Designer, Digital Product Creation – Insights, Nike

Pronouns: he/him/his

Chris draws from over 15 years of experience working with multiple stakeholders across sectors to build community, to deliver value, and ultimately, to improve the lives of others. He approaches his work with deep empathy to understand people’s needs and with a strategic mindset to achieve the greatest impact possible.

Some of his most rewarding endeavors include implementing an educational program to support underserved Filipino high school students through the Sibol Hesus School Foundation, managing products and services for professionals pursuing careers in the nonprofit and public service sectors at Idealist.org, and working with purpose-driven companies to solve problems using human-centered design at Context Partners. Currently at Nike, he is part of a team building a digital product creation ecosystem, culture, and business.

Born in California and raised in Metro Manila, Chris is happy to call Portland his home. He is grateful for the wonderful opportunities he has found here and, through Outside In, hopes to help others seize theirs as they move toward improved health and self-sufficiency.

Emma Cooper

Crisis Support Specialist, Cascadia Behavioral Health
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Shortly after my eighteenth birthday, I began working at Outside In as a Peer Mentor, supporting people in active and former addiction using harm reduction. After a year, I moved to the Outpatient Behavioral Health team as a Peer Support Specialist. Before Outside In, I started my work in the field at sixteen, volunteering in a peer support position with a local domestic violence shelter as well as with Planned Parenthood and Lines for Life’s Youthline. My draw to this work is centered in my own experiences as a client in mental health and social work systems and being underserved by them. I was in an MTV documentary highlighting stories of suicide attempt survivors called “Each and Every Day.” With Lines for Life, I did suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention work, not just on the crisis line but also in schools all over Oregon while participating in panels, interviews, and podcasts with parents, teachers, community members and organizations like Providence, MHAAO, and NAMI.

I joined the board of directors out of immense love for Outside In and our community where I will strive to center the direct service staff and program participants who make up the heart of this organization. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my cats and dog and avidly listening to music.

Hannah Hoffman

Attorney, Markowitz Herbold PC
Pronouns: she/her/hers

They say there is no such thing as a former journalist and Hannah Hoffman is a prime example.  Although she left her journalism career to pursue a law degree, Hannah brings strong communication, reasoning, and investigative skills to bear for her business litigation clients in both appellate and trial courts. Hannah is an excellent writer and oral advocate.

Most recently, Hannah served as a Clackamas County deputy district attorney, where she managed a caseload of 200 cases, tried five cases to verdict, prosecuted multiple civil commitment hearings before judges, and argued on behalf of the state on dozens of contested probation and diversion hearings, sentencing, and plea hearings.

Hannah was also an assistant attorney general with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Solicitor General’s Office.  She argued ten cases before the Oregon Court of Appeals and drafted and filed 45 appellate briefs.

She honed her legal skills as a law clerk for the Honorable Michael Mosman of the U.S. District Court of Oregon where she assisted with the drafting of opinions on behalf of the court.

During her journalism career, Hannah reported on politics, government, and education for the Willamette Week, McMinnville New-Register, and the Statesman Journal.

Joe chapman

Secretary

Director of Human Resources, Vancouver Clinic
Pronouns: he/him/his

Joe Chapman is a mission driven leader committed to fostering trust and creativity for an inclusive, innovative, and effective community of service. Joe brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, human resources, and equity & inclusion to the OI team and has primary professional interests in human systems, social equity, and group dynamics and process. Joe received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Humboldt State University and a master’s of public administration from Portland State University. He is currently working as the HR Director at Vancouver Clinic and prior to that was the Chief Human Resources Officer at Central City Concern. Joe got his start working in nonprofit HR at Planned Parenthood.

john Karp-Evans

Diversion Court Clinical Service Specialist, Multnomah County
Pronouns: he/him/his

John Karp-Evans is a Diversion Court Clinical Services Specialist with Multnomah County Health Department. John has over a decade of experience working with local nonprofits, specializing in transitional housing programs for justice involved individuals. His roles have included being a Recovery Mentor, Case Manager, Supervisor, and Associate Director.

He has helped develop and improve housing programs and integrate culturally specific services. John uses his experience of formerly being justice involved and currently in long term recovery from substance abuse, to help guide him in the work he does daily.

He enjoys spending time with his family, playing slow pitch softball, and barbecuing.  

Lucas Newman

Managing Director & Wealth Manager, First Republic Bank
Pronouns: he/him/his

Lucas Newman is a Managing Director and Wealth Manager with First Republic Investment Management. Prior to joining First Republic in 2011, Mr. Newman worked for Wells Fargo’s Private Bank for over ten years, most recently as a Vice President and Investment Manager. His previous experience also includes working for a regional investment advisor in western Montana.

Mr. Newman received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Montana and is a Certified Investment Management Consultant professional. His work has led to recognition on a number of industry rankings, including the Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisors list in 2019 and 2020.

Actively serving his community, Mr. Newman serves on the Board of Directors for Outside In. He enjoys skiing, golfing, and spending time with his wife Lisa and daughter Lily.

Sam Brooks

Human Resources Generalist, Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon
Pronouns: he/him/his

Sam is a HRCI certified Human Resources professional with more than 10 years of experience. He has worked for local, national and international nonprofit organizations.  He has a passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion planning and implementation. Sam recently moved to Portland from Chicago where he was born and raised. Sam currently works as a Human Resources Generalist at Mental Health & Addiction Association of Oregon.  Outside of work, Sam enjoys camping, hiking and concerts. He’s also known to belt out a tune every once in a while. 

Steve Jones | MD

President

Retired Physician, Kaiser Permanente
Pronouns: he/him/his

Steve retired in 2018 from Kaiser Permanente following a career as a Physician that spanned 31 years and two states –  Northern California and Oregon. He is board certified in internal medicine and completed his residency at Kaiser Santa Clara. Steve earned his undergraduate degree at Whitman College and attended Oregon Health and Science University’s medical school.

Steve was born and raised in Heppner, Oregon. He lives in Portland with his husband Don. Steve’s son, Parker is a Junior at Willamette University majoring in Psychology and Studio Arts with plans to continue with Psychology in graduate school.

Tom Lee

Treasurer

Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, Northwest Bank
Pronouns: he/him/his

Tom Lee has 29 years of experience in the banking industry with a focus on commercial and industrial lending. He is a member of the Central Eastside Industrial Council, Portland Business Alliance, Risk Management Associates and the Oregon Bankers Association. In addition to his professional life, Tom is committed to serving his community as demonstrated by a 12 year history of coaching youth soccer and his role as a Cub Scout Den Leader. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Washington, a Master of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School. In his spare time, Tom enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, soccer, and traveling. He is an avid OSU Beaver and Portland Timbers fan.