UCP'S directors

Each of UCP's Directors brings a diverse set of skills, experiences and backgrounds to UCP. Together, they make up a leadership team that is uniquely passionate about ensuring that every one of our customers (and the broader disability community) is living life on their terms.

Our Directors manage our day-to-day operations, and also engage in advocacy on a local, statewide, and national level. It's truly about creating "A Community For Everyone."

​ANN COFFEY, MA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ann came to UCP in 2003 as Community Services Director.  In 2010, she was promoted to Executive Director.

Ann has an extensive background in counseling psychology, and also has years of experience supporting the elderly, the terminally ill, children with psychiatric diagnoses, and adults who experience developmental disabilities. Throughout her career, she has been committed to assisting individuals to heal, find joy, and create a meaningful life.

Ann lives in a rural community but stays active in the Portland community as well.  She enjoys gardening, riding her horses, live music, and making a mess in the kitchen.

KATHERINE BALL, FAMILY SUPPORT DIRECTOR

Katherine joined UCP in 2019 with nearly 20 years of experience working effectively within the intellectual and developmental disabilities service systems in Georgia, California and Oregon. She says that she is, first and foremost, a mother, caregiver, and advocate.

Katherine is a natural at identifying and securing resources for families who are raising children experiencing disabilities. She has demonstrated exceptional values, ethics, compassion, commitment, and joy in her effort to ensure people with disabilities discover avenues to thrive. She enjoys bringing people together, finding solutions, and being a force in her efforts towards diverse and accepting communities

JOHN GOFF, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR​

John joined UCP in 2013. As Community Services Director, he oversees UCP's Supported Living services for adults ("Foundations”) and Children's In-Home ("Building Blocks") services.

John previously served as the Executive Director of a large East Coast non-profit that supports adults with disabilities through residential, recreational, and supported employment services. Prior to his work on the east coast, John spent 10 years in Oregon, where he served adults and youth with disabilities in several different capacities.

John is committed to the mission and values of UCP, and is excited to have returned to the Northwest community. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing and exploring Oregon’s outdoor spaces with his wife and two sons.

ESTHER LARGE, FINANCE DIRECTOR

Esther Large has been UCP’s Finance Director since 2003.  Before joining UCP, Esther spent 10 years as the accountant of a city in Eastern Oregon, where she repeatedly earned the city’s “Excellence for Financial Reporting” award.   

Esther brings a vast network of resources to the job, including her experience, a degree in Finance, and membership in several accounting and finance organizations.
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For the last several years, Esther has been telecommuting from Arizona. However, she spends her summers in Oregon, as her true passion is the Pacific Northwest. 

MELISSA MILLER, EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR

Melissa Miller joined UCP in 2003 as a live-in caregiver. Over the next three years, she had the pleasure of working in three positions in our Supported Living and Community Inclusion departments. During this time, Melissa saw that many of our customers were hungry for opportunities for increased personal growth, independence, and the ability to earn good wages.
 
In 2006, Melissa and Ann Coffey (now UCP's Executive Director) created UCP's Supported Employment Department, with the goal of helping our customers find community-based employment that used their skills and talents. 

In the beginning, Melissa was the department's sole employee. Now, the department is one of UCP's fastest-growing departments, serving hundreds of customers and employing more than 24 Job Coaches, Employment Specialists, and managers. Melissa says that her favorite part of the job is "when an individual gets their first paycheck! I always like to find out how they plan on spending it!"

Melissa has a Bachelors Degree in Social Science, and a Master's Degree in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University. She also has multiple employment certifications, and is often asked to teach people from around the state--and nationwide-- how to carry out the principles of supported employment.

SUZANNAH NEWMAN, JD, PHR, HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR

Suzannah has a law degree from Lewis & Clark College and is certified as a Professional in Human Resources.  She joined UCP in 2016 as the HR Director. Previously, she worked in human resource management at a civil legal services non-profit.

Suzannah has a strong commitment to serving her community and is delighted to have joined a staff of like-minded people.

She spends her spare time working on improving her horticultural skills and enjoying all of the scenic beauty that Oregon has to offer.
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SARAH NOACK, BROKERAGE DIRECTOR

Sarah joined UCP in 2010 to open "UCP Connections," UCP's in-home support services brokerage. 

​She has been a part of the brokerage community almost since it began in the early 2000’s. During that time, she has fulfilled many roles within the brokerage system, including providing administrative support, being a Personal Agent, handling operations and management, and working with providers. 

She is strongly committed to the principles of self-determination and personal choice for customers, and to using her leadership and organizational skills towards creating a shared vision of "a community for everyone."