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.

JOHN GOFF, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR​

John joined UCP in 2013. As Community Services Director, he oversees UCP's Supported Living ("Foundations"), Community Inclusion ("Choices"), 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.

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.
​

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."

Susan Cushman, Family Support Director

Susan has been involved with UCP since 1992, when her daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

In 2006, she joined UCP 's staff as the Family Support Director.  She supports families who are raising children with cerebral palsy and similar physical disabilities.
 
Susan’s passion is supporting families and connecting them with each other, as she has found her greatest support has been other parents. Her other passion is to foster the understanding that everyone with a disability is a valued and needed part of their community.

Gavin Johnson Development Director

Gavin joined the UCP team in 2017 with more than 20 years of experience in fundraising. He started his career in development at Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in Denver, Colorado. He is a self-described creative problem-solver and achieves results through relationships.
 
Gavin’s focus is planned giving, major gifts, communications, and growing partnerships with corporations and individuals to advance the important work at UCP.
 
His personal interests include getting into the wilderness whenever possible and getting out of his comfort zone by singing and playing the guitar.

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.
​
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 possess 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.

BOARD

UCP's Board of Directors is made up of a diverse and dedicated group of individuals. Some utilize UCP's services or are parents of people who utilize UCP's services. Others experience cerebral palsy or another disability. Many come to us as leaders in the business and non-profit community.

Each member has been selected because they share a passion for our mission and values; and because they have the skills, time and integrity necessary to support our work, and to serve as a representative for the organization in the broader community. ​

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT: Michael Steen, Beneficial State Bank
​
VICE PRESIDENT: Jerry Hoffert, Albertina Kerr Center

TREASURER: Sean Heaton, Cresa​

​SECRETARY: Megan Stratman, Northwest Requirements Utilities

​BOARD HISTORIAN: Jerrold Pattee, Jr. V1 Datacom, Inc ​

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

BOARD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR:  John Hancock, Moss Adams LLP (retired)

FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR: Jerry Hoffert, Albertina Kerr Centers

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR: David Brezinski, PricewaterhouseCoopers (retired)

MEMBERS

Lori Beight, JD, Cascade Legal Planning, LLC

Peter Blasco, MD, Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, Oregon Health & Science University
 
Nancy Cicirello, PT, MPH, EdD, School of Physical Therapy, Pacific University
​
​Julianne R. Davis, Lane Powell (Retired)

​Amy Ferrell, Providence Child Care Center

Brad Parsons, Meadow Outdoor Advertising​ (Immediate Past President)