2024 - 2025 Cohort

Sudent Spotlights

Leadership Academy participants develop the knowledge, leadership skills, and project management experience needed to strengthen parks and recreation throughout Oregon. As future leaders in the profession, their experiences, interests, and perspectives are an important part of the Academy community.

The Leadership Academy Student Spotlight was introduced in 2025 to help participants share more about themselves and the work they are passionate about.

To learn more about each participant, click their photo below.

Riley Clark-Long

City of Portland | Talent Engagement and Development Supervisor

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

Parks and Recreation crosses so many unique disciplines. This results in parks organizations with so many unique and diverse individuals.

>What led you to this career?
A lifelong passion for the outdoors, public service, and working with people.

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

Learning how to better serve my team as a leader.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

Laurelhurst Park in Portland Oregon.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

Tai Chi.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Spend a rainy fall weekend in Astoria.

Keely Haugen

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District | Customer Engagement Specialist

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

I love how it helps improve people's lives! Learning to swim, afterschool and camp programs, fitness, parks, trails and natural areas, volunteer and job opportunities, all add something to our lives and make our communities a better place to be.

>What led you to this career?

I babysat for a family and I would take them to swim at the pool near their house and I also picked them up from the rec center after camp, which then became the rec center I first worked at! I grew into the profession and into my role because my passion and skills matched the vision of what we do in parks and recreation. And I was lucky enough to have a few leaders along the way that were passionate about their jobs and supporting others to grow!

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

Getting to know the other people in the program! Both my fellow participants as well as the mentors. And pushing myself to use this opportunity grow and learn things that I may have previously held myself back from. Does that mean I'm looking forward to everything? Yes, it does!

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

Besides the pickleball courts right outside my office!? I love so many spaces, the beach, the Gorge, Mt. Hood, Central Oregon, and everything in between. I grew up getting to explore all over and feel lucky to live in such a wonderful place.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

Cheese rolling, but I know I would get hurt so I think I'll just watch at this point.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Ahhhh! It's too hard to stick to just one thing! I think I would recommend something outdoorsy and definitely something good to eat. So a fun day in Portland would be a walk around the waterfront downtown, and hopefully the cherry blossoms are in bloom, maybe stop by the Saturday Market, and then head to Daily Fuel in SE for some really incredible vegan nachos (my new obsession), and then top it off with some ice cream from Fifty Licks (amazing vegan and non-vegan options).

Donna Leslie

City of Portland | Recreation Coordinator I - Public Events Permits

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

I love watching people explore new places.

>What led you to this career?

I knew friends who worked in PP&R. Then, I started as a part-time employee, then a full-time position opened up. The benefits are great!

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

I'm looking forward to creating life-time relationships with others in similar recreation careers.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

Crater Lake National Park.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

Parasailing.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Visit the beach anywhere along the Oregon coast.

Sam Malenosky

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District | Park Tech

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

I love providing an essential service to the people of my community. Seeing all types of people enjoy the spaces I maintain is an amazing feeling.

>What led you to this career?

I always wanted to work outside! From my first day as a college seasonal worker, I knew this is where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do.

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

Learning how to use my leadership skills to raise my team's confidence and inspire the next generation.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

Cape Meares beach.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

Skydiving.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Head to the coast and stop and fish on one of the coastal rivers along the way!

Kirsten Provenzano

City of Portland | Horticulturist

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

I absolutely love working outside. For the first 12 years of my career Forest Park was my office. Now I work in developed parks where I love transforming a developed park into a visually pleasing attraction full of color and enhancing spaces for wildlife, particularly insects and birds. I enjoy interacting with the diversity of peoples that call East Portland their home. Engagement and education are also passions of mine.

>What led you to this career?

So many paths led me to my career in parks. When I moved to Oregon from Indiana, I was blown away by the all the different eco zones. I was working in behavioral health and needed a change. Went back to school and studied Natural Resources and have been hooked ever since. The networking I gained through that program was immeasurable. I want to share my love of nature with underrepresented youth groups and show the tranquility and resources it provides.

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

To learn from different agencies, to develop as a leader, and of course to network.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

There is no way I can choose just one, but you will often find me with my pack of dogs where there is lots of water and not many humans.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

Scuba Diving.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

BACKPACKING.

Jessica Redditt

City of Portland | Recreation Coordinator I

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

I love how being a part of recreation means being in servitude to our community, we are one of the only forms of government that benefit people's health and one of the only forms of government that has earned the trust of the community.

>What led you to this career?

My family has a long history of being educators, this sparked my love for working with children, and it's what gave me the soft skills to succeed in this industry, I am fortunate to have been hired as a part time staff as a teen and for the leaders who invested their time towards my professional development.

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

I'm looking to strengthen my leadership skills and find out about my own leadership style. I hope to make a lasting impact in my organization, and the leadership academy is a wonderful place to start.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

I love Ibach park in Tualatin Oregon, just a short 30 minute walk from my house and the greenway space leading to it just is so peaceful.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

I want to take a weaving class.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Visit Halloween town in October.

Cecily Rose

Oregon City Parks | Pioneer Community Center Manager

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

I love the collaboration P&R requires and blesses us with. I enjoy the variety of work we get to be involved with. My days might be Social Services related one day and Concerts in the Park the next. I'm grateful for a job where boredom isn't part of the equation and where partnerships and relationships are valued.

>What led you to this career?

My passion for the aging community, for dance and fitness, and my love of the outdoors.

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

It excites me to be gifted with an opportunity where I'm gleaning knowledge, wisdom and experience from others in this industry. At the kickoff event, it was wonderful to humbly sit in the presence of many P&R legends and mentors. I learn from my peers and coworkers daily and am honored to be learning from my appointed mentor through this process.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

I love all hiking trails that lead to waterfalls. I've made it a personal life mission to see every waterfall Oregon has to offer, but I never tire returning to those I've been to prior. A favorite waterfall hike is the newly reopened Butte Creek Falls where two beautiful falls can be viewed.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

I would love to try a Salsa dance class! While I love all things dance, I've never taken this format and have always wanted to try it.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

I love Oregon for its history, natural beauty, and wildlife. I would suggest taking a trip to the Gorge, soaking in its breathtaking views, historical landmarks, watching for wildlife, and hiking one of the many trails it offers.

Rita Salmo

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District | Office Tech

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

The ability to connect with the diverse communities we serve and how we cultivate those relationships to expand our park and recreation offerings to more communities and underserved groups to promote their health and wellbeing!

>What led you to this career?

My passion in community service and engaging with patrons!

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

ORPA Leadership Academy will help me sharpen my skills and guide me to achieve my career goals through the mentorship of experienced Parks and Recreation professionals. Learning from other points of views, lived experiences, and networking with fellow park and recreation professionals will advance my career and prepare me for future promotional roles.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

THPRD's Jenkins Estate.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

Kayaking! I'd love to take the time and explore remote areas and experience nature with my family through kayaking.

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Explore Oregon's beautiful nature and diverse eco systems!

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Mike Schubert

Portland General Electric | Parks Operations Specialist

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

The opportunity to enhance park visitors' experiences in recreational areas we manage.

>What led you to this career?

Having the privilege to camp, hunt, fish, hike, work, and explore Oregon's outdoors growing up. Spending so much time in nature naturally directed me to this career field.

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

Getting to network with other students and leaders in the Parks and Recreation field. Also gaining skills and knowledge to make me a more valuable member and leader for our PGE Parks team.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

The Gorge, there are so many different opportunities to explore!

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

I have never been snowshoeing, but it looks fun!

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Visit the city of Hood River's waterfront area and neat downtown. Try to go when the weather is nice but also before or after the school season when it's not so crowded.

Ally Kriskewic

Hood River Parks and Recreation | Aquatics Supervisor

>What do you love about Parks & Recreation?

Working with and serving the community. I love seeing the joy on people's faces when they get to do the activity at the pool, walk the trail, enjoy the park, etc.

>What led you to this career?

The classic aquatics ladder climb. I started working at a lake as a junior lifeguard, then became an instructor and lifeguard, then a water safety instructor and lifeguard instructor. I did that for a few years and then was the waterfront director. My aquatics background continued to grow and grow and I worked at pools, other lakes in the area, and then eventually made it where I am at today as the aquatics center supervisor within Parks and Recreation!

>What are you most looking forward to about the Leadership Academy?

Leadership skills, networking, and learning new things.

>What is your favorite recreational space in Oregon?

I love all things hiking and camping. Any recreational space with a good hiking/walking trail or body of water is even better! Hard to pick just one in a state like Oregon.

>What's one recreational activity that you want to try, but haven't yet?

Pickleball!

>If you had to recommend one thing to do in Oregon, what would it be?

Explore the wilderness. It's easy to visit all the tourist attractions but there is something magical about the mountain wilderness and how serene and refreshing it is.

Move to Project

Capstone Projects

Below are the completed Capstone Projects from the 2024–2025 Leadership Academy cohort. Each project reflects the knowledge, leadership, and innovation participants developed throughout the Academy while addressing opportunities within their agencies and communities across Oregon.

To learn more, download the file under each participant's name and project title.

Row 1

2024 - 2025

Riley Clark-Long
City of Portland

Telling the Stories of Lifelong Parks and Recreation Professionals

Develop a set of standard interview questions for informational interviews with PP&R staff who have worked for the organization for over 20 years.

2024 - 2025

Donna Leslie
City of Portland

Launching the ActiveNet Captivate Mobile App for Simple Picnics and Ball Field Reservations

Launching the ActiveNet Captivate Mobile App in a pilot program for simple picnics and ball field reservations.

2024 - 2025

Kirsten Provenzano
City of Portland

Internship: Planting the Seed

Collaborate with marginalized youth advocates Outside In and STARS mentorship alongside Portland Parks and Recreation to create a pathway to employment.

2024 - 2025

Rita Salmo
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Meaningful Implementation of the Language Access Policy

Implement, create, and expand effective language access to English Language Learners (ELLs) seeking meaningful access to THPRD programs, information, and services.

2024 - 2025

Shane Galloway

Benton County NAPE

Legacy Giving

Research, design and implement a legacy giving catalog.

2024 - 2025

Sam Malenosky
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Connecting with Staff Though Mission Driven Values

Creating a standardized training/day one guide for new part time and seasonal park maintenance staff for Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District.

2024 - 2025

Jessica Redditt

City of Portland

A Guide for Young Professionals

Support new professionals in the field, particularly those who are navigating the challenges of building relationships after working remotely.

2024 - 2025

Mike Schubert
Portland General Electric

Operations Task List

Creating an “Operations Task List” that documents and tracks both monthly and annual recurring tasks that PGE Parks Operations staff perform.

2024 - 2025

Keely Haugen
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Customer Service Evaluation Process

Research, define, and create a THPRD customer service framework to increase consistency in customer service delivery.

2024 - 2025

Scottie Meinke
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Tree Monitoring in THPRD Natural Areas

Tracking and monitoring program within the THPRD Tree Inventory for future introduced tree species throughout THPRD, focusing in natural areas and developed park space throughout the district.

2024 - 2025

Cecily Rose
Oregon City Parks and Recreation

Bridging the Gap: Creating an Inclusive Scholarship Program for Community Recreation

Develop a scholarship program that all divisions can utilize to better serve the community.

2024 - 2025

Julia Wright

City of Grants Pass

Building Community Connections: Installing Little Free Library Exchanges

Establish Little Free Library book exchanges within Grants Pass city parks near ten playgrounds to make main areas of play also a main area of learning.

Row 2.5

Row 2

Row 3.5

Row 3

Row 4.5

Row 4

Row 5