Meet The Team

Staff

Staff | Board 

Dineen Crowe

Dineen Crowe

Campaign Director - she/her

Dineen dedicated her life to fighting for climate justice in her senior year of high school when Superstorm Sandy hit her community on Eastern Long Island and the looming threat of climate change suddenly became very urgent and personal. Since then, she‘s worked on local and regional campaigns that have defeated major fracked gas pipelines and other fossil fuel projects, as well as on national and international levels, working to elevate the voices of and solutions from young people at United Nations climate conferences. Since moving to Portland in 2017, Dineen has worked for the Oregon Sierra Club, as a Field Organizer on the Portland Clean Energy Fund campaign, and helped to start the Sunrise PDX hub.

Dineen is also a practicing birth and postpartum doula, and is deeply passionate about reproductive justice and birth justice, and making holistic birth support more accessible to all. She loves seeing live music, baking cakes, singing, spending time with her dog, and being outside. You can reach her at dineen@350pdx.org.

Cherice Bock

Cherice Bock

Climate Policy Director - she/her

As policy manager, Cherice Bock leads city and state level advocacy, organizing to support policies that lead toward climate justice. Her career thus far has straddled academia and the nonprofit world. With an MS and PhD in environmental studies, and several years of experience in advocacy and organizing in Oregon, she brings a commitment to relational organizing and a willingness to dive into policy details.

Cherice committed to working on environmental and climate issues when the connections between colonialism, resource extraction, labor exploitation, and other systems of injustice became clear as she worked on peace and justice issues. As a Quaker, social justice and peace activism have been part of her experience and tradition, and she recognized her own culpability–and the connection between colonization and environmental issues–when visiting the West Bank. Since then, Cherice dedicated her career to working toward justice while grounding this work in the soil, water, and interconnected relationships between all members of the earth community. Her commitment to a just transition includes advocating for policies that will be equitable, interrupt unjust systems, and create a flourishing society for all people and species. She does this work in part to help create a livable future for her two children.

Irene Hess

Irene Hess

Communications Director - she/her

Irene is a filmmaker/photographer whose work focuses on the beauty of nature and on environmental and civil rights movements. Irene grew up in New York City and spent the best part of her summers in Puerto Rico, at the foothills of El Yunque rainforest.

Irene’s desire to work in natural history documentary led her to the PBS series Nature, where she learned the art of producing and editing. From there, Irene began making her own short films and creating media for organizations like The World Science Festival.

In 2011, Irene embarked on a new chapter, moving to Portland, Oregon, her husband‘s hometown. Amidst the Pacific Northwest’s breathtaking scenery, Irene‘s experience as a mother has emerged as her most fulfilling endeavor yet. She revels in music, hanging out with crows at the downtown roost, and roaming forests, coasts, and rivers with her family.

Jessica Vaughan

Jessica Vaughan

Managing Director - she/her

Raised on a ranch at the base of the majestic Wallowa Mountains in eastern Oregon, Jessica Vaughan brings her rural roots, extensive business management expertise, and passion for environmental stewardship to her role as 350PDX’s Operations & Finance Director.

Jessica holds a business degree from the University of Oregon, earned while becoming a fierce critic of capitalism and its devastating impacts on our environment, communities, and collective well-being. Her lived experiences and education sharpened her analysis of how extractive systems drive injustice—and solidified her commitment to building more equitable, community-centered alternatives. Throughout her career in operations, change management, and leadership, she has focused on values-driven transformation, using her skills to support structural change from within. Her work in healthcare mergers and service line expansions demonstrates her ability to orchestrate complex projects and plan strategically while building cohesive teams and driving meaningful progress.

While pursuing a graduate certificate in sustainability from Portland State University, Jessica discovered 350PDX—a perfect intersection of community building and climate advocacy. She immersed herself in a variety of social justice and environmental organizations, participating in both the 350PDX Forest Defense and Policy committees, attending action nights, and working on creative projects. She later joined the board of directors before transitioning into her current staff role. In her current work, Jessica is focused on strengthening internal systems and fostering a thriving, collaborative culture that supports deep community-building and sustained climate advocacy.

Outside of 350PDX, Jessica enjoys travel and exploration, visiting thrift shops, biking around town, adventuring with her partner, family, and friends, and participating in the local tango and west coast dance scene.

Noelle Studer-Spevak

Noelle Studer-Spevak

Forest Defense Manager (interim) - she/her

Noelle helps communities adapt to climate change by advocating for programs that retrofit our neighborhoods with trees and heat pumps. She serves on Multnomah County’s Advisory Committee for Sustainability & Innovation, and co-founded ElectrifyPDX, helping people of all incomes experience the comfort and freedom of efficient, clean energy.

After the deadly heat dome of 2021, Noelle teamed up with several organizations to create the Shade Equity Coalition. This group collaborates with public officials to set in motion long-term neighborhood cooling strategies so that healthy trees increasingly shade the public right-of-way on every block.

Noelle’s family built wealth as farmers and orchardists on Ottawa land (Cession 169) along the Maumee River in NW Ohio. After Peace Corps, she pursued an MPA and MS in urban forestry, worked in the Seattle Department of Transportation Arborist Office, then served as sustainability coordinator for Portland Community College and Portland State University. Noelle is a former certified arborist, certified electrification coach and novice forest therapy guide. She enjoys living in community, wild water dipping, anything with plants, keeping bees, solar cooking, and hiking/backpacking with family and friends.

Board Members

Staff | Board | Student Team

Interested in joining the board? See more info here.

Devyn Powell

Devyn Powell

Board Chair - she/her

Devyn grew up in the Portland area, and moved back in 2020 after a long detour on the east coast. She is very glad to be home. She works as an energy policy analyst at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where her research is focused on incorporating equity and environmental justice goals into clean energy policy, and is also a volunteer organizer with 350PDX’s Fossil Fuel Resistance team. Devyn has previously worked on clean energy policy analysis at Evergreen Action and Solar United Neighbors, and as a digital campaigner and strategist at 350.org and the Power Shift Network.
She has also earned a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University and a B.A. in environmental policy from Tufts University. When she’s not trapped in front of a computer screen, Devyn is usually somewhere in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest with her dog, Lyra.

Britt Bennet

Britt Bennet

Board Director - she/they

Britt was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. After earning bachelor’s degrees in both mathematics and accounting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), she began her career in public accounting, and sought opportunities to get involved in her community through volunteer board positions.

Once Britt left public accounting for a corporate role, she embarked on a graduate degree in accounting from UNO. Simultaneously, Britt completed a fellowship with New Leaders Council, where she learned how to engage with civic leaders and work towards a more progressive future.

As much as Britt loves Omaha, her work brought her to Seattle in 2018 and to Portland in 2022, and now she is excited to commit to the pursuit of environmental justice through her role on the 350PDX board!

Britt is determined to make Portland her permanent home. When she is not leading her finance team at work, or volunteering with 350 PDX, she is putting in training hours as a Neighborhood Emergency Team volunteer with the City of Portland. She loves to be cozy at home with her partner and her dog.

Britt spends a lot of time thinking about Jane Austen, textile arts, urbanism, bike routes & transit, small space design, and how to bring her best self to her friendships and her community.

Kyla Yeoman

Kyla Yeoman

Board Director - she/her

Kyla is constantly thinking about what other people are thinking. But not in that pre-teen self-conscious way; she wants to know what people think about social justice issues and what life experiences got them to that mindset. Kyla loves exploring what sparks the moment when someone pauses and stops turning away from the hairy-scary issues, but instead turns toward them. What story captured their imagination? What word cut through the noise of their social media feed? What image spoke to a deeply held value they can’t even put a name on but seeing it made them feel seen?

At 350PDX, Kyla has found a community of people who are facing the scariest and most opaque trifecta of villains - climate change, capitalism, and racism - with collective action and care.

In Kyla‘s professional life, she’s a communications strategist who’s worked with a variety of clients in Chicago, she’s been a story producer for humanitarian aid agencies based in D.C. and Portland, and she most recently consulted with progressive electoral groups on research that helped them choose language that would motivate voters on an emotional level about politically-charged issues.

Kyla grew up in a college town in Ohio, has called Portland home since 2011, and is currently writing a novel

Molly Privratsky

Molly Privratsky

Board Director - she/her

Molly is a lifelong Oregonian, artist, and community builder with a deep commitment to justice and collective action. She is thrilled to join the 350PDX Board and support the organization’s people-powered mission to fight for climate justice.

What drew Molly to 350PDX is not only the boldness of the work, but the way it’s done—with heart, integrity, and connection to community.

Molly’s background spans strategic planning, operations, marketing, and change management, with experience leading and consulting across nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. She is especially passionate about inclusive facilitation and helping groups align around big ideas and take meaningful, coordinated action. She brings a creative lens to everything she does, whether that’s through visual art, conversation, or systems design.

Molly believes this is a time of both deep challenge and profound possibility. She is honored to be part of this movement and looks forward to working alongside others to build the just, resilient future our communities deserve.

Outside of work, you can find her out on the trails hiking or running, in a museum or art gallery, working on an art project, or zooming around town on her Vespa. She is always up for a good book recommendation or a good conversation fueled by curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Sarah Silkie

Sarah Silkie

Board Director - she/her

Sarah’s passion for the waters and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest is rooted in childhood memories of Forest Park, Sauvie Island, and coastal beaches and forests. Growing up as the eldest of six kids in a family that faced poverty and housing insecurity, wilderness provided both sanctuary and inspiration.

After graduating from Reed College, Sarah pursued her passion for protecting the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and creating good jobs for our community by pursuing a graduate degree in environmental engineering from UC Berkeley. For the past 13 years, she’s put that passion to work at the City of Portland, focusing on water quality and ensuring that our city’s growth is sustainable. As a union steward with PROTEC17, she also advocated for city employees to receive the support they need.

In 2024, Sarah stepped up to run for the newly reorganized Portland City Council on a platform of climate action, financial transparency, and community safety. While she didn’t win a seat, she learned a lot about local politics and how to advocate for change. She’s excited to put that experience to work fighting for climate action.
In addition to her work with the city and the board of 350PDX, Sarah and her partner are raising three sons with empathy and care for our world.

Bob Sweet

Bob Sweet

Board Director - he/him

Bob Sweet has called Portland home since 1981, after growing up on the East Coast and in Chicago. One of his first Oregon hikes was up Saddle Mountain, taking in the spectacular view of the Coast, the mouth of the Columbia, and Cascade peaks, including a still-smoldering Mt. St. Helens (as well as the devastating sight of clear cuts and logging roads).

After graduating University of Oregon, Bob and his partner lived in France and Romania before settling into Portland’s Clinton Street neighborhood in 1997 to raise their family. He is an independent contractor specializing in qualitative research to inform product design, consumer experiences, and brand strategy. Prior to consulting, Bob worked at Nike and Ziba Design.

The outdoors is always calling. Camping, hiking, fly fishing, canoe trips. But it‘s daily life in our great city that has grabbed Bob’s attention lately. He loves 350PDX for its sense of community and belonging, strong values and vision, deep connections to local policy makers, and tremendous track record of wins!

Wesley Allen

Wesley Allen

Board Director - he/him

Wesley Allen values joyful, strategic movement-building at a time when bold climate action is more urgent than ever. He believes we have the tools and technology to create a cleaner, healthier future—but transformation doesn’t happen by chance. It requires collective will, grassroots organizing, and solutions that benefit all. That’s what draws Wesley to 350PDX: its unwavering focus on sustained, people-powered change.

As a 350PDX volunteer since 2017, Wesley has contributed to the Fossil Fuel Resistance and Policy teams, supporting campaigns that have achieved major victories—from the passage of the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) to stopping the Jordan Cove export terminal. He has also joined 350PDX in lobbying efforts at the Oregon Legislature and beyond.

Wesley holds a Master’s degree from the University of Washington and recently earned a professional certificate in Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies from Stanford University.