Leadership

Executive Staff

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Chris Chiacchierini

Chris joined Neighborhood House in 2017, having worked with nonprofits since 1991. Previously, he served missions centered on youth homelessness and chemical dependency; his work also centered on personal care for adults with developmental disabilities, education, employment, and affordable health care. Chris received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he was active in the Center for Social Concerns, and his master’s from Eastern Washington University. Chris lives in Portland with his wife and three boys.

Email: cchiacchierini@nhpdx.org

DEPUTY DIRECTOR:

Mari Yerger

Mari has been part of the Neighborhood House leadership team since 2003. A granddaughter of Armenian refugees, she feels a close personal connection to Neighborhood House’s history and mission. She is passionate about social and economic equity, and she draws inspiration from both the amazing people who empower themselves and their families through engaging Neighborhood House programs and the remarkable community of donors and volunteers who make this work possible. She lives in Portland with her family.

Email: myerger@nhpdx.org

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER:

Eddie Almeida

Eddie joined Neighborhood House in 2020 and is a recent transplant to the Portland community from NYC. Having both grown up in and served professionally in underserved communities, he harbors a special passion for the mission of Neighborhood House. He started his career in nonprofits in 2002 as Program Director at a settlement house, then spent the last 13 years working in finance and operations for an agency that offered comprehensive family services. Eddie lives in NE Portland with his family (and one stray cat!).

Email: ealmeida@nhpdx.org

Board of Directors

Neighborhood House benefits from the expertise and leadership of a highly committed Board of Directors. These community and business leaders guide our organization and advance our mission in the community.

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Jim Scherzinger
Retired, Chief Operating Officer
Oregon Dept. of Human Services

VICE PRESIDENT

Eric Wiser, M.D.
Physician, OHSU
Dept. of Family Medicine

TREASURER

Kay Sohl
Non-Profit Financial
Management Consultant

SECRETARY

Peter Olson
Retired, US Department of State

PAST PRESIDENT

Kristin Watkins
Vice President
Oregon State University
Foundation

MEMBERS

Alexei Bibik
U.S. Bank

John Calhoun
InsideValuation Partners

Meghan Herteg
Walsh Construction

Denise Kleim
Retired – City of Portland

Allison Reynolds
Stoel Rives

Jesse Lovrien
Corner Lot Ventures, Inc.

Michel Romanino
Cambria Health Solutions

Laurie Ross
Retired – Portland Public Schools

Patti Vincent
Multnomah County Library

Marie Napolitano
Frontier Nursing University

Sarah Smith
Past Program Participant

DIRECTORS EMERITI

Pat Collier
Ted Coonfield
Don DeFrancq
Pam Field
Mary Ann Frantz
Emily Leach

Karla Green
Paul Hill
Dave Gutzler
Bob Johnson
Marcia Kakiuchi
Sal Khan

Ellen Singer, MD
Tony Wawrukiewicz
Ted Wheeler
Natasha Strength
Luke Huffstutter
Tom Kramer