Karis Stoudamire-Phillips
Chair, representing Metro
Karis Stoudamire-Phillips, a native of Portland, is the Vice President of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) and Community Initiatives at Moda Health and Delta Dental of Oregon. Her focus areas are to one, develop, direct and implement the community engagement strategy and action plan throughout Oregon and Alaska; and two, to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the workforce and corporate culture, plus coordinate efforts to insure product offerings across all businesses meet the needs of a diverse customer population. In addition, Karis serves as the relationship manager of the company’s signature statewide community-building partnership with the Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to joining Moda, Karis was the corporate relations officer with the Legacy Health Foundations and prior was the foundation administrator at Damon Stoudamire, Inc.
With her extensive background in public affairs, marketing and non-profit management, Karis currently serves as Chair of the Multnomah Exposition Recreation Commissioner, Boise Neighborhood Association Treasurer, Children’s Cancer Association Ambassador Board, De La Salle North Catholic High School Board, Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington Board, Oregon Community Foundation Metro Leadership Council, Portland Rose Festival Foundation Board of Directors, St. Mary’s Academy Board and is also active in other civic organizations.
Karis graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology/Child Development and earned her master’s in public affairs from Washington State University.
Damien Hall
Vice Chair, representing Portland
Damien Hall is Ball Janik LLP’s chair of the land use and real estate practice groups. Hall represents both property owners and local governments, helping them navigate Oregon’s unique land use requirements and political sensitivities to controlled growth and land development. His practice is focused on urban redevelopment and utility scale renewable energy project siting. In addition to his land use practice, Hall regularly assists clients with real estate transactions, natural resources law, municipal law, and formation and organization of business entities.
Damien Hall was recognized in 2016 by Portland Business Journal as a member of its esteemed “Forty Under 40.” He is actively involved in development and affordable housing issues in Portland. He is an active member of BOMA, NAIOP, and ULI, was appointed by the Portland City Council to the Home Forward board of commissioners, and is on the board of directors for Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc.
Hall is also active in renewable energy development throughout the Pacific Northwest. He is an active member of OSEIA, presents regularly on renewable energy facility siting, and has participated in local and state level rulemaking for utility scale photovoltaic solar energy generation projects in both Oregon and Washington.
Deidra Krys-Rusoff
Secretary-Treasurer, representing Metro
Deidra Krys-Rusoff is a portfolio manager and a member of the Becker Capital Management’s fixed income team. Prior to joining Becker Capital Management, she served as a portfolio manager for both Ferguson Wellman Capital Management and U.S. Bancorp.
Krys-Rusoff has served as chair of the Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee, is a member of Metro's Investment Advisory Board, and is currently serving as board chair of Willamette View. She is a past board member of the Northwest Taxable Bond Club, Mount Tabor Middle School PTA, the YMCA Childcare Volunteer Board, and the Junior League of Portland and has served on several committees at local schools. She is a past chair of the Oregon Zoo Citizens Oversight Committee and currently serves on Metro's Investment Advisory Committee.
Krys-Rusoff is a native of Idaho, and earned her B.A. in zoology from the College of Idaho.
Dañel Malán-González
Representing Multnomah County
Dañel Malán and her husband co-founded Milagro, the premier Latino arts and culture center of the Pacific Northwest providing Latino theatre, culture, and arts education for the enrichment of all communities since 1985. Malán also created Milagro’s touring and arts education program, Teatro Milagro which presents original bilingual plays and educational residencies to diverse and underserved communities across the nation. She continues to work with both programs providing creative input, mentoring and managing staff as well as providing budget oversight. Additionally, Malán co-founded OYE, Opciones y Educación, a Latino sexual health coalition with Multnomah County Health Department and has also developed a cultural competency training program for the corporate sector.
Malán received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of California, San Diego and graduated with a Master of Science in Curriculum Instruction from Portland State University.
Chris Oxley
Representing Portland
Chris Oxley is the owner and principle for Adaptive Strategies, a consultant services company providing owner/executive-level advisory in sports, live events, and hospitality. Services include venue development, event revenue maximization, negotiating strategy and public affairs.
Chris’ expansive career in the sports and entertainment industry has spanned three decades, 24 years of which were in Portland and the Pacific Northwest. He has significant experience in the environment where venues and live events intersect with communities and government. His advisory business now focuses on venue development, live events, business strategy and complex problem solving.
Chris is an established industry leader in sustainable venue operations, capital planning, and hospitality. He is a graduate of Drake University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration.
Deanna Palm
Representing Washington County
Deanna Palm is a native Oregonian, and has served as the president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce (formerly the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce) since 2001. She works alongside more than 750 businesses who employ over 65,000 individuals from Washington County. The Washington County Chamber of Commerce promotes and supports policies and initiatives that help businesses of all sizes grow and prosper in the County.
Deanna is active and engaged in the community at large. She is past president of the Hillsboro Community Foundation, serves on the workforce development board for the region, and is a member of the Washington County Fairgrounds Advisory Committee. Deanna also serves on the board of the Washington County Visitor Association. She served as an elected trustee for Portland Community College from 2009 to 2019.
Deanna serves on TriMet’s HB 2017 Transit Advisory Committee charged with reviewing and providing input on TriMet’s plans before they are submitted to the Oregon Transportation Commission for approval. Deanna has also worked closely with Ride Connection, providing vital transit services in the North Hillsboro industrial area.
Deanna graduated from Banks High School and received her Associated of Applied Sciences Degree from Portland Community College.
David Penilton
Representing Clackamas County
David Penilton is co-owner of America’s Hub World Tours and Oregon Tour Experts, with over 20 years of experience in domestic and international global logistics management.
He is passionate about cultural tourism and how it serves communities across our state, socially, environmentally, and economically. He works to highlight how tourism supports job creation and enhances diversity, equity, and inclusion by uniting cultural groups from around the world.
David currently serves on the board of directors for Travel Lane County, Oregon Tourism Commission, Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC) and Willamette Falls Locks Authority Commission.
His previous roles include chair of the Clackamas County Tourism Development Counsel, Travel Portland board of directors, Our Children Oregon and past board member of National Tourism Association, Eugene & Coastal Sports Advisory Council, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
David received his Bachelor of Science, Business Management at Weber State College.