SEIU 503 is a democratic, member-run union. In 2020 we have elected more than 700 leaders to a variety of positions to lead our union. The people in these roles will shape our work over the next two years as we bargain strong contracts, represent workers, and grow.
So we’d like to introduce you to our newly elected Statewide Officers.
Executive Director
Melissa Unger
Melissa has been part of SEIU for 12 years, as a staff leader and political director for SEIU 503 and more recently as our union’s executive director. Melissa has been an incredibly effective champion for SEIU members in the state Capitol and with our allies, ensuring that Oregon’s budgets and policies keep the needs of working people front and center. More recently she led the 2020 bargaining campaigns, which resulted in the best round of contracts we’ve seen in over a decade.
President
Mike Powers
Mike has been an active leader in our Union’s political program – CAPE – for many years, in addition to serving six years as President of the SEIU Agriculture Local 603 and on our Union’s board of directors. Mike knows what SEIU 503 has meant to his family, and the debt owed to those who fought for us. He is committed to protecting and expanding the Union difference for this and the next generation of Oregon working families.
Vice President – Care Provider and Other Sectors
Rebecca Sandoval
Having always looked for a way to be part of the larger movement for social justice, Rebecca felt she had found a home 12 years ago when she joined SEIU 503 shortly after becoming a homecare provider. She’s been passionate about and immersed in the labor movement ever since that first SEIU 503 union meeting. Now, as the statewide vice president representing Care Providers, Rebecca plays a central role in the fight for economic justice for all Oregonians. Read more.
Vice President – Public Sector
Andrea Kennedy-Smith
Andrea has been a DHS-Child Welfare Paralegal for 13 years. She has served in many roles in our union, including as a Contract Specialist, Chief Steward, Secretary for Sub-Local 216 and most recently as the first Asian-American Vice President of our Union. Andrea is eager to continue the work of strengthening and diversifying our union, bargaining good contracts and involving our members in every aspect of our union.
Secretary
Theodora Ko Thompson
Theo is a lifelong learner and has been a proud member of SEIU for 20+ years. She is active for legislative funding for education, and public services; a Union leader/activist for gender equality, equity and inclusion on the Board. At the University of Oregon Sub Local 085, Theo served as President, Vice President, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor; is a member of the Contract Actions Team and a steward. Theo is committed to advocating for inclusive, safe and healthy workplace climates; raising member voices and our collective power to preserve and protect jobs, benefits, rights and union values.
Treasurer
Mary Stewart
Mary is returning to her role as Treasurer of our Union. She’s celebrating almost fifteen years of Union service which began as a Steward and then President and Chief Steward of her Local (Revenue 150), a few terms as the CAPE Secretary, General Council Delegate as well as a Bargaining Delegate at Specials Coalition and Central Table. She still puts in 40 hours a week at Revenue. And, when not working for members or Oregonians, she supports her daughter, now a third year medical student, a 29 year old horse and 15 year old 18lb cat. Mary likes to stay busy.
Board of Directors
Director – Central Valley (3): Rhonda Morgan, Paula Peña, Max Brown
Director – South Valley (2): Johnny Earl, Stacy Heath
Director – Southwest Oregon (1): Deanna Boylan
Director – Southern Oregon (1): Jeff Singer
Director – Eastern and Central Oregon (1): Helen Moore
Director – Multnomah and Clackamas Counties (3): Diana Lobo, Thuy Huyen, Danielle Droppers
Director – Northwest Oregon (1): Guillermo Romero
Assistant Director – Central Valley (3): Kathleen Lamar, Bernardo Tuma, Felipa Rojas De Torres
Assistant Director – South Valley (2): Michelle Dawson, Lindie Nelson
Assistant Director – Southwest Oregon (1): Joy Vegar
Assistant Director – Southern Oregon (1): Mark Thordsen
Assistant Director – Eastern and Central Oregon (1): Tryna Muilenburg
Assistant Director – Multnomah and Clackamas Counties (3): Florence Renee Watson-Taylor, Mariia Stein, Ivonne Rivero
Assistant Director – Northwest Oregon (1): Cristina Aviles
Director – Higher Education: Stephanie Prentiss
Director – Human Services: Anastasia Godsey
Director – ODOT Coalition: Mike Scott
Director – Specials Coalition: Alisha Goodwin
Director – Institutions Coalition: Shawn Holliday
Director – Local Government: Adam Korst
Director – Private Non-Profit: Shaun Notdurft
Director – Home Care / Client-Employed Provider: Joy’e Willman
Director – Nursing Home: Samuel Browne
Director – Adult Foster Homes: Sarah Ray
Assistant Director – Higher Education: Colleen Martin-Low
Assistant Director – Human Services: Ehren Vaughn
Assistant Director – ODOT Coalition: Malcolm Scott
Assistant Director – Specials Coalition: Susan Kay Mundell
Assistant Director – Institutions Coalition: Angelica Ceja-Ochoa
Assistant Director – Local Government: Lisa Walker
Assistant Director – Private Non-Profit: Taylor Bacon
Assistant Director – Home Care / Client-Employed Provider: Andrea Clark
Assistant Director – Nursing Home: Rebecca Hernandez
Assistant Director – Child Care Workers: Natalie Jackson
Assistant Director – Adult Foster Homes: John Grimm