Our friend, Gunnar is an adventurous, outdoorsy soul with a love for cooking and crafts. He’s imaginative, creating wonders from cardboard and Legos, while also excelling in 4H club exhibits and woodshop class. He’s knocking it out of the park!
Gunnar’s adventurous spirit, creativity, and dedication to honing his skills make him an exceptional and deserving candidate Star of the Month.
901 N Brutscher Street Suite 219 | Newberg, OR 97132 | info@alliance-services.org
Ph:(971) 512-0853 | Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday
Second Address: 7000 SW Hampton Street Suite 101 | Tigard, OR 97223
901 N Brutscher Street Suite 219
Newberg, OR 97132
info@alliance-services.org
Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday
Bilingual Care Team Specialist
I was born in California but have spent most of my life in Newberg, where I’ve built a strong connection to the Pacific Northwest. While my roots are in a sunnier climate, I genuinely enjoy the cooler weather, the refreshing breeze, and especially the fall season. I value a balanced lifestyle and consider myself a homebody who enjoys spending quality time with my family, my partner, and my dog.
I was raised in a Spanish-speaking household, making Spanish my first language. This has become a meaningful asset that I take pride in using to support and connect with others. I am driven by a desire to find purpose and fulfillment in my work, particularly through serving the I/DD community and helping individuals achieve their personal goals. With a background in both banking and healthcare, I am eager to continue expanding my knowledge and skills in order to make a positive and lasting impact in the lives of those I serve.
Community Partnerships Manager
Born and raised in the Silver State, Angela made the move from Nevada to Oregon a few years ago. She was captivated by the abundant foliage, grassroots values, and diverse culture of the Pacific Northwest. Hailing from the food and beverage industry, Angela’s focus has been on promoting health and wellness through nutrition. She is deeply enthusiastic about increasing accessibility and resources for underrepresented groups, specifically the I/DD community.
Angela was introduced to the I/DD community during her time volunteering with the Trauma Intervention Program of Northern Nevada. This program taught her the importance of developing a strong understanding of emotional intelligence techniques and how to best use them to better serve those in crisis. She went on to work in the nutritional department of Renown Regional Medical Center, which presented her with the opportunity to work directly with neuroscience, pediatrics, and intensive care patients. Angela is an advocate of the “one size does not fit all” theory. She believes that viewing others through the scope of empathy is essential to establishing genuine connections, so that one can provide care that truly meets the needs of the individual. Her personal mantra is “when in doubt, lead with love.” Angela’s open-hearted approach is coupled with an ambitious desire to create effective, practical changes that make a positive difference while breaking down barriers of accessibility.
In her free time, Angela is an avid supporter and practitioner of the culinary farm-to-table movement. This involves clean, sustainable agricultural processes that produce more natural food products. As a chef, she has collaborated with food and beverage manufacturers to deliver requested nutritional specs, product designs, and production timelines for CPGs. When she is not toiling around in the kitchen, Angela can be found hiking with her dog or reading away the rainy days.
Care Team Specialist
MacKenzie is a proud Newberg native with a heart full of curiosity, creativity, and community spirit. Her background is delightfully varied — she earned an associate’s in general studies with a social work emphasis from Portland Community College, and along the way she’s dipped into all sorts of roles that have sharpened her empathy, adaptability, and passion for people.
In her free time, you’ll find MacKenzie right in the mix of family life: her partner, their kiddo, and their three dogs keep things lively and full of joy. During Oregon’s rainy months, she likes to get her hands dirty with arts & crafts projects or break a sweat at the local rec center. When the skies clear and the sun peeks through, she’s all about being outdoors — hiking local trails, soaking up fresh air, or simply wandering in nature’s classroom.
MacKenzie is deeply committed to continuing her education — there’s always more to learn, after all — and has dreams of exploring the world (even if just one small adventure at a time). Through past experiences in memory care and brief involvement with the I/DD community, she’s gained a growing appreciation for inclusive, person-centered support — something she hopes to continue building on in this role. As she grows, Mackenzie aims to bring that same zest for life, openness to new experiences, and heart for others into every interaction.
Bilingual Care Team Specialist
Ignacio has lived most of his life in Oregon where he enjoys staying active through sports, especially soccer, and working on automotive projects. His hobbies have taught him the value of teamwork, attention to detail, and following structured processes. In his free time, you can find Ignacio hiking, road tripping, and spending time outdoors which he finds essential for both his physical and mental health.
Ignacio’s introduction to the I/DD community occurred in high school when his cousin with support needs came to live with them. Ignacio’s mother encouraged him to educate himself through specialized courses to better understand how to provide meaningful, informed care. Ignacio’s experience supporting his cousin sparked a lasting commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities and advocating for their well-being.
Ignacio is eager to expand his knowledge and continue making a positive impact on individuals and families in the I/DD community. His goal is to contribute to a compassionate and culturally responsive care environment that empowers those we serve.
Care Team Specialist II
Kyler is a Newberg native with a deep passion for supporting the I/DD community. His journey in to serving the community began early when his family started fostering children, sparking his commitment to helping others.
Kyler brings valuable experience to his role, previously having worked as a direct support professional during college and then later as a case manager in the behavioral health field. His diverse background enables him to approach each individual and family with empathy, respect, and a deep understanding of their unique needs. Driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact, Kyler is eager to continue growing and contributing to his community by making meaningful impact in the lives of the people he serves.
Outside of work, Kyler enjoys scenic hikes, time with his family and friends, and playing sports. During the warmer months, Kyler loves to go camping and spend as much time as possible outdoors.
Care Team Manager
CEO
Greg was raised in a loving household that instilled the values of compassion and empathy through active volunteering at soup kitchens, churches, health clinics, and food delivery programs. These hands-on experiences opened his eyes to the challenges faced by overlooked individuals and ignited his passion for fostering more supportive communities for the underserved. Over the past 12 years, Greg has dedicated his work to both the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) community and senior citizens, helping them lead richer, more fulfilling lives.
Embracing the mantra “serve to lead,” Greg believes that a life dedicated to service enriches both the giver and the receiver, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the community. He understands the transformative power of genuine connections, asserting that through these relationships, we can all share our unique gifts with the world.
Outside of his commitment to service, Greg enjoys a fulfilling personal life. He is happily married to his wife, Christina, and is an avid runner who competes in trail races and participates in a local run club. Additionally, he finds joy in yoga and tennis; however, on rainy days, you can find him curled up with a good book, savoring the quiet moments. Greg’s holistic approach to life reflects his belief that balance and well-being are essential to serving others effectively.
Senior Bilingual Care Team Specialist
Bennett was born and raised in Arizona and is the youngest of seven siblings. His six older sisters were a big influence on him while growing up, setting an example of hard work and the value of having a sense of humor. Throughout his youth he participated in the Boy Scout program where he learned how rewarding and impactful serving those around him can be.
After turning 18 and graduating Bennett lived in Panama City, Panama for a couple years where he was introduced to Spanish and grew to love speaking the language. Upon returning home to the US, he studied at Arizona State University and graduated with a BA in Spanish Linguistics.
Bennett currently lives in Newberg with his partner where he spends his free time baking at home, taking care of his many plants, or enjoying a book. His other interests include any excuse to be in nature such as hiking, kayaking, camping, and backpacking. Bennett also participates in the Rotary Early Bird club in town and is looking forward to serving individuals with I/DD.
Operations Specialist
Kaitlyn was born and raised in the small town of Forest Grove, Oregon. Shortly after graduating high school, Kaitlyn followed her heart to Montana to achieve her bachelor’s degree and then to Texas to work for a Fortune 500 consulting company. Kaitlyn realized she no longer wanted to be away from her loved ones and moved back to Oregon.
Kaitlyn’s source of happiness comes from the moments she can spend with her family. When she finds the time, Kaitlyn also enjoys kayaking and goes camping with her partner. Kaitlyn has always been a traveler and will take weekend getaways to allow herself time to recharge so she can bring the best version of herself to serving our community.
Kaitlyn is inspired to partner with and serve the I/DD community because of the incredible example her mom, whose been a Special Education Instructional Assistant since Kaitlyn was in kindergarten, set for her. She has had the pleasure of supporting individuals with I/DD in elementary schools and is excited to be joining the Alliance Services team to continue making an impact!
Care Team Specialist II
Karina is a driving force of creativity, enthusiasm, and compassion. Having spent her childhood in New York City and her teenage years in a town of 35,000, she brings with her a range of life experiences that provides a peek into various walks of life. This experience leads to an abundance of knowledge and a passion for compassion, empathy, and understanding for everyone.
Karina has about 13 years of customer service experience along with both friends and family in the I/DD community that help compound her passion to help others and learn further how she’s able to effectively do so.
She is a loving pet parent to two cats and enjoys doing a variety of creative projects, playing video games, hiking, and exploring in her downtime with her loved ones. She’s always looking to learn something new and loves to hear about others’ joy and happy experiences in their lives so she’s able to celebrate alongside them.
Care Team Specialist II
Cassie was born and raised in a small logging town called Vernonia, Oregon. Her graduating class only had 23 kids. While in high school Cassie had the opportunity to partner with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who were in elementary school. This sparked her desire to pursue a career working with individuals in the I/DD community.
In Cassie’s free time, she enjoys spending time and making memories with her kids, reading, and finding new places to hike and explore.
Cassie has previously worked as a provider with Alliance Services and is excited to join the Care Team!
Care Team Specialist II
Crystal has nearly 10 years of experience in the health care and mental health sectors. Coming all the way from the island of Guam, she strives to connect and assist our community wherever possible. She loves meeting new people, hearing their stories, and bonding over shared experiences.
Crystal’s hobbies include reading, cooking, and travelling. Some of her favorite trips have been to Japan, the Caribbean, and The Great Wall of China. She and her husband are always discussing their next adventure and researching new travel destinations! She looks forward to meeting our community and making those connections!
Advocacy
Liz is a passionate community leader and advocate for health & human services. Raised in Twin Falls, Idaho, Liz graduated from Seattle University, and began her career working as a frontline behavioral health technician for a community mental health agency. This work inspired her return back to school to acquire her Masters in Social Work from Boise State University. She specializes in policy development and advocacy at the city, state and federal level, and is passionate about preserving access and choice for vulnerable populations. When Liz isn’t working, she enjoys time in the great outdoors with her husband, two kids and their pup.
Senior Intake Specialist
Keri is a passionate mother who prioritizes her family, friends, health, and personal growth. Her daughter holds her heart, but don’t worry she has plenty of love to go around for the I/DD community and beyond excited to make an impact in our community through the service she provides.
She is an incredible fit with our team with her depth of administrative experience, 19 years spent in customer service, and a background in psychology and family counseling. She is great at building trust and exuding compassion while supporting individuals and families. She is also no stranger to our shared community having previously volunteered with I/DD students in a Special Education program.
In her free time, you can obviously find her with her little girl, but you can also find her hiking, lifting, and relaxing while watching sports.
Keri is looking forward to working with the Alliance Services family and supporting our vision to help better communities…one story at a time.
HR Operations Manager
Cristina enjoys connecting individuals with resources to live their best life. In her previous jobs, she was responsible for designing structures and practices to support the best customer experience by ensuring each individual felt seen. She is honored to share these skills and values in support of the amazing staff and providers at Alliance Services.
Cristina also enjoys brunch, live music, stand-up paddleboarding, scavenger hunts, and laughing with family and friends. Native to the Pacific Northwest, she loves hikes in the Columbia River Gorge on crisp fall days.
Partnerships and Business Development
Neil is, first and foremost, a family man. As a husband and, more recently, a father, his passion for the care we provide has never been stronger. Neil has personally experienced the impact that compassionate care can make. His wish for those we serve is that they be provided with an empowering experience that fosters our customers’ independence and creates space for quality time amongst families.
Neil’s favorite place to unwind is by a lake or in the mountains. He hopes to share his love of water skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, and other activities with his boys as they grow older. On the average weekend, you can find him at a park with friends, grilling up a family meal in his backyard, or enjoying a date night with his wife, compliments of grandma and grandpa.
Neil’s goal at Alliance Services is to positively impact the lives of more individuals throughout Oregon and deepen our roots in the community.
Senior Care Team Specialist
Kelsey has lived in Oregon her entire life. After graduating high school in 2020, amidst the pandemic, she followed her passion for caregiving while studying at CCC, where she received an associate’s degree. After working as a caregiver for a while, Kelsey was hired as a mental health professional at Trillium Family Services. This work fueled her passion for caregiving and supporting the I/DD community with Alliance Services, and she is eager to get to know the people we serve.
In her free time, Kelsey enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, Murphie, her partner, and her friends and family. She loves hiking, especially when waterfalls are involved, hunting for seashells at the beach, and running. Kelsey also enjoys mellowing out with video games, a show, or painting.
Senior Care Team Specialist
Brigit was born and raised in McMinnville, OR. She graduated from Portland Community College in 2022 with a degree in General Studies. She has six children who are all grown and living on their own. In her spare time, Brigit enjoys nature walks, playing games with her kids, loving on her pets, and reading. On most summer days Brigit can be found outside with a book and a coffee. She owns over 6,000 books!
Brigit spent the last eight years working as an education assistant for students with special needs in an elementary school. She came to love all her students and appreciated their unique abilities. Brigit is excited to be part of Alliance Services and continue to use her knowledge to help those in the special needs community.
Director Of Community Partnerships
Kimberly has a huge heart for the I/DD community. Having first worked with a friend within the community who moved from a different state in dire need of better services, she was able to provide the encouragement and support needed to help her friend make huge process in their journey to independence and in the process found her calling.
Born and raised in Southern California, Kimberly has experience making magic at the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks, providing one-on-one support at Behavioral Health Works, and serving the I/DD community at 24 Hour Home Care in California. She is beyond thrilled to be in Oregon and you can now often find her at local farmer’s markets, training her dogs, and spending time with her husband.
Kimberly is excited to continue serving the I/DD community in Oregon, ensuring our customers receive the care they deserve and have allies that stand beside them throughout each and every step of their care journey.
