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KEY STAFF.
ABOUT US.
KairosPDX was established on the belief that every child is uniquely capable, innately curious, and inherently creative. KairosPDX cultivates and illuminates the next generation of diverse leaders to build a better future for all.
Our approach of dismantling structural racism to create lasting change includes policy advocacy, non-discrimatory training, and professional development services. We provide hands-on learning through our flagship school and serve our community via partnerships and family engagement programs.
Through culturally-competent teaching, intentional interaction, and exposure to diverse role models, we help break down fear and build empathy. We teach our children through our actions and our voices to reject stereotypes and above all, to see the humanity in one another.
KairosPDX is transforming education by catalyzing change and proving that a positive, loving, and secure community can prepare students for optimal learning and compassionate leadership.
Founders.
KairosPDX was founded in 2012 by 5 women, 4 Black, dedicated to transforming the narrative in education for historically marginalized communities. This stemmed from bearing witness to a prolific achievement gap for Black children that is/was unacceptable and inconsistent with Portland’s vision for an equitable community. KairosPDX also observed a lack of innovation in the educational enterprise moving the needle on outcomes and truths. From here, KairosPDX was born.
Left to right: Kaaren, Marsha, Zalika, Kali & Jasmine
Who Are We?
Key Staff.
Key Staff.
David Shephard
Dean of School Performance
David Shephard, a Portland native with a diverse background, attended Marylhurst University, majoring in Liberal Studies, and earned a Bachelor of Theology from Bishop A. L. Hardy Academy of Theology. A lifelong learner, he has lived in various states including Washington, Virginia, California. He now calls Oregon home while also being a small business owner in Washington for the past ten years.
With 28 years of experience, Mr. Shephard recently served as the first Black Administrator in 82 years at Central Catholic High School, contributing 3.5 years as its Dean of Student Management, Safety, and Security. His extensive career includes roles at institutions such as Multnomah County Library, Parkrose School District, Portland Public Schools, Albina Head Start, Rosemary Anderson High School, Self Enhancement Inc., and Western Washington University.
Mr. Shephard’s return to KairosPDX is a full-circle moment because it is where he discovered his passion for working with kids in the early ’90s. Two of his adult children attended Humboldt Elementary from pre-K to 5th grade. A firm believer in lifelong learning, he plans to achieve his educational goals
Lisa Sloan
Lisa has been working in the nonprofit sector for more than 25 years, helping organizations chart a solid course for longevity and impact. She has been an executive director, development director and has held several interim and contract positions in both leadership and consulting roles. Most recently she has worked with SE Uplift, Sarah Bellum’s Bakery and Sellwood Community House and facilitated a merger between Rock ‘n Roll Camp for Girls and Friends of Noise. She is adept at jumping into transitional situations and is especially drawn to community-driven organizations. She is thrilled to be working with KairosPDX.
Tiffany Dempsey
Director: Community Relations
Tiffany Dempsey is a passionate leader who focuses on people. She co-founded and lead the 1st Intel Oregon “Historically Black Colleges and Universities” Alumni special interest group that annually supports several community events geared towards the education and the promotion of attendance at HBCUs.
Tiffany has recently “retired” from Intel Corporation an experienced Product Ecology Engineer with a demonstrated history of twenty-five plus years working in the semiconductor industry. She is skilled in People Management, Operations Management, Business Process Improvement, Technical Training, Team Building and the emotional intelligence to drive impact in business and the community. As an Intel Encore Fellow, she was previously the “Cultural Integration & Investment Leader” at KairosPDX Elementary School in Portland, OR. As of February 2023 she has accepted the role “Director of Community Relations” at KairosPDX Elementary. In this role she provides the connective infrastructure to further embed Kairos in the pipeline of the local and HBCU community. Tiffany takes pride in providing the best learning and development opportunities wherever possible.
Tiffany is a mentor for the Portland UNCF Portfolio Project, an 11-week college preparatory program, and serves on the boards for the United Negro College Fund PDX and Friends of Baseball. She has been a volunteer with Black Educational Achievement Movement (BEAM) for 8 years in various capacities, including Black Student Success Summit (BSSS) HBCU fair; HBCU workshop development lead and panelist.
Tiffany is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and a “PROUD” graduate of Prairie View A&M University, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. When she’s not busy coordinating community and HBCU educational events at Kairos, she can be found singing at professional sporting events, or co-managing her sons’ creative arts business Emagination Creation Dezigns.
Consultant, Zalika has worked with primary-aged children for the past 24 years. After beginning her teaching career in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Zalika spent the last 14 years teaching first and second grade at Catlin Gabel School. As an adjunct professor in the Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education & Counseling for 6 years, Zalika taught Child Development, Literacy and Historical Perspectives in Education. As a founding partner, Zalika has co-designed the scope, trajectory and focus of the KairosPDX program and theory of change. She serves as instructional leader for KairosPDX Learning Academy, facilitating partnerships with educational institutions as well as recruiting, sustaining and training educators and volunteers (Ambassadors).
Born and raised in N.E. Portland, Zalika resides in N. Portland with her husband and 3 children (Her gifts). Zalika earned her B.A. in Psychology from Scripps College, and her M.A. in Educational Leadership and Multicultural Studies from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Kali is a social entrepreneur who is a passionate advocate for equity and education transformation with a background that spans from teacher to program manager to policymaker over the last 19 years. After spending four years as Education Director for former Mayor Sam Adams, Kali pursued establishing and co-founding KairosPDX, a non-profit/community-based school dedicated to closing opportunity and achievement gaps for historically marginalized children.
In May 2012, Kali won the election to Portland Community College’s Board of Directors -- Oregon’s largest higher education institution -- and for seven years served as Chair. In 2016, Kali was appointed by Governor Kate Brown to the Early Learning Council of Oregon where she currently serves, and in 2017 she was appointed to the Oregon Community Foundations, Metro Leadership Council. Kali was also appointed to the James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation Board in January 2019 working to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians through the support of classroom education and the performing, visual, and literary arts.
In addition to her national work, Kali has worked overseas in South Africa teaching and supporting the development of two community-based projects: A community library and women-owned bakery. In 2018, Kali was recognized by Portland Business Journal as a “Woman of Influence,” and in 2017 as “40 Under 40” to watch.
Kali earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Boston College, and a master’s degree in Education Policy from Harvard University.
Kali and her husband, Billy, reside in Portland with their two young children. For fun, Kali enjoys running, reading, writing and cooking.
Former Project Manager, OHSU, School of Medicine. Marsha has over 16 years professional experience researching, writing, managing and coordinating over 15 research grants in academic medicine. She is first generation American and served for over 6 years with the Haitian Health Institute in Boston, exposing underserved youth to enrichment and college preparatory programs as well as helping high school students navigate the college application process.
Marsha comes to Oregon from New York State by way of Boston and resides in Portland with her husband and four young children. Marsha earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in health, law & society, and women’s studies from Brandeis University.
What We Do?
Early Learning
Academy
KairosPDX Early Learning Academy
Board.
The community we serve is reflected in our founders, our employees and our board. The building we are currently housed in intentionally serves as historical tie and space for the African-American community in North/Northeast Portland.
- David Anderson, Associate, Schwabe, Williamson, and Wyatt
- Brooke Brownlee, State Legislative Affairs Manager, Portland General Electric
- Kira Cador, KairosPDX Board Secretary – President, Rembold Properties
- Ashley Clinksdale, Senior Vice President, Communications, Community & Diversity and Executive Director of the Trail Blazers Foundation, Portland Trail Blazers
- Stuart Ellis, CEO & Founder, Charter School Capital
- Tyrone Foster, President, Precision Landscape
- Zalika Gardner, KairosPDX CECO & Co-Founder
- Kaaren Heikes, KairosPDX Co-Founder, Board Secretary
- Melissa L. Naito, Community Activist
- Chris Nelson, Principal, Capstone Partners LLC
- Larry Nelson, KairosPDX Board Treasurer – Finance Professional
- Tiffani Penson, KairosPDX Board Chair - People & Culture Strategist, City of Portland, Portland Community College Trustee
- Kali Thorne-Ladd, KairosPDX Co-Founder
- Mark Washington, Senior Vice President, Eastdil Secured
- Marsha Williams, KairosPDX CEO & Co-Founder
- Michael Alexander, Past President, Urban League of Portland
- Swati Adakar, President & CEO, Children’s Institute
- Jeffrey Camarillo, Founding Director & Principal, Luis Valdez Leadership Academy
- LaTrece Gaither, Counselor/Case Manager, Central City Concern
- Daniel B. Garrie Esq, Senior Managing Partner & General Counsel, Law & Forensics, LLC
- Margaret Hinshaw, President, Insight Center
- Julie Mancini, Executive Director, College Possible
- Ben Sand, CEO, Portland Leadership Foundation
- Daniel Valliere, Chief Executive Director, REACH
The KairosPDX Board of Directors generally meets on the second Wednesday every other month. The Learning Academy section of the meeting is public. To ensure access or request interpretation services, please contact us at boardsecretary@kairospdx.org.
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