Tera Hurst, Executive Director (she/her)
Tera is a leader devoted to sustainability and supporting people in recovery in Oregon. As HJRA’s Executive Director she is helping lead the effort to implement Measure 110. Before starting HJRA she was the Executive Director of Renew Oregon where she successfully worked with the Governor, State Legislature, community groups, foundations, and businesses to pass the most ambitious climate action in Oregon’s history. Previously, Tera served as the Chief of Staff for the Mayor of Portland and in leadership roles in the Oregon State Legislature. Her career began in business, where she was a top-performing sales executive and was quickly promoted to be the youngest female sales manager in the company. Tera lives in SE Portland with her son Elliott and two ridiculously adorable dogs who frequently make appearances during Zoom meetings. Tera first moved to Portland when she was looking for a supportive, forward-looking place to raise her son and get a fresh start. She is proud to be in long-term recovery from alcoholism and addiction.
Ron Williams, Outreach Director (he/him)
Ron Williams is a seasoned community organizer and a member of the Measure 110 Oversight & Accountability Council. He previously served as a Tri-Chair for the Council, and has held numerous positions in organizing and social justice policy advocacy with organizations. He has worked with Central City Concern, First United Methodist Church, Black Parent Initiative, Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good and Oregon Action, where he served as Executive Director from 2010-2014. He has served on national boards and leadership teams including ELCA Congregation Based Organizing Team, US Action Board of Directors, Alliance for a Just Society Board of Directors, Founding Board Member of the D.C. based Faces and Voices of Recovery and the National Recovery Movement. Ron also served on the Oregon Bakers Local 114 Executive Board and as Shop Steward. Ron has worked on and led multiple, winning grassroots campaigns to increase access to affordable housing, prevailing wage jobs, pre-apprenticeships for minorities and formerly incarcerated persons, health care, green jobs, health equity and economic inequality. Ron holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Portland State University. He lives in Portland with his sweet shared dog, Roxie. His favorite thing to do when he isn’t working is to take long road trips with his son, Elo.
Claudia Black, Government Relations Director (she/her)
Claudia Black has spent her career advocating on behalf of Oregon’s most vulnerable people. She has decades of experience working in the Legislature and in government relations for the Oregon Health Authority, the Department of Corrections, the Oregon Medical Association, and Multnomah County. She also served as Governor Kulongoski’s senior policy advisor on Health and Human Services where she spearheaded the Healthy Kids Initiative to provide access to health care for all children in Oregon. During her time at Multnomah County, Claudia worked to expand access to physical and mental health care, clean up the air, create CCOs, fund the new courthouse, improve the public health system and pass common sense public safety legislation. Her successful efforts to reduce opiate overdose deaths by making harm reduction interventions more available have saved thousands of lives. Claudia describes herself as a persistent and tenacious person who will not give up until the job gets done. When she isn’t busy helping to implement Measure 110 you can find Claudia happily working hard at her favorite job of all — Grandma.
Devon Downeysmith, Communications Director (she/her)
Devon works behind the scenes with the public, media and lawmakers on issues that will make the world a better place, from protecting immigrants’ rights, to expanding access to healthcare, climate policy, and now drug policy reform. Devon served as the Communications Director for the Yes on 110 Ballot Measure Campaign, and is grateful to continue being a part of the movement to end the war on drugs through her work with HJRA. Devon lives west of Portland in the beautiful countryside with her family.
Sonny Mehta, Advocacy Director (he/him)
Sonny is a seasoned political organizer who has managed over 30 candidate campaigns, ballot measures, and field efforts — including legislative advocacy — since 2014. He worked on both successful campaigns to legalize marijuana in Oregon and Michigan. Sonny originally hails from Beaverton and now lives in Portland. When he isn’t busy organizing Oregonians around campaigns that make our state and communities stronger, you can probably find him recharging at home with James, his beloved seven year-old and extremely photogenic cat.