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.
Diana Nuñez, Technical Assistance Program Director (she/her/ella)
Diana has dedicated her career to unearthing and dismantling racism and inequity through policy and government reform. Diana has worked for the span of her career working with the community either in government leadership roles or leading nonprofit organizations advocating for equitable policy. She then went on to be the President of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, and the Executive Director of Oregon Environmental Council. In each role, she brought her passion for dismantling racism, and inequitable systems and other forms of oppression, with the goal of creating true and lasting justice in our region.
Prior to her time leading statewide non-profit organizations Diana served as Community Outreach Director and later the Deputy Director for Portland City Mayor Charlie Hales with a focused multi-sector systemic change by bringing community voices to the policy table. She sits on a number of statewide nonprofit and foundation boards.
Diana holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Portland Austin and Master’s in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Washington . She lives with her wonderful partner, teenage daughter, and their two parakeets, 20 pound cat, and three pound dog in North Portland.
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.