Maggie Heno-Ellis – Board President
I am a dedicated advocate for Pacific Islander communities, deeply committed to fostering unity, cultural preservation, and equitable access to resources.
With ten years of experience in advocacy and community outreach, I have played a pivotal role in empowering Pacific Islanders by supporting initiatives related to health, immigration challenges, housing, legal services, and employment.
As a Proud Palauan, I bring a passion for cultural heritage and social justice to PICO. I have been instrumental in forming strategic partnerships with local governments, non-profits, and businesses to ensure that Pacific Islander voices are heard and represented in critical policy discussions.
I am committed to inspiring the next generation of Pacific Islander leaders and creating long-term sustainability and community empowerment pathways.
Paula Salu- Board Member/ Co-Founder
Paula is a co-founder and has been with PICO since its inception. From the early days of camp, she was instrumental in planning and organizing registration, camp awards, and school supplies given to campers every year.
Her commitment to learning and for students to have access and tools to education is the backbone of our crusade, especially for students from marginalized communities and low-income families.
Paula also volunteers in her spare time building houses in Tijuana, Mexico, for low incomes families as part of her service with the Sisters of Providence.
Paula was a student-athlete at Portland State University, where she lettered four years as an outfielder playing Softball under the tutelage of legendary softball coach Teri Mariani.
Paula has been a System Director in the Revenue Cycle for Providence for over forty years, where her contribution and services to the healthcare industry have been outstanding.
Paula and her husband Ace have three children Nate, TJ, and Malakai.
Favorite Quote:
“Whatever concerns the poor is always our affair.”
– Mother Joseph
Erin Stepanek- Board Member
Erin Stepanek enjoyed a successful career in Hotel Sales, Marketing, Destination Management Organization Sales, and Meeting Planning.
Erin appreciates the complexities of human relationships and values helping others. In addition to leading an outstanding sales team, another proud achievement for her was creating a philanthropic division within a for-profit hotel.
The non-profit continues to host three community volunteer opportunities for employees and a golf tournament raising funds for Clark County children.
Today, Erin is using her connecting, communicating, and collaborating skills in the mental health/substance use disorder community.
She loves the opportunity to connect resources to share with the community inside and outside of her organization.
Erin volunteers at the Hazel Dell Salmon Creek Business Association. She has fostered ten children, adopted two, one Stepson and gained a bonus daughter. She enjoys spending time with family, gardening, and traveling.
Troy Reddick – Board Member
Troy Reddick is a former NFL player turned nonprofit and staffing professional passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. After a successful college football career at Auburn University, where he was a member of their SEC Championship-winning team, Troy played in the NFL and AFL leagues.
After playing, Troy began consulting for other pro athletes’ agents, financial advisors, and nonprofit foundation development teams.
Troy found fulfillment in the nonprofit sector, starting as an Employment Specialist with Easterseals Oregon and quickly promoted to Program Manager. In this role, he expanded the grant to service a tri-county area and co-located offices in the local WorkSource centers.
In addition, he has a passion for hosting career events for veterans and diverse talent in honor of a fallen marine and friend from high school. Troy later served as VP of Strategic Accounts for Incluzion co.
In this technical staffing startup, he advised and directed Tech Sector Managers, workforce boards, and DE&I Councils on engaging diverse talent with innovative career events and emergent technology.
He was Head of Workplace Partnerships for a remote staffing agency, leading a team of account executives responsible for building and maintaining client relationships.
Troy has a proven track record of developing successful business plans, negotiating contracts, and executing projects on time and within budget. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Troy is also a member of the national and local Buffalo Soldiers Moses Williams PNW chapter, co-producing an upcoming documentary titled Buffalo Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts, detailing the contributions of the all-black cavalry and infantry regiments created by the Army Reorganization Act of 1866.
Additionally, troy enjoys preparing family meals, increasing local civic engagement amongst youth and young adults, and offering free private sports instruction and mentality conditioning for local athletes.
With a lifelong passion for football and a belief that his key to success is helping those around him accomplish their goals, Troy has also trained with some of the industry’s best strength and conditioning coaches.
Troy’s diverse background in sports, staffing, and nonprofit work, in addition, to his dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion, makes him an invaluable asset to any nonprofit board. In addition, he brings experience in strategic planning, business development, and client relationship management and a passion for promoting social justice and empowering underrepresented communities.
Gemma-Noelani Somol – Board Member
Tirow Womi, and greetings to you beautiful people! My name is Gemma-Noelani Somol. I am a first-generation college graduate, born and raised in Saipan. I have gained over 10 years of experience in community engagement, advocacy, and mental health awareness.
Over the years, I’ve worked with various communities to amplify underrepresented voices and advance groups that encourage healing, growth, and empowerment. My goal is to share that same collective warmth that I have been blessed with, to promote action for equity, honor the unique cultural identities of the people I serve, and encourage confidence in one’s cultural roots.
Actions speak louder than words, and that is how I will express my dedication to the community of all indigenous and cultural roots. Glad to meet you all, let’s connect!”
