Jeff began working with PHOENIX Rising Transitions after he learned of the Prison Industrial Complex through a friend who had been through the system. Inspired to organize for change in our prison system, he became an active member of PHOENIX and MACG, serving on the MACG Strategy Team for several years. Jeff is a strong proponent of welcoming the formerly incarcerated back into our communities as his neighbors and believes reform includes community organizing, especially empowerment for those with felony convictions. Jeff actively volunteered with PHOENIX Rising Transitions until he moved to the East Coast in 2023. He works as a Director of Quality for a multinational medical services company and has a BA in British Law with a focus in Human Rights. Jeff has attended the State University of New York at Stony Brook, New College at the University of Oxford, UK, and Portland State University. He is an Associate Member of the American Association of Geographers, an Associate Member of the American Meteorological Society, an Associate Non-Physician Member of the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners, and a member of the Oxford Union Society. His free time is occupied by his pug, Spencer.

Sherry Archer was a nursing instructor in Population Health at OHSU School of Nursing when she brought a group of nursing students to meet with their legislative representatives in Salem as part of a MACG lobbying day. There the students were paired up with members of PHOENIX Rising Transitions. The lobby day partnership was so meaningful and eye opening for both the students and PHOENIX members that Sherry and Harry Olsen decided to make PHOENIX a clinical site for population students, invite PHOENIX as guest speakers to the nursing school, and invite students and faculty to participate in PHOENIX’s in-prison classes. Sherry has since retired from the school of nursing.

Sherry grew up in Chicago and participated in intensive IAF training there at the age of 19. She moved to Portland and attended Portland State University graduating in sociology, then later receiving a BS in Nursing from the University of Kansas School of Nursing and a master’s in nursing from the University of Portland. She worked in various community/public health positions before transitioning to teaching at Linfield School of Nursing, then OHSU. She is especially drawn to PHOENIX since it’s work is based on IAF principles working together in relationship for leadership development that empowers all to work for change on both a personal and societal level.

Brad was a founding member of PHOENIX Rising Transitions along with Harry Olsen and others at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) when it was still just an idea. Brad also led the 7th Step group at OSP and in the community. He took PHOENIX’s Problem Solving class in the community several years ago. He has also been trained as a Certified Peer Recovery Mentor (CRM). More recently he worked with clients as a volunteer during our COVID-19 work.

Karen has been the Executive Director of PHOENIX since 2009 until retiring on October 31, 2024. She is assisting Jocelyn Miner, who is serving as interim executive director. Karen served on the PHOENIX board for three years prior to joining the staff.

Before moving to Oregon in 2006, she was a church relations associate at Bread for the World in Washington, DC; a director of Christian Education/Children’s and Family Minister at three United Methodist Churches in Maryland; and the Executive Director of Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity in Baltimore. She was also a campaign organizer at Partnership for Safety and Justice in Portland.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana State University; a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky; and a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University. She received training in community organizing from the Industrial Areas Foundation in 2005 and has served as a trainer for local MACG Leadership Institutes.