Matchu Williams

Matchu is the Neighborhood Planning & Liaison Program Manager at SE Uplift. Matchu feels fortunate to work with the community in advancing the SE Uplift mission of collaborating to build informed, inclusive, and participatory neighborhoods that support our social and ecological well-being. He looks forward to assisting neighborhood and partnering with the community in building capacity and equity.

Matchu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies and Criminal Justice. You may know Matchu from the SE Uplift Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of community engagement to SE Uplift having previously served as Chair of Mt. Scott Arleta Neighborhood Association, BikeLoud Memorial Events Coordinator, Arleta Triangle Project Planning Committee, South East in Active Motion Co-Chair, and has volunteered with groups including Urban Gleaners, Sisters of the Road, SOLVE, Transition Projects, Food Not Bombs, Humane Society of SW Washington, and more.

On his days off he dreams of the next bikepacking (biking + camping) trip. When in town he enjoys cycling, seeing movies on the big screen at the historic Hollywood Theatre, and enjoying food at Portland Mercado with friends.

Contact Matchu about land use and transportation issues, public notices to the district coalition office, advocacy support, and how to connect with your neighborhood on livability concerns.

Matchu is the liaison to the following neighborhood associations: Brentwood-Darlington, Foster-Powell, Rose City Park, Roseway and South Tabor.

Alex Cherin

Alex is the Facility Rentals and Grantmaking Programs Manager for SE Uplift. As an active listener, creative thinker and problem solver, Alex loves to brainstorm and collaborate with others in order to actualize visions of a more connected and active community. He is looking forward to fostering new relationships and nurturing established ones as well as supporting new developments within the District 3 neighborhoods.

Contact Alex about the Community Small Grants program, Neighborhood Association Communication Funds, renting event equipment or a meeting space at Southeast Uplift, and promoting your social media content.

Alex is the liaison to the following neighborhood associations: Brooklyn, Buckman, Hosford-Abernethy, Kerns, North Tabor, Woodstock.

Diane Odeh

Diane is the Fiscal Sponsorship Program Manager for SE Uplift. She is passionate about public service work because she has experienced the positive impact community organizations can have first-hand.

Diane is currently working on a dissertation related to civic engagement at Portland State University. She has worked with various nonprofit organizations at the local, state, federal, and international level. As a volunteer, Diane serves as President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, a board member for College Housing Northwest, and as a member of the Multnomah County Auditor’s Community Advisory Committee. Diane enjoys using her knowledge and experience to help communities thrive in promotion of the public good.

In her free time, Diane enjoys co-hosting a movie podcast, attending comedy shows, and spending time with her cat.

Contact Diane to learn if fiscal sponsorship is right for your organization or for all things related to managing your nonprofit! If you’re already fiscally sponsored by Southeast Uplift, contact me about your funds held with us, how to make the most of your fiscal sponsorship.

Diane is the liaison for the following neighborhood associations: Creston-Kenilworth, Mt. Tabor and Sunnyside.

Nanci Champlin

Nanci is the Executive Director for SE Uplift.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela

Nanci Champlin has a passion for social justice, civic engagement and conservation with nearly thirty years’ experience in scaling up organizations at the local, regional and national level. She leaned early in her career as a grassroots organizer that a key to success comes from authenticity, trust and active listening. These values have guided her approach to work ever since.

In her professional roles, Nanci has led outreach at Oregon Wild; communications and operations at the Funders Committee for Civic Participation; and most recently was Director of Development at Western State Center, a movement building and leadership development organization helping to build a 21st century civil rights movement.

Nanci has lived in SE Portland for 32 years where she has devoted countess hours to volunteer-driven conservation initiatives through her past role on a neighborhood association board. She currently serves as the fundraising chair for Friends of Moreland Woods. When not working or volunteering she can be found creating pollinator habitat in her backyard or hiking with her family and dog in Portland’s parks.

Nanci is excited to help lead SE Uplift in building a vision and strategy that empowers everyone in our community to learn, connect and engage in civic opportunities to build a future where every person can thrive.

Contact Nanci to explore partnerships, to bring forward an advocacy request to our board, to learn more about any of our community committees, or if you’re a neighborhood association in need of an insurance certificate.

Nanci is the liaison to the following neighborhood associations: Laurelhurst, Madison South, Montavilla, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Richmond.

Operations

Neighborhood Associations

April 2025

Overview of Portland’s Neighborhood System