Our Staff - Southeast Uplift

Phoebe Gildea

Phoebe (they/she) is a passionate activist and organizer with a diverse professional background ranging from politics to education to performance. After stepping in last minute to manage a campaign for state representative in 2020, she discovered a passion for helping grassroots organizations set up for success while connecting with people on the ground.

Phoebe has degrees in vocal performance and music history from Chapman University. They continue to educate young performers both privately and as music director for children’s theaters, and they continue to perform with various theaters and operas around the Portland area. Recently, Phoebe got the opportunity to combine her two passions for singing and social justice by creating the role of Celeste Owen in the world premiere of new opera FREE MEN with Cabaletta Productions.

When they manage to find free time between work and rehearsals, you can find Phoebe on the couch with their partner and a very fluffy cat, either crocheting, embroidering, or reading.

Matchu Williams

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.

Matchu is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Brentwood-Darlington, Foster-Powell, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Reed, South Tabor, and Sunnyside.

Alex Cherin

Alez is the Partnerships 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 SE community. He is looking forward to fostering new relationships and nurturing established ones as well as supporting new developments within the neighborhoods of SE Portland.

Alex is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Brooklyn, Buckman, Creston-Kenilworth, Kerns, North Tabor, Woodstock.

Lindsey Johnson

Lindsey joined the staff team at SE Uplift in 2021 as Administrative and Operations Specialist. She is excited to move into communications and fiscal sponsorship.

Lindsey has served on the board for Montavilla Neighborhood Association and SE Uplift. She has an extensive background in the nonprofit arts and education sectors. She is passionate about building community and supporting local businesses.

Lindsey hails from Minneapolis and has been living in East Portland since 2016. She earned music degrees from Luther College and the University of North Texas. Lindsey performs with the Portland Opera Chorus, serves on the Board of Governors for the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) labor union, and is President of the Mu Phi Epsilon Portland Alumni Chapter. In her spare time, she enjoys board games, hiking, mushroom foraging, and cuddling her puppy and two cats.

Lindsey is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Ardenwald-Johnson Creek, Laurelhurst, Montavilla, Mt. Tabor, and Sellwood-Moreland.

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.

Nanci is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Eastmoreland, Hosford-Abernethy, Richmond.

Our team.

Nanci Champlin

Alex Cherin

Lindsey Johnson

Matchu Williams

Phoebe Gildea