ONAC Staff
Meet the ONAC staff…
Meet the ONAC staff…
Enrolled Citizen Chippewa Cree
Mr. Parker provides the key management leadership of the Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC). As the Executive Director,he is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the organization.
He is also the owner and President of J. Alan Enterprises, LLC. He is an innovative business owner with 15+ years of experience within the Information Technology industry and the skills to drive business growth, capitalize on new revenue potential, and manage all aspects of daily business operations. His expertise in client relations and needs assessment, pricing strategies, marketing, contract management, and administration.
His clients include tribes, government agencies, tribal organizations, and small businesses across the northwest.
Amber is an enrolled citizen with the Coquille Tribe and is based in Tualatin, Oregon. Amber serves as ONAC’s Technical Assistance Program Manager where she manages the implementation of ONAC’s TA Program as well as steering a team of State-wide resource navigators serving Native American entrepreneurs, Native serving organizations, and entrepreneurship networks committed to increasing the success of Oregon’s Vibrant Tribal Economies.
Amber is led by her unwavering compassion and commitment to supporting inclusive entrepreneurship and working towards a community that provides the resources and opportunities that all people need to thrive and prosper. Amber is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in Business Entrepreneurship and had experience working within rural and urban Native communities, Tribal Programming, as well as previously owning her own small business.
Lummi Descendant
Michelle is an experienced business owner and Certified Business Advisor with demonstrated experience working within Tribal Administration, with Tribal youth, and Native-owned businesses providing technical assistance to emerging and established entrepreneurs that require support and assistance to overcome barriers. Her work passion is serving entrepreneurs and small business owners linking them with the tools to empowerthemselves to achieve big things. From the risk-taking and ambitious nature of entrepreneurs to the flexibility and tight-knit culture, there’s so much to love about small businesses. She is a relentless optimist who believes there is no failure…only lessons learned, feedback and growth.
Originally from Washington, Sahalee graduated from the University of Oregon in 2018 after studying Cultural Anthropology and Sociology. She is passionate about community outreach and advocacy and has worked for organizations such as Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon and South Metro Area Regional Transit. Sahalee enjoys volunteering and before moving to Portland regularly volunteered at the Cascades Raptor Center and Cultural Services Department in Eugene. As the Programs Coordinator, she helps ONAC manage grant funds and support the programs within the organization. Outside of work, she loves hiking in the PNW, trying out new places to eat, and spending time with her family.
Joni provides intake and resource navigation for ONAC members and works with tribal partnerships across the state on small business start-ups as well as existing businesses. Joni has a master’s degree in nursing education bringing educational and technical expertise to provide culturally appropriate business education to adult learners in the ONE Program. The ONE Program was developed by ONAC in 2018 and is a Native-led, story-driven business education course designed to provide basic business education to Native entrepreneurs.
Duane is a Yakama Tribal Descendant living in SW Washington. Duane serves as a Resource Navigator for ONAC, specializing in farming and agriculture. Previously Duane developed and coordinated an agriculture/horticulture business incubator program through Wisdom of the Elders. The incubator program focused on regenerative farming techniques, incorporating biochar and water management practices into the fieldwork, and business development through ONAC’s ONE Program. Duane has an environmental science education and background working on urban stream, wetland mitigation projects utilizing Willamette Valley native plants. Duane is also an owner/operator of 1855 Plants, a native plant nursery that sells and installs native plants to interested private homeowners that would like to reduce their water usage, promote a more sustainable environment for the birds, and pollinators.
Leslie provides internal administrative support to the ONAC organization, staff, and board members. She has many years of experience as a business owner and partner in both the health/wellness and financial industries and being a professional Astrologer. Additionally, she has served on the boards of other native non-profit organizations in an administrative and support capacity over the past several years. Leslie has a lifetime focus and dedication to healing and wellbeing for all, continually seeking growth in awareness and experience in being of service in a good way. When not working, she loves spending time with family and friends, her mustang and dog, while being outdoors as much as possible.
Hinmatoom Timine Aayat (Thunder Heart Woman)
Nez Perce
Danielle is a Nez Perce Tribal member and descendant of the Spirit Lake and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Sioux Nations. She grew up in Mission, Oregon, on the Confederated Tribes Umatilla Indian Reservation. Proud Pendleton Oregon High School Graduate – home of the Legendary Pendleton Round up and Happy Canyon, later pursuing her Degree from NW Indian College.
Danielle comes from a diverse background and has a passion for entrepreneurship. She has always been community-driven and wanted to do her part for the Tribal communities on and off the Indian Reservations, including all minority people. She most recently worked for the Tribal Employment Rights Office for CTUIR. She has been a strong advocate for small businesses and anyone wanting to start one. Danielle is a mother of 7 and a proud grandmother. She enjoys practicing her Treaty Reserved Rights in the PNW, beading, camping, softball, spending time with family and friends, and is always willing to help anyone in need.
Oregon Native American Chamber
4445 SW Barbur Blvd, STE. 105
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 894-4525
support@onacc.org