2015 Hilltop Award winner: State Representative Carla Piluso

The Hilltop Award (Heroes Inspiring Leadership, Learning, Teamwork, Opportunity and Pride) was created in 2006 to honor individual and organizational efforts to address poverty in Multnomah County.

State Representative Carla Piluso
State Representative Carla Piluso

Name: Carla Piluso

Profession: State Representative Carla Piluso Gresham, District 50 (D), Gresham Barlow School Board member, former Gresham Police Chief and 30-year-veteran of Gresham Police Department.

Residence: Gresham

Family: Daughter, soon to graduate from Willamette University.

Hobbies: She participates in triathlons and year-round soccer. She also enjoy local musical theater productions and arts classes.

Background: Carla Piluso says public services has always been part of her DNA. After graduating from Willamette, Piluso launched into her dream career in law enforcement and witnessed  firsthand the hardships the community faced. She began to recognize the need for systemic change and began volunteering at schools and social services organizations like Human Solutions, SnowCap Community Charities and Metropolitan Family Services. She learned that by strengthening communities, you can reduce crime. In 2002, after being promoted to Gresham Police Chief,  Piluso was asked by then-Multnomah County Chair Diane Linn to chair the Multnomah County Commission on Children, Families and Communities, a role she has held ever since. Under her leadership, the commission has made great strides supporting victims of child abuse, domestic violence, combating poverty and helping the young people of tomorrow on the Multnomah County Youth Commission.
Last reviewed November 18, 2024