Gabriela Trinidad

Gabriela Trinidad, an Oregon native and graduate of Portland Community College and Portland State University, is deeply committed to giving back and serving the local community. Her background in research and policy coordination includes developing systems that enhance advisory groups, volunteer programs, and equitable community involvement. 

As People & Culture Assistant at Impact Northwest, Gabriela provided program and training support to advance the organization’s mission and values. This included building an online repository of resources for HR guided by best practices for recruitment, retention and diversity practices and organizing New Employee Cohorts in which she developed user-friendly training materials, coordinated logistics, and supported staff supervisors to ensure they understood legal and organizational requirements for new hire procedures. 

As a Restorative Justice Coordinator at Rockwood Preparatory Academy, Gabriela authored and spearheaded the implementation of new policy centered around restorative practices. She designed and led multi-model staff training, developed tracking tools, and helped launch the school’s first restorative justice committee.

While studying at Portland State University’s Girl Power Program, Gabriela facilitated a community-based advocacy project which empowered teen girls to explore social issues and create a grassroots zine, deepening her experience in building relationships with diverse community partners and coordinating inclusive community engagement initiatives. 

At Portland Community College, Gabriela co-managed a year- long campus climate research project, informing policy recommendations on improving campus inclusivity. The basis of the research was centered around studying existing college policies, educational practices, and the campus climate experiences of students of color. Through surveys and focus groups, her research efforts were able to track and analyze metrics related to diversity, recruitment, and retention efforts. The data was then used to create a report and used to guide decision-making and enhance organizational impact. 

In her spare time, you can find her conducting historical research, singing in a choir, or exploring the vibrant landscapes of the Pacific Northwest with her family and dog Mochi.

With a strong background in program support, research, resource development, and community engagement, Gabriela is eager to contribute to OCI’s mission of fostering equity, inclusion, and meaningful public participation.