Stephen Hererra

Stephan joined Chair Vega Pederson's staff in April 2024 as the Senior Policy Advisor for Safety Net Services. Raised in Houston, TX, Stephan has called Portland home since 1997. He brings over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of community, nonprofits, philanthropy, and government in Portland and Oregon. With a background in community organizing, leadership development, and health equity policy advocacy, Stephan is driven by his values and deeply committed to serving communities most impacted by inequities.

Prior to joining the Chair’s office, Stephan worked for the City of Portland - first as Commissioner Carmen Rubio's Senior Policy Advisor, where he was the liaison for the Office of Equity & Human Rights, Portland Parks & Recreation, and most recently, the City’s Arts Policy Advisor & Council Liaison. Before working for the City, Stephan was a non-profit consultant, project manager, and arts organizer. He also served as a program officer at the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and led Seeding Justice’s (formerly MRG Foundation) Capacity Building Initiative.

Stephan proudly serves as Board Chair of Imagine Black Futures and founder of Portland Black Pride, the first culturally specific LGBTQIA+ Pride in the Northwest. He is excited to apply his years of experience in service to the county and the Chair.