About Us
Upstream’s story
Upstream Public Health, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 2003 to promote the social, economic, political, and community conditions that improve the health and well-being of all Oregonians. Upstream was founded by several hard-working and determined members of the public health community and recent graduates of Portland State University’s School of Community Health who recognized the importance of policy change. These founders and new allies remain convinced that by providing trusted, accurate, reliable, and timely information to policy-makers and community members, we can influence decision-makers to adopt sound policies that promote public health.
The public health professionals working and volunteering for Upstream have provided technical assistance, consultation, and leadership services on a variety of public health policy issues. As a recognized leader in public health advocacy, Upstream has proven to have the skills, the experience, and a body of grassroots allies to drive a wide range of public health advocacy agendas across the State of Oregon, now and in the future.
Learn more about the people who power Upstream with their time, passion and expertise:
Current Staff
Haoua Dogo (she/her)
Organizing Director
Haoua has dedicated most of her life to working in advocacy and program coordination for all immigrants, refugees, international students, and youth across Multnomah and Lane County. She has done large-scale outreach to recruit students, donors, stakeholders, and volunteers for events, programs, and policies.
During her time at the University of Oregon, Haoua studied Planning, Public Policy, and Management (PPPM) and Marketing. While in Eugene, OR, she spent her free time volunteering at the Wesley Center to provide services to students, youth and the community.
She has extensive knowledge and experience in social media management and campaigns, web design, venture capital and search engine optimization (SEO). Some of Haoua’s hobbies are photography, hiking, design, and eating.
Skye Larsen (she/her),
Project and Design Associate
Skye graduated Summa Cum Laude from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health: Community Health Promotion and a minor in Conflict Resolution. Since graduating, Skye has spent time learning Spanish and traveling throughout Spain. She is passionate about improving health for future generations and transforming our health systems into something that is more accessible and equitable to all. Skye grew up near the Columbia River Gorge and has a deep appreciation for the PNW. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, ice cream, going on runs, game nights, trying new foods, and days full of sunshine!
Lillie Jones Manvel (she/her), Executive Director
Lillie Jones Manvel comes to Upstream after working in community organizing and the health care sector. She was a leading organizer and community fundraiser for State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) before moving to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where she helped develop pre-award grant applications, resulting in millions of dollars of funding. She earned a Master's Degree in Public Health from the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University, and subsequently worked as a hospice volunteer. She has spent much of the past seven years as a full-time caregiver of her mother and two young children. Since the start of 2019, Lillie has been honored to represent Upstream Public Health while working with some of Oregon's most talented, forward-thinking, and upstream-focused public health professionals.
Lillie lives in Salem with her husband, kiddos and two cats. In her volunteer time, Lillie works to prevent gun violence.
Yesenia Morales Santos (she/they),
Project Associate
Yesenia is a first generation college graduate from Portland State University with a degree in Community Promotion and a minor in Spanish. Yesenia comes from a family of agricultural workers, growing up she saw her parents waking up at dawn to work and coming back at dusk. Witnessing the hard work her parents did to support her and her siblings drove her to be passionate about helping the Latinx community. She has worked with the Hillsboro school district as an AVID tutor helping students navigate their educational journeys. Additionally, she was a career peer advisor for Rock Creek Community College in assisting students navigating college programs and information. Recently she worked as an undergraduate research assistant researching autism, health disparity and accessibility in underserved communities at Oregon Health and Science University.
Throughout her work she has promoted equity and accessibility. Yesenia wants for everyone to have equitable access to health services no matter the circumstances. For fun Yesenia likes to try different bubble tea shops. She also finds the importance of connecting with yourself and your body so she does yoga and weight lifts!
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Yesenia es una graduada universitaria de primera generación de la Universidad Estatal de Portland con un título en Promoción Comunitaria y una especialización en español. Yesenia proviene de una familia de trabajadores agrícolas, al crecer vio a sus padres despertarse muy temprano para trabajar y regresar muy tarde. Ser testigo del trabajo duro que sus padres hicieron para apoyarla a ella y a sus hermanos la llevó a ser apasionada por ayudar a la comunidad latina. Ha trabajado con el distrito escolar de Hillsboro como tutora de AVID ayudando a los estudiantes a navegar su educación. Además, fue asesora de pares profesionales para Rock Creek Community College ayudando a los estudiantes navegando programas e información de la universidad. Recientemente trabajó como asistente de investigación de pregrado investigando el autismo, la disparidad de salud y la accesibilidad en comunidades desatendidas en la Universidad de Salud y Ciencias de Oregon.
A lo largo de su trabajo, ha promovido la equidad y la accesibilidad. Yesenia quiere que todos tengan un acceso equitativo a los servicios de salud sin importar las circunstancias. Por diversión, a Yesenia le gusta probar diferentes tiendas de bubble tea. También hace yoga y levanta pesas.
Allie Nicklas (she/her),
Projects Lead
Allie was born and raised in Seattle, WA and moved to Portland, OR to attend Portland State University (PSU). She graduated summa cum laude from PSU with a degree in Public Health Community Health Promotion.
Allie is extremely passionate about traveling and experiencing different cultures. In 2007 she lived in Thailand where she taught English to children and in 2017, she spent nearly 3 months solo backpacking in Europe. Allie believes that her experiences while traveling have fueled her compassion for helping others and is especially passionate about combatting food insecurity.
Allie lives in central Beaverton with her husband, 1 dog and 1 cat. In her free time she enjoys hiking, cooking, baking, and reading.
Hudda Osman, Associate Project Manager
Hudda Osman is passionate about positively impacting the nonprofit sector. Hudda has a bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, specializing in Health Administration. She is dedicated to creating change that truly matters.
When not busy with her work, you can find her baking delicious treats and spending quality time with her loved ones. Maintaining a good work-life balance is important to her, as it allows her to recharge and approach my work with renewed energy.
Huddas has career experience in various areas, including mental health, hospital systems, and nonprofit organizations. These experiences have given her a holistic understanding of nonprofit work and its unique challenges.
Currently, Hudda is an Associate Project Manager at Upstream, where she actively plans and executes impactful projects. Focusing on driving positive change for BIPOC youths in Oregon, combating tobacco-related issues and health inequalities, and finding innovative solutions to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Hudda is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities, pursuing a healthier future.
Bethy Temelso (she/her), Coalition Organizer
Bethy Temelso, a proud Eritrean immigrant, established her roots in the United States in 2008 and has since made Portland her home. Fueled by a passion for her cultural heritage, Bethy co-founded an Eritrean coffee catering venture, Alena Doe, alongside her friend. Bethy is on the path to earning her bachelor's degree in Political Science from Portland State University, pursuing her longtime fascination with the impact of law on society. Alongside that, she is minoring in Black Studies and Communication Studies.
Outside the academic world Bethy loves to bake, trying new recipes almost every week! She loves being outdoors(as long as she can stay warm). She enjoys trying whatever is the newest vegan spot, spending time at coffee shops, and obsessing over the current hobby. Time Bethy spends with her family and friends is highly cherished and is what rejuvenates her and keeps her going. Currently Bethy is at Upstream Public Health as a Coalition Organizer working to advocate for commercial tobacco use prevention policy and systems changes in the Portland metro area. She can’t wait to contribute as much as she can to her community and beyond!
Madeline Amezcua, (She/Her), Coalition Organizer
Madeline grew up in Oregon and has lived in urban, suburban and rural areas. She is currently a student at the University of Oregon pursuing her Master’s in Prevention Science. In the summer of 2023, she graduated with her Bachelor's in Psychology from Portland State University. She aspires to become a counseling psychologist, but along the way has enjoyed working in different helping professions. Some of the humanitarian concepts she likes to advocate for are equity and inclusion. Throughout her school and work journey, she hopes to continue advocating for the right to self-care/nurishment. To her, self-nourishment means that people have the necessary resources from systems, institutions, and/or social support groups to improve and maintain a positive sense of self.
Past Staff, Interns, and Scholars
Our interns and scholars have brought resourcefulness, a diversity of lived experience, curiosity, and excitement for public health policy work over the years. They are the best of the best and we are honored to have worked with them:
2022 and 2023
Eseniya Zinkina (Portland State)
Jacki Mazzuca (Portland State)
Megan Tudor, MPH (Oregon State)
Nawaf Alnuwaysir (Ohio State)
Peyton Hummel (Colorado College)
Olivia Pineda, MPH (Oregon State)
Daniel Belong, MPH (Oregon State)
Eathen Smith (Portland State)
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2020 and 2021
Essie Cardoso, Portland State
Adrianna Brown, UNC Asheville
Conor Foley, MPH, Oregon State University
Anna Tassia, University of Oregon
Nicole Fiscella, MS, MPH, Oregon State University
Makinna Miles, MPH, Oregon State University