Meet The NEON Training Team
Lisa Ladendorff, LCSW, CHW
Lisa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trained Community Health Worker with more than 30 years of experience in the practice and teaching of Motivational Interviewing. Since 2017, she has served as NEON’s Director of Training and Consulting Programs, where she leads efforts to strengthen skills across Community Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Local Public Health settings.
Throughout her career, Lisa has witnessed the transformative impact of Motivational Interviewing—both in supporting clients through complex, meaningful change and in helping practitioners reconnect with their compassion, confidence, and effectiveness as change agents. Her approach blends deep expertise with a genuine commitment to empowering those who serve communities.
Edna Murrieta, MS Ed., CHW
Edna brings four years of dedicated experience at NEON, grounded in a strong commitment to learning, equity, and community-centered leadership. With a background in higher education, she approaches training as a shared learning experience that values lived expertise and builds collective strength.
Edna trains CHWs, supervisors, managers, and trainers with a focus on supportive supervision, reflective practice, and sustainable leadership. Her work with OHA reflects her passion for collaboration and systems-level change. Guided by an equity-centered approach, she prioritizes inclusion, cultural responsiveness, and power-aware facilitation. At her core, Edna believes in lifelong learning—supporting others’ growth while continuing to grow herself.
Kinda Cable, BS, CHW
Kinda is the Training Program Communications and Project Manager, where she brings clarity, creativity, and coordination to every aspect of NEON’s training program. She manages a wide range of responsibilities—including program communications, registration and scholarship support, invoicing, data management, marketing, and website and visual design. With a focus on accessibility and user-friendly experiences, Kinda ensures that participants feel supported from the moment they engage with the program.
A proud lifelong rural resident, Kinda blends lived experience with a strong foundation in design and project coordination. She earned her BS in Visual Communications from Westwood College online and holds certificates in Project Management, allowing her to combine strategic planning with thoughtful, visually grounded communication.
Kinda is passionate about creating clear processes, meaningful connections, and welcoming learning environments. Her work reflects a commitment to intentional design and the belief that good communication can strengthen communities and help people thrive.
Cami Miller, PSS, CHW
Cami is the Training Coordinator at NEON, bringing a strong foundation in peer support and community-based care to her role. She is a Community Health Worker, Certified Recovery Mentor, and Peer Support Specialist with experience across multiple sectors, including addiction services, child and maternal health, and support for houseless individuals.
Cami is deeply committed to strengthening her skills in Motivational Interviewing and is passionate about helping others build their own confidence in this approach. She is currently refining her practice to more effectively train and empower professionals as they support people navigating meaningful life changes. Known for her enthusiasm and heart for service, Cami approaches her work with compassion, curiosity, and a genuine dedication to community wellness.
Emily Hurd, CHW
Emily serves as the Pathways Hub Coordinator at NEON, bringing a strong background in social services and community support. Throughout her career, she has provided advocacy, connected individuals and families to essential resources, and offered dependable administrative support across diverse service settings.
In her role at NEON, Emily leads systems training and offers technical assistance to partners working within the Pathways Hub, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the model effectively. She also supports the NEON Training team by co‑facilitating sessions when needed, contributing her insight, organization, and collaborative spirit.
Emily is dedicated to fostering smooth systems, strong partnerships, and accessible pathways that help communities thrive.
NEONs Training Program Contract Trainers
Connie Sherrard, MSW, CHW
Connie holds a BA in Studio Art and certification in Elementary Education from Beloit College and a Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Planning, Administration and Management from Portland State University. Connie was the Training Manager at NEON for 6 years and now works with NEON as a contract trainer. Connie has worked in a variety of nonprofit and public settings dedicated to serving vulnerable populations and spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador, where she learned the concepts and methods of Popular Education that she uses in her work with NEON.
Kimberly Candrila, BSBM, HR, CHC, CMC
Kimberly Candrila is a Certified Master Coach and organizational consultant specializing in leadership development, communication, and systems growth. She brings extensive experience supporting supervisors and teams across human services, education, and community organizations. Kimberly’s approach is grounded in trauma-informed and strengths-based principles, helping leaders foster clarity, confidence, and resilient workplace cultures. Through her practice, Your Story Redesigned, she partners with professionals and organizations navigating transitions to lead with purpose and integrity.
Dr. Brandy Biglow, LMHC, QS, NCC, CCTP, DBH-C
Dr. Brandy K. Biglow is the CEO and co-founder of Renovation Integrative Health, LLC. She has served as a mental health professional for 12 years, where she has supported others in her role as a counselor, clinical supervisor, trainer, and licensed clinical program manager. She is a certified clinical trauma professional, certified individual coach, certified group coach, and burnout expert. Prior to her career in mental health, she educated and supported students as a certified K-12 Exceptional Education teacher for 10 years.
When not working she is living life to the fullest with her spouse. They have traveled the United States in their R.V. for the past 3 years, visiting family, friends, national parks, and cool spots along the way.
Nik Portela, CHW
Nik Portela, a first generation Cuban American, has worked in the community health sphere for almost ten years. Their roles have spanned from Program Manager to Facilitator to CHW and now they’re working on their nursing degree. His values center around transparency, flexibility, and lifelong learning. The loves of his life are his two cats, Turbo & Agador Spartacus, and dog, Maddie.
Lauren Sletta, BMA, MM, CMHC
Lauren Sletta is a passionate music therapist, licensed professional counselor, and lifelong learner based in Corvallis, OR. Originally from Manitou Springs, CO, Lauren’s journey led her to work with children aged 3-18 in residential facilities in Colorado while she attended graduate school. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Colorado State University, a master’s degree in music therapy from the same institution, and a second master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Adams State University. She has a heart for working with children and their families through her private practice located in Corvallis, OR, and works for a mental health agency and has held positions in direct care as well as indirect care. Lauren’s expertise extends beyond direct care; she has provided valuable trainings, including non-violent crisis intervention. Her love for volleyball began at the age of five, and she now manages a couple of adult volleyball teams in Corvallis, OR and Albany, OR. She’s also an outdoor enthusiast, always seeking adventure. Fun fact: Lauren has been crewing for hot air balloons since she was three years old! And yes, she and her partner share their home with six adorable dogs.
