Lisa Ladendorff, LCSW, CHW

Lisa Ladendorff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trained Community Health Worker with a 30-year history in the practice of motivational interviewing. She has been the Director of Training and Consulting Programs at NEON since 2017 and has a long history in the training and practice of MI in Community Mental Health, Behavioral Health and Local Public Health Settings. She has seen the power of Motivational Interviewing in helping clients achieve very challenging changes, and in helping practitioners find their compassion and effectiveness and change agents.  

Edna Murrieta, MS Ed., CHW

Edna, the DEIB and Training Manager at NEON, has worked in higher education supporting students from marginalized communities to achieve success in higher education. She is a valuable asset and advocate in NEON’s efforts to address diversity, equity, and inclusion, both internally and in the services we provide.

Kinda Cable, BS, CHW

Kinda is the Training Program Communications and Project Manager, a position that coordinates activities for the training program, assists in registration and scholarships, invoicing, data collection, marketing, visual and website design, and provides participant support. Kinda is a lifelong rural who earned her BS in Visual Communications from Westwood College online and has certificates in Project Management.

Cami Miller, PSS, CHW

Cami Miller is the Training Coordinator at NEON. She is a Community Health Worker, Certified Recovery Mentor, and Peer Support Specialist. In addition to working in the addiction field, she has worked with the child and maternal health population, and with the houseless population. Cami is enthusiastic and dedicated to deepening her understanding of Motivational Interviewing. She is currently fine tuning her skills to better train folks as they support others in making meaningful changes.

Emily Hurd, CHW

Emily, the Pathways Hub Coordinator at NEON, has a background in social services where she has provided advocacy, facilitated resource connections, and offered administrative support. Her expertise extends to delivering systems training and providing technical assistance to partners who utilize the Pathways Hub. When needed, she assists with facilitating training sessions alongside the NEON Training team.

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, HR

Kimberly is an HR professional with 15+ years’ experience. She’s an innovative leader with particular interest in creating meaningful solutions to complex challenges through collaborative and cross-organizational partnerships. One of her greatest joys comes from supporting organizations and individuals to discover their potential, expanding the impact and influence they have through leadership development, strategic planning, systems implementation, and developing in-house talent.

Christle Aguilera, AAS

Christle and born and raised in Oregon, living the majority of her time in La Grande. She graduated in 2018 from Blue Mountain Community College with an AAS in Early Childhood Education. She worked for over ten years in the early education field and enjoyed teaching students and building relationships with family members.

Geunia Funches, LMSW

Geunia specializes in working with families, children and military veterans. A veteran herself, she loves learning and is passionate about helping and training others. She was raised in Mississippi and loves to travel.

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.