Meet Our Community Investors!
We’re a small team with a big commitment to community investment.
Strategic Investment Board of Directors
Our Strategic Investment Board of Directors plays a central role in guiding the company’s financial strategy, investment priorities, and sustainable growth initiatives.
The Board meets quarterly, with the goal of ensuring the completion of all projects. We welcome inquiries from experienced professionals, companies, organizations, and individuals who share our commitment to innovation, integrity, and long-term success.
To learn more about serving on the Board, please email: contact@williamsrussellcdc.org
Ahquoya Brooks
Heritage Bank
Ahquoya has over 19 years of leadership and management experience within the banking industry. She is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, managing a team of other banking professionals, and fostering strong relationships with both clients and community partners assisting businesses and individuals with loans, lines of credit, account maintenance, and any other banking needs they may have. Beyond her professional work, and as a native of Portland, she is actively involved in the community, lending her time and support to numerous organizations and foundations in Portland and surrounding areas. Outside of work, Ahquoya loves to cook, listen to local musicians of all genres, drive classic cars, and spend time with her family.
D’Artagnan Caliman
1803 Fund
Currently serves as the Vice President of Philanthropy and Partnership at 1803 Fund. He has led in both non-profit and philanthropic organizations to improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations across the nation; including juvenile justice, foster care, homelessness, and namely, Black communities. He has over 25 years of both direct service and leadership experience and holds an MSW from Portland State University. In D’Artagnan’s personal life, he’s a father of five and a grandfather to three lovely granddaughters and has a grandson on the way.
Chris Lambert
Oregon Justice Network
Christopher Lambert serves as Program Services Director with Oregon Justice Network, where he helps lead community-based programs focused on youth mentorship, violence prevention, reentry support, and building safer, stronger communities. He also leads Rose City J.A.M. and Night Sports PDX, creating spaces where young people and families can connect with mentors, resources, recreation, and positive opportunities. As a public speaker, Christopher has shared his message in shelters, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, prisons, schools, colleges, and community spaces. He also teaches leadership and personal-development classes inside Oregon prisons, encouraging people to recognize their value, prepare for life after incarceration, and believe that a new beginning is possible. Christopher is known for bringing people together and connecting the dots between community members, organizations, businesses, and public agencies. He understands that no single person or program can do this work alone, so he focuses on building trusted relationships and partnerships that turn good ideas into meaningful action. Most importantly, Christopher works to elevate the voices of people who are often overlooked or have been failed by the systems meant to serve them. He believes the people closest to the challenges should have a real voice in creating the solutions. His goal is to help people feel seen, supported, and connected to opportunities that allow them to move forward.
Qualen Carter
Columbia Bank
Homeownership matters. Qualen Carter believes it has the power to change lives and vastly improve generational hardships. Growing up in California, the longtime financial industry veteran watched his parents fight off foreclosure numerous times, a feat that may not have been possible without his father’s VA benefits. Those lessons shaped Qualen’s desire to help first time homeowners and specialize in down payment assistance programs. His relentless work ethic and commitment to serving the community has resulted in trusting relationships with countless community partners and individuals.
Outside the office, Qualen enjoys music and live concerts. A poet at heart, his favorite music is conscious hip-hop and jazz. His favorite performer? That would be jazz vocalist Rachelle Ferelle. When he’s not listening to music, you’ll find Qualen fishing or playing Xbox with his son. An active member of the community, Qualen has worked with numerous organizations including facilitating a five-week financial literary course called “Getting Your House in Order,” encouraging more African-Americans to become homeowners.
Michael Rahsaan
Columbia Bank
As a lifelong Oregonian raised in Northeast Portland, Michael is deeply committed to community development rooted in inclusivity, service, and collective empowerment. He leads with the intention of uplifting local neighborhoods through meaningful service initiatives while cultivating a stronger passion for civic engagement. By championing equitable access to housing resources, Michael works to create a lasting, positive impact across the city he calls home. Michael serves as a Board Member for Oregon NAREB whose mission is Democracy in housing by strengthening the consumer capacity of Black, minority and emerging target market segments that Realtist serve through utilizing economic, political, legal, and social leverage.
Michael brings more than 15 years of experience in mortgages and business development to his role at Columbia Bank, offering deep expertise in home lending, market trends, and client guidance. Before joining the team, he built a strong foundation in finance through roles in title and escrow, marketing, and business development. Michael’s lifelong connection to Northeast Portland gives him a nuanced understanding of local housing dynamics—an advantage his clients value throughout their homebuying journey.
Morgan Polk
Founder & CEO | Licensed Esthetician | Skincare Formulator | Beauty Educator
Morgan Polk is a licensed esthetician, skincare formulator, educator, and founder of Polk Apothecary, a Portland-based skincare and wellness company specializing in corrective skincare and products for melanin-rich skin. Since beginning her formulation journey in 2019, Morgan has built her work around addressing gaps in representation, education, and access within the beauty and wellness industry.
A 2026 Black United Fund of Oregon Pitch Competition winner, Morgan has also served as an aesthetics instructor, educating and mentoring emerging beauty professionals. She is the founder of the Brown Beauty & Wellness Foundation, which focuses on expanding education, mentorship, resources, and opportunities within beauty and wellness. Morgan is passionate about entrepreneurship, community development, and creating pathways that help small businesses and underserved communities thrive.
Tamara Brown
The Commerce Bank of Oregon
Tamara Brown is a seasoned commercial banking executive with over 25 years of experience in financial strategy, relationship management, and community investment. She serves as Director of Deposits & Community Relationship Management at The Commerce Bank of Oregon, where she leads deposit growth initiatives and builds strategic partnerships across the region. She is deeply engaged in Oregon’s civic and economic landscape, serving as a Commissioner for Business Oregon, appointed by Governor Tina Kotek. Tamara also plays an active leadership role with Portland State University and contributes to the Multnomah Athletic Foundation, supporting initiatives that expand access to education, workforce development, and opportunity. With a strong focus on real estate, economic development, and generational wealth-building, Tamara is known for connecting people, capital, and community to drive lasting impact.
Margot Swanson
OnPoint Community Credit Union
Margot Swanson is the Nonprofit Relationship Officer at OnPoint Community Credit Union. Prior to entering the financial services industry, Margot spent 9 years in the nonprofit industry, raising funds for healthcare, social services, and education-centered organizations. Margot now focuses her efforts on providing financial solutions to the nonprofit sector. She appreciates that both her banking and nonprofit roles have allowed her to build strong relationships with nonprofits and businesses that are so important to the health and vibrancy of the community. Margot lives in Portland with her husband and two young children.
