CSD Staff
The staff of the Center on Self-Determination (CSD) covers a broad spectrum of expertise. Spanning from individual experiences with disability, family engagement, self and systems advocacy, health and wellness, universal leadership, community based partnership and ultimately Self-Determination based beliefs, each staff member brings their own unique experiences to our work.
Dean Westwood, Director Dean Westwood has worked extensively in clinical practice, academic settings, and community collaborations. He has both personal and professional experience with the culture of disability and of leadership building. Dean researches, writes, and trains others about self-determination and leadership, particularly in the areas of disability policy, implementation and systems change. He is a member of OHSU Diversity Advisory Council, OHSU Physical Access Committee, Portland Commission on Disability (PCod) and State Independent Living Council (SILC).
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Sonja Mckenzie, Project Coordinator/Field Liaison-Americorps Program Sonja McKenzie is a native Texan who grew up in Katy, TX. She has lived in Portland now for 11 years and considers Portland her second home. Sonja is a graduate of Sam Houston State University, with a Fine Arts Degree. In addition, Sonja has completed a Human Resource Management Certification Program at Portland State University in 2008. Sonja has worked in the fields of Special Education, Non-Profit management, Human Resources, Marketing and Community Service. She recently completed a year in AmeriCorps LINKS as a Volunteer Coordinator with The World Affairs Council of Oregon. As the Project Coordinator for the CSD ABLECORPS program, Sonja is responsible for establishing a relationship with future placement sites across the state of Oregon and assisting the organizations as they develop an AmeriCorps placement that will fill a need of their organization. As the Program service year approaches, Sonja is looking forward to managing a successful CSD ABLECORPS Program.
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Reveca Torres Reveca Torres is a LEND Trainee at the CDRC. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona and currently a graduate student at Portland State University. Reveca has worked with teenagers and young adults with disabilities at Shriners Hospital- Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is founder of BACKBONES, an organization connecting individuals with spinal cord injuries to others with similar experiences. Reveca assists in the development of informational materials, social media and web updates for the CSD and specifically the ABLECorps Program.
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Rob Rankin Rob is a graduate student in the School of Social Work at Portland State University. He has over ten years of clinical experience in social service work. Rob is involved in starting a cooperatively-, employee-, and consumer-owned community mental health agency in Multnomah County. Rob is involved in Outreach and Education for the ABLECorps Program.
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