Meet the Community Partners Council
Greg Garoppolo
Greg is the current Chair of the CPC. He is a community organizer and educator, advocate and member of the autism community in Portland, Oregon. He organizes and leads a support group for adults on the autism spectrum and also organizes self-advocacy events for the ASD community. Greg learned about UCEDD through his involvement with the Multnomah County SHEIDD project, which focuses on addressing inequities in sexual health education for individuals with developmental differences. He realized that there was increasing need for greater self-representation for the interests of adults on the autism spectrum within different ASD related organizations and is excited to be part of the CPC. Originally from Manchester, Connecticut, Greg has lived primarily in Portland (with a few extended stayed to conduct research in Tanzania) since 2008. When he is not working to increase awareness of the needs of people in the ASD community, he loves to drive laps around racetracks in one three of personally rebuilt vehicles.
Paulina Larenas
Paulina currently serves as Vice Chair for the CPC. Originally from Chile, Paulina has lived in the Portland Metro area for 15 years and has a husband and two children. Her daughter guides Paulina in her commitment to advocate for a better life full of opportunities for her daughter, and for every person with disabilities. Representing a parent perspective on the CPC, Paulina also brings professional experience from her prior work at Family and Community Together (FACT) Oregon. She also has volunteered for the last three years on several projects for the UCEDD and the OHSU Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC). Paulina and family love going to the coast, to the cinema, meeting with friends, and visiting new places.
Sherri Osburn
An active member of her community and a strong advocate, Sherri currently serves as Secretary for the CPC. Sherri is currently leading a self-advocate group she started at the Hollywood Senior Center where she works for Meals on Wheels. In the past, she has served as on the Board of Directors for Inclusion Inc., served eight years on the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), and was a Healthy Lifestyles Trainer. Sherri enjoys gardening, staying busy, and helping others get what they need!
Joe Basey
Joe is one of the founding members of the CPC, and his enthusiasm shows no sign of wear after 13 years. Joe currently serves as Past Chair of the CPC and is the Inter-Council Liaison between our group and the council at the Center for Human Development at the University of Oregon (our state's other UCEDD). He has a strong interest in working on behalf of, and mentoring, high school youth with disabilities, and has been involved in a variety of trainings that teach individuals about self-advocacy and self-determination. Joe has also been a member of the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) and the State Advisory Council for Special Education. He currently works for the City of Eugene in the Adaptive Recreation Program and loves watching Ducks basketball.
Jacob Tolbert
Jacob is an educator, advocate, and behavior professional in several counties. He supports families and other professionals working with individuals with developmental disabilities and provide trainings in the community for a diverse group of learners. Jacob attended an UCEDD accredited program for graduate school and enjoys learning through research and community members' experiences about how to be the best advocate he can be. Originally from San Jose, California, Jacob has lived in Oregon since 2003 and has been working in the field for over 20 years. He enjoys dancing, gardening, and reading a good book while cozying close to, or on top of his dog.
Aleena West
Aleena is a family member of a person with a disability. Currently, Aleena is employed as a public health professional. She also works with a Special Olympics team and previously worked at the UCEDD as a summer intern, student worker, and research assistant. At the UCEDD, she worked on projects like the Disability Justice Snapshot and Advocacy and Building Community program. Outside of work, Aleena enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. Aleena is excited to continue to advocate for people with disabilities and learn from others on the CPC.
Todd D. Woodward
Todd D. Woodward (he/him/theirs) is an autistic & ADHD (AuDHD), dyslexic and dyscalculic professional with decades of experience working with leading multinational technology companies. He currently works in the Aging and Disabled office at the Oregon Department of Human Services. A passionate advocate for inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, accountability, belonging, parity and representation (IDEAA-BPR) in healthcare and education, Todd has dedicated himself to public service in education, community health, neurodivergent and disability justice. As "The Autivist" (the Autistic Advocate), Todd shares his insights on relational and educational neuroscience, neuroequitable practices, and disability history through writing and video. Todd has served on many Oregon Health Authority committees and currently serves as a Commissioner on the Oregon Disabilities Commission. A resident of Eugene, Oregon, Todd enjoys time with his wife, son, two cats, papercraft, and music. His interests also include machine language (AI) governance and oversight by the disability community, complex systems theory, and telling “dad jokes” while attempting to keep up with his hyperlexic and hypernumeric son.