Cassady has always considered himself to be a global citizen and it brings him great joy to see people of all backgrounds being in community together. After years of working in Higher Education, he is excited to focus on local, community-wide multicultural needs. He always enjoys meeting people so please do not hesitate to reach out!

Naomi has worked in community-based organizations since 2008, with an emphasis on mental health, immigration justice, and place-based relatedness. They have a passion for the insight, joy, and solutions a community can build when it comes together.

Anastasiia is driven by a passion for technology and serving people. Her mission is to create an inviting environment for every visitor and student of CMLC!

Anna was born and raised in rural Oregon. As a young adult she spent 4 transformative years in West Africa. While living in West Africa, she studied Community Development and volunteered in elementary and middle schools. She believes cultural exchange and collaboration is a powerful tool for bringing more peace into our world.

Dee has been a part of the CMLC community as a volunteer since its beginning. She has always been fascinated by different cultures and connecting with people. Both her parents came to the United States as children. Growing up in Virginia, she loves the storytelling culture and the language cadences of the South.

She read about the Oregon Trail in the fourth grade and many years later, chose Oregon as her home. Given a chance, she would travel anywhere (especially on a train) and vicariously traveled the world through her many ESOL students.

Originally from the Pacific Coast of Russia, Svetlana loves living in Corvallis. She brings in her experience in community engagement, education, and nonprofit management. Svetlana loves being a part of her kids’ school life, and she is a passionate and adventurous gardener.

Ellen is a first-generation college student and graduated with a Political Sciences major. As a daughter of immigrants, Ellen has a passion for border policy and giving back to the community.

Kathleen has always enjoyed learning about different cultures. Being family – oriented, she loves time with her adult children and grandchildren.

The daughter of a diplomat, Joy has never known life that didn’t include other cultures, other languages, and of course travel. She has always been a student of nature, and has degrees in Zoology and General Science. She has been a volunteer conversation partner through several programs in Corvallis, and is excited to expand her involvement at CMLC.

Marta grew up in Poland and currently teaches philosophy at OSU and LBCC. She believes that through education and constructive dialogue we can create a community based on mutual respect, equality and justice.

Manny is an environmental specialist based out of Corvallis, Oregon. His professional background ranges from having served with non-profits across the country with AmeriCorps NCCC to handling numerous EOIR and employment-based immigration cases with a law firm in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, and even building trails with the National Park Service in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Guided by the ideal of service, he pursues the means to foster community organization and environmental advocacy wherever he goes. In his free time, Manny enjoys watching movies at the cinema, running, and playing pickleball.

Lily has a background in community outreach, nonprofit development, and event coordination. She previously taught refugee and asylee clients workforce literacy skills in Texas. Originally from the Midwest, Lily moved to Oregon in 2019 and enjoys hiking, crafting, and exploring our local lands with her pup Winnie. She’s passionate about human rights, environmental conservation, and building genuine connections with community members.

Marissa grew up in a household where Greek was spoken between her parents and grandparents. Although she never learned to speak Greek, she has enjoyed learning about languages and people from different cultures as long as she can remember. She has an MA from Portland State University in teaching English as a second language and taught immigrants and international students for over 25 years. In addition, she had a stained glass business for 20 years traveling to different western states to sell her work in juried art shows. Now her creativity is expressed in ornamental and vegetable gardening. Her other passions include hiking, kayaking, contra dancing, pickleball, and traveling the world. Some of the volunteer work she enjoys includes being a conversation partner and leading conversation circles at CMLC.

Linda has always believed that being a student of other cultures and customs is one of the truest paths to understanding ourselves. So, as a newcomer to Corvallis, she feels fortunate to have discovered the good work and good people at CMLC. Each day here offers a life lesson.

Rachael is a global learner and lover of languages. She has lived in China, Chile, and Italy. Currently residing in Oregon, she enjoys a welcoming community of people, mushrooms, plants, and waterfalls. Rachael works at OSU to internationalize the campus.

Judith Ferlini was born in Costa Rica in 1992. As a girl, she became interested in many aspects of visual art and discovered the vast possibilities in painting. She entered the National University of Costa Rica and studied Art and Visual Communication, later she got a Master’s Degree in Landscaping and Site Design at the University of Costa Rica. She has been employed teaching art classes in academies and private educational centers in Costa Rica and as a designer in multi-criteria projects. She moved to Corvallis, Oregon and dedicated to the creation of art in her own studio. She concentrates on high contrast and color using natural motifs and symbolism for a catharsis of realization in which the viewer can be reflected in a window towards his own being. She currently resides in Corvallis, and she travels to Costa Rica to refresh herself with tropical nature and visit her family. She is working to exhibit her art in galleries and cultural spaces in both countries. She also loves drawing, pottery and prints ¡and almost any technique that allows creation!, because her favorite hobbies are “Do it yourself” (“DIY”) and gardening.

Elliott was born and raised in Portland, OR, but has also lived in Utah and Florida! He is a senior at OSU, getting his degree in Social Studies Education, with goals to go on to teach high school history! He is deeply committed to creating a diverse and welcoming learning environment where students feel safe to ask questions and be themselves! When he is not working or in school, he is spending time in nature or spending time with his cat and partner.

Anissa is a Public Health major on the Pre-PA track at Oregon State University. As a dedicated member of the MEChA de OSU and a Resident Assistant, Anissa is passionate about advocacy, community service, and creating supportive environments. She is committed to making a positive impact and empowering others through her work and dedication to giving back.

Art has been an essential part of her life since She was a child. She remembered that the gifts used to be -and still are- notebooks, paper, and different kinds of pencils. She enjoyed handcrafting, watercolor paintings, scrapbooking, drawing in black and white and with colored pencils, and beading. Since 2012 She has been working as a speech-language therapist in Chile. Combining their passion for art and her career has allowed her to resolve complex clinical cases, work at schools, and teach as a clinical professor in some Universities to create and adapt playful activities for adults and children with speech and hearing disorders. In addition, she did volunteer work at nonprofit organizations in Chile such as “Hogar de Cristo,” “Un Techo para Chile” and “Corporación Nacer al Sonido” and is a volunteer at CMLC.

She enjoys the different outdoor activities in Oregon in her free time, taking photos and hiking with her husband and her dog “Canela.”

Peian believes language teaching and learning open doors to empathy, curiosity, and connection. She is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where culture and communication come alive. Outside the classroom, Peian enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time in nature as a way to recharge and reflect.

Tara grew up in Louisiana and one of her first memories of birds was learning to whistle like a Bobwhite and rejoicing when one answered her back. As a former field biologist and now artist and illustrator, her work celebrates intimate moments in the lives of birds, allowing the viewer to experience hidden marvels. Her favorite projects allow her to create lifelike portraits rich with detail. She is inspired by beauty, story, and wonder. When not in the studio, she enjoys hiking with her ornithologist husband and their dog, Finch.

Gillian is a university student currently majoring in Speech Communication and minoring in Spanish. She is passionate about language and loves to write poetry in her free time. She is also intrigued by all different cultures of the world. As a Spanish student, she understands how nerve-wracking it can be to practice a second language. She hopes to offer a listening ear and help the various students of the CMLC feel more confident when speaking English.

Pedro started helping people practice their Spanish many moons ago in his native Spain. That was a lot of fun, he met many lovely adventurers and had many wonderful conversations so he took this hobby with him to Scotland first and then Oregon. He facilitates meetings for El Puente, a Spanish Conversation Group in Corvallis, and enjoys sharing food, walks, and stories.

Monica Olvera enjoys walking in the beautiful Oregon forests with her canine and equine companions, belly laughs, and time with her family. She teaches at Oregon State University and loves being a part of the CMLC community.

Born and raised in Türkiye, Emine is a Turkish Language teacher with a specialization in teaching Turkish to foreign learners. She also loves to cook and is always enthusiastic about experimenting with different Turkish recipes.

Lynda works in behavioral health for Benton County. She spent her formative years in Germany, which fostered in her a passion for learning about other cultures.

Mahboubeh sees art as a meditation where the spirit embraces its freest form. Holding a Master’s degree in Painting, she loves going beyond traditional boundaries and exploring different forms of art.

Elliot has been training in martial arts since 2010, specializing in traditional Japanese jiujitsu and Chinese internal martial arts. He aims to make martial arts accessible to all people, and believes that through martial arts we can promote mindfulness, self confidence, and community.

Evelyn was born and raised in Costa Rica and loves living in Corvallis with her husband and three kids. She loves cooking, spending time outdoors, and sharing her Costa Rican culture. She is currently getting her master’s degree at OSU in clinical mental health counseling.

Margot grew up in a French household and has worked for many years in the culinary arts and on all sorts of rural and urban farms around the U.S. and internationally. Margot is passionate about community-building, regenerative food systems and empowering folks to learn from their neighbors.

Mike is a retired professional forester and public policy facilitator and mediator. He is a volunteer community mediator and enjoys engaging with people from around the world to learn from them and to help them adapt to living in our community.

Nanci really loves teaching and has taught English at all levels and all ages, from beginners to advanced students, from high school and college students to adults and senior citizens.

Olha is a friendly teacher, dedicated to creating a safe and joyful learning space for all. She’s an animal lover, a tea enthusiast, and a firm believer in the magic of hugs.

Maryane is a volunteer and a student at CMLC. She enjoys the multicultural interactions experiences with the CMLC.

Melissa is an educator who recently returned to Corvallis, after living in Switzerland for nine years. She embraces community service and is passionate about nature, art, travel and cultures.

After graduating from a Midwestern university, Becky moved to Europe. It was a move that greatly expanded her worldview. Becky has been a
volunteer at CMLC for over 5 years. She says she gets energy from meeting people from other countries and learning about their cultures.

Danlu Yang is a professional medical interpreter and academic translator in Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Mandarin. She has an MA in anthropology from OSU. As a Chinese linguist who speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Portuguese, she has been an instructor for cultural anthropology and graduate research assistant for the last two years.