My Story
My journey and experiences have shaped who I am as a leader and my beliefs about public policy.
We serve others best when we share and use our stories for good.
Hi, I’m Elise!
I was born and raised in South Beaverton, Oregon, and graduated from Aloha High School. My parents, retired public educators with conservative Christian values, fostered lively dinner conversations about politics, religion, and values. They taught me the importance of being true to myself and that strong friendships can thrive despite disagreements.Some of my closest friendships are with people that hold a different political affiliation than me – and I am better for them in my life.
After high school, I attended Eastern University, a small Christian liberal arts college, where I studied political science and deepened my understanding of social justice issues.
I've always been seen as an old soul with an idealistic heart. I believe in Newberg and the power of diverse perspectives to make the best decisions for our community.
Addiction
After a couple traumatic events, I moved home from college in my early twenties. I turned to alcohol to cope with anxiety and depression. The guilt and shame of not knowing how to ask for help took over my life. Despite the support of my faith, parents, and friends, I couldn’t get better until I decided to help myself.
At 24, after three arrests and two DUIs, I hit rock bottom. My last drink was when I was pulled over on HWY 217 at 6pm on a Tuesday. The kindness of the arresting officer gave me a moment of clarity to ask for help. I was fortunate enough to access addiction treatment through the Be Sober Program in Beaverton and later found support in a 12- step program.
Finding peace with my addiction not only saved my life but also gave me the tools to help others in a humble and honest way. After over a decade of recovery from alcohol, I believe in the power of second chances and the responsibility of those that are making it to reach out a hand to others. I also know that this is only possible when the person in crisis is willing to meet halfway to support themselves.
As someone who has climbed out of rock bottom, I know what it takes to break down barriers for those in need, while upholding boundaries and accountability.
My Family
My greatest accomplishment is being a mom to Lincoln (5) and bonus mom to Mason (12) and Abby (16) along with my husband, Chris. I feel blessed we have both chosen to walk through some of our darkest times and are still standing as a family modeling imperfect love to our children. We have lived in Newberg since 2016 and have decided to plant our family here.
My Work
I have worked in healthcare administration for the past 12 years. In 2016, I moved to Newberg, inspired by my dad's example of serving the community you work in. My experience includes opening 20 outpatient clinics, managing budgets over $10M, and leading our COVID-19 response. My strength lies in solving complex problems by including diverse perspectives. This skill has also been valuable during my time on the city council.
In 2022, I co-founded a specialized staffing company to expand workforce opportunities in our community. This venture has shown me the challenges of small business ownership in Oregon and changed my perspective on the role of government in the marketplace.
We need elected officials who have personally overcome the same issues our community is facing.
