Cassandra Garrison

As a recognized leader in the community, Cassandra Garrison has continued to work on the front lines of poverty and in the trenches throughout Oregon for over fifteen years. She speaks statewide on issues relating to welfare reform, poverty and hunger in Oregon. She is an outspoken zealot and community liaison in her position as the Public Policy Manager for the Oregon Food Bank. Her independent contract career has given her the opportunity to build solid alliances with a network of other non-profits through out the tri-county area; as well as, other advocacy agencies such as the Oregon Hunger Relief Taskforce, Oregon Human Rights Coalition, Legal Services of Oregon and the Oregon Law Center.
As a graduate of Portland State University and Nancy Ryles Scholar, Cassandra received the 1999-2000 Award of Achievement in recognition of combining full time employment and Academic Achievement. She holds a graduate degree in Public Administration, a BS in Sociology with an emphasis in Community Development, a Certificate in Urban Studies and an AAS in Civil Engineering from Portland Community College. As the recipient of The Steve Lowenstein Award by the City of Portland for her service to the poor and underprivileged to her debut as Hip Mama of the Year 2000, Cassandra never forgets her own struggles with poverty and hunger as a single mother. A fiery, poverty warrior and pitbull for the poor, Cassandra fights daily for policies, which help families become self-supporting and self-sustaining while creating economic security.