Kay Toran
President and CEO of Volunteers of America Oregon

Kay Toran received the 2005 Urban Pioneer Award for Civic Leadership from the College of Urban and Public Affairs at PSU.

“Kay Toran has a long and distinguished career helping and supporting Oregon’s children and families,” said Lawrence Wallack, Dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs. “Her legacy is one of giving back, to the people and the communities that propelled her professional life.” Toran’s award brings her full circle as she served as Master of Ceremonies the first two years at the Urban Pioneer Award Dinner.

Toran will join retiring Portland Mayor Vera Katz in receiving the Urban Pioneer Awards at the fourth annual dinner and banquet April 13, 2005 at the Portland Hilton Hotel. Dr. Wallack will announce the Community Organization Urban Pioneer Award later.

“My parents passed on to me a sense of service – to give back to my community,” said Toran. “To be recognized for my personal commitment of finding solutions for Oregon’s high-need groups dealing with issues of class, poverty and race is so rewarding and a statement to those who share my passions and work tirelessly to help others. I am honored to receive this special recognition from my alma mater, Portland State.”

Kay Toran holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Portland and a Masters degree from the Graduate School of Social Work at Portland State. After graduation she became an Assistant Professor at that school. She followed that with administrative jobs in the Adult and Family Services Division for the State of Oregon, and later served as an assistant to and Director of Affirmative Action for Governor Victor Atiyeh.