REACH Welcomes John Cárdenas to its Board of Directors
REACH Community Development is pleased to announce the appointment of John Cárdenas to its Board of Directors. With a distinguished career and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, John brings a wealth of experience and passion to REACH as the organization continues its mission to foster vibrant, equitable communities.
In his role as Sr. Manager of Business Equity and Contracting at the Port of Portland, John manages a team of business development and compliance experts. He has been instrumental in developing policies to promote racial equity and support BIPOC and women-owned businesses. His educational background in Multimedia Communications, Real Estate and Economic Development, and Chicano/Latino Studies will be an additional asset to the organization’s public outreach efforts.
John’s experience with affordable housing began early in his career at the Portland Development Commission, where he managed affordable housing services and collaborated with city officials to prioritize affordable housing initiatives. John’s impressive background includes significant leadership roles in several prominent community organizations, including Milagro Theater, Co-Chair of the Latino Network Executive Board, and Board Member at Hacienda CDC. Additionally, John held positions on the boards of the Portland Housing Center and the Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association, where he served as President from 2008-2011.
“We are excited to welcome John to our Board of Directors,” said Margaret Salazar, REACH CEO. “His extensive experience in leadership, community engagement, and advancing equity makes him a tremendous asset to our organization. We look forward to the invaluable contributions he will bring to our work.”
John expressed his enthusiasm for joining REACH’s Board, stating, “I am deeply committed to promoting social equity and economic development within our community. The opportunity to contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and community engagement efforts to further REACH’s mission is particularly exciting to me.”
Please join us in welcoming John Cárdenas to the REACH Community Development Board!
