Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors have a deep, personal commitment to Portland and Portland Public Schools. They lead The Fund for PPS through their expertise, their knowledge of our community and their passionate belief in the power of philanthropic investments in our public schools.

Jonathan García, chair
Principal, j. garcía strategies, llc

Jonathan García has dedicated his career to helping young people succeed and live fulfilling lives. He has worked in the nonprofit and public sectors and owns J. Garcia Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm that supports non-profits and public institutions in planning for their future and communicating complex change.

Most recently, Jonathan served as the Chief of Staff for Portland Public Schools, Oregon's largest PK-12 school system. In this role, he was the senior advisor to executive leadership on all critical issues that impacted the school system's 43,000 K-12 students, 8,700 staff, and a $2.1 billion budget. In 2019, he founded The Fund for PPS, an organization dedicated to fundraising for Portland schools, and remains its Board Chair. His previous experiences include founding Spark SF Public Schools, an independent nonprofit organization that benefits San Francisco public schools, and raising over $20 million in philanthropic investments.

In 2018, Forbes named Jonathan to the "30 Under 30 in Education" list. In 2014, he was chosen as an Education Pioneer Fellow, and in 2020, he was named a Pahara Fellow. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Philosophy, with a minor in Biblical Studies, and a Master of Arts degree in Management, specializing in Public Administration, from Azusa Pacific University. He serves as the Board Chair for the Portland Trail Blazers Foundation and the Oregon Community Foundation's Latino Partnership Council. Additionally, Jonathan serves on the Board of Directors of Get Schooled and Futuro Media Group

Victoria Lara
Founder and CEO, Lara Media Services, LLC

Victoria Lara has been a tireless community leader and civil rights advocate for more than a decade. She is the founder and CEO of Lara Media Services, LLC. The growth of the Latino community and the potential for culturally sensitive engagement prompted her decision to open her own agency. Lara Media is the only Latina woman-owned marketing agency in the Pacific Northwest.

Her endless commitment and advocacy for the community has earned her recognition as an American Dreamer recipient in December 2013 and Small Business Champion in May 2014.

Victoria has been an active member of the community. She currently serves as the President of Causa Oregon, treasurer of Oregon Latino Health Coalition, board member of Hacienda CDC, and All Hands Raised, committee advisor for James Beard Public Market, and committee member of Metropolitan Alliance for Workforce Equity. Aside from being involved in the community, Victoria is a strong supporter of civil right organizations like PCUN and Latino Network. She is currently participating in Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest, 2015 Power of the Purse, an annual benefit event that promotes the wellbeing of girls.

Victoria believes that in order to navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape, media professionals should have a comprehensive understanding of not the only the Latino market, but all minority communities and only a person who lives the same challenges everyday can understand and reach them in the right way.

Chris Minnich
president, NWEA

Chris Minnich is the President of NWEA, which is now part of HMH, bringing together the best of assessment and curriculum to create new and impactful ways to empower educators and help kids learn. Before joining NWEA in January 2018, Chris held several key leadership roles in the education industry. Most recently, Chris successfully served as the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). He became executive director in 2012 and led the organization in a direction to ensure all students in the public education system – regardless of background – graduated prepared for college, careers, and life. From 2005-2008, Chris held multiple positions at Harcourt, all of which focused on the advancement and improvement of assessments. Before joining Harcourt, he served as the Director of Test Design and Implementation at the Oregon Department of Education from 2003-2005. While there, he effectively led the statewide implementation of Oregon’s online assessment. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Washington, Seattle, as well as a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Kelly huotari
vice president of employee communications, cambia health solutions

Kelly Huotari is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with more than two decades of experience across the corporate, government and non-profit sectors. She currently serves as vice president of employee communications for Portland, Oregon-based Cambia Health Solutions. Kelly has a long standing track record as a passionate advocate for children and families in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to her corporate career, she spent five years as communications director for Multnomah County’s Commission on Children, Families and Community, helping connect local underserved populations with critical community services including Oregon Helps, 211, Sun Schools and summer food programs. Following that she led communications, marketing and development for the Children’s Institute, where she worked with the governor’s office, major Northwest philanthropists and grassroots organizations on a successful campaign to significantly increase funding for Oregon Head Start and Early Head Start. She spent the earliest part of her career in journalism, as a reporter and producer for KGW-TV in Portland. She graduated from the University of Washington with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Economics and International Studies.