Welcome New Board Member, Laurie Cremona Wagner

Please join us in welcoming our newest board member, Laurie Cremona Wagner!

Cremona Wagner, Laurie_033square[1]Cremona Wagner serves as the Vice President of Marketing Performance at SAP. In this role, Ms. Cremona Wagner provides worldwide leadership overseeing the goals and targets for all SAP Marketing organizations to drive collaboration and maximize business impact and provides analytics and insights to facilitate data-driven marketing. She has served as Vice President of Marketing Operations and Strategy at Sun Microsystems and BEA Systems (now Oracle), and led the Education Services business at both EMC (now Dell) and BMC Software.

Ms. Cremona Wagner brings experience in both the building industry; including architecture, civil engineering and construction; and the high-tech industry; including software, hardware and services. Ms. Cremona Wagner began her career in the building industry as a high-tech design and construction project manager in Silicon Valley. She helped build a cloud company for architects, engineers and contractors as the Vice President of Services, and became a Six Sigma Master Black Belt with General Electric specializing in voice of the customer, statistics and process optimization. Cremona Wagner also co-founded Mission Job Share, a non-profit aimed at helping organizations retain employees and employees advance their careers through work arrangements that support work-life balance.

As a certified LEED Accredited Professional with the U.S. Green Building Council, Cremona Wagner was appointed by the governor to the Oregon School Facilities Task Force. She currently co-chairs Portland Community College’s Business Advisory Committee and is a member of PCC’s Computer Information Services Advisory Board.

An advocate for wage equity and Title IX, Cremona Wagner worked with Representative Ann Lininger to write and testify for Oregon’s pay equity bill. She now works with the AAUW to educate Oregonians and raise awareness of fair pay for women in our communities.

Cremona Wagner has lived in Oregon for 13 years. She resides in Lake Oswego with her husband and their 4 teenage children, who all attend Lake Oswego public schools as they prepare to enter both the local workforce and higher education system.

Ms. Cremona Wagner holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urban Design from Stanford University, and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management also from Stanford University. As a fellow at Stanford’s Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering (CIFE), Cremona Wagner published research to increase the efficiency of complex building construction in the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management.

We are thrilled to add Cremona Wagner’s experience and passion for our mission to our board of directors.

Please join us in welcoming Laurel Lukesh to our board!

Laurel Lukesh

Laurel has worked in a variety of roles throughout her banking career, currently serving as the President, Oregon Division, for Northwest Bank since 2014. Prior to joining Northwest Bank, she worked in a leadership role with another community bank in Oregon City, as a board member of the Oregon City Chamber of Commerce, and board member of other local non-profits.

She brings to the board a background in commercial real estate, commercial construction, and leading organizational change. Laurel is a native Oregonian and has worked in Clackamas County for the past 15 years.

Laurel is a graduate of Marylhurst University, Leadership Clackamas County, and currently enrolled in her final year at Pacific Coast Banking School.

First introduced to CWS over a decade ago, Laurel has seen the “tremendous service they provide to those in our community” and is excited to continue that work with us.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 28th, 2019
CONTACT John Aney, Phone: 503-557-5820; Email: johna@cwsor.org

CWS Expands Board Leadership

Oregon City, OR (May 28, 2019)— Clackamas Women’s Services (CWS) adds four new members to their board, expanding and enhancing the local non-profit’s leadership base. New board members include: Barbara Radler, Kate Buzbee, Mara Kennedy, and Emma Burke.

Barbara Radler has been practicing law in Portland since 1982. Radler’s practice focuses on commercial real estate transactions. She represents developers, landlords, lenders, borrowers, tenants, and brokers. Radler is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and she has served as the Chair of the Real Estate and Land Use Section of the Oregon State Bar. She has been listed in Best Lawyers in America and she has been top-ranked in real estate by Chambers USA each year since 2003.

Kate Buzbee is the Finance Manager at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center and has been with Providence since 2006 as an auditor and accountant. Buzbee strongly believes in each individual’s right to feel safe and secure and previously served on the Finance Committee at Bradley Angle, a Portland-based domestic violence advocacy center.

Emma Burke is a member of Lake Oswego School District’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, sits on the Policy sub-committee, and serves as Chair for the Community Outreach sub-committee. Burke also volunteers with the Government Relations Committee for the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)-Oregon Chapter. Burke joined the CWS Board of Directors in 2019 after serving several months on the CWS Public Policy Committee, raising DVSA awareness with Oregon politicians by providing her lived-experience testimony in public hearings at the state Capitol on related bills.

Mara Kennedy is Assistant Vice President of Business Development for The Doctors Company’s Northwest Region. She manages both the direct sales team and agent/broker relations for 14 states. Kennedy joined The Doctors Company in 2013, coming from Utah Medical Insurance Association where she was Vice President, Marketing and Business Analyst. She has a background in management, underwriting and marketing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 8th, 2019
CONTACT John Aney, Phone: 503-557-5820; Email: johna@cwsor.org

Emma Burke Joins CWS Board of Directors, Participates in DVSA Day of Action

Oregon City, OR (May 7, 2019)— Emma Burke of Lake Oswego joins the Board of Directors for Clackamas Women’s Services, a nonprofit serving domestic and sexual violence survivors. She advocated alongside survivors and supporters at the Capitol yesterday for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Day. Burke was voted onto the CWS Board of Directors on April 23rd after serving several months on the CWS Public Policy Committee. She serves on the Lake Oswego School District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee on the Policy subcommittee and as Chair of the Community Outreach sub-committee.

“We are incredibly grateful to add Emma’s leadership to our Board,” said Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director for Clackamas Women’s Services, “I am impressed with Emma’s courageous voice and her passion for creating social change. She has a strong understanding of the importance of good public policy as the foundation for supporting survivors.”

At the Capitol, Burke joined other CWS Board Members and experts in the field to advocate for essential services and protections for domestic and sexual violence survivors. The DVSA Action Day is organized by the statewide coalitions: the Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force and the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and the Oregon Alliance to End Violence Against Women. The group met with legislators throughout the day to share the importance of several policy measures regarding domestic and sexual violence. One measure Burke will specifically be advocating for is SB 995 which would improve the current Sexual Abuse Protective Order (SAPO) statute.

“I’m honored to join the CWS Board to further the efforts for Oregon survivors of domestic and sexual violence,” said Emma Burke, “When I sought survivor services after a 2017 sexual assault, CWS helped me obtain the SAPO that helped me feel safer from my attacker. The bill to extend the SAPO expiration is especially important because the current annual renewal process causes emotional trauma and quite often, even financial hardship for survivors whether or not the attacker can even be found to be served.”

Under current statute, SAPOs expire automatically after one year, though survivors can apply for renewal. SB 995 would provide that SAPOs are effective for five years, decreasing the burden on survivors to navigate yearly renewals.

People interested in obtaining a Sexual Abuse Protective Order, or people experiencing domestic or sexual violence can connect with a confidential advocate with Clackamas Women’s Services for help and support through their 24-hour crisis line at 1-888-654-2288.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Jan. 23rd, 2019
CONTACT: Melissa Erlbaum, (503) 557-5810, melissae@cwsor.org

Statement from Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director at Clackamas Women’s Services, on Quadruple Domestic Violence Homicide in Canby

“Our hearts go out to the survivors, their families, and the whole Canby and Woodburn area in the wake of this terrible tragedy. This loss is not just loss for the family, but for the entire community.

“While we search for answers and await more information about this terrible crime, it is important to remember that domestic violence is a cycle of abusive behavior that often starts with subtle psychological abuses that grow in frequency and severity over time. While individual factors such as mental health, addiction, or prior abuse are often correlated with violence, the true underlying cause is the desire to maintain power and control over one’s victims. Perpetrators escalate their violence over time–sometimes to the point of lethal forms of violence, including strangulation. Numerous studies show how dangerous people who strangle others are not only to their primary targets but to others in their path.

“We are so grateful for the incredible response we’ve already witnessed from concerned and caring individuals—a special thank you to the first responders we work so closely with at Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and 911 Dispatch who responded to the domestic violence homicide. Additionally, thank you to the incredible neighbors who have offered their care and support, the elected officials, social service providers, partner agencies, mental health professionals and school officials who are doing what they can to support their community. In times like these we are reminded of the power and resiliency of a community that stands together and carries each other toward healing in the midst of difficulty.

“This is an unfortunate reminder that domestic violence does not impact just one victim or one family, but impacts us all, from those closest to the harm to those of us hearing of this awful story. As concerned and caring community members, we all have a part to play in addressing domestic violence and ensuring victims have access to short and long-term support with the resulting trauma.

“If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, know that we will always be here to provide confidential advocacy and safety planning on our 24-hr Crisis Line: (503) 654-2288 or through our drop-in advocacy services located at A Safe Place Family Justice Center, open Mon.-Thurs. 8am-4pm and Fri. 8am-1pm.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE2013 Small
John Aney, Director of Development and Communications
Phone: 503-557-5820
Email: johna@cwsor.org

Oregon City, Ore. (November 8, 2018)—This holiday season, The Angels in the Outfield will host the Holiday Store for domestic and sexual violence survivors, a service historically provided by Clackamas Women’s Services. The Holiday Store is an annual tradition offered to survivors and their families during the holiday season and allows parents and caregivers impacted by violence to choose gifts for their children from among the donations. The store has grown drastically since its origination and the partnership between Clackamas Women’s Services and The Angels in the Outfield will increase the program’s sustainability.

“We are grateful to this new partnership with The Angels in the Outfield.  Their engagement will ensure that CWS clients will be able to create warm holiday memories for their children” says John Aney, Director of Development and Communication with Clackamas Women’s Services.  “The involvement of The Angels in the Outfield also emphasizes to survivors that there are caring, engaged individuals and groups out in their community.”

Holidays can often be difficult for survivors of violence, many of whom are struggling to find safety and shelter, navigating court systems and challenging family dynamics, all the while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and holiday spirit for their children.  The Holiday Store takes the stress and financial burden off of survivors and allows them to provide gifts for their children. Unlike other types of holiday giving, the Holiday Store allows parents themselves to select from among donated gifts for their children, giving survivors back a sense of empowerment and ownership and reaffirming their role as provider within their family.

Since its inception, the Holiday Store has grown in numbers of families served each year; ultimately providing 110 families with gifts during the 2017 holiday season. With the continued growth, ability to meet the growing need while also maintaining much needed crisis response services was becoming a challenge for Clackamas Women’s Services. Thankfully, The Angels in the Outfield, a local nonprofit dedicated to brightening the lives of children impacted by violence stepped in to coordinate the store and donations.

More information about how to volunteer, make a donation of new toys, or wish lists can be found on The Angels in the Outfield webpage, www.theangelsintheoutfield.org  Donations can be dropped off at the Holiday Store location at 501 Pleasant Avenue, Oregon City Dec. 5-8 10 a.m.-7p.m. or at any of The Angels in the Outfield drop off locations before Dec. 5.

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About Clackamas Women’s Services

The mission of Clackamas Women’s Services is to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. CWS was incorporated in 1985 as Clackamas County’s first shelter for women and children escaping family violence and domestic abuse. CWS’ service delivery framework is built on trauma-informed best practices that promote safety and self-determination. Participants in our programs receive no-cost services by highly-trained staff with advanced expertise. The mission of Clackamas Women’s Services is to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. The 24-hour crisis line is 1-888-654-2288. To learn more, please visit https://www.cwsor.org/.

About The Angels in the Outfield

The Angels in the Outfield is a non-profit organization seeking to brighten the lives of children who have been impacted by crime or child abuse.  Our mission is to promote healing, happiness, and safety of children through the generosity of our contributors. The services provided to each child is determined on a case-by case basis dependent upon each child’s specific needs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE2013 Small
John Aney, Director of Development and Communications
Phone: 503-557-5820
Email: johna@cwsor.org

Oregon City, Ore., October 17, 2018 — Jennie Willoughby, whose story of abuse at the hands of former White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter gained national media attention in February of this year, will be speaking at Clackamas Women’s Services’ 2018 Pathways Gala and Auction this month. Jennie will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker at the event, the largest annual fundraiser held by the community nonprofit.  Jennie’s writing has been published in Time Magazine, and her op-ed in the Washington Post was the inspiration behind the #AndSoIStayed movement. Jennie has become a powerful voice for domestic violence survivors, and has used her platform to educate about domestic violence, its long-term impact on survivors, and what must be done to combat it effectively and help survivors heal.

“We need to make it clear that domestic abuse of any kind is wrong and unacceptable,” Willoughby said, speaking at a YWCA Greenwich event in May. “We need to be willing to have the uncomfortable conversations and face that abuse head on. We need to have the uncomfortable conversations with our family, with our neighbors and with ourselves. It’s necessary to draw a line in the sand and vehemently condemn a person’s abusive actions with no equivocation, no rationalization and no watering it down.”

Since 1987, October has been recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month is nationally recognized each year as a month to express continued efforts toward ending domestic violence, providing safety for victims of domestic violence and their families, and holding perpetrators accountable. It is also a month to recognize and commend domestic violence advocates, domestic violence victim service providers, crisis hotline staff, and first responders for their compassionate support, according to the 2017 Congressional Record Supporting the goals and ideals of the month.

At a time when the national conversation about violence against women has been at the forefront, CWS is looking forward to bringing Jennie’s inspirational leadership here to Oregon.

“The courage that Jennie and other survivors have shown in publicly sharing their stories of abuse this past year has been a remarkable, watershed moment in our movement to end violence against women,” said Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director of Clackamas Women’s Services. “It shed a light into the dark places and history shows us that change grows with that light.”

The Clackamas Women’s Services Pathways Gala and Auction is held yearly and provides for a significant portion of private funding for the agency and the services offered at no cost to domestic and sexual violence survivors in the community.

The 2018 Pathways Gala and Auction will be held at the beautiful Oregon Golf Club on Thursday, October 18th.

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About Clackamas Women’s Services

The mission of Clackamas Women’s Services is to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. CWS was incorporated in 1985 as Clackamas County’s first shelter for women and children escaping family violence and domestic abuse. CWS’ service delivery framework is built on trauma-informed best practices that promote safety and self-determination. Participants in our programs receive no-cost services by highly-trained staff with advanced expertise. The mission of Clackamas Women’s Services is to break the isolation of domestic and sexual violence. The 24-hour crisis line is 1-888-654-2288. To learn more, please visit https://www.cwsor.org/.

A note from Executive Director
Melissa Erlbaum 

 

In recent weeks, on stages both public and private, a remarkable number of survivors have exhibited bravery and fortitude in sharing their experiences.  All of us at CWS have heard stories, in some cases from our friends and loved ones, that we may have only now heard for the first time, despite the fact that we work for an organization committed to helping to build a society where domestic and sexual violence are things of the past. 

 

It is our responsibility, as a compassionate and concerned community, to listen, to truly hear and to give witness to survivor’s experiences. We need to honor the stories and recognize the tremendous courage it took for them to come forward, and recommit ourselves to continue to be there as they forge forward on their journeys of healing.  We should encourage self-care, provide opportunities for more sharing of stories, and create a safe place those stories can be told. 

 

We must also acknowledge that it is not the responsibility of the abused to come forward and drive the change, rather the obligation is on our community, our society, to shine a light into the dark places and into the shadows. This is a pervasive societal problem and it is up to all of us to create change.

Clearly the national conversation of the past few weeks has brought up a storm of painful memories.  But this is not the end of the conversation. While it is true that we will not all agree on the process, the outcomes or the issues presented, it is also true that the conversation happened, from halls of the US Senate down to the dinner tables and classrooms throughout our communities. It is through dialogue, awareness and education that change emerges. 

 

The question right now is how we move forward. Will we let the conversation end on the Senate floor, or will we take this unique opportunity to continue to speak out, share our stories, support survivors and hold others accountable for their actions?  Instead of a silencing of voices, I believe the last couple of weeks have shown that as a nation we are prepared to continue to ask the hard questions and shine the light on attitudes and practices that created the environment where sexual assault was overlooked, if not condoned.  The avalanche of stories being shared has hopefully given more people an understanding of the extent of the problem, and across the country, many have spoken up and out to say ‘no…this can no longer be tolerated.’ 

 

Another encouraging outcome of the last month is that in sharing their stories, survivors have begun to unburden themselves of the guilt and shame they have carried for decades. That process is crucial for there to be healing, and regardless of political party or ideology or cultural identity, this healing will ultimately move us forward, not back, in our movement toward a world built on mutual respect and free from domestic and sexual violence. It may seem like an impossible goal, but in the midst of the pain this month has wrenched free, I believe we can see significant progress toward that goal.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 26, 2018
CONTACT: Melissa Erlbaum, (503) 557-5810, melissae@cwsor.org

Statement of Melissa Erlbaum, Executive Director at Clackamas Women’s Services, on SB 1562 A

“We are incredibly moved by the powerful testimony offered today before the House Committee on Judiciary in support of SB 1562 A to update and expand the definition of strangulation and to increase the crime to a felony within the context of domestic violence cases. The diversity of voices we heard today, which included prosecutors, legislators, law enforcement, victims’ advocates, and survivors, is indicative of just how many lives the crime of strangulation impacts and threatens if we fail to respond adequately.

“Near or nonfatal strangulation is common within domestic violence cases. People who are abusive use strangulation to demonstrate they have the power to kill their partners at any moment without the use of weapons. It is an incredibly effective way of controlling whether their partner leaves or seeks safety in the community. Especially when committed through pressure applied to the chest, strangulation can leave few visible marks and thus remains an invisible manipulative tool that protects people who are abusive from immediate arrest by law enforcement.

“The act of strangulation has often been a predictor of additional violence and lethality.  A person who strangles their partner is 7 times more likely to kill that partner in the future if appropriate intervention is not taken or if the offender is not held accountable.  Fatal and nonfatal strangulation are also predictive of other forms of violence including mass shootings.

“This legislation is critical to protecting survivors and the larger community from further harm and livelong impacts of the inevitable terror they experience after being strangled. Individuals who commit strangulation are dangerous to survivors and our communities and without this violence being properly defined and or addressed, victims are left vulnerable to increased lethality. We strongly urge this legislation move forward before more lives are threatened by this terrible act of violence.

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Senate Bill 1562-16 has moved out of Committee and will move on for a vote on the Senate floor tomorrow (we think at 10:45 a.m.). We are grateful for the work of Senator Taylor and the numerous co-sponsors of this legislation that will make near/non-fatal strangulation in the context of domestic violence a felony.

There are three action steps you can take at this time:

First– Contact your local senators by email and phone today/tomorrow morning and encourage a vote of support for SB 1562-16. Many are already supportive so a positive and encouraging message is appropriate here.

You can find your locally elected representative’s contact information here:

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/findyourlegislator/leg-districts.html

https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/house/Pages/RepresentativesAll.aspx

 

Second– Submit written testimony in support of SB 1562-16 to the House Judiciary Committee in advance of the hearing. Since this house is between committees at the moment, it is best to submit a copy to both the House and Senate Committee emails to ensure it goes on the record. If you previously submitted testimony you can submit an updated letter thanking the Senate Judiciary Committee for their work and identifying your support for the amended version (SB 1562-16) that is moving forward for a vote. When submitting written testimony, remember that incorporating your personal message, from your perspective is often the most impactful, and that each written testimony becomes part of public record.

Here’s is more information on how to submit written testimony: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/citizen_engagement/Pages/Submit-Exhibits.aspx

The letter should be submitted to these two addresses:

sjud.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

hjud.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov

*Please address your remarks to Chair Barker, Vice Chair Williamson, Vice Chair Olson and Members of the House Committee on Judiciary*

 

Third- Please also consider reaching out directly to Senator Taylor, bill co-sponsors, and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to thank them for their hard work and efforts on this. It has been a long haul, with noteworthy bi-partisan support in the capital and multi-disciplinary coalition of support across the domestic and sexual violence system. The testimony provided last Tuesday was remarkable and worth watching, as well as all of the letters of support submitted thus far. You can find the co-sponsors and committee member information at this link as well as links to the hearing and other written testimony here:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2018R1/Measures/Overview/SB1562

 

Thank you for helping to keep survivors and our communities safe!

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