Board of Directors

Baher Butti
Board President
A refugee from Iraq, psychiatrist Dr. Baher Butti works as a cultural counselor in mental health. He also works as a case manager for Lutheran Community Services Northwest, is a member of the board of Directors of the Institute for Progressive Spirituality, and is Secretary General for the newly founded Iraqi Society of Oregon.

Hikari Ward
Board Vice President
Born in São Paulo, but raised in Rio de Janeiro, Hikari grew up in a Japanese household and in the midst of a rich culturally diverse upbringing. Learning both the Japanese and Brazilian customs at home, Hikari then moved to the US to finish High School. Hikari has a B.A. in Sociology and French from the University of New Mexico and a M.S.W. from Portland State University. Her work experience includes the Office of Multicultural Health and Services as the Community Health Worker Policy Advisory Council Intern, Catholic Charities as an anti-trafficking case manager and Project Access NOW as a care coordinator, working with low-income and uninsured patients. Hikari currently works as a Youth and Family Therapist at Youth Contact. As a 2011 PILOT graduate and with a multi-ethnic/multicultural background, Hikari hopes to serve on CIO’s Board to continue advocating and empowering members of the Immigrant and Refugee community to strengthen their communities, reframe public discourse, and impact local and national policy.

Cassie Cohen
Board Treasurer
Cassie Cohen has a background in the education and nonprofit fields. She completed her Masters of Social Work at Portland State University with a focus in community-based practice. Her interests in social justice and partnering with underrepresented populations led her to be appointed to the new citywide Public Involvement Advisory Council that will help strengthen and institutionalize the City’s commitment to public involvement. Cassie is the Co-Director of Groundwork Portland, a network of organizations and individuals focused on the principles of environmental justice.

Anya Valsamakis
Board Secretary
Anya Valsamakis joined the CIO Board in July of 2007. She has had the professional good fortune to often work for immigrants and refugees-developing and delivering services, with special focus on women and youth. She is active in the Slavic community, most recently with the Slavic Coalition of Oregon.

Ania Gindlesperger
Board Member
Ania Gindelsperger immigrated from Poland to the United States in 2000 so that she could improve her language skills and participate in an exchange program. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies with a focus on European Studies from Portland State University in June 2006. Anna currently volunteers with the Polish Community teaching Polish language and works for the Office of International Affairs at Portland State University. She recently completed her Master’s Degree in International Conflict Resolution and Mediation.

Juan Ignacio Castillejos Lopez
Board Member
Born in Mexico, Juan Ignacio Castillejos Lopez currently works as a software engineer for Techtronix in Beaverton. As a volunteer with Oregon Oaxaca Solidarity, Ignacio organized a day of conferences and art exhibitions with the community in Woodburn to strengthen and celebrate the identity of Latino immigrants.

Ben Lischner
Board Member
Ben Lischner is an IT professional and founder of Terserah Consulting. Ben established Terserah upon returning from Indonesia, where he volunteered with Peace Brigades International, a non-governmental organization that protects human rights and promotes nonviolent transformation of conflicts.

Lisa Reed Guarnero
Board Member
Lisa Reed Guarnero came to the United States at 20 months old as a Korean adoptee, raised in a Chinese home in Portland, Oregon. Lisa, a graduate of CIO’s 2008 PILOT Program, is connected to many diverse communities, and is passionate about social justice and healing communities.