Partner Highlight: Michele Beneville
Michele Beneville has been a constant source of administrative support and joy since she first began volunteering with us in November of 2016. She is essential to our operations, tracking Partners and their giving, maintaining and updating Salesforce records, and helping onboard new staff. Even though she now works remotely from Central Oregon, SVP Portland would not run as smoothly as it does without her!
Q: Why did you join SVP Portland and how are you involved?
A: My journey with SVP began in 2016 after moving from Oregon City to downtown Portland. I was looking for a volunteer opportunity within my new community. It was through an Oregon City connection that I heard about SVP. I met with staff and started helping the next week! Fast forward to today, I continue to remotely support the marketing and development side of SVP from our home in Redmond, OR.
Q: What superpowers do you bring to your engagement?
A: Stealth and x-ray vision!
Editor’s note: While Michele is not an ACTUAL superhero (that we know of!), her reliability, multi-year dedication, strong communication skills, outstanding attention to detail, and exceptional ability to collaborate are definitely superpowers. Michele is absolutely amazing, and a critical part of the SVP team, enabling us to operate efficiently and effectively!
Q: What do you find most rewarding about being a Partner?
A: Even though I don’t directly engage with Community Partners, I feel that the support I provide to our SVP staff helps make their jobs a bit easier.
Q: Why are our early childhood goals important to you?
A: Education is important throughout our lives. We grow each time we learn! Having the opportunity as a preschooler to start learning the basics, not just academics but social skills, in an enriching environment provides a kiddo so much! Families today have a hard time juggling work and home, let alone have means for extracurricular activities. SVP Portland’s goals not only benefit children, they benefit families and our community.
Q: What motivates you in life?
A: It sounds cliché, but it’s my family.
Q: What do you like to do to put a smile on your face?
A: My husband and I moved to Redmond permanently in 2020 when COVID made its appearance in order to help with our granddaughter, since her parents were essential workers. Now we take care of our almost-4-year-old granddaughter Harper every Monday. She always brings her smile that always puts a smile on my face, even if it’s an exhausted one by the end of the day!
Q: What is your favorite place in Central Oregon that Partners shouldn’t miss if they are in the area?
A: Central Oregon provides so many opportunities for visitors year-round. In the summer there are so many places to hike…our favorites, and most popular, are Smith Rock and Tumalo Falls. In the winter we continue to venture outside and cross country ski up at Mt. Bachelor or in our backyard on the golf course here at Eagle Crest.
