Please Welcome Our New Encore Fellows Program Coordinator!
SVP Portland is happy to announce that Ursula Garcia has joined our team as the new Encore Fellows Program Coordinator! In this role, Ursula facilitates matches and manages the relationships between Cogenerate Encore Fellows and nonprofit host organizations. “As the Encore Fellows Program Coordinator, I will be able to use my knowledge talent assessment and planning to maximize my own community impact,” says Ursula. “I'm excited about getting to know the Fellows and learning more about our amazing Community Partners and their work. I am energized by being part of a community, finding ways to make life just a little bit better for others, and feeling like I'm working on something positive.”
Previously, Ursula worked in Human Resources at Intel Corporation for almost 25 years, including most recently as a Talent & Diversity Manager, a Leadership Development coach, and the Director of Intel’s Manager Experience programs. Ursula’s nonprofit experience includes prior and current service on the Board of Trustees of the Oregon French International School, where she has previously served as Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair.
Ursula is not only our newest staff member, but she is also a Partner! She says, “About five minutes after I announced my retirement from Intel, a prior work colleague reached out to talk to me about SVP! It was someone I trusted a great deal, so I was interested in their engagement and commitment to the organization. The more I learned about SVP, the more I liked the fact that SVP leverages the time and capabilities of experienced volunteers to maximize impact to our communities.” Ursula is currently engaged with Center for African Immigrants & Refugees Organization (CAIRO), consulting with their human resources administrator on management and employee development and organizational culture-related topics. She is working alongside CAIRO staff to create sustainable processes and programs that can be managed by the staff on hand.
Ursula was born and grew up in South Africa, before moving to France and then the United States in pursuit of graduate studies. She came to Oregon in 1996 and now considers herself a real Oregonian, from her love of rainy weather and forest hikes to her obsession with Birkenstocks. Her two children were born in Portland, and now attend the University of Oregon in Eugene. They do their best to keep up with their mom’s many projects, including flower arranging, art, home remodeling, baking, cooking, and reading.
