Our Team

Steve Higgs leads SAGE’s efforts to inspire older adults to give forward for younger and future generations. He is responsible for implementing SAGE’s programs, and managing its communications and operations.

Melanie Mejia is the coordinator of SAGE’s Vision 2030 team, which offers education to middle and high school students about the City of Portland and Multnomah 2030 climate goal.

Britt Christiansen leads SAGE’s Mentors Program at Parkrose Middle School. Her role is to liaison between mentors and students who are gaining support for English language learning and more.

Pat De Vol Nadon coordinates SAGE’s initiatives in Deschutes County, Central Oregon. She manages SAGE events and provides one-to-one advice for people seeking a meaningful pathway to service and advocacy with our partners in the region.

Cheryl Nee-Gieringer coordinates SAGE’s Citizen Project to inspire and support people to work across differences to solve problems. She manages our events and supports our partners who are working to build bridges across political and other divides. Prior to joining SAGE, Cheryl worked as a Senior Project Manager at Worksystems, an organization that invests resources to develop the workforce in the Portland Metro region. Cheryl holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in communication. She also serves as a presenter at the Creative Problem Solving Institute.

Bill Howe has practiced law for over 40 years, which includes over 25 years devoted exclusively to family law with Gevurtz Menashe, P.C in Portland, Oregon. In addition to many years of active practice, Bill has devoted significant time and energy to family court reform. He has been appointed by several Chief Justices to serve as the Vice-chair of Oregon’s Statewide Family Law Advisory Committee from 1998 through 2020.

Ben Manny retired after 30 years with Intel and last served as their Director of Wireless Technology research lab in Oregon. After retirement, he helped organize the Intel Retiree Organization and served as was one of their charter board members where he established and still chairs the Intel Retiree Volunteer and Donation Committee.

Neal Naigus retired after 42 years at Portland Community College. He served as Assistant to the President for the last 6 PCC Presidents and represented the College throughout the community.

Rick Nitti served as Executive Director of Neighborhood House for 18 years. He is a highly regarded leader in the Oregon nonprofit community, having served as President of the Board of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, and on the Board of the Southwest Community Health Center.

Sheila Panyam is a recent graduate of the University of Washington. A life-long resident of Portland, she was an alumna of Lincoln High School’s We the People Team and a coach for the program. She was a former vice president of Mission: Citizen.

Stephanie serves as a Senior Business Systems Analyst at Multnomah County working with the Health Department where she introduces emerging and innovative technologies. She is currently on the Equity Committee and the Career Pathways Committee at Multnomah County. Prior to her work with the County, Stephanie also served in project management and business analyst roles with Kaiser Permanente, Daimler Trucks, and Bonneville Power Administration.

Marcus Wood is a retired attorney. He spent his legal career at Stoel Rives LLP, where he served on the firm’s Executive Committee and led its 11-office energy and renewable energy practice groups. He has served as Chair of the Board of the former Indochinese Cultural and Service Center and Chair of the Board of the Oregon Ballet Theatre, and also was a long-time member of the Outside In Board.