Meet Sonya

Sonya’s Background

DSC_0545-2Family is very important to me. My husband and I enjoy taking our son to visit the library, Science Center, and local parks. I was raised in a small town in the mountains of Colorado and moved to Oregon in 2001 to study Economics (with a concentration in Public Policy) at Lewis and Clark College.

After working for non-profits such as Community Energy Project, Corporate Ethics International, and Green Corps, I decided to dive into political work.  I worked as Rep. Phil Barnhart’s Chief of Staff for five years. During that time, I forged working relationships with both Democratic and Republican legislators.  I helped pass legislation that:

  • Improved the transparency of tax credits.
  • Removed a loophole that allowed insurance companies to get out of paying for addiction treatment when covered people needed it most and had the highest likelihood of success.
  • Built a coalition of legislators to obtain $4 million in state funding to build the Lebanon Veterans Home. The additional funding was needed because the Federal government changed the building design mid-way through the project.

After almost a decade of working in the non-profit and government sectors, I returned to school at the University of Oregon to pursue a Master of Business Administration (with a concentration in Sustainability).  There, I was immersed in Clean Energy Finance and spent six months evaluating the marketability of an energy storage device and water purification system through a fellowship with the Technology Entrepreneurship Program.  I also joined the due diligence team with the Willamette Angels Conference, where I helped analyze which companies have a strong business plan, strategy, and team. 

In late 2016, I worked as a consultant helping Wise Woman Herbals to analyze varoius aspects of the business. In 2017, I was hired on as the Director of Business Operations, and in 2019 was promoted to Vice President of Operations for a newly developed partner company called Earth Lab Botanicals, which oversees the manufacturing side of the business. During my time with the company, I have tackled numerous projects to find efficiencies, create and streamline systems, and implement continuous improvement into the culture. 

Giving Back to the Community

I grew up with modest means, but had two loving parents, who instilled a strong work ethic and sense of community. I have helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity, delivered meals to seniors and alter-abled people with Loaves and Fishes, and over the years have donated more than a gallon of blood to the Red Cross and Lane Blood Center.  In 2019, I switched to donating platlets so that I can donate more frequently and honor loved ones who have been battling cancer. My goal is to donate platelets once a month.

I have repaired paths at Mt. Pisgah and enjoy participating in races that support local causes including the Turkey Trot (supports Food for Lane County), the EWEB run to stay warm, and the Glow XC race (supports training for volunteer Emergency Medical Service providers in rural areas.)

Since 2017, I have had the pleasure of serving on the Board of BRING, a local non-profit, dedicated to reducing waste and enhancing resiliency through rethinking design, responsibility, reuse, and recycling. I have enjoyed serving with innovative thinkers dedicated to improving our society. I am most proud of my contribution to BRING’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy. BRING doesn’t just talk the talk they walk the walk and have a robust culture that welcomes and values all backgrounds. 

It has been an honor to serve as EWEB Commissioner.  I have represented EWEB on the Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) Board and in 2020 was also elected to the LCOG Executive Committee. I am running for the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB), because I want to continue the work I have started and want to continue to make good common-sense decisions that preserve EWEB as a public asset. I have been fortunate to have mentors with a strong commitment to public service and focus on constituent needs. If re-elected, I would carry that same torch and would be honored to be your choice for EWEB.  I promise to reach out to the community and find ways that EWEB, in its unique role as a public utility, can provide value to customers.