Our Board of Directors

Amanda Ireland-Esquival, Co-Chair

Executive Director / Founder, True Colors Recovery

Amanda is a Hispanic woman in long term recovery from substance use disorder. Amanda has lived experience with addiction, incarceration, and houselessness. She was born and raised in Southern Oregon and moved to Portland in January of 2020 to pursue a graphic design degree at Portland State University. While attending school full time she began working for 4D recovery as a certified recovery mentor. She soon found a passion for providing recovery services to the LGBTQIA2s+ community and advocating for expansion of treatment and recovery services. She currently holds a CRMII, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and teaches a LGBTQ+ cultural competency training focused on peer work. She currently lives in Gresham with her wife Camille and fur-baby Selena. Outside of work she enjoys camping and spending time with loved ones.

Andrew Swanson, Co-Chair

Law Clerk

Andrew was born and raised in San Diego, California. He spent his teens and twenties travelling both nationally and internationally in competitive motorsports. However, growing up in a high-stakes, fast- paced environment took its toll. By his late twenties, it became clear to Andrew that alcoholism was taking over his life and he could not stop drinking. Thus began many years of cycles between treatment and relapse. By age 33, Andrew was an IV drug user committing property crime and cycling through trap houses in downtown Los Angeles. He was on the verge of death when he was granted one last opportunity to leave the state and attend treatment at Hazelden Betty Ford in Minnesota which changed his life.

After a year of outpatient treatment in Minnesota, Andrew and his partner moved to Oregon where Andrew found his passion for addiction recovery advocacy. Andrew served as the Program Director and then Policy and Advocacy Director for Oregon Recovers, where he fought tirelessly in the Oregon Capitol to advance Oregon Recovers’ agenda. During this time, he also enrolled in Portland State University to finish his undergraduate studies.

In 2021, Andrew left his role at Oregon Recovers to pursue a law degree at Lewis & Clark Law School with a focus on commercial litigation. Andrew is slated to graduate in the top third of his class in May 2024, and has accepted a position with the boutique Portland law firm Sokol Larkin, which strongly supports both his recovery journey and his continued advocacy work.

Solara Salazar, MS, CADC II, QMHAr Treasurer

Co-Founder & Executive Director, Cielo Treatment Center

Co-Founder & Executive Director, West Coast Sober Housing

Solara Salazar moved to Portland, OR from California in 2006 where she worked as a martial arts instructor. Since then she has dedicated her life to helping those who suffer from substance use disorders.

She started her career working in DUII treatment and then moved on to work in residential treatment, medication-assisted treatment, drug court, and outpatient day treatment. After working as an Alcohol and Drug counselor for many years, she then transitioned to leadership positions in the treatment field and is currently the co-owner and CFO of Recovery BLVD. She is passionate about community advocacy and helping people who suffer from the disease of addiction. She truly believes that everyone is capable of change as long as they have the tools and support needed to build a strong foundation in recovery.

In her free time, Solara performs as a fire dancer and loves spending time with friends and family. Her education includes an Associate’s Degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development, and a Master’s Degree in Management and Organizational Leadership. Solara also maintains her certification of CADC II as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.

Pam Pearce, Secretary

Executive Director, Community Living Above

Pam Pearce is a wife, mother, community leader, and a person living in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder. Currently, in her 26th year of recovery, she takes advantage of every opportunity to share her passion for the gifts and hope recovery has given her. 

Pam is a certified recovery mentor with a passion for prevention and currently serves as the Executive Director of Community Living Above (CLA), which supports youth and families with substance use prevention education, access to resources and brings awareness and healing through peer-to-peer support. 

Pam’s passion for prevention/awareness education involves local, state, and national groups supporting prevention and recovery. She has been a contributor and resource for prevention and recovery organizations, associations, and a prevention leader on blogs and through speaking engagements.

Locally she serves as a coalition member with Clackamas County Prevention Coalition, and is an Executive Board Member with Clackamas County's Mental Health and Addiction Council.  Statewide, she is an appointee member of the Oregon Alliance to Prevent Suicide and serves on the Oregon Public Health Association (OPHA) board and as a member of the Addiction Prevention Section Executive Leadership. She serves as  an advisory board member for Clear Alliance, whose vision is to strive for safe and healthy communities in Oregon and participates as a member of the Prevention Subcommittee with the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission created by the Oregon Legislature to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of state and local Substance Use Disorder prevention, treatment and recovery services for all Oregonians. 

She has been honored at the local, state, and national levels for her work, both personally and professionally, in prevention awareness and recovery supports.  Awarded by  her local community – school districts Volunteer of the Year for her work with youth.  In 2018 she was the winner of the Freedom Award given by DePaul Treatment Centers, an honor given to those who help battle the stigma of substance use disorders by sharing their story of recovery and giving back to the community in a meaningful way.  In 2021 she was the Community Service and Leadership Award winner given by Serenity Lane.

Pam’s impact on Oregon’s prevention and awareness landscape has also taken her to the national level. Facing Addiction NCADD (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence) launched a Pilot Project in 2017. CLA was one of 15 organizations selected to reform the public response to "face addiction." Addiction Policy Forum, a leading national nonprofit, recognized Community Living Above in its Oregon Innovations to Address Addiction report, spotlighting innovative programs that address addiction and support families and communities.

In 2019, Pam co-founded two new projects that serve and support teens struggling with substance use disorders and their families. The first is the Oregon Recovery High School Initiative, which launched the first recovery high school in our state --Harmony Academy in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The second is a youth recovery program, an Alternative Peer Group (APG).

Pam believes that hope and healing are possible and real and with education and advocacy people will have the tools they need to understand substance use disorders.  She is excited to be part of Oregon Recovers Steering Committee and looks forward to working together to make sure people in Oregon have the information and services they need to support themselves.

Jesse Cornett

Human Being

Jesse grew up surrounded by family with addiction issues. He went on to become the first college graduate in his family, ultimately earning a master’s degree. Jesse’s early career skyrocketed. Before he turned 30, he became the government relations director at Portland State University.

Despite his own addiction, Jesse largely continued his career as an advocate, working on progressive issues and for candidates. He became a top aide to Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2020 presidential bid.

On August 7th, 2020, Jesse woke up with what he felt was the worst hangover of his life (for the one thousandth time) and decided never again. First volunteering to help craft a sensible alcohol tax in Oregon, Jesse found his recovery community at Oregon Recovers. He went on to serve as Oregon Recovers' lobbyist during the 2021 legislative session.

In 2021, Jesse also worked with the Oregon Latino Health Coalition to secure funding for healthcare for 55,000 Oregonians and served as the Interim Policy and Advocacy Director for Oregon Recovers

Eric Martin

Director of Policy, Compliance, and Legislation, MHACBO

Eric is the Executive Director Emeritus of MHACBO (ACCBO) and a person in long term recovery from mental health & addiction.  Eric currently serves as a policy advisor, ethics investigation manager and legislative liaison for MHACBO.  Eric was an adjunct faculty member with the University of Oregon for 20 years and is a faculty mentor with Portland State University. 

Eric is an international presenter and recovery advocate. Eric has served on several Governor’s advisory boards, the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse Programs and the Governor’s Advisory Board on Drugs & Violent Crime. Eric has also produced a number of video’s, including “Reunited” a video designed for methamphetamine addicted mothers entering the child welfare system.

Eric has been honored with numerous awards in light of his 30 years of service in Addiction Treatment & Prevention. Most notably, he is the recipient of the Governor’s Council Award of Excellence, presented by Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, and he is the recipient of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors—National, William F.Callahan Award for Sustained and Meritorious Service at the national level to the profession of addiction counseling, presented in Washington D.C. in 2010.

In addition to serving on Oregon Recover's Steering Committee, Eric is Director of the Association of Addiction Peer Profesionals, and is a board member/consultant with the NW Instituto Latino de Adicciones, the Miracles Club, Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery, and the 4th Dimension Youth Recovery Center.

Jerrod Murray

Executive Director, Painted Horse Recovery

Jerrod Murray identifies as a person in long-term recovery from alcohol and drugs since October 19, 2012. Jerrod is the founder and current Executive Director of Painted Horse Recovery, a Culturally specific Native American non-profit organization. Painted Horse Recovery is the first of its kind in the United States.

Jerrod Murray graduated from PCC with an associates degree in applied science. Jerrod was a member of the Native Nations Club and helped organize many events. The PCC Native Nations Club supports intertribal Native American/ Alaskan Native students attending PCC. Jerrod received an Alcohol and drug counseling certificate and completed his internship at Cascadia Behavioral Health Care.

Jerrod is a proud father of four. He contributes in the Native American recovery circles with a culturally specific approach. Jerrod was instrumental in bringing Wellbriety meetings to Portland Oregon. Jerrod holds credentials as Certified Recovery Mentor and is pursuing a CADC1 in the year 2021.

Robert Sanders

Currently serving as the Director of Adolescent Services at 4D Recovery, with extensive experience
as an advocate and service provider. A 6th generation Oregonian, proud volleyball dad, and naval
Veteran, with a personal journey in overcoming substance use disorder that fuels a commitment to
reducing barriers for vulnerable communities and expanding recovery services for adolescents and
young adults. Dedicated to servant leadership, with a focus on actively listening to silenced voices,
elevating others through various platforms, and continuously striving to learn and grow in the role.

Leaf Ploub

CRM-II, QMHA-R, & PSS

Leaf Ploub is the Senior Outreach Coordinator for Oxford Houses of Oregon. He has been with Oxford House since February of 2019. In addition to this role, he holds certifications as a CRM-II, QMHA-R, & PSS. His job takes him all around the state, where he has built relationships with numerous community partners. He also holds a seat at the table with multiple committees, including LADPC, LPSCC, Harm Reduction, SUDS, and others.

As a man in long-term recovery, he has been clean and sober since June 11th, 2016. He has been actively involved in the recovery community since then. With Oxford House being a nationwide organization, he has had the opportunity to speak on recovery-related topics and share his story across the nation.

Oregon Recovers has been a passion of his since he first attended the Recovery Community Summit in 2019. He has been sitting in on planning committees and attending multiple events organized by the organization since then. Oregon Recovers has become a significant part of his journey.

TBC

TBC