Making a DIfference in East Portland
Meet Sonja
Sonja McKenzie grew up in Katy, Texas–a suburb outside of Houston. She is a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a fine Arts degree in film, was an inclusion teacher in Houston before moving to Portland in 1999. Sonja received her Human Resources certification at PSU in 2008. A Certified Volunteer Administrator, (CVA) since 2019, Sonja specializes in statewide volunteer administration in the nonprofit sector.
Sonja is currently a Community Engagement Coordinator with the Oregon Community Foundation. Sonja has worked in the nonprofit sector in Oregon for 15 years. She has specialized in Volunteer management and Community engagement for organizations such as World Oregon, OHSU and Planned Parenthood. Sonja was first appointed as a Notary public by the State of Oregon in 2007 and continued her commission for 13 years.
Sonja has been an active community volunteer for organizations such as Dress for Success Oregon, AmeriCorps, March of Dimes and a number of school districts as an active parent volunteer. Sonja was appointed as Vice Chair of the Boise Eliot Site Council and PPS Head Start Policy Council Representative for Boise Eliot in 2009. In 2012 Sonja created a citywide community project called Circle of Friends benefitting 2 local homeless shelters. In addition, Sonja was appointed to the Board of Directors of Dress for Success Oregon in 2017 and served for 3 years. In 2016 she was appointed to the EAST Metro STEAM Partnership Leadership Team.
Sonja is a twice elected school board director serving on the Parkrose School Board since 2017.
Appointed in 2019, Sonja most recently served as Board President of the Oregon School Board Association (OSBA)in 2023. In addition, she served as Chair of National School Boards Association (NSBA), Pacific Region in 2023.In 2020, Sonja was appointed to the National School Boards Action Center’s Board of Directors (NSBAC) where she served for 3 years. Sonja is a founding member of the Oregon School Board members of Color Caucus (OSBMCC) where she served as a regional representative and treasurer. Deeply committed to literacy, Sonja was appointed to the Multnomah County Library Foundation as a Trustee in 2021, where she is supporting the efforts to revitalize and renovate local libraries and transform East County by building a modern, expansive flagship library in Gresham.
Sonja is a proud mom to four young adults, all graduates of Parkrose High School. She has lived in East Multnomah County for more than 12 years, raising her family and serving in the community of East Portland. She is looking forward to continuing her community work and supporting positive change to Portland City government.
2021 Athena Award
A community leader, Sonja was recognized by the Board of Directors of Dress for Success Oregon when she was awarded The 2021 Athena Award. The award is given annually to women leaders in Oregon who exemplify leadership, courage, and wisdom.
Sonja has advocated for strong public schools and the kids they serve her whole life. Her advocacy efforts also include STEAM learning, workforce development and affordable housing and access to transportation for families in East Multnomah County.
She will continue her advocacy and leadership, supporting her community as a Portland City Councilor.
Leadership at the Local State and National Level
An accomplished leader, Sonia has led many efforts to create positive change in the areas of workforce development, STEM education, funding for public education, affordable housing, transportation and literacy, locally in East County, the state of Oregon and at the National level.