Our Team

LISA ARKIN

Executive Director
Email: Email Lisa
Phone: 541-465-8860 x804

Lisa Arkin, the Executive Director of the Beyond Toxics, has provided innovative policy leadership and grassroots organizing for Beyond Toxics since 2006. Under her guidance, Beyond Toxics embraced the principles of diversity and equity, and adopted an anti-racist ethos to become Oregon’s first environmental justice organization. Arkin is dedicated to placing human rights, racial and social justice at the forefront of all environmental protection and climate resiliency policies. Under her leadership, Beyond Toxics organized the first Oregon Environmental Justice Bus Tour, the first set of regional environmental justice forums and stewarded the adoption of Oregon’s Environmental Justice Framework (SCR 17) in the 2021 legislative session. With her direction, Beyond Toxics has grown to a staff of eleven and has two offices: our Willamette Valley headquarters and the Southern Oregon office. She serves as an appointed member of a number of commissions and workgroups on issues such as land use, environmental justice, pesticide reform and air quality. Lisa is a recipient of the Eugene City Club Turtle Award for unique civic leadership and the Roz Slovic Social Justice Award. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the amazing history of African-American timber workers. Arkin is the granddaughter of Russian-Ukrainian Jewish immigrants who fled pogroms and persecution to pursue their dream of becoming farmers. She dedicates herself to the values of Tikkun Olam, taking action to repair the world.

See Lisa’s most recent blog, “It’s National Public Health Week. Let’s tackle toxic chemicals!” | MORE blogs by Lisa

RAYNA VILES

Assistant Director
Email: Email Rayna
Phone: 541-465-8860

Rayna Viles is a long-time Eugene resident who is proud to have grown up in the Bethel neighborhood of West Eugene. As a citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and descendant of the Chinook Indian Nation, she feels strongly about the importance of Indigenously-informed land stewardship. The lens of traditional ecological knowledge has helped guide her work in the environmental field. At the University of Oregon, Rayna majored in Arts Management with minors in Planning, Public Policy and Management, Business Administration and Native American Studies and graduated with a BA. As a UO student, Rayna served as an intern for University Advancement and later worked in that fundraising department for over two years. Rayna looks forward to applying her fundraising skills and her nonprofit management training to her future efforts in backing critical Beyond Toxic initiatives. Rayna first connected with Beyond Toxics three years ago, and invested her volunteer time in the organization ever since. In her free time, she enjoys nature walks, participating in cultural arts events, and being an Auntie to six wonderful nieces and nephews.

KRYSTAL ABRAMS

Communications Manager
Email: Email Krystal
Phone: 541-465-8860 x803

Krystal Abrams has a passion for environmental justice and pollinator habitat conservation. Krystal pursued a bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of Oregon. Krystal collaborated with prominent organizations like the Walama Restoration Project, McKenzie Watershed Council and McKenzie River Trust, focusing on habitat restoration and monitoring projects for native birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians.

Post-graduation, Krystal excelled in recruiting and managing volunteers for the Walama Restoration Project, leading environmental restoration work parties and nature hikes in the Eugene-Springfield Area. Their outreach efforts also extended to advocating for environmental education and conservation. Krystal's communication skills have been pivotal in driving positive change within the environmental sector. Their ability to engage diverse audiences and craft compelling messages has proven instrumental in achieving meaningful results.

Beyond their professional pursuits, Krystal embraces an active lifestyle, relishing camping and hiking in the great outdoors. Their adventurous spirit and adaptability mirror their approach to overcoming challenges in the dynamic world of communications. With their expertise, Krystal is eager to contribute their communication prowess to new opportunities, connecting organizations and audiences effectively for meaningful outcomes.

Krystal’s heritage as a Cherokee-Muscogee person has instilled a deep appreciation for the value of diverse perspectives in the workplace.

See Krystal’s most recent blog, "Advancing Environmental Justice in 2023"

ARJORIE ARBERRY-BARIBEAULT

West Eugene Community Organizer
Email: Email Arjorie
Phone: (541) 465-8860 x808

Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault was born in Turkey where her father was stationed in the Air Force. She moved to West Eugene in 1993 to raise a family. After having children, Arjorie studied at The College of Cosmetology in Klamath Falls and became a licensed cosmetologist. Arjorie became interested in pollution in her neighborhood after her 13-year old daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2018. After researching the air, water, and soils in the West Eugene area, she discovered the work of Beyond Toxics. Arjorie says, “Joining the environmental justice team at Beyond Toxics gives me the ability to help be a voice for West Eugene’s community. My passion is to speak up for those individuals who have not been heard. My goal with Beyond Toxics is to help and serve as an example for the West Eugene Community, because I am one of those families harmed by the poor air quality in Eugene.”

JENNIFER EISELE

Ecosystems and Communities Project Manager
Email: Email Jennifer
Phone: 541-465-8860 x812

Jennifer Eisele brings invaluable experience to our organization based on her previous work on pesticide regulations in the Tribal Environmental Protection Program of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes of Nevada.

Read Jennifer's latest blog, "New Law Lets Homeowners Opt-Out of Pesticides" written with Barb Rumer, Community Advocate

OLIVIA FARNHAM

Environmental Justice Youth Educator
Email: Email Olivia
Phone: 541-543-2454

Olivia Farnham, originally from Chicago, earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Sociology at the University of Oregon. As a UO student, Olivia led an independent research project to provide data for her thesis on the experience of low-wage essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her studies, she fostered a passion for engaging with and learning from frontline communities who are disproportionately impacted by structural inequality. After graduation, Olivia utilized this passion, as well as her many years of experience working with youth, in her role as a public high school teacher in Springfield, OR. She is excited to apply her community outreach and organizational skills to the crucial work of creating a world in which everyone has access to an environment free from harmful pollution and hazardous climate conditions.

JOHN JORDAN-CASCADE

Website Manager
Email: Email John

John Jordan-Cascade served as the Communications Manager for Beyond Toxics from April 2009 to June 2021 and transitioned to Web Manager soon after. He has an extensive background as a web and graphics designer and video producer. Prior to his work for Beyond Toxics, John worked on numerous political campaigns, and has worked as an activist for the environment and a supporter of a wide variety of peace, social justice and human rights campaigns.

Read John's blogs: Bees by the Numbers and The economics of exporting coal through Oregon

MASON LEAVITT

GIS and Spatial Data Coordinator
Email: Email Mason
Phone: 541-543-2461

Mason Leavitt’s younger years were split between flat suburban Denver Colorado and the agricultural tourist town of Hood River, Oregon, situated in the National Scenic Area of the Columbia River Gorge. Entranced by the scenic vistas of mountains, rivers, and temperate rainforests, he has always felt intimately tied to the world’s precious ecosystems. Mason studied Geography as well as Spatial Data Science and Technology at the University of Oregon. He has found much intellectual fascination, passion, and curiosity enmeshed in the science of place, whether that be through the methodologies of the Humanities, qualitative social sciences, and GIS.

Read Mason's latest blog, "What’s Trash Got To Do With It? Toxics!"

EMILY MATLOCK

Membership and Communications Coordinator
Email: Email Emily
Phone: (541) 465-8860 x820

Emily Matlock is a native Oregonian who grew up in Sherwood, near Portland. She came to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon where she studied journalism and Spanish and wrote for the campus newspaper, The Daily Emerald. After graduation, she worked for Early Childhood CARES and then as a journalist for a small Portland-area newspaper before transitioning to the Beyond Toxics team.

She is excited to bring her passion for cross-cultural communication to Beyond Toxics and work with a dedicated staff and community. In addition to her role as membership and communications coordinator, she also serves as an intern and volunteer coordinator, and staff photographer. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, teaching fitness classes, dancing, and doing art.

Read Emily's latest blog, "Clearing the Air: Uncovering the Risks of Gas Stove Pollution"

ERIC RICHARDSON

NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice Liaison
Email: Email Eric

Eric Richardson has a longstanding relationship with the Eugene-Springfield NAACP and the community at large. He became president of the local NAACP chapter in 2012 and later served as the Executive Director. During that time, Eric worked to establish environmental and climate justice work in partnership with Beyond Toxics and other local organizations. In this new role, Eric is continuing his passion project of preserving the history of the African American community in Lane County.

Eric has also served as president of the City Club of Eugene, was on the board of United Way Lane County, and is currently on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Oregon.

Eric is a father of five who graduated from Churchill High School and raised his kids in Eugene. He took up jazz in high school and currently plays bass in a band. He also works with Nurturely to host a musical cultural story-time for kids on the last Saturday of the month!

RAEVYN THOMPSON

Environmental and Climate Justice Organizer
Email: Email Raevyn
Phone: (541) 543-2448

Raevyn Thompson grew up in rural southern Oregon and studied family and human services with a minor in legal studies at the University of Oregon. She’s looking forward to blending her passion for helping others with her love for the outdoors in this new role. Raevyn is looking forward to learning more about the many project areas at Beyond Toxics and within our coalition spaces. Raevyn is especially interested in our youth advocacy programs like Rise as Leaders, working on policy or legal issues.

When she’s not working, Raevyn loves to be outside hiking, kayaking, and camping. She also enjoys spending time with her cat and being creative, building lego sets, or diamond painting. She likes to make people laugh and believes that laughter is truly the best medicine.

Our team works to help Oregon move beyond the damaging environmental practices of the past and support ecological resilience and balance. We advocate for the right of underserved communities to be included in decision making processes that affect them.

2024 Interns

CELENA BAJRACHARYA

Rise as Leaders Intern
Email: celena@beyondtoxics.org

Celena Bajracharya is a Nepalese-American high school senior born and raised in Eugene, currently attending Sheldon High School. She has explored environmental and social justice through opportunities such as the University of Oregon’s SAIL program in the Environmental Studies and Public Planning, Policy and Management camp, participating in Sheldon’s Environmental Club as president, and being active in the 4J Climate Justice Team; a student-led team working to expand sustainable district policy within 4J. She is a former Rise as Leaders participant and is currently interning at Beyond Toxics for the summer of 2024. She is interested in pursuing sustainable design or engineering in the future, and is looking forward to the new experiences and insight interning with Beyond Toxics will bring her.

MANNY CANO

Environmental Justice Projects Intern
Email: manny@beyondtoxics.org

Manny Cano is currently a senior at University of Oregon, majoring in environmental studies and minoring in anthropology. He has significant roots in this community, having lived here his whole life. Witnessing the positive impact that Beyond Toxics has made in Lane County influenced him in joining the team and being a part of the change. He is looking forward to gaining valuable experience in his professional and personal growth. During his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and attending events hosted by the University.

ZOE KLEINER

GIS & Cartography Intern
Email: zoe@beyondtoxics.org

Zoe Kleiner is a recent graduate from the University of Oregon, where she earned a B.S. in Geography and Environmental Studies with a minor in Gender Studies. Her journey is deeply rooted in Geographic Information Science, utilizing mapping and data visualizations to communicate environmental issues to diverse audiences beyond the scientific community. Zoe's educational path reflects her strong commitment to bridging societal actions with their ecological impacts, aiming to reconnect humanity with nature through conservation and restoration efforts. She is currently applying her skills at the Infographics Lab at UO and Beyond Toxics, contributing to environmental understanding, sustainable practices, and conservation initiatives. Zoe is dedicated to restructuring how we approach the climate crisis—reshaping our relationship with the environment through spatial sciences.

HANNAH MOTTA

Outdoor Education Curriculum Intern
Email: hannah@beyondtoxics.org

Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and raised in Dallas, Texas, Hannah Motta grew up with a love for nature which ultimately led her to the University of Oregon. Having recently earned a B.S environmental science and a B.A in Spanish with a minor in geography, Hannah hopes to combine these two passions towards a career in environmental education. Her main interests as an undergraduate included studying GIS through remote sensing, developing curriculum, and going birding. She is excited to join Beyond Toxics’ environmental education team and develop curriculum for outdoor education programs for students.