MARY-BETH BAPTISTA

Executive Director – February 2017-Present:

• Responsible for regulating the practice of naturopathic medicine through Oregon Revised Statutes and Administrative Rules. Determine fitness for licensure, ensure licensee regulatory compliance and enforcement of licensee discipline, adherence to probation conditions. Conduct and approve administrative investigations, write discipline orders, prepare for administrative hearings. Ensure agency compliance with public meeting, public record, and confidentiality laws.

• Analyze agency processes to update, clarify, and develop administrative rules and legislative concepts to maintain best practices and efficient agency operation. Write and adopt administrative rules to enhance transparency and licensee accountability. Liaison with the legislature regarding Board and profession priorities, respond to fiscal impact inquiries of pending legislation.

• Fiscal Management and Budget Responsibilities: Responsible for all aspects of agency fiscal management and efficient allocation of resources. Work collaboratively with the Legislative Fiscal Office, Chief Financial Office, Department of Administrative Services, and the Governor's Office to develop, prepare and present the agency biennial budget, approximately $1.1M total (23-25) to the legislature for approval.

• Agency Representation, Public Participation and Coalition Building: Develop and maintain relationships with Governor's office; legislators; state and federal government agencies; state and national associations; health care organizations; individual licensees; and the public. Support Oregon's health care initiatives by serving as a subject matter expert to the Governor and Executive Branch. Participate in Rule Advisory Committees to assist State agencies develop rules for practice areas related to naturopathic medicine, health care and public safety.

• Develop Agency Goals and Guide Strategic Planning: Coordinate agency efforts and guide strategic planning activities to propel agency goals and performance improvement initiatives. Protect the public by regulating naturopathic practices to assure quality education and the highest standards of care.

• Lead Board of Naturopathic Medicine and Naturopathic Formulary Council: Lead recruitment, on-boarding and continued training for seven-member Board of Naturopathic Medicine, and seven-member advisory Naturopathic Formulary Council. Communicate regularly with Board and Council members, providing updates on legislation, investigations, disciplinary negotiations, final orders, and proposed administrative rules. In conjunction with Assistant Attorney General, educate members regarding administrative law and rules governing Board and Council regulatory authority. Train members on evidence based investigative analysis; burden of proof, contested case process and keys to enforceable discipline. Lead and coordinate bi-monthly Board and bi-annual Council meetings, including agenda development, staff coordination, investigation organization and presentation, and response to public comment.

• Staff Supervision and Administration: Direct supervision of two full-time staff members. Conduct quarterly staff reviews as required. Coordinate schedule and support staff functions. Ensure maintenance of mandatory training certificates and encourage staff skill development through statewide and other training or education opportunities.

Conducted a comprehensive review of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission Public Safety Division and the Administrative Policy and Procedure Division enforcement policies, revised the Divisions' Enforcement Policy Manual.

• Oversight of the Portland Police Bureau discipline system, charged with setting high standards for police services and accountability. Reviewed current PPB policies to identify patterns of police misconduct and lack of transparency and meaningful oversight in the discipline system. Developed, implemented, and enforced new internal Bureau Directives, successfully advocated to the Portland City Council passage of City Ordinances and Code changes that reformed Bureau's discipline system, enhancing Police accountability by significantly increasing the authority of the Independent Police Review Division.
• Conducted and provided independent oversight of Internal Affairs administrative discipline investigations of sworn Portland Police Officers. Voting member of the Police Review Board that made recommendations to the chief of police on discipline and outcomes of administrative investigations
• Recruitment, on-boarding, coordination, and oversight of the nine-member police advisory board - Citizen Review Committee (CRC). Created and implemented research and policy development plans to set identifiable goals, timelines and resource needs for the Committee to fulfill their primary functions. Coordinated and staffed sub-committee workgroups to develop policy recommendations to address problems with police services and conduct.
• Targeted public outreach to hear community concerns and build public trust. Organized public forums and CRC investigation appeal hearings for complainants dissatisfied with the outcome of an internal affairs investigation. Developed an outreach plan to engage the police and public in dialogue related to police conduct, neighborhood policing with emphasis on bridging the gap between the Portland Police Bureau and historically marginalized communities
• Managed a ten-person staff and was responsible for all aspects of the management of the division. Conducted annual staff reviews, ensured attendance of all mandatory trainings, encouraged staff skill development through training or education opportunities. Imposed requirement that the 10 member staff complete 12 hours of intercultural competency training covering oppression theory, intercultural competence, and racism.

• Litigated over 100 court and jury trials ranging in severity from misdemeanor crimes to attempted aggravated murder. Resolved approximately 100 cases a year through plea negotiation
• Drafted numerous cooperation agreements and legal motions relating to constitutional issues, criminal procedure, evidence, and sentencing.
• Special Prosecutor - Elder Abuse, directed outreach and coordination with government agencies and the nonprofit/ social service community to expand and coordinate efforts to eliminate barriers to services for elder-abuse victims
• Special Prosecutor - Violence Against Women Act, through coalition building worked to prevent, identify and respond to domestic violence involving vulnerable victims, including victims representing underserved populations.

• Researched legislative history on Oregon water law and drafted testimony to assist staff attorneys.

• Reviewed coastal development permits and local coastal program applications

• Coordinated the Environmental Public Education Campaign (EPEC) and the Sierra Club Training Academy
• Conducted training in multiple cities on media, organizing and coalition-building skills

• Published and presented an education curriculum on water conservation to students