Rebecca Sánchez
Summary
Seasoned program manager boasting 15+ years experience (9 years of direct service experience with refugees/asylum seekers in ORR custody) providing training and capacity-building services to US-based service providers, including resettlement agencies and affiliates, state agencies, ethnic community-based organizations supporting vulnerable populations. Strengths include strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, professional development training facilitation, and performance improvement. Proven track record of driving operational efficiency using trauma-informed practices and delivering quality programs across various sectors.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Program Operations (ORR- Office of Refugee Resettlement)
Morrison Child and Family Services
Portland, Oregon
07.2023 - 03.2026
- Supported division director with humanitarian child welfare programming and contract compliance for U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement Division of Children’s Services operations, including shelter, long-term group home, home study, and post-release services. Represented Morrison ORR Division during federal, state, and local accreditation audits and monitoring visits. Oversaw the provision of pre- and post-arrival services to newcomer clients, supporting their access to educational, financial, medical, social, and community resources while promoting self-sufficiency
- Managed internal monitoring activities for continuous quality improvement, including policy and procedure interpretation, file reviews across case management, medical, mental health, and milieu departments, work quality evaluations through observations and interviews, staff training data reviews, and tracking of building safety, emergency response plans, and quarterly drills. Reviewed cooperative agreements and division contracts for compliance. Worked with Quality and Compliance Department and represented ORR Division during quality evaluation reviews and committee meetings.
- Monitored and supervised nearly 150 program staff across case management, education, medical, residential, milieu, and food services departments. Created multilingual informational postings and documents for client and staff access. Developed and delivered professional development training in person, virtual, and self-directed website formats for English- and Spanish-speaking staff in partnership with Human Resources. Supported hiring and retention through policy development and internal survey review. Provided on-call support during non-business hours for emergencies. Directly supervised two full-time staff and up to two interns through coaching and performance monitoring.
- Supervised Preventing Sexual Abuse compliance manager for ORR residential programs. Developed and managed staff training required by ORR grant contract and led coordinated response process following incidents of sexual abuse, harassment, or neglect while in care. Oversaw PSA reporting documentation and evidence collection, managed follow-up requests from investigating parties, developed multilingual interpretive flyers and postings for clients, and prepared quarterly and annual reports for federal and state stakeholders.
- Worked full-time, exceeding 40 hours weekly to support program operations.
Equity and Inclusion Director
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
Portland, Oregon
06.2020 - 04.2023
- Reported directly to Sheriff as agency equity subject matter expert, advising Sheriff and leadership on humanitarian and welfare-based best practices for goal statements, program management policies, and operational procedures.
- Partnered with agency leadership, county officials, equity experts, and community partners to turn long-term strategy into actionable project plans. Served on agency policy review team to review agency policies and House Bill legislation requirements.
- Developed and implemented strategies for Human Resources that enhanced pipeline and retention of diverse candidates. Built partnerships with local and national recruitment programs and increased participation in events progressively each year.
- Guided hiring managers in building rubric-based interviewing processes, established required DEI-focused interview questions, and facilitated debriefs with HR leaders to support hiring goals.
- Led humanitarian and supportive learning training programs for internal staff and executive leadership focused on culture change grounded in agency and county values of safety, trust, and belonging.
- Led agency Equity and Inclusion Committee as advisory group to Sheriff and as forum to review policies supporting positive change efforts.
- Boosted staff participation across 10 employee resource groups and co-created agency-wide retention initiatives, including new recruit mentorship program, peer support and wellness programming, and quarterly listening sessions with local vulnerable communities.
- Conducted research and data analysis to identify strategic drivers based on insights from Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities, informing agency policies and practices.
- Prepared briefings and detailed reports for executive leadership, government officials, and organizational partners across a wide range of topics. Presented on behalf of Sheriff’s Office during County Board briefings, jurisdictional government briefings, and inter-agency presentations.
- Coordinated policy implementation for custody, courthouse security, and inmate services.
Case Manager 2 (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Multnomah County Dept. of County Human Services Aging, Disability and Veteran Services
Gresham, Oregon
11.2018 - 06.2020
- Coordinated long-term care services, Medicaid, and Food Stamp benefits for Spanish-speaking seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities, promoting independence and dignity.
- Developed and managed client-directed care plans based on individual needs assessments while ensuring confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
- Worked full-time, dedicating 40 hours weekly to support client needs.
Assistant Program Director ORR Shelter (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Morrison Child & Family Services
Portland, Oregon
11.2012 - 12.2018
- Managed the ORR Shelter Program for a 50-bed residential shelter, implementing trauma-informed care methodologies to support refugee and asylum-seeking youth. Provided case management, legal counsel, medical, education, and acculturation opportunities for family reunification. Interpreted Federal and State policies according to Federal Cooperative Agreement and Flores Agreement mandates.
- Supervised, mentored, and evaluated performance of over 50 program staff within five different departments; Case Management, Mental Health, Medical Coordination, Education, Milieu Supervisors and Direct Care staff. Direct the recruitment, selection, offers, negotiations and on-boarding of all new hires in collaboration with HR and the Hiring Managers. Coached hiring managers on recognizing implicit bias in hiring decisions. Worked with HR to create equitably-written interview questions and promotion of job openings in diverse communities and job search engines.
- Established and maintained relationships with local, state and federal stakeholders. Evaluated all programs and projects through application of an equity lens for cultural responsiveness and inclusivity standards for multicultural and multilingual participants.
- Created an environment of person-centered care and professional development; emphasizing respect for all expressions of diversity and formulating strategies for inclusivity and belonging. Supervise community collaborations to connect clients to culturally-specific services. Designed and authored bilingual (Spanish and English) orientation materials for use by clients and staff to aid in successful navigation of the program and services.
- Full time/40+ hours a week
Director of Educational Programs and Volunteer Coordinator
Long Way Home LLC
San Juan Comalapa
11.2008 - 12.2010
- Developed environmental and English curriculum for two local elementary schools, supervised university interns and volunteers, and established procedures and policies in line with Guatemalan elementary school requirements. Trained international volunteers and interns in curriculum development, student assessment, and classroom management to enhance educational delivery.
- Maintained program sustainability by building relationships between organization, school principals, teachers, parents, city officials, Peace Corps representatives and local leadership. Attended regular town hall meetings as program representative. Facilitated participation in cultural immersion activities and promoted cross-cultural interactions.
- Supervised international volunteers on program-specific projects, managing performance, scheduling hours, and facilitating housing while addressing health concerns. Organized community outreach activities, including alternative construction projects, reforestation initiatives, and community clean-up days, to foster volunteer engagement and community involvement.
- Committed to a consistent 40-hour work week in educational settings.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology and Political Science
University of Oregon
Eugene, ORSpanish Language and Latin Cultural Studies
Universidad Latina de las Americas
Morelia, MexicoSkills
- Project management: budget oversight, quality assurance, outcome evaluation, stakeholder communication and engagement
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Outputs and outcomes oversight Data collection and report writing Preparation for audits with thorough documentation practices
- Trauma-Informed client engagement: strengths-based and client centered engagement in service delivery
- Training development: curriculum design including e-learning modules in collaboration with internal and external teams and subject matter experts
- Training and Technical Assistance for refugee clients and refugee service providers
- Facilitation of workshops and coaching sessions for service provider skill enhancement
- Supervision of staff with a focus on team leadership strategies
- Bilingual communication: English/Spanish proficiency Spoken, written, reading expertise in professional settings
- Public speaking: community engagement, meeting facilitation (in-person/online)
- Advanced technology literacy including MS Office Suite, privacy-preserving data bases and virtual meeting platforms
Professional Development Experience
- Refugee Assistance and Information Network International, Advisory Council Member, Program Specialist & Events Coordinator (Volunteer), Portland, Oregon, 2016-2023 -- Project and Program Management, Strategic Support and Quality Evaluation: Facilitated child welfare training programs and offered technical support to refugee service providers and volunteers throughout Germany, Greece and Oregon/USA. Developed policies for programming and oversaw quality management reviews and operational oversight. Created graphic designs and presentation layouts for use in public information postings, training programs, and press releases. Co-developed a peer mentorship and cultural exchange youth program (Thrive) to support community integration and resource access. Facilitated client and staff training program and managed service delivery.
- Regional Educators Network (REN), BIPOC Educators Retreat Facilitator, Bend, Oregon, 2023 -- Developed and facilitated a 3-hour retreat workshop presenting the concepts from book "My Grandmothers Hands" discussing how racism not only impacts the mind but also the body. Workshop focused on a body-centered understanding of the impacts racial prejudice and somatic healing methods.
- Refugee Disability Benefits of Oregon, Board Retreat Facilitator, Portland, Oregon, 2018 -- Collaborated with the Executive Director to create a five-hour retreat agenda with focus on board member rapport building and analysis of organizational goals, mission statement and values. Utilized Non-Violent Communication and Active Listening to lead participants in thoughtful and honest dialogue in free-flowing discussions and guided activities.
Affiliations
- Volunteer - Troutdale Citizens Advisory Committee Member - 2025-present
Accomplishments
- Sheriff’s Office Citation Award (2021) for collaboration work on agency Strategic Plan
Timeline
Director of Program Operations (ORR- Office of Refugee Resettlement)
Morrison Child and Family Services
07.2023 - 03.2026
Equity and Inclusion Director
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
06.2020 - 04.2023
Case Manager 2 (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Multnomah County Dept. of County Human Services Aging, Disability and Veteran Services
11.2018 - 06.2020
Assistant Program Director ORR Shelter (Bilingual Spanish/English)
Morrison Child & Family Services
11.2012 - 12.2018
Director of Educational Programs and Volunteer Coordinator
Long Way Home LLC
11.2008 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology and Political Science
University of Oregon
Spanish Language and Latin Cultural Studies
Universidad Latina de las Americas