Our experienced team is passionate about helping children and families thrive.
Lisa Harnisch
Executive Director
503.967.1185 I lharnisch@earlylearninghub.org
Lisa is the Executive Director of Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub (MPELH), working alongside partners in Marion & Polk counties and on behalf of the community to ensure children are ready for kindergarten and academic success, with a focus on aligned systems and family stability. She convenes and catalyzes action around strategies focused on serving children and families with limited opportunities. Lisa brings over 20 years of experience in state-level roles, focusing on early childhood, child welfare, and organizational development policy initiatives. She was instrumental in creating the statewide early learning hubs, shaping both their policies and structures. Working locally in the community where she lives, works, and plays brings her energy and deep satisfaction!
Lisa's team sees her as a visionary, perspicacious, a respected leader who inspires and motivates, gracious, and a champion for children.
Claudia Rodriguez
Family Stability Manager
971.600.6026 I crodriguez@earlylearninghub.org
Claudia's commitment to improving the lives of children and families has led her to roles in human services, business, and education. Claudia has a deep understanding of social justice and equity and is committed to progress and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people. She understands the intersectionality marginalized individuals can experience daily, the implications and stigma labels can bring to individuals, and how they extend to their communities. Her goals involve system-level changes, meeting people where they are — honoring their culture, experiences, and unique needs — and wrapping the community to help improve the quality of life for families. For Claudia, her heritage as a Latina guides her work. She feels grateful to work in the same community she grew up in. As a first-generation college student, Claudia prides herself on being a lifelong learner and is eager to lead with humility and curiosity from people, places, and things near and far. Claudia enjoys long-runs, practicing yoga and mindfulness and spending time with loved ones.
Claudia's team describes her as knowledgeable, respectful of ideas and values, intentional, and with integrity while serving as a mentor and a team anchor.
Georgia Smith
Parent Education Coordinator
971.718.6330 I gsmith@earlylearninghub.org
Georgia is the Parenting Education Coordinator, bringing a strong passion for equity, inclusion, and community-centered care. Originally from Idaho, she has called Oregon home for the past six years, where she has built meaningful connections through community DEI leadership and healthcare integration work. Her approach to parenting education is empowering, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. She believes that when caregivers feel confident and supported, outcomes improve and opportunities for harm are reduced. Georgia has experience partnering across healthcare systems, community organizations, and diverse families to create inclusive, accessible supports.
Outside of work, she studies Human Development and Family Science at Oregon State University and enjoys spending time with her dogs, Bennie and Gordon.
Katrina Casas
Program Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator
971.701.0438 I kcasas@earlylearninghub.org
Katrina serves as the Coordinated Enrollment Manager at Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub. Collaborating with early learning partners and community organizations, Katrina ensures families can access high-quality, equitable early education opportunities tailored to their unique needs. Her work is instrumental in building pathways that support children’s developmental success and long-term well-being.With a strong foundation in social services, Katrina’s career has spanned youth advocacy, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, substance abuse recovery, and child welfare systems. Her diverse experience equips her to address complex challenges and create meaningful connections in the community. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology: family studies and a master’s degree in public relations in healthcare administration, which she leverages to champion advocacy efforts for underserved communities.
Outside of her professional life, Katrina finds joy in outdoor adventures, especially when the sun is shining, embracing the beauty and balance that nature offers.
Katrina's team values her for being humble, expressive, thoughtful, passionate, and patient.
Kiara Yoder
Health Systems Manager
503.871.0300 I kyoder@earlylearninghub.org
Kiara is the Health Systems Manager at Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, where she works at the intersection of health and early learning. With the first dozen years of her career spent in various direct service roles in the U.S., Mexico, and Malaysia, Kiara transitioned into system-level work at the Hub. Kiara leads Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub in making sure family and community partners are supported through health and social-emotional initiatives, helping to strengthen well-being and resilience in the region. Kiara enjoys growing vegetables as well as cooking and baking with those veggies.
Kiara's team describes her as kind, curious, dependable, knowledgeable, and a connector who takes care of the world around her.
Kira Grimes
Family Partner Coordinator
971.718.4280 I kgrimes@earlylearninghub.org
Kira joined Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub as an intern. She recently graduated with a degree in Public Health and has used her background to support families involved in the Safe at Home program. Kira's understanding of the social determinants of health and time learning alongside incarcerated students at the Oregon State Penitentiary naturally led her toward prevention and strengths-based programming. She strives to improve access to resources, build meaningful connections with families, and address system-level barriers through an equity and justice lens for marginalized communities.
Outside of work, Kira enjoys spending time outside, backpacking, swimming, and cooking with loved ones.
Leslye Garcia
Kindergarten Readiness Partnerships Coordinator
971.707.0472 I lgarcia@earlylearninghub.org
Leslye promotes kindergarten readiness by fostering partnerships between the community and schools. She supports the Kindergarten Partnership & Innovation (KPI) focus on connecting early learning with K-3 education through vertically aligned professional development. Leslye coordinates READY! for Kindergarten (RFK), where she supports the implementation of evidence-driven school readiness within the community. The program recognizes parents and caregivers as their children's first and most influential teachers. In addition, she serves as a certified child car seat technician, installing car seats and ensuring the safety of children on the road. Leslye is known for her compassionate nature and dedication to supporting her community through meaningful relationships. Outside of her professional commitments, she cherishes spending time with her twin children.
Leslye's team describes her as someone who radiates positivity wherever she goes, is courageous and inspiring, loves to learn new things, and is both amiable and a true cheerleader.
Maribel Hernandez
Family Navigator
503.383.5632 I mhernandez@earlylearninghub.org
Maribel is our MPELH Family Navigator. Having previously worked in a medical clinic for over ten years, Maribel witnessed the importance of early intervention in the lives of young children. Driven to improve this mission, she entered the non-profit world and has built excellent relationships with partners and families throughout Marion and Polk counties. Maribel plays a critical role at MPELH in coordinating Car Seat Clinics to ensure families are equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to transport their children safely. Additionally, she supports families by regularly engaging in Service Integration Teams to seek resources that help families thrive. She hopes to dedicate herself to shaping the future generation and making a lasting impact on her community. In her spare time, Maribel enjoys spending time with her family.
Maribel's team describes her as a shining light for others, dependable, supportive, and efficient.
Sasha Siclait
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
971.900.7913 I ssiclait@earlylearninghub.org
Sasha helps streamline communications and internal operations, manages our social media presence, and provides governance support. She brings a blend of skills with experience in mass communications and education. Before joining the MPELH team, Sasha was an educator in Metro Nashville Public Schools, where she served as an English Language Development (ELD) and Spanish teacher at both the elementary and high school levels. Her role at the Hub has allowed her to expand her impact beyond the classroom while still supporting children and families through her work. Sasha is a lifelong learner, always looking for new ways to grow professionally and personally. She describes herself as a 'social butterfly' and believes in building genuine relationships through empathy and shared understanding. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Sasha spending quality time with her family, experimenting with new recipes, singing, and exploring Oregon's stunning landscapes.
Sasha's team describes her as charismatic, honest, humorous, creative, invigorating, and a crusader.
Tracy Lopez-Mendoza
Family Connects Community Alignment Coordinator
971.458.2688 I tlopez@earlylearninghub.org
Tracy is the Family Connects Community Alignment Specialist responsible for implementing the Family Connects program throughout Marion and Polk Counties. In this role, she builds relationships and connects with community partners, resources, physicians, nursing personnel, and other healthcare professionals to align program objectives, policies, and procedures. Previously, Tracy worked as a home visitor with Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Head Start and Marion County Health and Human Services: Early Childhood Nursing. In her free time, Tracy enjoys spending time with her children and husband, and you’ll likely find her on the soccer field, passionately cheering on her children who share her love for the game.
Tracy's team describes her as a connector, perceptive, thoughtful, and nurturing.
Vanessa Cardoso
Fiscal & Operations Manager
971.453.2661 I vcardoso@earlylearninghub.org
Vanessa oversees accounting, reporting, and organizational operations to ensure productivity and quality. She excels at creating efficiencies that increase productivity and aims to ensure everyone has the tools, skills, and knowledge to create and take advantage of future opportunities in a healthy, positive manner. Her love for education has led her to improving test scores in underserved communities. Vanessa's master’s degree in early childhood education, combined with decades of finance experience, makes her the perfect fit for this position. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys watching her children grow, attending sporting events, and traveling the world.
Vanessa's team describes her as pragmatic, highly organized, efficient, and a changemaker.
