A Letter from Allie Cooper, Our New Executive Director
Dear In4All Community,
Allie Cooper joined In4All in June 2024 as the new Executive Director.
If you follow our LinkedIn and Instagram pages, you may have seen my most recent video debut. I think that about sums up my personal working philosophy and our team at In4All. In my short time here, I have observed that we believe in bringing our full goofy selves to work and that no task is too small. Relationships come first, and that means collaboratively cultivating a team that enjoys being together and working with the community to improve outcomes for our students. I have enjoyed starting to meet our educators, corporate sponsors, and co-learners, and I hope to meet many more of you at our 40th Birthday Bash and 2024 Possibilities event on October 17th. Make sure to reserve a (free) ticket and make a bid on our auction items!
I moved to Portland this June after spending the past few years studying my master’s degree in Salamanca, Spain. Before that I worked for eight years in Santa Fe, New Mexico where I was the Student Support Coordinator and Executive Director of Breakthrough Santa Fe, a college access and educational equity nonprofit. While this is not my first time living in Oregon, it is my first time doing so as an adult. I grew up moving around between Virginia, Idaho, and Oregon, and when I was in elementary school, my mom and I lived in the Portland area for three years.
During my mom’s and my last year in Oregon, several districts (mine included) had to cut Outdoor School environmental education programs and school days to save money. These types of actions have rippling effects on a child’s passion for learning and future success, and I am excited to be part of In4All’s team to continue cultivating strong relationships with educators, corporate sponsors, and community partners to ensure that traditionally underrepresented youth in the Portland metro area have opportunities to stimulate their interests in STEM.
I am a lifelong learner and doer, so when I’m not working, you will catch me dancing salsa, trying out new recipes, getting to know each neighborhood in Portland one restaurant at a time, exploring our surrounding natural habitats, and singing at full volume in my car. I am passionate about understanding the cultural and social framework of where I work–place plays a deep role in our identity and connection with one another. It is my responsibility as a new member of this community to gain an understanding of Portland’s cultural, social, and political contexts.
I look forward to seeing you at In4All’s 40th Birthday Bash and Annual Possibilities Event. During the event, we will celebrate In4All’s many years of work in the community, hear from some of our Seasonal Program Assistants, and meet each other in person. See you soon!
Sincerely,
Executive Director
Pronouns: She/her
