The Minds Matter Portland Team
Danielle Mathieson - Program Director
Danielle Mathieson grew up in Tucson, AZ and went to the University of Arizona for undergrad where she majored in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science. In 2017 she moved to Portland to attend graduate school at OHSU. After meeting other graduate students who were mentors with Minds Matter, she began volunteering as a mentor herself in 2018. During the pandemic, Danielle graduated from OHSU with her Master’s degree in Neuroscience and worked for a year at Genentech.
After three years of mentoring, Danielle became more involved with Minds Matter, serving as a grant writer, senior class lead, and then the volunteer Program Director. In September 2022, Danielle became a full-time employee with Minds Matter, continuing in her role as Program Director. In her free time, Danielle enjoys backpacking, reading, and spending time with friends all around Portland.
Nancy Vidal Martinez - Senior Program Associate
Nancy was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. As the first in her family to attend college, she developed a passion for supporting first-generation, low-income, and BIPOC students in navigating higher education. After starting at Portland Community College through the Future Connect program, she transferred to Pacific University, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work in 2024 and her Master’s in Social Work in 2025.
With a background in social work, educational equity, and community engagement, Nancy has experience in program coordination, student support, and culturally responsive engagement. As a bilingual professional, she is committed to building inclusive, trauma-informed environments and ensuring Spanish-speaking families feel welcomed and supported. In her role as Senior Program Associate at Minds Matter Portland, she leads program coordination, student and volunteer recruitment, and site leadership. Outside of work, Nancy enjoys exploring coffee shops, discovering new restaurants in the Portland metro area, reading, and spending time with her two dogs, Benji and Casper.
Reed Harrison - Finance and Donor Relations Director
Reed Harrison has been supporting Minds Matter students in Portland since 2011. He started as a mentor and then was volunteer Executive Director for five years before moving into that role as an employee in 2022. Reed grew up in Vermont and holds a BA in Economics from Williams College and an MBA from Case Western University. He previously worked in distribution and supply chain management at Columbia Sportswear and Adidas and thrives on complex challenges. He is grateful for the opportunity to partner with such ambitious students and such dedicated volunteers each week at Minds Matter. Reed enjoys hiking, biking, playing sports, traveling, reading, and spending time with his wife and two kids. Reed volunteers in the community as an active member of the school PTA and a financial coach.
Board of Directors
Graham Covington - Board Co-Chair & Chapter Founder
Graham Covington is the founder of Minds Matter Portland and currently serves as the Board Chair. He also serves as Board Chair with Portland Baroque Orchestra and is on the boards of Outward Bound West, Neskowin Valley School and the Portland Racquet Club. Graham holds an undergraduate degree from Williams College and an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley.
Graham’s corporate career included time in the paper manufacturing industry where he was VP of Sales and Marketing at Boise Cascade Corporation, and earlier stints in the advertising business in New York. In 2005, Graham founded Grease Consulting, focusing on improving organizational effectiveness and creating value. He is an advocate of critical thinking and clear oral and written communications. Graham also served as an officer in the US Naval Reserve.
Graham subscribes to the following mantra, which motivated his founding and leadership of the Minds Matter organization. “If you can communicate well, orally and in writing, you can do anything. If you can’t, you can’t.”
Jessica Yu - Director- Minds Matter Alumni
Jessica Yu is a Minds Matter Portland alumnus, who was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. In 2021, Yu graduated with a B.A. in Chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis. She currently works as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator at The Oregon Clinic. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her dog, cook, and play games. “I serve on the board of Minds Matter Portland, because I know first-hand how impactful this program can be for low-income, first-generation students.”
Carolyn Becic - Board Co-Chair
Carolyn Becic has over 30 years of non-profit management experience. She began her career as a teacher in East Los Angeles, California and Miami, Florida. Identifying a passion for working with underserved youth, Carolyn became the executive director of College & Careers, a Ford Foundation initiative to improve high school and college graduation for minority youth. In 1998, Ms. Becic returned home to Portland, Oregon and held Development Director positions at Providence Portland Medical Center, Friends of the Children, and Self Enhancement, Inc. From 2005 to 2012, she was the executive director of Oregon Mentors, the state partnership for mentoring programs. From 2012 to 2023, Carolyn was the President of the Saint Andrew Nativity School, a tuition-free, Jesuit middle school for underserved youth. Carolyn is currently the Major Gifts Director for the Mount Angel Abbey. Carolyn has extensive experience with development, strategic planning, public relations, and marketing.
Timothy Wright- Director
Tim Wright is an attorney at Tonkon Torp LLP where he works on complex civil litigation matters. Prior to joining Tonkon, Tim graduated from University of Oregon School of Law in 2017 and served as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Erika L. Hadlock, former Chief Judge at the Oregon Court of Appeals. Before pursuing a life in the law, Tim grew up in rural Georgia and earned a BA in philosophy at the University of West Georgia, then served in the U.S. Army as a Tactical Unmanned Air Systems Repairer. He lives in Portland with his wife and child. He enjoys hiking, biking, reading, and singing and dancing with his kid. “I volunteer with Minds Matter because I grew up similarly situated to the students the program serves and understand how tough the path to higher education can be for a young person in that setting, even with a strong support network.”
Johnna Loreen - Executive Director
Johnna comes to Minds Matter Portland with a strong background in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and college access for underserved communities. After graduating from Macalester College in 2014, Johnna worked at College Possible Portland where she coached under-represented students for academic success. She went on to earn her Master’s degree at Harvard Divinity School where she focused on bringing higher education into prisons - work that she continued at the WA State DOC where she supported college access and education opportunities for incarcerated students.
Prior to Minds Matter Portland, Johnna served as Director of Development for Ukandu where she worked with the Board and CEO to create comprehensive fundraising strategies, establish meaningful relationships with donors, build corporate partnerships, and advance the organization into a new era of growth and success.
As a proud Minds Matter Portland alum from the class of 2010, Johnna brings a unique perspective and deep passion for serving students and advancing the mission of Minds Matter Portland.
