Zachary is a community engagement professional who has successfully facilitated dozens of community forums, trained hundreds of new facilitators, and crafted effective public outreach strategies. As a project coordinator at LCA, he implements community engagement strategies for multiple projects. Zach graduated from Washington State University Vancouver, where he had the opportunity to design and facilitate public forums with the Initiative for Public Deliberation. His education and experience have given him an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities inherent in public involvement. He constantly strives to identify and implement best practices to ensure that community members have the opportunity to effectively engage in conversations around public projects. In his free time, Zach enjoys hiking with friends, listening to podcasts, and drinking LaCroix.

Lois Cohen is a dynamic leader in the field of Public Involvement, and the force behind LCA’s long-standing success in implementing programs that deliver results. For over 25 years, Lois has been helping people successfully navigate a wide range of situations, including those that are divisive and politically charged. Lois has the wisdom and creativity to create opportunities where none exist, forge alliances, and implement innovative, cost-effective approaches that enable our clients to achieve their goals. She has a gift for helping people connect, build meaningful relationships, and collaborate. Her belief in the importance of educating our future leaders led her to create the innovative and widely recognized School-based Outreach Program in 2005. Lois is also a sought-after public speaker and workshop facilitator. She particularly enjoys projects requiring interface with the public sector, having worked federal, state, and city government. Before founding LCA, she served as Director of Community Partnerships for Portland State University’s Graduate School of Education, as Intergovernmental Project Manager for Oregon’s Department of General Services, and as regional representative of the US Secretary of Transportation. In her free time, Lois takes in the latest in Portland’s art, dance, and theatre scene.

Kristen Bishop is LCA’s Executive Director. An Urban Planner, Kristen has 18 years of experience managing public projects in the transportation, environmental and infrastructure fields. Kristen was previously an independent consultant working nationally with municipalities, transportation agencies and public utilities on projects related to environmental sustainability, public infrastructure, and the built environment. She brings planning and communications expertise with her to the LCA team.

Jen is a published writer and researcher on issues of social inequality in public transit planning. She joined LCA after years of local government community engagement experience, specializing in outreach to underserved populations. As a former Americans with Disabilities coordinator, she is experienced with finding creative solutions to ensure that all people have access to public meetings and information. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and is currently completing a doctorate in Urban Sociology. She is a photographer and avid gardener.

Benjamin McLean is an Assitant Project Manager and plays a central role in creating healthy and enduring relationships with local organizations and community members. He received a master’s degree in Communication from Portland State University and has a passion for public engagement and education. Before joining LCA, Ben worked in government as a Communication Specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There, he applied his education toward the improvement of public understanding and engagement with issues concerning aquatic invasive species, watershed management, and environmental stewardship. During his undergraduate education at Oregon State University, Ben worked for Oregon State Parks and Recreation. As a park ranger, he learned the value of public trust and developed skills in conflict resolution. In his free time, Ben loves to cycle, backpack and snowboard.

Cooper, a 4-year-old yellow English Lab, is LCA’s mascot and chief smile producer. He is happy to lend a hand by cleaning up food spills on the floor, keeping our feet warm while lying under our desks, and maintaining high office morale by being his friendly, furry self. Cooper hails from Klamath Falls and has a degree in Good Canine Citizenship.