About Us
To proactively ignite, elevate and engage the next wave of leaders for the future now.
Since 2001, REAP has been offering multifaceted programming designed to uplift resilient leaders who are empowered to achieve their dreams.
Most recently, REAP has been focusing on school communities with significant numbers of families in challenging economic circumstances and non-English speaking families. Children of these families face the most challenge in negotiating school and life.
History
Founders Levell Thomas and Mark Jackson are longtime friends who came up in Portland Public Schools together. They founded REAP in 2001 knowing the potential contained within Portland youth and their yearning for opportunities in the larger world.
Levell and Mark also knew how to adapt successful, proven programs as a structure for guiding and supporting youth, and they know how to tap into networks in business, government, and the nonprofit sector to connect the youth to leaders, mentors, and potential employers across our communities and the state.
Meet Our Board Of Directors
LEVELL THOMAS
Board PRESIDENT
REAP, Inc
CEO
KEITH BODNAR
BOARD TREASURER
Controller
Willamette View
Reiko Williams
BOARD CHAIR
Director, Regional Equity Initiatives and Partnerships
Multnomah Education Service District
CHERYL TWETE
BOARD SECRETARY
Community Development Director
City of Beaverton
MIKE RICHARDSON
DIRECTOR
Founder
Dark Horse Comics
DR.WILLIAM JOHNSON
DIRECTOR
President
Moda Health
TYRONE POOLE
DIRECTOR
President & Founder
OneApp
JEREMY ROGERS
DIRECTOR
Political Advocacy Director & Staff Counsel
Oregon Association of REALTORS
DR. KOFFI DESSOU
DIRECTOR
Consultant
DR. DONN SPIGHT
DIRECTOR
Surgeon
OHSU
BESS WILLS
DIRECTOR
General Manager
Gresham Ford
Alicia Moore
DIRECTOR
Program Manager, DEI | Human Resources
Columbia Sportswear Company
Tom Hickmann
DIRECTOR
CEO
Tualatin Valley Water District
DR. DONN SPIGHT
DIRECTOR
Surgeon
OHSU
BESS WILLS
DIRECTOR
General Manager
Gresham Ford
Our Values
- Elevate youth voices
- Empower student leaders with a global mindset
- Expand student innovation toward entrepreneurship
- Engage students in cooperative management
"We call REAP The United Nations of Youth Empowerment. We're at the leading edge of the demographic changes you can see all around us."
- REAP Founder Levell Thomas