About Us
Our Story
Learn about our mission to empower individuals with IDD
About Empowered Services
Empowering Lives. Every Day.
What if the right support could change everything?
What if care could come from people who truly see you—who understand your goals, honor your journey, and believe in your potential?
At Empowered Services, that’s exactly what we do.
Who We Are
We’re Oregon’s trusted partner for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the families who love them. But we’re more than a care provider—we’re advocates, allies, and believers in what’s possible.
Our team shows up with heart. Our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) don’t just provide services—they build relationships, celebrate milestones, and become part of the journey.
How We’re Different
Our approach is personal, attentive, and caring—never just checking a box.
We listen before we act. We learn before we lead. We meet people where they are and walk alongside them as they grow, connect, and thrive—at home and in the community.
Every person’s path is unique. So is ours.
We work closely with customers, guardians, and families to set self-directed goals and build essential life skills. Whether it’s gaining independence, finding confidence, or simply feeling seen and valued—we’re here for every step.
What Drives Us
We believe everyone deserves to live a life filled with purpose, connection, and joy. Not just care—but genuine empowerment.
That’s not a tagline. It’s a promise we keep every single day.
Our Impact
Families trust us. Customers thrive with us. Communities grow stronger because of us.
Join the Mission
Ready to be part of something meaningful? Whether you’re a caregiver, professional, or passionate advocate—there’s a place for you here.
Together, we don’t just provide care. We empower lives.
Because when care starts with heart, everything changes.
Take The Next Step
Our Core Values
The Heart Behind Everything We Do
At Empowered Services, our values are more than words—they’re promises we keep every day. Each ends with “Y” to remind us of our deeper “WHY”: the people we serve and the lives we’re honored to be part of.
These values live in everything we do—because when care starts with heart, everything changes.
Our Team
The People Behind the Mission
Behind every family we serve is a team that shows up with compassion, dedication, and purpose. We’re more than colleagues—we’re advocates, allies, and believers in what’s possible.
Meet the people who make Empowered Services feel like family.
Meet John
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)
John founded Empowered Services with a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling, empowered life.
His commitment to the IDD community began in high school, working as a teacher’s aide and volunteering with Special Olympics. That early calling never faded—it grew. Over the years, John has served in various leadership roles, including the Special Olympics Oregon Planning Board, always driven by a passion for making a meaningful difference.
John earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Christian Ministries with a focus on Organizational Leadership from George Fox University. That foundation shapes how he leads today—with purpose, integrity, and heart.
What brings him the greatest joy? Successfully connecting customers and families with exceptional providers. Seeing people thrive. Watching relationships form that change lives.
A Canby, Oregon native, John is a devoted family man. He was married for 36 years before his wife’s passing and recently married Nicola. Together, they share four sons and four grandchildren. John is deeply involved in his church and community, and loves spending time outdoors—hiking, bow-hunting, and enjoying nature.
Under John’s leadership, Empowered Services has grown into a trusted partner for families across Oregon. His vision and dedication inspire the team every day to show up with compassion and make a real impact.
Meet Sandi
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER (COO)
Being part of the Empowered Services family has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my career. I’m grateful every day to work alongside such a compassionate, dedicated team—people who share the same purpose: to empower, uplift, and make a difference.
Let me share a little of my story.
I was born and raised in Newberg, surrounded by rolling hills and a tight-knit community that taught me the value of connection, care, and hard work. Family is at the center of everything I do. I’m a proud wife and blessed mother of three wonderful grown sons who inspire me daily with their kindness, humor, and hearts for others. They are my greatest joy.
My career has been rooted in serving the disabilities community for 16 years. From Special Education classrooms to IDD foster homes to agency work, these experiences shaped not only my professional path but who I am. They ignited a lifelong passion to help individuals discover their strengths, embrace their uniqueness, and live full, meaningful lives.
At home, our household is a lively mix of four rescue dogs and two cats—wagging tails, cozy cuddles, and plenty of laughter. When I’m not with family or furry companions, you’ll find me crocheting, sharing laughs with loved ones, or relaxing with my favorite reality TV shows. Those simple moments recharge me and remind me what truly matters.
Together, our team has built something special—grounded in compassion, collaboration, and genuine care for the people we serve. Every success we celebrate reinforces my belief that we’re making a real difference.
My inbox is always open at sandi@empowered-services.org if you’d like to connect or just say hello.
Let’s keep walking this path together—one big, empowered family.
Meet Jessica
DIRECTOR, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Jessica’s heart for the IDD community shines through everything she does. She’s passionate about creating systems that truly support people—so customers, families, providers, and staff can all thrive and feel valued every step of the way.
Her journey is rooted in compassion and connection. With a degree in Intercultural Ministries, she spent years teaching English and ESL at a faith-based school, helping students grow. Whether in the classroom or coaching track and volleyball, Jessica has always loved encouraging others to discover their strengths and believe in themselves.
Her path naturally led to Special Education, where she found deep purpose in the IDD community. As a Teacher’s Aide and Educational Assistant, she experienced firsthand the power of patience, advocacy, and unconditional support. Today, she brings that same heart to her role—supporting teams, improving processes, and making sure people feel heard, respected, and empowered.
Jessica is a problem-solver at heart, always ready with a listening ear, a thoughtful solution, and a commitment to helping others succeed.
Outside of work, she loves adventuring with her husband, cheering on her favorite teams, and soaking up quality family time. You’ll find her curled up with a romance novel, cuddling her cat, or staying hydrated with her trusty water bottle always nearby. A lifelong Disney fan, Jessica believes in everyday magic—whether it’s quoting favorite movies, planning her next Disney adventure, or finding joy in small moments. Pair that with Flaming Hot Cheetos, and you’ve got someone who brings warmth, laughter, and positivity wherever she goes.
Evy
County Coordinator: Marion & Polk
Meet Evy — County Coordinator
Evelyne “Evy” Gianella serves as County Coordinator for Marion and Polk counties, bringing a heart deeply connected to the IDD community. Growing up with family members in the community and working as a DSP gave her a true understanding of the joys and challenges families and providers experience every day.
Evy already has a special connection to Empowered Services. Before stepping into this role, she worked with us as a DSP, where her compassion, dedication, and heart for service were clear from the start. Now, she’s grateful to walk alongside providers, guardians, and customers—listening, supporting, and helping make daily life feel a little more manageable and a lot more hopeful.
Those who meet Evy quickly notice her warmth, energy, and ability to connect on a personal level. With a background in both caregiving and hospitality, she brings experience, empathy, and a genuine love for people. She’s passionate about being an advocate and steady support for those she serves, hoping every interaction leaves others feeling valued and truly understood.
Evy carries that same adventurous spirit outside of work. She has spent months traveling through Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru—experiences that deepened her appreciation for people from all walks of life. But her heart is happiest in the Pacific Northwest, where she and her husband enjoy backpacking, snowboarding, and exploring the outdoors together.
Heidi
Community Relations Manager
Meet Heidi — Community Relations Manager
Heidi brings a lifelong passion for serving the IDD community. Growing up alongside family members with diverse needs and special abilities shaped her deep commitment to compassion, inclusion, and respect.
Her journey in this work started early—from serving as an aide in an adaptive physical education class in high school to living in an orphanage for children with disabilities in Mexico. These experiences, along with her background in IDD advocacy, education, and business organization, have shaped her thoughtful, people-centered approach to service.
Throughout her career, Heidi has been guided by a strong desire to honor the dignity and worth of every individual. Her experiences across Latin America deepened her perspective and strengthened her commitment to this mission.
Heidi is known for her warmth, empathy, and sense of humor. She enjoys building meaningful connections and creating welcoming environments. Having navigated her own life challenges, she brings understanding and compassion to all she does.
Above all, Heidi is a proud mother who cherishes her children, grandchildren, and bonus babies. She’s continually inspired by the people they are becoming and looks forward with hope and gratitude to their bright futures.
Yecenia
Standard Model Compliance Specialist
Meet Yecenia — Standard Model Compliance Specialist
Yecenia Lucija Galeano Adkins brings experience in social services, banking, and community-focused work. She combines strong problem-solving skills with emotional intelligence and real-life experience, helping her connect naturally with people from all backgrounds.
She has supported individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities through service coordination, safety planning, contracts, and advocacy. Yecenia takes a client-centered, trauma-informed approach—believing every person deserves respect, patience, and genuine care. Her background in banking and financial services built her reputation for being dependable, organized, and thoughtful.
Yecenia is passionate about helping people feel seen, valued, and supported. Her professional path has been shaped by her own journey of resilience and personal growth, giving her a strong sense of empathy, honesty, and integrity. She’s known for her warm presence, strong intuition, and ability to guide people through complex systems while keeping their needs at the center.
Outside of work, Yecenia finds joy in creativity and personal growth. She enjoys writing, music, movement, and storytelling—using her voice and experiences to encourage and uplift others. She hopes to continue expanding her impact through creative and community-based efforts that support families, children, and underserved communities.
Will
County Coordinator: Lane, Linn & Benton
Meet Will — County Coordinator
Will serves as County Coordinator for Lane, Linn, and Benton counties, bringing decades of experience dedicated to transforming the lives of teens and adults with disabilities.
With a Master’s in Education from the University of Oregon, Will began his career as a social studies instructor for at-risk teens—work that laid the foundation for his commitment to transformative teaching. His innovative spirit led him to establish the Vocational Academy program at the Pearl Buck Center, aligning with the movement away from sheltered workshops toward more inclusive, empowering vocational training.
Service and creativity run deep in Will’s story. His father managed homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and drug rehabilitation centers for teens—experiences that instilled in Will a profound understanding of compassion’s power to effect change.
Music and sports are central to how Will builds connection. As a longtime soccer coach, he believes in teamwork, leadership, and personal growth through athletics. Beyond the field, he composes and plays music, using it as a universal language to connect with others.
Will’s creative talents extend to the video game industry, where he’s contributed as a voice-over producer, scriptwriter, sound designer, and composer on over 70 games—bringing stories and characters to life for diverse audiences.
His multifaceted career reflects a dedication to innovation, creativity, and empowerment. Will inspires, supports, and uplifts others in everything he does.
Janette
Billing Specialist, Spanish Translator, & County Coordinator for our Spanish-Speaking Community
Meet Janette — Billing Specialist & Spanish-Speaking Community Coordinator
Janette serves as Billing Specialist, Spanish Translator, and County Coordinator for our Spanish-speaking community. She’s passionate about bridging communication gaps and providing families the support they need to thrive.
Her passion for helping others began early—growing up as an advocate for her parents due to language barriers. That experience shaped her commitment to service and sparked her connection to the IDD community, where she takes pride in witnessing the personal growth and achievements of the individuals and families she supports.
Janette brings a diverse background spanning customer service, caregiving, scheduling, quality control supervision, and case management. She earned her associate’s degree from Chemeketa Community College, building a foundation for continuous learning and professional growth.
Born and raised in Woodburn, Oregon, Janette has a lifelong connection to the state she loves. She enjoys adventuring through Oregon’s scenic landscapes and hidden gems. In her free time, you’ll find her relaxing with a good cup of coffee, listening to her favorite music, and hanging out with her significant other and cat. She cherishes quality time with family—whether at a cozy backyard gathering or on an outdoor adventure.
Janette is excited to be part of the Empowered Services family, continuing her commitment to dedicated support and fostering an inclusive environment for all.
Alena
Intake & Contract Specialist
Meet Alena — Intake/Contract Specialist
Alena serves as Intake/Contract Specialist at Empowered Services. She graduated from George Fox University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and brings experience in undergraduate admissions, outpatient behavioral health, and event coordination. She also has years of experience in the IDD community as both a DSP and case manager.
Serving this community is deeply personal for Alena—her older sister receives attendant care services in Washington State. It’s important to her that every family and provider at Empowered Services be treated the way she would want her own family and her sister’s providers to be treated. She’s committed to helping customers receive support that enriches their lives and brings them joy.
Alena is a dedicated advocate with a protective heart, confident in using her voice to make a meaningful difference. She believes in ensuring people feel valued, understood, and cared for.
Outside of work, Alena dedicates much of her time to ballroom dancing—particularly Latin styles like Salsa, Bachata, and Casino Rueda. She performs locally in Portland and has danced in San Francisco and Las Vegas. Latin ballroom holds an extra special place in her heart—it’s how she met her husband, who remains her favorite dance partner.
Alena finds her greatest joy in time with loved ones—cooking together, embroidery projects, crime documentaries, Star Wars, or simply talking for hours. A proud aunt, she says there’s no better sound in the world than the laughter of her nieces and nephews.
Kennedy
County Coordinator: Yamhill & Washington
Meet Kennedy — County Coordinator
Kennedy serves as County Coordinator for Yamhill and Washington counties. A recent graduate of George Fox University with a Bachelor’s in Social Work, she’s passionate about living out Empowered Services’ core values in every aspect of her life.
With years of direct care experience, Kennedy is dedicated to supporting her customers and strengthening their communities. While at George Fox, she worked as a DSP and found deep fulfillment in supporting the IDD community through compassionate caregiving. Her studies and hands-on experience across diverse settings shaped her commitment to this meaningful work.
Kennedy’s lifelong love of volleyball has inspired her to coach young athletes. You’ll often find her in the gym, encouraging players to build skills, confidence, and potential—on and off the court.
Originally from Washington, Kennedy now calls Oregon home. Outside of work, she enjoys long walks, staying active, soaking up sunshine, and getting lost in Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction novels.
Kennedy brings empathy, advocacy, and a lively spirit to everything she does. She looks forward to building lasting relationships and carrying out Empowered Services’ mission with warmth, integrity, and enthusiasm.
Audrey
County Coordinator: Lane, Linn & Benton
Meet Audrey — County Coordinator
Audrey serves as County Coordinator for Lane, Linn, and Benton counties alongside Will Bucknum, while continuing her work as a Direct Support Professional. Born and raised in Springfield, Oregon, she graduated from the University of Oregon in 2018.
Her journey in the IDD community began that same year as a DSP, where she quickly discovered her passion for this work. In 2019, she joined a vocational school as a teacher, working with Will (then Lead Teacher) to help students ages 20 to 70+ develop essential life skills—social interaction, fine motor coordination, coping strategies, and self-advocacy. She also led field trips connecting students to job opportunities in the community, helping many transition from sheltered workshops into the workforce.
Audrey has also taught at a faith-based preschool for over three years, reflecting her dedication to fostering growth in individuals of all ages.
When she’s not working, Audrey enjoys knitting, sewing, and crochet. She loves spending time with her family—and her pet turtle, Fred.
Mandy
Hiring & Onboarding Specialist
Meet Mandy — Hiring & Onboarding Specialist
Mandy hires DSPs across all programs—including Empowered Choice—and helps families find the right care match. Whether she’s interviewing new team members, guiding them through onboarding, or offering encouragement along the way, she brings genuine warmth and enthusiasm to everything she does.
Beyond hiring, Mandy teaches nutrition classes and leads adaptive rock-climbing events, blending her love of movement, inclusion, and community. Her commitment to helping others feel empowered, healthy, and connected shines through in every part of her work.
Mandy earned her B.S. in Exercise Science from George Fox University, where she founded the GFU Adaptive Climbing Program—an experience that sparked her lifelong dedication to the IDD community.
Originally from Colorado, Mandy has called New Zealand, Washington, and now Oregon home. She and her husband were married in May 2025 and love adventuring together—hiking, backpacking, skiing, surfing, and experimenting with new recipes.
When she’s not working, you’ll find her playing guitar, swimming, or exploring new ways to stay active outdoors.
Shelby
HR & Marketing Coordinator
Meet Shelby — HR & Marketing Coordinator
Shelby is originally from Orange County and has dedicated her life to serving others. After graduating from culinary school in 2000, she spent most of her career in the food industry—where cooking has always been more than a job. For Shelby, food is a way to care for people and bring them together.
In 2019, she launched a family-friendly meal prep business to help busy families spend less time worrying about dinner and more time connecting around the table. It quickly became a local favorite in Yamhill County, especially known for her irresistible protein bites and cookies.
In 2024, Shelby felt called to serve the IDD community. She joined Empowered Services as HR & Marketing Coordinator and hasn’t looked back. She’s excited about the opportunity to continue making a positive impact every day.
Outside of work, Shelby is a devoted wife and proud mom to three amazing children. Since settling in the Willamette Valley in 2014, she’s become an active part of the community—cheering on her kids at sporting events, volunteering at church, and lending a hand wherever needed. Shelby brings warmth, care, and encouragement to every team and community she’s part of.
Melissa
Administrative Assistant & Matching Specialist
Meet Melissa — Matching Specialist
Melissa connects families with compassionate Direct Support Professionals, ensuring customers receive the support they need while helping providers fulfill their calling. Her work is fueled by both purpose and passion.
With over a decade of experience in the IDD community, Melissa has served in a variety of roles that shaped her into a thoughtful and skilled professional. Her background has sharpened her expertise and deepened her commitment to creating meaningful, lasting matches between families and providers.
Melissa is known for her gentle spirit, kind heart, and strong sense of justice. She’s a natural advocate who goes the extra mile to ensure others feel safe, seen, and valued. Her welcoming presence and sincere compassion create an environment where people feel truly supported.
Outside of work, Melissa treasures time with her family. She’s married with two adult sons and loves day trips to Lincoln City with her husband—especially visits to The Chocolate Frog for their beloved fudge and taffy. She enjoys concerts with her sons and embraces life’s simple pleasures: sunny walks, good food, cuddles with her cat, and quiet evenings watching shows. One of her dreams is to travel internationally and explore new cultures.
Sandra
County Coordinator: Clackamas
Meet Sandra — County Coordinator
Sandra serves as County Coordinator for Clackamas County, bringing a broad range of experience and a deeply rooted sense of purpose. At the heart of her work is a core belief: every person, when offered the right support, thoughtful guidance, and meaningful opportunity, can grow, connect, and realize their full potential.
Sandra’s path began as a Direct Support Professional, where she discovered the power of compassion, patience, and human connection. Each relationship reinforced her commitment to showing up with empathy and respect. To deepen her ability to serve, she earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work from George Fox University, focusing on community-rooted care and lasting support.
A proud native of the Big Island of Hawaii, Sandra carries with her the spirit of Aloha—a way of living that values kindness, compassion, humility, and relationship. It’s a spirit you can feel in her warmth, her interactions, and the authentic connections she builds. Now living in Oregon, she shares her home with her husband and their beloved cat, Miso, who adds charm and mischief to everyday life.
Outside of work, Sandra finds joy in life’s simple pleasures. She’s an avid baker, often creating sweet treats to share with friends, neighbors, and coworkers. She loves exploring Oregon’s natural beauty—hiking trails, walking near the water, or planning new adventures to unwind and reconnect with nature.
Ready to Be Part of Something Meaningful?
Whether you're seeking support for a loved one or called to serve as a Direct Support Professional—there's a place for you here.
Because when care starts with heart, everything changes.