Becca Hawkins
Founder & Board President
Becca was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the Fall of 2016. She quickly realized a lot of the struggles that those affected by Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity face on a daily basis. Celiac Portland grew out of the need for an organization to put Celiac’s first and create environments where those with Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity can feel safe and welcome.
When not working on Celiac Portland, Becca works full time in Non-profit Management. Prior to starting Celiac Portland, Becca has worked at various non-profits helping them streamline their financial and programmatic processes and procedures.
She is currently gaining her MBA in Non-Profit Management from University of Portland. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and History from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In her free time, Becca enjoys hiking, backpacking, traveling, reading, playing soccer and exploring new places with her dog.
Ahna Austin
Board Treasurer
I have always had a passion for food since I was a young one. From pretending to having my own cooking show to now living this in real life! Ok well not with an audience, but you get the picture. I have had a chronic illness for decades, which has also manifested into Celiac’s Disease. I decided I wouldn’t allow myself or others to struggle to not eat meals we grew up with.
On my path of healing, I rediscovered a passion for the culinary arts. I’ve also been a personal chef for nine years focusing on providing delicious, nutritious customized meals for my private clients in Portland. I combine my nutrition education with culinary skills to help my clients thrive in their overall wellbeing. Holistic Revival Nutrition is an all encompassing service to help individuals feel the best they can without the worry.
Joining the Board of Celiac Portland is an exciting venture. This town has a lot to offer, and if we can cultivate a learning environment for the restaurant industry, etc. then it can become possible for allergen individuals to rest easy eating in their establishments. There are so many possibilities and we hope to spread the knowledge and resources available.
Stacey Roeder
Stacey was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in January 2018. She quickly found out how difficult it was to find safe food when in public places and wanted to help make a change. This led her to find Celiac Portland. Stacey is a high school math teacher in Beaverton, OR. She has a BS in Mathematics Education, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently working on obtaining her administration license from George Fox University. When Stacey isn’t working she loves to cook and work out.
Kate Wirth
Advocating has always been in Kate’s blood. From getting styrofoam cups banned in her elementary school teacher’s lounge to her years communicating the wins of underserved public school students in California, she’s always at her best when pushing to make the world a better place.
Kate was diagnosed with celiac in 2014 while living in Berlin, Germany and immediately put her drive to work: She started celiac positivity Instagram account @celiacdoesntsuck, engaged and educated the local culinary community to improve awareness, and moderated the English speaking Gluten-Free Berlin Facebook group for six years.
Now in Portland for its incredible gluten-free scene (okay, for family and gorgeous nature too), Kate looks forward to continuing her engagement with the local celiac/gluten-free folks and businesses. Her life-long foodie tendencies push her to advocate for better, safer options while her personal and professional experience in marketing and communications make her a natural connector for the celiac community.
When she’s not daydreaming about what to eat next, Kate enjoys reading, baking, traveling, going on hikes with her husband and rescue dog, and working on their first house to make it the home of their dreams.
Rochelle Villenave RN, BSN, CDECS
Rochelle has been a patient and healthcare advocate for over 25 years as a Registered Nurse, including 12 years in public health and most currently as an adult diabetes case manager.
In early 2021 someone close to her was diagnosed with Celiac disease and she has become an activist for better diagnosis and care of people with Celiac disease. “The more I learned about how overlooked this condition is and the duration of suffering to diagnosis I knew I had to be involved in whatever way I could. At an opportune moment I found Celiac Portland and a great group of people working to make the gluten free life more accessible. With my nursing background I am in a position to navigate medical systems and help guide more timely care for people with Celiac disease. I am also able to digest medical information and translate it to help people take better care of their health.”
Rochelle earned her BS in human nutrition at Western Washington University and a BS in nursing at Johns Hopkins. Rochelle is also a returned Peace Corps Nepal Volunteer and has 12 years restaurant experience. “I can assist in advocating for gluten free access from many perspectives when it comes to food delivery systems.”
Rochelle lives with her husband and daughter in the Portland metro area and enjoys getting out in nature, reading, training her new dog and mastering gluten free baking techniques.
Aliess Kingsley
Aliess was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in February of 2021 and has since gotten very good at reading ingredient labels, scanning barcodes, and asking roughly one million questions whenever eating at a restaurant. While a Celiac diagnosis will change a lot about daily life, it doesn’t mean the end of good food or traveling. Your celiac journey is unique to you, but know that you’re not alone regardless of the path you’ve found yourself on. When she’s not fundraising for worthy nonprofits around the country as the COO of Granted Fundraising Consultants, you’ll probably find Aliess petting puppies, reading, or traveling (or all three simultaneously).
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors please contact info@celiacpdx.com for more information.