Debbie Saunders, Executive Director

Debbie comes to the Center for Community Counseling with over 30 years’ experience working in nonprofits with a focus on serving vulnerable populations.  Debbie started with the Armed Services YMCA in Boston working with both military personnel and community members. Over the years she worked at several different YMCA’s across the country including Atlanta, Seattle and New Hampshire. Raising her daughter, Amanda, in the Y meant that Amanda was in preschool, afterschool, camp, gymnastics and swimming (she was one of the “Y rats” a name given to staff kids!)

An opportunity opened up at Children’s Cove on Cape Cod to take a grant funded program to a fully-fledged Child Advocacy Center. The Center worked with child victims of sexual and severe physical abuse as well as adult victims with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Debbie was there for ten years and was proud to see it become a state-of-the-art provider. Next Debbie became the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Over 7 years that business grew substantially under Debbie’s leadership becoming one of the top producing agencies nationally for Savers/Value Village. Moving to Portland, Debbie became the  Executive Director of Africa Bridge, a nonprofit headquartered in Portland but serving vulnerable children and families in Tanzania. Before coming to CCC, Debbie served Southern Oregon Aspire in Grants Pass as their CEO.

When the opportunity opened at CCC for a new Executive Director Debbie decided to apply. She was moved by the mission and wanted to be closer to Amanda.

“I am so excited to be joining the Center for Community Counseling! When I interviewed, I had the chance to meet staff, volunteers, Board members and interns.  Those conversations were inspiring; touching my heart. The mission of CCC is so compelling, the work so rewarding; Transforming Lives and Healing Relationships is truly exciting!   I look forward to helping CCC maintain its excellence in service delivery and grow to serve more people in ways we have not yet begun to imagine.”

Nasim Talabreza-May, MBA, CSWA
Clinical Program Manager

Nasim holds a Master’s of Social Work and a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management: both degrees are from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She has experience at the university level as well as case coordination, team building,  marketing and volunteer recruitment. She has additional experience providing psychotherapy, supervision, trainings, class lectures and public presentations.

CCC-tree-circleRomelle Renner
Administrative Assistant

Romelle re-entered the workforce by joining CCC after a 7 year retirement. She devoted over 25 years to public service with the Oregon Employment Department, community colleges, and university systems. She earned a masters in demographics from the University of California, Irvine, and is an enthusiastic advocate for lifelong learning in all its forms and environments.

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