The Leadership Team

Kris Mc Alister, executive director

Kris McAlister was born in Springfield and has spent the majority of his life living in and around the city. He has lived experience with homelessness as a youth, and has served 20 years in social justice and service-oriented boards and organizations focused on homelessness issues, medical access, poverty intervention, disability, and youth.

In addition to his work as Shelter Director for the Garden SPOT, he chairs both the Lane County Poverty and Homelessness Board and the Springfield Utility Board Budget Committee. Kris also serves on the Board for Square One Villages and Escudo Latino. Along this journey, he has earned the rank of Life Scout, the Kirsten Frohnmayer Award, United Way's Community Voice award, and Springfield Alliance for Equity & Respect's Human Rights award.

Arwen Maas-DeSpain, assistant director

Arwen Maas DeSpain has served 30 years in social justice and service-oriented non-profit organizations focused on racial equity and justice, LGBTQ issues, poverty, and homelessness. In addition to working as Assistant Director for Carry It Forward, she is a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical supervisor.

Board of Directors

bob cerince, board president

Profile and photograph coming soon.

Jeff Yamada, treasurer

Leveraging his financial background, experience in community development, prior board transformation work, and a lifetime of lived experience promoting equity and justice, Jeff works to create the structures and systems to help Carry It Forward expand sustainably. He aligns deeply with CIF's mission and its values of empowerment and honoring the dignity of all persons.

Leonard Stoehr, Member

Profile and photograph coming soon.

Holly schaper, Member

Profile and photograph coming soon.