Sarah is the founder and Executive Director of Thrive Central Oregon. She has worked in social services in Central Oregon for the last 15 years, finding incredible fulfillment in connecting people to the resources they are seeking. Sarah has called Central Oregon home for the last 20 years. 

Megan is originally from Poulsbo, WA and attended the University of Washington where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology and Spanish. After college, she moved to Costa Rica where she first served as a TEFL volunteer in the Peace Corps and then went on to teach at a private bilingual high school. She recently moved from Costa Rica to Bend with her two dogs to be closer to family. When she’s not working at Thrive, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, yoga, and being outdoors. 

Oswaldo grew up in Nicaragua. He loves traveling which has led him to live in China and New York City, before finally settling down in Oregon in 2016. He loves trying good food and building new relationships wherever he goes. When he is not at work, he loves to go fishing, playing rugby and cooking meals for friends.

Rachel grew up in the suburbs of Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2017. Rachel then moved across the country with her partner and cat Dixie to Bend, Oregon in December of 2019 in order to be closer to the mountains and ocean. Rachel is a strong believer in human rights and has a passion for creating a more inclusive, healthy, and compassionate community. In her free time, she enjoys bike riding, cooking, reading, and doing yoga.

Arriana is an enrolled member and citizen of The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.  Arriana is passionate about helping her community learn how they can empower themselves and their families. When she isn't at work she enjoys exploring new food, spending time in the woods, puzzles, and spending time with family. 

Peter grew up in the Bay Area before studying Economics and Latin American Studies at Tulane University in New Orleans. He spent a year abroad surfing and studying in Valparaiso, Chile. After graduating, he worked as an apprentice carpenter in Big Sur and a middle school Spanish teacher and soccer coach in New Orleans. Peter moved to Bend in 2022 and enjoys the many outdoor activities such as snowboarding and mountain biking.

Britta, Thrive's behind-the-scenes witch, grew up in the city of Chicago and started moving gradually west after high school. With a degree in Studio Art from St. Olaf College and a Masters in Social Work from Portland State University, she believes that the combined power of creativity and empathy can change the world.  In her free time, she plugs through an infinite list of things she loves doing: making food with her husband, being outside with her dog and baby, developing new craft skills, foraging, hiking, kayaking, gardening... it's endless. 

Sophie grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and attended Gonzaga University where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts and Sciences in Sociology and Criminology. She is very passionate about mental health and disability advocacy and has been grateful for her experiences serving individuals with disabilities both in Colorado and Washington. In her free time, she likes spending time with friends, listening to live music, and hanging out on the water.

Maya grew up in San Jose, CA and has always enjoyed volunteering with her family to help those in need. She loves being able to connect with folks, both English and Spanish speaking, and was so excited to learn that Thrive was looking for bilingual people to join their team. Maya loves finding ways to connect with the community around her through food, music, especially a fun karaoke spot, and anything else that gets her out of the house and gives her the opportunity to meet new people.

Matias grew up in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon and has been greatly enjoying living in Bend for the past few years. He is happy to be able to contribute his time and energy to the Central Oregon community through his work with Thrive. He enjoys playing soccer, skiing, live music, reading, spending time with friends, and has a particular passion for writing short bios about himself for public viewing on the Internet.

Emily grew up in Eugene and graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. With a dedication to mental health and community wellness, she has actively served her community through working in street outreach and youth advocacy. Emily is deeply committed to empowering individuals to thrive and firmly believes in the transformative impact of stable housing on community well-being. When not at Thrive, Emily finds joy in staying active through working out, hiking with her partner and dog, and exploring the beauty of Central Oregon!

As an Oregon native, Bri is inspired by the beauty of her home state and the connections within the community. With her studies at Central Oregon Community College and Arizona State University, she aims to make a difference in the lives of her fellow Oregonians, passionate about advocating for those in need. When she's not involved in her studies or community work, you can find her enjoying the simple pleasures of camping, hiking, and attending concerts, savoring every outdoor adventure she can.

Cameron is originally from Portland, OR and studied English, Native American Studies, and Ethnic and Racial Studies at Southern Oregon University. He is passionate about community engagement, outreach, and advocacy, and enjoys fulfilling those roles through his work at Thrive. When out of the office, Cameron can be found cooking, hiking, reading, biking, or snuggling with his dog.

Alisha spent most of her childhood on the Oregon Coast being outside, making things, and wondering what she wanted to be when she grew up. She has most recently worked in the visual arts industry, social media management, and non-profit accounting. The opportunity to help individuals in a real and tangible way is what drew her to Thrive Central Oregon. When she has free time, you might find Alisha working on her front yard garden, cooking, journaling in a coffee shop, staring at her fish tanks, volunteering, or propagating house plants