ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
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Paige Jenkins, MSW, Navy Veteran
Founder, Director Paige formerly served as:
Paige has a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, a BA in American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley and is a graduate of Regenerative Design Institute’s 12 month permaculture program. She is a compassionate visionary, dedicated to trauma recovery and sustainable living through ancient practices and knowledge, as well as science and creative thinking. She is committed to addressing the intensifying and proliferating concerns of our generation and future generations, one woman veteran at a time. |
Our Board Members
Ciel Downing, MS, Army Veteran
Director
Ciel Downing (Nez Perce) and adopted Blackfeet, is an Army veteran with many years of tribal work both formal and informal. She was the sole tutor at Lewis and Clark College for Cherokee Nation men and 1 Blackfeet man. Prior to that, she lived briefly on the Salt River Pima Reservation and was relatively recognized in Phoenix, Arizona for her painted depictions of Native tradition and lore. Post degree, she served five plus years as the Indian Child Welfare Act Liaison to the nine Tribes of Oregon. In that time, she spent time on each reservation and Nation of seven of those tribes (missing Burns Paiute and Klamath due to fires and schedules). She completed her career as a counselor at the men's prison in Tillamook, Oregon, focusing on the neurobiology of substance use and how it impacts identity and relationships.
Ciel Downing, MS, Army Veteran
Director
Ciel Downing (Nez Perce) and adopted Blackfeet, is an Army veteran with many years of tribal work both formal and informal. She was the sole tutor at Lewis and Clark College for Cherokee Nation men and 1 Blackfeet man. Prior to that, she lived briefly on the Salt River Pima Reservation and was relatively recognized in Phoenix, Arizona for her painted depictions of Native tradition and lore. Post degree, she served five plus years as the Indian Child Welfare Act Liaison to the nine Tribes of Oregon. In that time, she spent time on each reservation and Nation of seven of those tribes (missing Burns Paiute and Klamath due to fires and schedules). She completed her career as a counselor at the men's prison in Tillamook, Oregon, focusing on the neurobiology of substance use and how it impacts identity and relationships.
- Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Lewis and Clark College
- Certificates from ACCBO for CADC and neurology from LCC; FEMA and CERT certifiedTherapist at Clackamas County mental health, coordinating women's team for therapy to match up with parolees.
- Facilitator for Clack. Co. drug court under Judge Robert Selander. Conducted the Women's Last Chance Program
- Adjunct professor at TBCC for the neurobiology of substances
- Emergency operator for Department of Human Services; sole liaison for the nine Oregon tribes
- Men's drug program coordinator and facilitator at South Fork Prison Camp
- Author of Chapter 3 in Handbook of Human Intelligence, edited by Robert Sternberg; Author of Uncommon Knowledge about Common Drugs (2008); 1998 Academy of American Poets prize winner, multiple journals and anthologies.
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Carol McClelland Fields, PhD, Board Certified Coach
Director Carol brings several strengths to Red Feather Ranch. She has 30 years experience supporting clients who are navigating significant transitions. Her book and model, The Seasons of Change: Using Nature's Wisdom to Grow Through Life's Inevitable Ups and Downs, bring hope, direction, and inspiration to those finding their way through dark times. Her extensive work in the area of career clarity and vision development gives her a nuanced understanding of what it takes to turn an idea with potential into a flourishing venture. As the host of the Change Catalysts at the Growing Edge podcast, Carol tracks and highlights emerging trends as the pace, scope, intensity, and the number of changes we face grow exponentially. She supports Change Catalysts are on the front lines of our time as they help clients find meaning in the chaos and create more of what they want in their lives. Carol is also an accomplished speaker, award-winning author, and trainer. |
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Melissa Bird, PhD, MSW
Director As a life coach, author, and fiery public speaker, Dr. Melissa Bird (Southern Pauite) has given hundreds of speeches and workshops across the world, including speaking to audiences at universities, national conferences, and churches. Her combination of education, real life experience, and practical advice makes her a powerful force of change in the lives of the people she speaks to. Past audience members have described her as “fierce,” “revelatory,” “life-changing", “enthusiastic,” and “inspirational.” Dr. Bird creates the genesis for a new brand of leadership and graceful revolution. Her words. awaken revolutionaries, trailblazers and powerful innovators in the quest for justice. Melissa is proud to sit on the advisory council for the Native American Long House – Eena Haws at Oregon State University. |
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Kate Harris, MPA, Air Force Veteran
Director Kate served in the Air Force for 10 years, as a C-21 and E-3 AWACS Instructor & Evaluator Pilot. She served in a number of executive assistant roles and leadership positions, including leading a diverse group of 55 Airmen, as they won the Air Force level award for their career-field. She separated as a Major to move back to Oregon with her husband, where they are now raising their three small children. She has a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Portland and a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She has been a residential property manager for 17 years, worked in accounting and marketing at a local insurance brokerage, and is on the Board of Directors of a local hospital, including leading their Planning & Strategy committee. Kate is currently founding a new business as a Confident Advocacy Guide, leading women back into their power and intuition as they learn to confidently advocate for themselves and their families. |
Our Staff
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Gillian Chandler
Operations & Communications Administrator Gillian currently works for Congress and previously worked as the Programs and Services Manager at Protect Our Defenders, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending sexual violence in the U.S. military. Gillian graduated with a B.A. from The George Washington University with a major in International Affairs and a minor in Religion, and is currently working towards her Masters in Social Work. Gillian has previously interned on Capitol Hill, at a national security nonprofit organization, and at the Maryland State Attorney’s Office. Gillian is a Credentialed Advocate (C.A.) through the National Organization for Victim Assistance and a Certified Assessor of the DV Danger Assessment. |