Our Team / Contact Us
Contact Us
Mailing Address (USPS and UPS):
7830 SW 40th Ave., Suite B1, Portland, OR 97219 USA
Email your comments and questions:
Info@SoulBoxProject.org
Our Team
Leslie Lee
Founder/Director and Board President
I am the Vision Holder and Art Director for the Project. I’m grateful for a Team that believes in the power of art to affect social change.
Leslie Lee has been a professional artist her entire adult life. She and her husband, a ceramic artist, work at home in Portland, Oregon.
Ellen Stearns
Board Secretary
I’m on the Board and pitch in to help as needed.
Ellen has 25+ years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropy sector and likes to spend time hiking in the forest.
Ellen Stearns
Board Secretary
I’m on the Board and pitch in to help as needed.
Ellen has 25+ years of experience in the nonprofit and philanthropy sector and likes to spend time hiking in the forest.
Richard Carroll
Board Treasurer
I am responsible for coordinating the budget and assisting with logistical needs.
Richard has 40+ years of experience in executive management across numerous industries, and 15 years of experience on both for-profit and nonprofit Boards.
Beverly Emers
Board Member
I lead with my personal experience as a survivor and a witness to so many families being impacted in my local community.
Beverly lives in the South Bronx with her son. She works as a policy strategist with the Welfare Rights Initiative at Hunter College and a community liaison at BronxArtSpace. Her passion is organizing around social justice issues.
Beverly Emers
Board Member
I lead with my personal experience as a survivor and a witness to so many families being impacted in my local community.
Beverly lives in the South Bronx with her son. She works as a policy strategist with the Welfare Rights Initiative at Hunter College and a community liaison at BronxArtSpace. Her passion is organizing around social justice issues.
Karla Niehus
Exhibits Coordinator
If you’re interested in exhibiting Soul Boxes or incorporating the Soul Box Project into your activities or events, let’s talk!
Karla’s background is in museum exhibitions that educate, inspire, or empower. A recent transplant to Portland from the Midwest, she looks forward to exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Karla Niehus
Exhibits Coordinator
If you’re interested in incorporating Soul Boxes into your activities or events, let’s talk!
Karla’s background is in museum exhibitions that educate, inspire, or empower. A recent transplant to Portland from the Midwest, she looks forward to exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Kelsea Vierra Ashenbrenner
Outreach Coordinator
I look forward to connecting with those affected by gun violence and bringing the Soul Box Project to communities in Portland and around the country!
When Kelsea is not working with The Soul Box Project she is doing theatre. She is an actor, director, and deviser of new work. She shares her life with her husband, new baby, and two cats.
Kelsea Vierra Ashenbrenner
Outreach Coordinator
I look forward to connecting with those affected by gun violence and bringing the Soul Box Project to communities in Portland and around the country!
When Kelsea is not working with The Soul Box Project she is doing theatre. She is an actor, director, and deviser of new work. She shares her life with her husband, new baby, and two cats.
Joe Gibson
Administrative Assistant
I help keep things organized and running smoothly.
Joe is an actor and artist who is also experienced in administration. After two years in L.A. managing multiple executives, he has returned to Portland to earn a degree in psychology.
Joe Gibson
Administrative Assistant
I help keep things organized and running smoothly.
Joe is an actor and artist who is also experienced in administration. After two years in L.A. managing multiple executives, he has returned to Portland to earn a degree in psychology.
Laura Evans Manatos, President and CEO of Laura Evans Media
Public and Media Relations Consultant
I provide external communications for The Soul Box Project, making sure the Project gets the media attention it deserves so national audiences can learn about the movement.
A former television news anchor and reporter for nearly three decades, Laura’s passion today is telling the inspiring stories of disruptors and change-makers and shining a spotlight on their social impact efforts.
Laura Evans Manatos, President and CEO of Laura Evans Media
Public and Media Relations Consultant
I provide external communications for The Soul Box Project, making sure the Project gets the media attention it deserves so national audiences can learn about the movement.
A former television news anchor and reporter for nearly three decades, Laura’s passion today is telling the inspiring stories of disruptors and change-makers and shining a spotlight on their social impact efforts. In her downtime you’ll find her hanging out with her husband and 3 amazing kids, baking cookies, raising money for local charities, working out, running or hiking.
Michelle Wynant of Night Owl Design
Website Manager
I get to gather all the Soul Box happenings, news and events and arrange them on this site so you can be informed about this vital project.
I have been a marketing and website specialist for over 20 years working with businesses and non-profits developing, implementing and executing strategic marketing plans in order to attract potential customers and retain existing ones.
Michelle Wynant of Night Owl Design
Website Manager
I get to gather all the Soul Box happenings, news and events and arrange them on this site so you can be informed about this vital project.
I have been a marketing and website specialist for over 20 years working with businesses and non-profits developing, implementing and executing strategic marketing plans in order to attract potential customers and retain existing ones.