What is your work at the Trust?

As an internal resource for our team, I am a steward of values alignment, employee well-being, internal skill building, and restorative connection. I tend to the soil. My role assists in the holistic infusion of values, ensuring that established policies and processes are not only compliant but provide a workplace where all team members can grow and flourish.

Why do I do this work?

I believe that workplace well-being is possible, and I am constantly challenged by the ways that the world convinces us otherwise. Employment trauma is real and valid, and I hope to re-imagine “HR” to become a truly healing-centered and grief-sensitive approach to resourcing our humanity in the workplace. Specific to the collective work of Oregon Well-Being Trust, I am here to support the care and keeping of education employees who have been harmed, disempowered, and/or culturally erased by the public education system.

What unique talents do I bring to the work, according to my colleagues?

• Lorene has incredible empathy and the ability to anticipate the needs of individuals and the organization. She has a fair approach to high accountability and high engagement in decision making.
• Lorene is deeply wise and emotionally intuitive.  She has a calm, grounded and trauma-informed demeanor and approach that instantly makes people feel comfortable and safe.  Lorene is thoughtful and is able to hold many truths and perspectives in good tension.
• Lorene is wise in her counsel, respectful, and empathetic. She is grounded and compassionate with everyone she works with.

Previous work/credentials:

I hold a B.A in psychology with certifications in human resources, domestic violence advocacy, SA advocacy, and victim advocacy. My previous work experience primarily focused on legal support, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care.

What does well-being look like for me?

For me, well-being is the freedom to listen and tend to my nervous system. Well-being is the freedom to safely challenge the status quo and share my truth. Well-being is access to healthcare, housing, and the ability to care for myself and my community.

Who am I?

I am a banana slug (UC Santa Cruz alumnus) who grew up in Los Angeles and can’t live without the trees of the Pacific Northwest. San Jose Shark fan to the core and now a proud OSU Beaver parent – Go Beavs!