In the Cascades Region, which covers the vast area of Oregon and Southwest Washington, approximately 2,600 volunteers provide response, relief and recovery services; save lives through health and safety training; provide assistance to active military members, their families and local veterans; and ensure we maintain a safe and stable blood supply for patients in need.
Our History
For the past 100 years, the American Red Cross Cascades Region has been there for the people of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Since the establishment of our first regional chapter in 1917, the Red Cross has helped millions of people affected by disasters, including home fires, floods and other emergencies. Our disaster responders have deployed quickly to help support the needs of people affected by disasters big and small. From health and safety classes to lifesaving blood collection and support of military members, their families and veterans, the Red Cross is woven into the fabric of our community. Learn more about the history of the Red Cross in our community and how you can be a part of the mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the next century and beyond.
For assistance with disaster response, please call (888) 680-1455.
For emergency communication to a member of the military, call (877) 272-7337.
For International Tracing to begin a search, contact Emergency Services: (503)-528-5633.
All tracing services are confidential and free of charge.
For general inquiries please call: 503-284-1234 and select from the options.
Health & Safety Classes and Certification
redcross.org/take-a-class
1-800-RED-CROSS
Schedule Free Disaster Preparedness Classes by emailing preparedness@redcross.org.
To reach Volunteer Services email volunteer.cascades@redcross.org .
Media Relations Contact – Disaster Services
Monique Dugaw - Communications Director
Media Relations Contact - Blood Services
Natividad Lewis - Communications Manager
Regional Chief Executive Officer
Candace is an experienced executive with a unique skill-set of leadership, mission focus, resource stewardship and talent management.
Most recently, Candace led a team responsible for strategic fund development at the Oregon Environmental Council. Prior to that, Candace held numerous leadership positions within the University of Oregon’s fund development division during her 13-year tenure. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Antioch College and graduated from the Hartford Graduate Center for Non-Profit Management.
As an Oregon native, Candace is well-connected within the region and an engaged community member. She previously managed staff positioned throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington and understands the complex cultural and diversity differences in communities across the region.
Kris Pitcher
Interim Regional Chief Development Officer
Cara Sloman
Regional Disaster Program Officer
Monique Dugaw
Regional Director of Communications
Jessica Chapman
Regional Program Director, Services to the Armed Forces/International Services
Cassi MacQueen
Regional Chief Administrative Officer
Dennis Rugg
Executive Director, Southwest Washington Chapter
Shon Keely
Executive Director, Central and Eastern Oregon Chapter
Carisa Hettich
Executive Director, Southwest Oregon Chapter
Hannah Malak
Volunteer Services Officer
Jennifer Van Houten is a Senior Vice President with U.S Bank where she serves as a Risk Manager identifying and mitigating credit-related risk within the Wholesale Banking division of U.S. Bank. She has been with U.S. Bank since 2003 where prior to her current role, she managed a team of commercial lenders focused on lending to businesses in the Portland/Vancouver and Sacramento metropolitan markets for over 13 years. During her U.S. Bank tenure, she routinely participated in national taskforces within U.S. Bank and had assisted with the Bank’s integration of bank acquisitions within the California market.
Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Van Houten spent seven years with Bank of America in Oregon and California. Having started her career with First Interstate Bank of Oregon, she has been in the banking industry since 1989 with wide ranging experience in the commercial banking, asset based lending, and private banking arenas.
A graduate of Lewis and Clark College, Van Houten holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and is an avid outdoors person with pursuits including mountaineering, backpacking, travel, and wine-tasting. She is actively engaged with the Mazamas, a local climbing and outdoor education organization, and is serving her fifth year on the Board of Directors for the Cascades Chapter of the American Red Cross.
HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS