PORTLAND , OR —Equity Foundation has appointed Kevin Easton as Executive Director, effective April 6, 2008. Easton currently serves as the Policy Manager for Business and Arts for Portland’s Mayor Tom Potter. In this capacity, Easton was instrumental in establishing the role and then serving as the Mayor’s Liaison to the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Community. Easton ’s career has spanned the corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors. He brings nearly 15 years of rich experience as a campaign strategist and manager, on broad-ranging topics including human rights, education, business, arts, political candidacy, and sexual and gender minority issues. His Oregon experience extends geographically to every corner of the state, having served members of Congress and earlier as a grassroots activist. Easton, a native Oregonian, grew up in Bend and graduated with a B.A. with Friars Honors from the University of Oregon, in Eugene.

Equity Foundation works to eradicate prejudice towards sexual and gender minorities in Oregon. By working with philanthropic donors and nonprofit partners, Equity Foundation funds change and changes attitudes through grants and scholarship opportunities. Founded in 1989, the Foundation has awarded thousands of grants aimed at grassroots community change initiatives, throughout Oregon. During the last fiscal year, it awarded roughly $400,000 in grants and related programs.

Easton says that he is proud and honored to join Equity Foundation. “It is my dream job to work full-time, building partnerships and promoting equity in our communities, throughout my home state.”

Here is a little more about Kevin, from Mayor Potter’s website:

Personal Background:
Before working for the Mayor, Kevin spent several years as a political and policy consultant and/or campaign manager for various federal, state and local elected officials up and down the West Coast; including Congressman Dick Gephardt, Congressman Peter DeFazio and Congresswoman Lois Capps.  He also served Congresswoman Darlene Hooley as a Field Representative.  Most recently, he worked as an Executive Assistant in corporate law firms in New York City and San Francisco.

Kevin grew up in Bend and received his degree from the University of Oregon in Political Science with a focus on U.S. Government and Elections.  In college he was very active as a grassroots organizer for the ASUO, OSA and USSA.  He is member of Friar’s Honorary.  Kevin also sits on the Mayor’s Human Relations Commission.
Q&A with Kevin:

What are your hobbies and interests?
“Films, underground arts events, theatre, coffee shops, the great outdoors, swimming, travel, vintage clothes shopping, hiking, camping, piano bars, pedicures, knitting, working towards LGBT equality.”

If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring five CDs with you, which five would you take?
“I would pack my iPod instead.”

Do you have a favorite quote?
“Be the change you want to see in life” - Mahatma Gandhi
“You’ve GOT to have ART!” - Mrs. Carol Ayers (my sixth grade teacher)

What are a few good books?
“I love everything by David Sedaris and paperback Kennedy biographies, The Outsiders; Primary Colors; Paddle to the Sea; Running with Scissors; Angels & Demons; and Richard Florida ’s Rise of the Creative Class”

Do you have any favorite websites?
“Netflix.com, Towleroad.com, CNN.com, OregonLive.com, MySpace.com, Pinkisthenewblog.com ; Perezhilton.com”

What do you love most about Portland?
“The friendliness of the people, the arts scene, access to the outdoors.”

Why did you apply for your job at the Mayor’s office?
“I have great respect for Mayor Potter’s honesty, openness and commitment to diversity.  Getting to work for a very gay-friendly elected official where I can combine my passions for public policy, community development and arts and culture is my dream job.”

What are a few good movies?
“Films: Flirting with Disaster, Living Out Loud, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Napoleon Dynamite, Fight Club, Life Is Beautiful, Talented Mr. Ripley, Moonstruck , Steel Magnolias, Mommie Dearest.  TV: Angels in America , Change of Heart (filmed in Portland ) and Til Murder Do Us Part: The Betty Broderick Story.”

If you could ve a cartoon character, who would you be and why?
“Lois Lane”

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