The Social Equity and Opportunity Forum Staff

The Social Equity and Opportunity Forum program director is Janet Hammer, Ph.D. Janet brings over fifteen years of experience in sustainability issues and holds particular expertise in multi-stakeholder processes and bridging organizations.

SEOF’s 2007-2008 Sid Lezak Fellow is George Zaninovich, a student in the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program. George’s is a co-founder of Planning Includes Equity (PIE), a student group fostering conversation and action within the department and larger community, and co-developer of the Oregon Land Use Stories Project. Riding his bicycle almost 1000 miles around the state George and his fellow listened to citizens’ views on land use issues, learning that there is more that unites us than divides us, and that Oregonians care deeply about the land and about each other. The project won the prestigious AICP National student planning project award.

We are also fortunate to have the talent and enthusiasm of two graduate assistants in 2007-2008. Emily Hicks, is a Master of Public Health student jointly pursuing PSU's graduate Sustainability Certificate. Her diverse experience spans from coordinating kitchen garden projects with low-income families to assisting Washington County with its first Sustainability Plan. Kelly Haines, Master of Urban Studies student, applies her background in sociology and economics to issues of social sustainability. Kelly's applied experience includes union organizing and research on sustainability indicators.