We engage students to foster self-awareness, interpersonal understanding, and social justice through civic leadership.
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Vision in Action
Passion Impact students are self-affirmed community members who pursue their passions to achieve a healthier world.
Students
Student are constantly front and center with everything we do. From programs, to staff hiring, to the defining of our cultural fabric, students are in the drivers' seat.
Partnerships
Reciprocal relationships are crucial to supporting students' and each of their communities. We strive to build long-term relationships that enable more meaningful impact.
Internal Structure
We strive to represent the students we support internally. Board, staff, and students are encouraged to constantly sharpen our DEI lens to better understand and empathize with one other's vision of a healthier world.
Community Feedback
As a community connector, we aspire to understand and support students in achieving their visions. This requires feedback from all teachers, parents, partners, and students themelves.
How to Get Involved
Students
As an organization that recognizes imperialist white supremacy culture, we are excited about running programs where students have acknowledged the need for our services.
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Community
Volunteer on a committee, the Board of Directors, or join our newsletter to keep updated on what's happening in PI!
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Donate
Whether you'd like to support PI with a monthly donation, one-time gift, or with supplies, we are humbled by your generosity.
Learn MorePassion For Passion Impact
""We did a lot of self reflection in the [Summer Internship] workshops. We talked a lot about social issues and social topics and took turns listening to what each of us had to say. Some of the conversations could be uncomfortable because they are topics we aren't used to talking about. I think it was a really good opportunity to grow and to listen and hear other people's perspectives without trying to argue with them. And to see what you can understand from them through their point of view.""
Christina Ou
Summer Intern and VEP Leader at Franklin High School
""Gaining online leadership skills and being able to work with a group of people and create something without the supervision of an adult, a parent, or teacher guiding you through the whole process. It feels really accomplishing to have a useable end goal from something that you and three other people alone made. It's the best feeling ever and it's super fun!""
Calder Nakell
VEP Student at Franklin High School
""One of the things that I was really shocked by in coming into VEP was just how strong of a community you can build so quickly. I didn't feel out of place or unwelcome. It was just a nice thing to come into. Having that type of environment around you while also working and growing skills that are really useful for my future has been something that's really awesome to me!""
Anabelle Jukkala
Current VEP Member and Franklin High School student
""We did a lot of self reflection in the [Summer Internship] workshops. We talked a lot about social issues and social topics and took turns listening to what each of us had to say. Some of the conversations could be uncomfortable because they are topics we aren't used to talking about. I think it was a really good opportunity to grow and to listen and hear other people's perspectives without trying to argue with them. And to see what you can understand from them through their point of view.""
Christina Ou
Summer Intern and VEP Leader at Franklin High School
""Gaining online leadership skills and being able to work with a group of people and create something without the supervision of an adult, a parent, or teacher guiding you through the whole process. It feels really accomplishing to have a useable end goal from something that you and three other people alone made. It's the best feeling ever and it's super fun!""
Calder Nakell
VEP Student at Franklin High School
""One of the things that I was really shocked by in coming into VEP was just how strong of a community you can build so quickly. I didn't feel out of place or unwelcome. It was just a nice thing to come into. Having that type of environment around you while also working and growing skills that are really useful for my future has been something that's really awesome to me!""
Anabelle Jukkala
Current VEP Member and Franklin High School student
Our Team
We love learning from one another, engaging in difficult discussions, and empowering each other to grow from uncomfortably. Meet the people who support students behind the scenes!
Adrianna Davis
Developer
Hello! My name is Adrianna (I use sher/her pronouns) and I am the new High School Program Coordinator here at Passion Impact. I’m really excited to be working with Passion Impact and the students at Franklin High School. I grew up in Portland and graduated high school from Reynolds. I went to Oregon State University (go beavs!) where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Microbiology and Sociology. While in college I found a passion in social justice advocacy while working at the Cultural Resource Centers on campus. Some other little facts about me, I love to travel and am always listening to music. If you ever see me walking out and about, I’ll most likely have my headphones in bopping around to some music.
Stefan Peierls
Executive Director
Hey there! I’m Stefan (pronounced St/e/-fon) and I use he/him/his pronouns. I am a passionate individual and when we have the pleasure of meeting, I look forward to listening to what makes you wake up in the morning. As the Executive Director, I make it my priority to not only support and engage our staff and Board, but to meaningfully integrate students into everything we do. In my free time, I dabble with Improv, love to jam on the drums, tend to my garden, and enjoy traveling to places where I can practice Spanish.
Our Board
Committees
Board Of Directors
Our Board of Directors is devoted to fostering our mission through inclusiveness, capacity support, and student focus. If you are interested to see if you are a good fit for our Board of Directors, learn more here. Click to learn more about each Board Member.
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Maiyee Yuang (She/Her)
Vice President of Partners
Portland, OR
Hey there! I’m Stefan (pronounced Ste-fon) and I use he/him/his pronouns. I am a passionate individual and when we have the pleasure of meeting, I look forward to listening to what makes you wake up in the morning. As the Executive Director...
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Krista Nussbaum
Treasurer
Portland, OR
Hey there! I’m Stefan (pronounced Ste-fon) and I use he/him/his pronouns. I am a passionate individual and when we have the pleasure of meeting, I look forward to listening to what makes you wake up in the morning. As the Executive Director...
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Stefan Peierls
Board Chair
Portland, OR
He just does stuff.
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Helen Dillen
Board Member at Large (Development Committee)
Portland, OR
Hey there! I’m Stefan (pronounced Ste-fon) and I use he/him/his pronouns. I am a passionate individual and when we have the pleasure of meeting, I look forward to listening to what makes you wake up in the morning. As the Executive Director...
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Dave Lowe
Board Member at Large (Board Support)
Portland, OR
With a keen eye on volunteer engagement and appreciation, Dave focuses on Board management and engagement!
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Brian Peierls
Board at Large (Communications Committee)
Austin, TX
Brian has always used the phrase "It's not what you say it's how you say it." this has translated into his focus on Passion Impact's external communication in an effort to better share our organizations successes.
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Nina Nguyen
Board Member at Large
Portland, OR
She is awesome.
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Tyler Moore
Secretary
Portland, OR
Tyler helps run an afterschool support program in St. Johns for a close-knit community through First Door. In his off time, he practices law.
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Bradley Burns
Co-Founder & Board Member at Large
Austin, TX
Bradley helped co-found Passion Impact in 2014. After being instrumental in building Passion Impact in Portland, Bradley returned to Austin to focus on his education toward becoming a child psychologist.
Our Current Committees
Passion Impact has 7 committees that meet monthly to support the mission by taking charge behind the scenes. Our goal is to include at least one student on each committee in order to keep the focus on students in all aspects of our endeavors. If your curious about joining any of the following committees, feel free to reach out to start volunteering with us!
Development Committee
Food and drinks are the holy grail for high schoolers. Add in an office with a couch, a bean bag, and speakers – they are Committee Chair: Melissa Ulrich
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
Training the organization on ways to be understand, respect, and represent all communities in Passion Impact. Committee Chair: Adrianna Davis
Communications Committee
Practicing people skills to inspire community members to volunteer with Passion Impact. Committee Chair: ____
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for keeping track of funding and expenses for all members of Passion Impact. Committee Chair: Krista Nussbaum
Hiring Committee
Building the framework for successful employee recruitment and on-boarding. Designing the best processes for hiring Committee Chair: Tyler Moore
Partner and Program Committee
Researching current and anticipated problems in education and careers where Passion Impact’s programs provide solutions Committee Chair: Maiyee Yuan