Meet the Team

Carla Gay, MSW (She, Her) - Executive Director of Innovation & Partnerships

Carla: My absolute "why" is to disrupt systems of inequity while bringing together people to figure out better ways to solve the problems created by instutionalize education systems of oppression. I love to think outside of the box and when others say 'we can't', I like to ask 'why not?' To me innovation is finding creative solutions to challenging problems and then shining a light on the innovation and possibly taking it to a larger platform where others can benefit from the innovation. I know we can't do this alone and it requires multiple voices and perspectives. This is where partners come in, especially those who work with our most marginalized students. To keep this passion alive in me, I know I have to practice self-care. My wife and two children, along with our large extension of family and friends, help me stay passionate and grounded. I also love to read, travel, and do almost anything that involves spending time outdoors and away from technology.

Danielle La Vasseur - Administrative Secretary

Danielle grew up in Vancouver Washington and has a background in Sales and Marketing management.

Her role in the school district is supporting the Innovation and Partnerships department, onboarding all District Partners and managing multiple budgets.

She enjoys camping, hiking and taking road trips with her family.

Elizabeth J. Jensen, (She, Her) - Flexible Learning Experiences Administrator

Elizabeth Jensen was born in Portland, Oregon and returned to the pacific northwest in 2000 after living and studying in the U.S. and abroad. Elizabeth has been a middle and high school math teacher and began her career as a middle school Principal in 2005. She has been working as a school administrator in both middle and high schools since. When Elizabeth isn't working with students, families and staff (which she loves) she can be found spending time hanging out with her husband, daughter and dog. Elizabeth loves to cook, read, jog, and create.

Gloria Hull - K-12 Counselor on Special Assignment 

I have been working for Gresham Barlow School District for the past 8 years.

I was born in Romania, and moved to the US with my family when I was 9 years old.

As a former ELL student, I am passionate about working with students and families of all backgrounds.

I speak Romanian, English and Spanish fluently, and I am committed to serving students to reach their academic, personal/social and career needs.

I am a busy mom to three little boys, but in my free time, I love to spend time outdoors.

Juani Santiago -Connections Coordinator/Coordinadora de conexiones

Hola mi nombre es Juani Santiago y hablo español. Hello, my name is Juani Santiago and I speak Spanish. I am originally from Mexico and came to the states when I was 4 years old. Although I am fluent in Spanish, it is my second language, I also speak Purepécha an indigenous language from Mexico. I have worked for GBSD for the past 5 years in several capacities. I began as an EA for the special ed department at Gordon Russell MS. More recently, I was able to connect with our families as a Community Liaison. I believe both of these positions have better prepared me to continue my work with our students and families as now the Connections Coordinator. 

During my free time, I enjoy hanging out with family and spending time with my niece. I also enjoy the outdoors. I love to go hiking, biking, and just spend time at the coast.

Karen Harshfield (She, Her) - Counselor On Special Assignment

I have been an elementary school counselor in the Gresham Barlow School District for 19 years. I am passionate about delivering an anti-racist comprehensive school counseling program in all of our schools! 

I am proud to work and live in the GBSD. When my family isn't working/attending school, we love to be outdoors, hiking, camping and exploring! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. 

Diane Santos (she/her/siya) - Program Director of Pathways

Hello! My name is Diane, and I am incredibly excited to join the GBSD community. 

My career in education has taken me throughout Asia - to South Korea where I taught for eight years and studied Taekwon-do, to India where I studied yoga and volunteered at a clinic for the Dalit (untouchable) caste, and back to my native Philippines where I reconnected with my ancestral culture and worked with indigenous tribes of Palawan. These experiences helped to deepen my understanding that we, and especially our students, are enriched with different ways of knowing, of learning, and of being. As an educator, I find my passion is in working with communities to center those whose ways of knowing, of learning and of being continue to be muted and marginalized.

I also love taking on new challenges in my free time. I’ve hiked the Camino de Santiago twice and train as an amateur boxer.