Diversity champion to be Portland's first Chief Equity Officer

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Diversity champion Latricia Tillman will serve as the City of Portland's first Chief Equity Officer, leading the Office of Equity and Human Rights and directing the City's work to make equity and inclusion a fundamental part of decisions, operations, policies, and service to the community.

Tillman brings more than 16 years of executive experience in equity work in government, public health, healthcare, and nonprofits. She was selected following a competitive national recruitment and will start her new position May 11.

"I am impressed by Latricia's ability to lead teams, build trust, and create meaningful change," City Administrator Raymond Lee said. "With her leadership, Portland is positioned to accelerate our progress as an equitable workplace and city."

Tillman's leadership roles include Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer for Washington County, Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division Director for Multnomah County, and Equity Manager at Oregon Housing and Community Services.

Tillman has demonstrated leadership across these roles, overseeing budgets up to $54 million and leading divisions of up to 275 employees. Her work has produced durable, system-level outcomes, including increasing state investment in health equity by 400% over five years, embedding equity into legislation that transforms health systems, and establishing Medicaid reimbursement for doulas, community health workers, peer support specialists, and interpreters.

"I am passionate about demystifying governmental processes and jargon so that people and communities that have been excluded from or made marginal by government are motivated to engage, feel welcomed and respected, and help the City of Portland thrive," Tillman said. "Ultimately, my goal is that individual, bureau-specific and city-wide anti-racism and equity efforts result in measurably better outcomes for all Portlanders."

Tillman is also a trustee of the Collins Foundation, holds a master's degree in public health from Boston University, and is a fourth-generation Oregonian with deep ties to Portland.