OREGON CAPITAL INSIDER - Carpet in the Oregon governor's ceremonial office in the state Capitol in Salem

Ashley Carson Cottingham is leaving state administration next month to become executive director at the Center for Hope and Safety in Salem. Jayne Downing has been the longtime leader of the nonprofit, which operates a hotline, housing and other services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. Carson Cottingham currently is agency deputy director for the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and was the Aging and People with Disabilities director at the Department of Human Services.

Leslie Sutton, former policy director and then executive director for the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, joined the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman as residential facilities ombudsman.

Rep. Shannon Jones Isadore, D-Portland, was sworn into office Thursday with Gov. Tina Kotek officiating. The new legislator chose the historic site of McMenamins Blue Moon Tavern & Grill for her oath of office. The building is on land that once belonged to Andrew and Sarah Johnston, former slaves who came to Oregon around the 1860s. Oregon politics of the era reflected anti-Black sentiments, including the restrictions on contract creation, purchase of property and marrying outside one’s race. The Johnstons persevered and were among the first Black homeowners in Portland. Jones Isadore will finish the term of Maxine Dexter, who resigned the House District 33 seat to run for Congress.

Oregon National Guard Brig. Gen. Jenifer Pardy received the 2024 Alumni Award of Excellence from Western Oregon University, where she earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership. Pardy is Joint Staff director for the Guard.

Ryan Vogt, executive director at Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, will also lead Community Services Consortium as of Nov. 1.

Andrea Williams will become president of the Oregon Food Bank in December, succeeding Susannah Morgan. Williams, who is multiracial, will be the first woman of color to lead the 43-year-old organization. She has been vice president since 2021.

Anastasia Mason joined the Salem Statesman Journal as state government reporter, focusing on the executive branch, after an internship at Politico and covering immigration for Medill News Service. Dianne Lugo continues as the reporter covering the Legislature and equity issues.