As a graduate student at Portland State University's School of Public Administration [1], Rebecca Toland joined the office this fall to work with Gordon Johnston, Commissioner Adams’ Citizens’ Advocate, on a wide array of public issues.
Rebecca grew up in the Chicago area, but headed west for college and never looked back. She received a degree in Fish and Wildlife biology from Montana State University [2], but devoted the next several years to motherhood. Rebecca has had a diverse work life, including the roles of coffee shop barista, medical office receptionist, and natural childbirth educator and doula (a birthing assistant). Since moving to Portland in 2002, she has primarily worked in retail management.
Prior to finding her ideal home in Portland, she lived in Bozeman, MT; Tucson, AZ; Alameda, CA and Eugene and Corvallis, OR. Never one to turn down an opportunity for adventure, Rebecca loves running marathons, backpacking, cross-country skiing and road-trips.
Rebecca’s interest in public advocacy began when she volunteered as a counselor on a child-abuse prevention hotline in Oakland, CA. In Portland, she has served on volunteer projects with her husband and children through Hands on Portland [3]. She became politically active after the 2000 presidential election, which opened her eyes to the reality that even in America, the will of the people could be usurped by the ambition of a few.