Update from Candice R. Vickers, Executive Director

We continue to grow as a team and an organization in accordance with our vision that centers the voices of mothers and caregivers. 

I am excited to announce that Kaitlin Gaffney has accepted the position of Development Director, and Nichi Linder is now our Grant Writer and Database Coordinator!

Kaitlin has been with our organization for three years, establishing herself as an essential member of our political team, and contributing to our core work as a Policy and Campaigns manager. She has been integral in our wins around childcare, has grown our influence at the federal level, and expertly led our electoral work–a shining example of transformation that is a model nationwide.

Kaitlin has extensive experience in our work at all levels: She has been an organizer, a field director, and was a major influence in the election of Senator Jeff Merkley. She grew into the policy realm as a member of Senator Merkley’s team for ten years, ensuring his vision aligned with the voices and needs of our constituents and our values. Before joining Family Forward, Kaitlin led the campaign to pass Preschool for All, bringing universal preschool to Multnomah County. She has been a trusted representative of our organization and her relationships with our foundation and coalition partners is unmatched. And as a mom of two kids she brings her lived experience as a caregiver to everything we do. She will be an amazing leader of our development team.

Nichi has held several roles on our team since 2017, proving herself capable in many areas and an important member of our team. She has served most recently as our data manager, and will now jumpstart a new role as our Grant Writer and Database Coordinator. 

Nichi has extensive experience in the progressive movement: she has served as an organizer, a field director, and an organizing director, and a trainer including nearly a decade in the reproductive justice movement at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, working in coalition with Family Forward to pass Oregon’s landmark Reproductive Health Equity Act, which made abortion legal by statute in our state. She served as organizing director here, to help lead the way to the successful end of a 10 year long campaign to secure paid family & medical leave for Oregonians. Her deep knowledge of organizing and understanding what it takes to win, coupled with her own personal experience as a mother to two young boys has given her a comprehensive understanding of the challenges parents and caregivers are facing. She is uniquely qualified to speak to and advocate for the important, transformational work our organization is doing and the hard work that goes into it.  

I am so excited about this dynamic team, the vision and mission of our organization, and the work we are poised to do in 2024!