Do Good, Work Local: Impactful Career Pathways
Join us for a virtual panel event, Do Good, Work Local: Impactful Career Pathways, featuring inspiring University of Oregon alumni who have turned their passion for positive change into impactful careers. These alumni will share their journeys into roles that directly benefit their local communities, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of their work.
During the session, panelists will discuss:
- How they found and pursued careers focused on community impact.
- The skills, experiences, and networks that helped them succeed.
- Practical advice for transitioning into or advancing in careers that make a difference at a local level.
Whether you’re looking to start a community-focused career or seeking ways to incorporate purpose into your current role, this webinar will provide actionable takeaways and inspiration to guide your path. Engage with our panelists, ask your questions, and leave with a renewed sense of how your work can contribute to meaningful change.
Panelists:
Maria Cortez, Sr. Program Services Coordinator at Lane County Government
Ally Wimberly, Manager, Marketing and Sales at InVivo Biosystems
Sarah Koski, Homelessness Advocate & Community Resource Liaison at Lane Transit District
Registration
This event is free and virtual, hosted on Zoom. Register now.
Meet our speakers
Maria Cortez, MPA ’15
Maria Cortez, is a Sr. Program Services Coordinator at Lane County Human Services. Her work focuses on housing and health initiatives that are tied to the intersections between physical health, behavioral health, houselessness and the criminal justice system. She oversees contracts for the County that include The FUSE program (Frequent User Systems Engagement), and Permanent Supportive Housing projects such as the Commons on MLK and The Nel. Before this position Maria oversaw Shelter contracts for the County and was a key staff member involved in the rollout of the Governor’s ALL In Initiative regarding emergency sheltering. Before working for Lane County, Maria held direct service positions that focused on housing and health needs for the unhoused living on Skid Row in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and in Eugene, OR.
Sarah Koski, BA ’06 (Clark Honors College, political science)
Sarah A. Koski, a homeless advocate and Community Resource Liaison for Lane Transit District in Eugene, Oregon, previously served as Executive Director of a nonprofit and worked as a case manager at a major Oregon shelter. She now develops programs at the intersection of transit and homelessness. With a political science degree from the University of Oregon, Sarah’s work in humanitarian activism has been recognized by the UN University of Peace. She is a member of the State of Oregon's Domestic Violence Prevention Subcommittee and has received honors including the Vital Voices & Estée Lauder Top 100 Global Women award and the 2024 Oregon Women's Commission Woman of the Year award.
Ally Wimberly, BS ’20 (biology)
Ally Wimberly launched her career in biotechnology specializing in the commercialization of protein and cellular analysis reagents, instrumentation, and genome editing solutions. Driven by a passion for innovation and social impact, she continues to build a distinguished scientific career while remaining deeply committed to community action. Her extensive volunteer work led her to Thrive Housing Network, where she oversees the Thrive House, a program supporting homeless mothers and children. She also serves as Marketing and Sales Manager at InVivo Biosystems, a gene-editing company advancing end-to-end drug discovery and development solutions.
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