Monday:  Dr. Donna Beegle

Donna M. Beegle, Ed.D. is a highly experienced National public speaker, discussion leader, trainer, and the author of “See Poverty, Be The Difference,” a resource book for professionals who work with people in poverty. Donna has worked and written articles providing insights and strategies for communicating more effectively across race, class, gender and generational barriers for 17 years. Donna’s inspiring story and work have been featured in newspapers around the nation, on local TV and on National programs such as PBS. Her work on poverty is being featured in a Documentary titled: Invisible Nation in Fall 08. Donna has worked with educators, justice professionals, health care providers, social service agencies, and other organizations all over the nation who want to make a difference for those living in the crisis of poverty. Donna is the only member of her family who has not been incarcerated. After growing up in generational migrant labor poverty, leaving school for marriage at 15, having two children and continuing to cope with poverty, she found herself, at 25, with no husband, little education, and no job skills. What followed in 10 short years were: self-confidence, a G.E.D., an A.A. in Journalism, a B.A. (with honors) in Communications, a Master’s Degree in Communication with a minor in Gender Studies (with honors), and completion of a Doctorate Degree. Donna completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Portland State University in 2000, where she taught speech communication courses for eight years. She is currently president of Communication Across Barriers, a consulting firm devoted to improving communication and relationships. Donna is also founder and CEO of the new nonprofit, PovertyBridge which is dedicated to changing lives for people in poverty.

Tuesday:  David Hobbs

Portland State University (PSU) is a leader in the Oregon University System on sustainability initiatives in campus facilities. The keynote by David Hobbs, Assistant Director of Facilities and Planning, will highlight PSU's development and growth in creating a more environmentally conscious campus. David's presentation will include an overview of the successful initiatives that PSU has put in place and the efforts they have used to maintain them. David's keynote will also offer suggestions for how sustainability measures can be implemented on our own campuses through a variety of initiatives and programs that have been proven at PSU.

David Hobbs is the Assistant Director of Contracts and Compliance for Facilities and Planning at Portland State University where he has oversight of Operational Sustainability, Environmental Health and Safety, Design and Construction Contracts, Landscaping and Custodial Services.

Prior to coming to Portland State University, he was the Director of Administrative Services and Contract Management at the University of California, Merced, the 1st new Research Campus to be built in the 21st Century.