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Oscar Arana

Community Development Director at NAYA Family Center

Oscar Arana is a dynamic and accomplished leader currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) in Portland, Oregon.13 He assumed this permanent role in July 2024 after serving as the interim CEO for over a year.3

Career at NAYA

Arana has been with NAYA for over 14 years, holding various leadership positions:

  • Chief Executive Officer (July 2024 - Present)
  • Interim Chief Executive Officer (July 2023 - July 2024)
  • Community Development Director (April 2017 - July 2023)
  • Director of Strategic Development and Communications
  • Education Manager

As Community Development Director, Arana led initiatives to provide affordable housing for Native Americans in the Portland region.4 He increased NAYA's affordable housing portfolio from 93 to 258 units and grew the Community Development Department from 9 to 30 employees.1

Achievements and Recognition

  • Recognized as a Star Player by Housing Oregon in 2021 for his work on multi-unit developments in Portland's Cully neighborhood4
  • Spearheaded efforts to provide affordable Native housing, including two tribal preference projects, the first of their kind outside a reservation setting in Oregon2
  • Increased the Community Development Department's operating budget from ~$1M to $6M+ by raising additional grant revenue and securing new contracts1

Background and Education

  • Chichimeca heritage3
  • Graduate of the University of Oregon's Executive MBA program and School of Journalism2
  • Prior experience includes working for Oregon US Senator Ron Wyden, television news production in Yakima, Washington, and reporting for the Associated Press in Mexico City2

Oscar Arana is known for his strategic thinking, fundraising abilities, and dedication to improving community outcomes, particularly for Native American youth and families in the Portland metro area.123

Highlights

Jul 19 · underscore.news
NAYA Family Center Announces New Leader
NAYA Family Center Announces New Leader
Jun 27 · opb.org
Portland youth center opens a Native family shelter - OPB
Feb 13 · books.forbes.com
Episode 82 | Part One: Oscar Arana, Interim CEO, Native American ...
Episode 82 | Part One: Oscar Arana, Interim CEO, Native American ...
Jun 23 · nayapdx.org
NAYA Board appoints Interim CEO
NAYA Board appoints Interim CEO
Oscar Arana: Rising Star | Lundquist College of Business
Aug 11 · ARCHITECT Magazine
Nesika Illahee, by Carleton Hart - ARCHITECT Magazine
Aug 26 · Street Roots News
Once-houseless Native families now have a home in a gentrifying neighborhood - Street Roots News
Jun 21 · nayapdx.org
Staff | Native American Youth and Family Center

Related Questions

What are Oscar Arana's main achievements as Community Development Director at NAYA Family Center?
How has Oscar Arana's leadership impacted the Native American community in Portland?
What specific strategies did Oscar Arana use to triple NAYA's affordable housing portfolio?
What other roles has Oscar Arana held at NAYA Family Center?
How did Oscar Arana's experience in television news influence his work at NAYA?
Oscar Arana
Oscar Arana, photo 1
Oscar Arana, photo 2
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Location

Portland, Oregon, United States