A Bit About Me

Hi, I’m Debra Porta—a nonprofit leader, consultant, and community organizer with more than two decades of experience building, leading, and sustaining mission-driven organizations.

I’ve spent my career working at the intersection of community, equity, and organizational growth. For the past nine years, I’ve served as the Executive Director of a small but well-known organization serving Oregon and SW Washington’s LGBTQIA2S+ community. Under my leadership, we have expanded its year-round programming, developed advocacy efforts for LGBTQIA2S+ people experiencing housing insecurity, launched community resilience initiatives, and built partnerships with grassroots groups across the region.

Before stepping into the executive role, I served eight years as board president, giving me firsthand insight into the challenges—and opportunities—nonprofit boards face every day. That dual perspective as both board leader and executive director shapes my consulting approach: I understand how governance, staffing, fundraising, and community accountability all have to work together for organizations to thrive.

Now, as I gradually transition from executive leadership into full-time consulting, I’m focusing on what I’m most passionate about: helping small and emerging nonprofits succeed. I specialize in supporting small and emerging organizations, as well as groups with big vision but limited capacity. My goal is to provide practical, actionable strategies—whether in board development, governance best practices, fundraising, or community engagement—that help organizations grow sustainably without losing sight of their mission.

At the heart of everything I do is a belief in the power of community. I know from experience that when people come together with purpose, vision, and accountability, they can build the future we all deserve. My consulting work is about helping organizations harness that power—strengthening their structures so they can amplify their impact.

When I’m not consulting or leading my organization, I also co-run a small crafting business with my wife, where we make candles, wax melts, and cement art pieces. It’s a creative outlet that reminds me how important balance and joy are to this work.

If you’re a nonprofit leader looking for grounded guidance, a supportive thought partner, and strategies rooted in real-world experience, I’d love to connect.