Meet our new executive director, Nicki Dardinger!

This week, we’ll be sharing the stories and backgrounds of our new team members, Nicki, JJ, and Katie! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Nicki, our new executive director.

Raised in central Ohio with deep Midwest roots, Nicki has always been guided by a love for people and community. Their early career was dedicated to environmental conservation through education and experiential learning. They later shifted to the world of health care, housing,  human services and community engagement. Their work is rooted in equity and understanding of the institutional and systemic barriers that people experience accessing the housing and health care they need and deserve.

Nicki moved to Portland in 2017 and  immersed themself in the community, from connecting people to nature at Bird Alliance of Oregon to protecting Mt. Hood National Forest with Bark to supporting youth and adults experiencing homelessness at Outside In to securing funding for strategic initiatives at Volunteers of America Oregon for programs spanning behavioral health, housing, and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. 

At Sisters, Nicki brings their strengths as a facilitator, nonprofit leader, and community connector to help shape and co-create the organization’s future. They are a relentless advocate for social and environmental justice and strive to create authentic and inclusive organizational cultures. They are committed to uplifting the voices, stories, and experiences of our unhoused neighbors, while listening closely — to neighbors, community partners, donors, volunteers, and staff — to guide Sisters’ next chapter. 

Outside of their time spent with Sisters, Nicki is an avid reader, a devoted bird watcher, and an active volunteer counter for Portland’s beloved Vaux’s Swifts. They share their home with a ball python named Sid and a box turtle named Max, both of whom have been with Nicki for more than 20 years!

Coming up next, we’ll share about our Systemic Change Director JJ. Stay tuned!