Cynthia Castro (she/her)
Chief of Staff
Cynthia Castro served as Senior Policy Advisor for Portland Commissioner Carmen Rubio. She is also a former staffer for Commissioner Amanda Fritz and the former director of the Charles Jordan Community Center.
In her various City roles, Cynthia served as the liaison to the Office of Equity and Human Rights, Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R), and the Regional Arts and Culture Council. She led strategic initiatives such as the language pay differential policy and Regional Collaborative Land Acknowledgement Project. She implemented former Mayor Charlie Hales’ Community Center Initiative to engage at-hope youth; and led policy work regarding bureau-wide equity, smoke and tobacco-free parks, and PP&R’s strategic plan.
Cynthia has championed equity through her involvement with the City’s Diverse and Empowered Employees of Portland (DEEP), Latinx PDX City Employee Affinity Group, PP&R’s Fostering Equity Support Team (FEST), and Portland World Soccer Program. Cynthia also brings a background in public health, research, and nine years of experience as a collegiate coach and athletics administrator.
Cynthia received her B.A. in Anthropology from Arizona State University and Master of Public Health from Oregon State University. Cynthia is a 2018 Emerge Oregon graduate and a 2020 Portland City Council candidate. She lives in Southwest Portland with her family and enjoys sports, baking, and exploring the outdoors.
Cristina Nieves (she/her)
Policy Director
Cristina Nieves is the Policy Director for Commissioner Meieran. Growing up as the daughter of a single mother who immigrated to the United States, Cristina naturally grew an understanding of power disparities, a tenacious passion for equity, and the right for everyone to determine their own livelihood.
Her lived experience led her into public service. She previously worked for the City of Portland as a Senior Policy Advisor for Commissioner Amanda Fritz. During her time at the City she worked with community members and elected officials to establish a public campaign finance system that would increase transparency and access to participating in the City’s elections. Following that, she worked for Common Cause Oregon as the Associate Director. There, she continued to advocate for equity in elections and transparent governance.
Cristina has an educational background in Political Science, Media Communications, and Conflict Resolution.
Tabitha Pitzer (she/her)
Constituent Services Manager and Policy Liaison
Tabitha Pitzer serves District 1 as Commissioner Meieran’s Constituent Services Manager and Policy Liaison. Tabitha began her journey in Oregon politics in 2014 by registering students at Oregon State University to vote and lobbying for affordable higher education. She has worked in the non-profit sector, on political campaigns, and as a legislative assistant in the Oregon Legislature before working for Multnomah County. She is passionate about ending the stigma on mental health, supporting survivors of sexual assault, environmental issues, as well as diversity, inclusion, and equity in government. Her greatest joys in life come from spending time with friends and family, volunteering, traveling, and eating good food.