Meet Charley Downing, the new Director of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity at Northwest Outward Bound School (NWOBS). Charley brings a tremendous amount of experience in restorative justice, conflict mediation, and equity work. She just completed a 5 year stint as the Executive Director of Madrona Recovery, a residential mental health and substance abuse treatment clinic for youth. Read below to learn more about Charley’s background and connection to NWOBS.
Charley is based in Portland and is part of the NWOBS Senior Leadership Team. She’ll provide strategic leadership for widespread integration of and accountability for diversity, equity, inclusivity and antiracist practices throughout our organization. Charley will work closely with many of you to guide our next phase of ensuring relevance and authentic inclusivity in our experiential education work and to better serve our students and staff across all backgrounds. This position was made possible by the $431k grant we received from the Murdock Trust, which covers three years of funding for the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity and for the Director of Marketing and Communications.
What is your professional background?
I started my career as a teacher, performer, choreographer and student of somatics. I shifted toward social work and conflict resolution, always with a pull toward creation and attention to design and craft. I have worked as a mediator and group facilitator and have done many years of training development and implementation. I helped to found a residential program for youth in our community struggling with mental health and addiction, where I directed programming for 5 years. Prior to this experience, I had the privilege of working with and building a coalition amongst reproductive justice and reproductive health organizations and advocates.
I am first generation Latinx, raised in Utah. I have a deep appreciation for the human capacity to heal and to thrive, and respect for our bodies’ wisdom in that process.
What intrigued you about NWOBS and how do you connect with the mission?
My Father was a school psychologist when I was young. As a teen, Dad started taking youth from his schools out on “survivals,” (week long backpacking trips in the Utah deserts) sometimes I was invited to come along. I saw my Dad and his colleagues so intentionally creating safety, inspiring respect for each other and the environment, and teaching life skills that would leave a lasting impact. I’m deeply honored to be a part of this organization that believes in experiential learning and in our wilderness. I’m looking forward to learning more about our organization and how I can best support our mission, staff and the folx that we have the pleasure to serve.
Outside of work, what do you like to do with your free time?
I am coming out of a world of being on-call 24/7, that means self-care time is rebranding as free time, and I love it. I have a young adult son, who reminds me to slow down, and take a beat. We love music, all the time. I care for and love my elder labrador, Roland (named for the Stephen King gunslinger) and goldendoodle puppy Aberama Gold (of the Peaky Blinders). Bicycling is a really important way that I get to move energy around, if I can ever get my motorcycle repaired I’ll be adding that back to the things that keep me present and engaged when things get tough. I enjoy walking or hiking in the forest, noticing the forest floor, identifying plants, foraging, drying and making food, salves, and infusions. I feel strongly connected to my ancestry, and so engaging with the natural world in this way has been my practice of honoring their resilience. My grandmother also taught me about gardening when I was small, this has become a huge resource for me. I’m teaching myself to paint, which is hilarious, and I enjoy virtual visits with my many nieces.