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CUB Energy Policy Conference

Buy your tickets for the CUB Energy Policy Conference! The CUB Energy Policy Conference is designed as a day of discussion, networking, and sharing diverse perspectives. Learn more about this year’s conference at oregoncub.org/conference

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Signature Gathering for CUB Initiative

CUB Staff

Bob Jenks

Bob Jenks

Pronouns: He/Him

Executive Director

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Bob Jenks is the Executive Director of CUB. Bob started working for CUB in 1991, and has participated in nearly every major Oregon Public Utility Commission case since that time, including dozens of cases dealing with utility mergers, rates, resource planning, and climate change. He also regularly represents ratepayers before the Oregon Legislature and at regional forums.

Bob is the Oregon representative of the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA). He is a native Oregonian, and holds a degree in economics from Willamette University. When not working, Bob enjoys gardening, cooking, and smoking his homegrown tomatoes in his smoker.

Jennifer Hill-Hart

Jennifer Hill-Hart

Pronouns: She/Her

Policy & Program Director

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As CUB’s Policy & Program Director, Jennifer provides leadership, support, and coordination to CUB’s program staff, ensuring effective implementation of our strategic plan, work plans, and individual projects. Along with CUB’s Executive Director, she represents CUB at the Oregon Public Utility Commission and the Oregon Legislature, as well as on statewide advisory boards, task forces, and boards related to utility regulatory matters. She assists CUB staff with their work and leads program staff to develop and implement CUB’s policy and regulatory advocacy in the development and implementation of laws and policies that protect consumers and promote equity and fairness as Oregon transitions to a clean energy economy.

Jennifer has a J.D., Federal Indian Law certificate, and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. She has a background in nonprofit public interest work, clean energy, and utility regulation. Jennifer is passionate about environmental justice, inclusive and equitable decision-making, and creating healthy, resilient communities.

Outside of work, Jennifer likes hiking, reading, roller skating, and talking about her cats.

Charlotte Shuff

Charlotte Shuff

Pronouns: They/She

Outreach & Communications Director
Media Liasson

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Charlotte joined CUB 2020. They have a background in energy efficiency, advocacy for environmental justice, and community education. Their passion is taking complicated topics and making them understandable for the general public to inspire collective action.

Charlotte graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a BA in Sociology & Anthropology with a focus on civic engagement and the public sector. When not at work, they can be found learning new crafts and playing chess around town.

Claire Valentine-Fossum

Claire Valentine-Fossum

Pronouns: She/her

General Counsel

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As CUB’s General Counsel, Claire advocates for the interests of Oregon’s residential utility customers before the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), state, and federal courts. Claire is responsible for analyzing legal issues that arise in the regulatory and organizational arenas and works closely with CUB staff on larger policy issues. Having grown up in Oregon, Claire is excited to be working to fulfill CUB’s mission.

Claire has a J.D., Master of Energy Regulation and Law, and Certificate of Land Use Law from Vermont Law and Graduate School. Prior to joining CUB, Claire worked as a policy analyst with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, as an attorney advisor with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and in private practice in Washington, D.C.. In her free time, Claire enjoys biking, gardening, and exploring the coast.

Cassie Allen

Cassie Allen

Pronouns: She/They

Development and Communications Lead

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Cassie is an organizer and nonprofit professional with experience in grants management, political advocacy, community engagement, and grassroots organizing. She is passionate about advocacy, building long-term relationships with individuals, and empowering communities by making public policy more accessible.

Cassie graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in Political Science. She’s worked on political campaigns, the democracy reform movement, and nonprofit development. When not at work, she can be found reading, playing soccer, or kayaking down Oregon’s rivers.

Olivia Awbrey

Olivia Awbrey

Pronouns: She/They

Utility Analyst

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Olivia joined CUB in 2025 as a Utility Analyst. Trained as an environmental scientist, she uses her background in wildfire resiliency, climate change adaptation, policy, and GIS analysis to ensure Oregonians have equitable and resilient utility services as the energy sector adapts to the changing climate. Prior to joining CUB, Olivia worked as a research assistant with Portland State University and the U.S. Forest Service, understanding long-term community wildfire adaptation across the Western U.S. Her master’s thesis explored climate-wildfire and wildfire-social relationships, including mapping historical fire regimes, modeling long-term fire weather trends, and conducting case studies of federal wildfire policy implementation across government networks. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Management, a Graduate Certificate in Collaborative Governance from Portland State University, and a B.A. in Public History from the University of Oregon.

Olivia is an Oregonian who has lived and worked in all four corners of the state. Outside of work, Olivia is a musician, a crafter, a dog parent, and an outdoors person.

David Beltrán Barajas

David Beltrán Barajas

Pronouns: He/Him

Community Organizer

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David joined CUB in 2025 as a Community Organizer. Coming from a working-class immigrant household, he’s taken to community organizing as a way to fight for impacted communities in Nevada, and now Oregon. David has 6 years of organizing experience with a background in Immigrant Rights and other issues. He finds joy in building and sharing with his communities, having also worked on various mutual aid projects addressing food and housing insecurity in his community.

He’s also a photographer and storyteller, using these passions to talk about and share the stories he finds meaningful! Outside of work David enjoys climbing, hiking, and lounging in the outdoors with a good book.

Emily Dougan

Emily Dougan

Pronouns: She/Her

Utility Analyst

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Emily joined CUB in 2025 as an analyst, bringing experience working both in Oregon and across the U.S. on water and electricity infrastructure projects. She holds a B.A. in Earth and Environmental Science from Willamette University and an M.Sc. in Urban Environmental Management from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. She is excited to bring her passion for advancing resilient, equitable energy systems to CUB.

When not working, you can find Emily learning new languages, volunteering for local campaigns and initiatives in her home base of Central Oregon or adventuring with her dog.

Lizzie Lesch-Abhaya

Lizzie Lesch-Abhaya

Pronouns: She/Her

Paralegal

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Lizzie joined CUB in 2025 as a paralegal. She has a background in civil litigation, administrative law, and non-profit program administration. As Paralegal, Lizzie supports the CUB Program Team’s formidable legal work.

Lizzie graduated from Smith College with a B.A. in Anthropology and Art History. She holds a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law. In her free time, Lizzie is happiest trying new recipes, exploring with her husband and dog, and spending time with her niece and nephew.

Sharif Morton

Sharif Morton

Pronouns: He/Him

Office Manager

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Sharif joined CUB as Office Manager in 2023. He was born in Los Angeles and raised in Sacramento before earning a degree in Political Science from the University of Portland. He has experience in advocacy, public-facing research, and logistics, and enjoys supporting and enabling his peers. He has overseen multiple efforts from high-profile town halls, creating mutual aid networks, and establishing ethnic studies programs. As Office Manager, Sharif engages in CUB’s administrative needs and looks to bring CUB closer together through enhanced organizational management and relentless curiosity. Outside work he spends his time reading, hiking, and exploring on his bike.

Ryan Tran

Ryan Tran

Pronouns: He/Him

Economist

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Ryan joined CUB in 2023 as an Economist. With a background in climate economics research, he draws on his expertise to serve Oregonians by figuring out how to always keep them satisfied with the utility services they receive while meeting new challenges. Ryan has a BBA in Finance, a BS in Mathematics from the University of Houston, and an MS in Economics from the University of Oregon.

When not working, Ryan can be found trying new vegan restaurants or collapsed on the floor at various 5K/10K finish lines.

Sarah Wochele

Sarah Wochele

Pronouns: She/Her

Equity Analyst & Advocate

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Sarah joined CUB in 2024. She comes to this work with a background in community organizing, policy research, and social work. Sarah entered environmental justice advocacy in 2019 via the Sunrise Movement while she was working at her local community garden. Prior to joining CUB, Sarah was a community organizer working with mining-impacted communities in Nevada to meaningfully address the various adverse social, ecological, cultural, and spiritual impacts of the hardrock mining industry.

From this work, Sarah brings an understanding of the need to break down the technical and political gatekeeping extractive industries benefit from. She understands that changing energy sources alone will not address the layers of injustice associated with business as usual. As a Equity Analyst & Advocate with CUB, Sarah is committed to working with impacted communities and other advocates to help bridge the gaps that often exist between decision-makers, organizers, and impacted communities when it comes to policy-making.