After more than a decade leading Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection, our founder and Executive Director, West Livaudais, will be stepping down from his role as Executive Director.

West helped build OSCI from a small grassroots effort bringing people with spinal cord injuries together into a statewide, disability-led organization connecting thousands of Oregonians with community, resources, advocacy, and support.

This transition has been planned thoughtfully with OSCI’s board and staff and represents an important next chapter for the organization.  Jessica Waller will be stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director beginning January 1, 2027.

Jessica has been an important part of OSCI’s leadership, and we have tremendous confidence in her ability to guide the organization through this next chapter. She brings a deep understanding of our programs, our people, and the community we serve, along with the commitment and care that have always been central to our work.

Most importantly, OSCI’s work continues.

Our team will continue strengthening our Community Health Worker program and connections with newly injured Oregonians, developing the Mortensen House and our housing work, and building the Wheelchair Repair Shop into a sustainable resource for our community.

Over the coming months, OSCI’s board and staff will guide the leadership transition and share more about what’s ahead.

West will remain connected to OSCI during the transition, helping support fundraising, strategic partnerships, and a successful handoff to the organization’s next generation of leadership.

OSCI’s strength comes from its community! Including people with spinal cord injuries, families, staff, board members, volunteers, donors, and partners who contribute their experience, leadership, relationships, and ideas to this work.

As we enter this next chapter, we’re excited to continue building on that foundation: developing new leaders, strengthening partnerships, and creating more ways for people throughout our community to help shape OSCI’s future.

We’re deeply grateful to West and his visionary leadership. And we are incredibly proud of what we’ve built together! And excited about where we’re going next.