Elizabeth Kennedy-Wong has more than 20 years’ experience delivering people centered, process forward, collaborative and strategic programs and projects. As an exceptional planner, designer and implementer, she moves people, projects and programs through results based change processes.

Elizabeth started her professional journey teaching natural history and science, later becoming a community organizer and advocate.

Since that time, she has won awards for the revitalization of a low-income neighborhood, led hundreds of community engagement efforts for the City of Portland and the Port and managed the creation of “ Our Bill of Rights, Children and Youth”, worked with Indigenous communities to name parks and initiate a Tribal Relations Program for the Port of Portland.

As a consultant, she brings her passion for engagement, her keen listening skills and her deep respect for professional knowledge to help organizations, government agencies and businesses succeed.

Education, Training and Certifications

  • Art of Leadership, Rockwood Leadership Institute

  • E42 Leadership Program, Center for Diversity in the Environment

  • Certificate in Tribal Relations. PSU

  • Results Based Accountability, Clear Impact

  • Fiscal Management for Non-Profits, PSU

  • Biology (Marine Science), Occidental College

Previous Titles

  • Senior Policy Advisor

  • Executive Director

  • Community Organizer

  • Canvasser

  • Campaign Manager

  • Community Engagement Manager

  • Tribal Affairs Manager

  • Chief Communications Officer

  • Consultant

  • Board Member/President

Past Projects

  • Tribal Relations

    • City of Portland

    Khunamokwst Park Managed naming and Tribal engagement

    South Waterfront Greenway Art Installation (Lillian Pitt), facilitated artist selection process with Tribal Leaders

    Tribal Gathering Garden - convened Tribal leaders and coordinated with PP&R staff to create program

    Native American Community Advisory Council - Developed program design and advocated for funding and program support

    • Port of Portland

    Training design and delivery - Tribal Sovereignty, culture and protocol

    Relationship building - facilitated introductions between Port and Tribal staff and aligned program work

  • City of Portland, Parks, Community Budget Development - meeting facilitation, survey design and reporting, focus groups, public meetings

    City of Portland, Parks, Community Engagement Program Design, Implementation and Evaluation - Created assessment tools, project funding structure, tracking and participation management systems.

    Meeting Facilitation - designed constructive meeting frameworks for high energy issues including Drone facility siting, removal and closure of City assets, controversial facility sitings and more.

  • Port of Portland - Strategic Plan Implementation Team - engaged and summarized input from more than 700 staff and partners to develop strategic actions

    City of Portland, Parks, Equity Planning and Program Alignment - worked with staff to develop program delivery models and staff hiring practices with strategic goals

  • City of Portland, Parks, South Waterfront Greenway - Developed and delivered regular design and construction updates including information on site clean-up, construction impacts and wildlife removals

    City of Salem, Budget Development - Developed communications materials and training to Executive and Directors - provides tools and trainings throughout organization.