KATIE BROWN

Founder/Executive Director

Our founder Katie Brown loves the world of entrepreneurship and the fire she feels when driven by passion. With over two decades of experience in starting restaurants such as Red Agave, El Vaquero, Asado Grill, Asado Bistro, and June at Midtown, and focusing on Slow Food, as well as running a clothing line called Katie Brown Los Angeles, with a focus on Slow Fashion, she has also been involved in sitting on multiple entrepreneurial boards, mentoring founders of companies, and mentoring U of O business students. Her newest endeavor, Scorpion Creek Ranch, is the most powerful and needed project she has dedicated herself to.

 

Twenty-eight years ago, at the age of 23, her younger sister was diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar disorder. Coping with her sister's condition over the years has been tremendously difficult. Despite receiving intermittent help from medications, there were times when her sister went off her meds and ended up homeless, going through full schizophrenic breaks. After their mother passed away 20 years ago, she and her father became her sister's advocates on the frontlines, fighting for her life repeatedly. Looking back on the last three decades, Katie now sees the silver lining: through all the pain and all the fighting to get her sister help, she sharpened a serious intrinsic tool: to stand up for those who can not stand up for themselves.

 

After her sister's 10-month stay at the Oregon State Hospital, she is now off the streets and stable, living in her own one-bedroom apartment. Now Katie’s focus is getting homeless teens off the streets by providing them with the most healing, nourishing, and inspiring environment conceivable so that they can have the highest chance at the life they deserve.

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It’s going to take a lot of work, and a big village to pull this off. And boy is it worth it.

 

PALOMA DEINUM-BUCK

Social Media

Paloma is a highly skilled creative consultant and social media expert, renowned for her innovative approach and deep understanding of digital landscapes. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University, where she studied Media, Culture, and Communication, providing her with a solid foundation in the dynamics of media and societal interaction. Additionally, she earned a Master of Arts degree from King's College London, focusing on Global Media Industries, with a specialized emphasis on the rapidly evolving platform of TikTok. This unique educational background equips her with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights into the global media environment.

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Paloma is deeply passionate about the importance of building community and fostering connections among individuals and organizations. She believes in the power of collaboration and the transformative impact it can have on communities. This commitment extends to her philanthropic efforts, as she actively seeks to give back and create opportunities for those in need. Whether through mentorship programs, community outreach initiatives, or by championing inclusive practices within her professional network, Paloma is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of others. Her holistic approach to social media and community engagement continues to drive her work, making her a sought-after consultant in the field.

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GINA GRAHAM 

Educator

Gina founded Math is Magic! almost 20 years ago when she relocated from Los Angeles to Eugene, leaving behind her career in the film industry to live in a more vibrant and healthier environment. For many years she tutored college students at The Learning Center in Eugene, OR and met her private students at the public library, coffee shops, and her mother’s home; but as the roster grew so did her need for space. In 2010 Gina purchased a schoolhouse on Jefferson Street, which is now on the Eugene City Historic Landmark list and started adding members to the tutoring team. Today they have an incredible team of gifted and positive mentors who teach at Math is Magic! As a theater major at Pepperdine University, she never imagined that one day she'd be teaching and directing a private school for math, but her passion for youth enrichment and an inherited natural love of math inspired her to dedicate herself to these pursuits. In addition to teaching at MiM!, she has also taught classes for the University of Oregon, including the UOteach Program and the Office of Equity of Inclusion SAT and ACT Preparation. In 2005, Gina was invited by the Department of Education at UO Summer Scholars Program to develop and teach a curriculum geared toward accelerated middle school students, and from this she created A.M.E. (Advanced Math Exploration), which she now teaches in weekly classes and Summer Camps at MiM! 

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NATHAN GREEN

Resident Counselor
Serving as our resident counselor, Nathan Greene was born and raised along the central Oregon coast. He cultivated a love for the outdoors during many years as a Native Habitat Restoration Technician. He has a degree in watershed science and passion for salmon stream and other riparian restoration throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Nathan has been a volunteer coordinator at Growers Market in Eugene, for 22 years. He served as a board member for 9 years and is currently still actively involved in coordination of the market. He is also on the maintenance team and involved in many of the maintenance and construction projects in and around the Growers Market Building. Nathan is an active board member and longtime crew supervisor for Harmony Event Medicine, a Eugene based nonprofit that provides medical and crisis support at musical events and festivals around Oregon. This group specializes in helping patrons enjoy a safe and fun music festival experience that will help them open their eyes to a myriad of ways to be happy healthy humans. 

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Nathan has always felt a calling to help others and his calm, patient demeanor has helped him to become a leader in his community that others look to in times of distress. He is a problem solver and a healing hand who has proven to be a compassionate, empathetic, and loving individual that can handle most situations with dignity and respect for all involved. 

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He believes that it is incredibly important for youth to have mentors, family, support, respect, love, and above all, the skills to go out into the world and make a place for themselves that makes them happy and supports their interests. Nathan has made it his life mission to help and support people who don’t already have the support system they need to become successful and happy people. 

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CHRIS MILLER

Creative Director

Chris Miller serves as the Creative Director at Scorpion Creek Ranch, where he is instrumental in crafting and executing the organization’s creative vision and strategy. With an impressive background that spans over 30 years in creative services leadership, Chris has developed a deep expertise in brand strategy. He is also the proprietor of Chris Miller Design, a company dedicated to empowering small businesses by providing tailored design and branding solutions. Through his extensive experience, Chris has developed a keen understanding of the unique challenges that small businesses face and is committed to helping them thrive in a competitive marketplace. His passion for creativity and dedication to fostering brand growth continue to drive his work at Scorpion Creek Ranch.

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DOMENIC WEBER

Director of Education/Program Director

Domenic Weber serves as the Program Director and Director of Education at Scorpion Creek Ranch, bringing a diverse professional background that includes, education, marketing, technology literacy, real estate, cryogenic engineering, e-commerce, and stock trading. With extensive experience as the Director of the Hoodoo Ski & Ride School, Domenic has developed strong leadership and educational skills that are instrumental in his current role.

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At Scorpion Creek Ranch, Domenic passionately implements a Social Constructivist Epistemology with a pedagogical approach rooted in Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Experiential Learning. He is responsible for the comprehensive development of all curriculum, ensuring it aligns with SCR’s mission of transformative education. Domenic also creates detailed lesson plans for the entire teaching team, enabling them to deliver cohesive and impactful instruction.

Domenic's approach emphasizes our key Impact measurement of employability, which includes the following: academic achievement, life skills development, vocational skills development, and personal development. His dedication to fostering joy, curiosity, self-discovery, and personal excellence in students is at the heart of Scorpion Creek Ranch’s innovative educational ethos, ensuring that students are not only educated but also equipped to thrive in their future careers and lives.

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PLAEDO WELLMAN

Educator

Plaedo is an experienced educator with over a decade of expertise in teaching and curriculum development, making significant contributions to the academic community. Throughout this extensive career, Plaedo has developed a deep understanding of effective educational practices and innovative pedagogical strategies that foster student engagement and learning.
 

By creating interactive learning environments, Plaedo fosters an atmosphere where critical thinking and practical application are at the forefront of the educational experience. This holistic approach not only empowers students to grasp theoretical knowledge but also equips them with the skills necessary to apply what they have learned in real-world contexts. Through this comprehensive and engaging teaching style, Plaedo has consistently inspired students to become active learners who are well-prepared to face the challenges of their future academic and professional endeavors.

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LAYLA YARR

Director of Administrative Services

With over 20 years of executive support experience across the private sector, start-ups, and in academia, Layla Yarr brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Director of Administrative Services at Scorpion Creek Ranch. A graduate of Portland State University, Layla began her career as a business manager and executive assistant for an international consulting firm in Eugene, Oregon. While raising her two children, she obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and went on to own and operate an online retail store. Since then, her career has seen her serve in pivotal roles, including Chief of Staff to the CEO of a tech start-up, and Executive Assistant to key leaders at prestigious institutions such as UCLA, USC, and the University of Oregon.

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Layla’s extensive experience, combined with her entrepreneurial drive and strong academic background, makes her a valuable asset to Scorpion Creek Ranch.