Our Team
Executive Director
Grace Donovan
Grace grew up in eastern Oregon before heading east to study Political Science at Middlebury College in Vermont. After graduation, she spent time in the Dominican Republic at an experiential learning school, establishing an immersive Spanish program before moving to Chile, where she spent the next six years supporting high-growth entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, ranging from heavy industry to software and retail, and create thriving local economies.
From Chile, she moved to Detroit to continue her economic development work in the Midwest before transitioning to the startup world as a Sales and Business Development manager for a tech startup serving manufacturers. Grace is also a founder, Board Member, and regular host of the Industry 4.0 club, an organization dedicated to advancing technological adoption in manufacturing.
Grace is thrilled to be back in the mountainous landscape that defined her childhood and sense of adventure, but most of all, she is excited to match the needs of eastern Oregonians with the resources of Eastern Oregon University to enhance and vitalize our rural economy.
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builder
Carter Gudell
After graduating with a degree in Sustainable Community Development from UMass Amherst, Carter, a homegrown variety from western Massachusetts, transplanted himself to serve with the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) Americorps program. He served with Visit Central Oregon and community partners to, among other things, enhance the value of the tourism economy while preserving community livability across Central Oregon. He aims to make the world a little better for future generations through the sweat of his brow, and has worked in realms like urban forestry, personal care, summer camps, and, perhaps the most altruistic of all, fried chicken delivery.
After quittin’ time, Carter can be found gallivanting through town and trail, climbing trees, patronizing libraries & live music, reading, grinding the rust off his cello skills, daydreaming of raising chickens, and grocery shopping (he feels like he does this every day).
Carter is galvanized by REV’s mission to cultivate tomorrow’s rural leaders and workforce, and is looking forward to meeting you if he hasn’t yet.
Program Manager
Terri Kaiser
Terri, a native of rural northern Colorado, has lived in large cities just long enough to learn she would rather have short, scenic commutes encountering deer and other wildlife in and near stand-alone cities than endure multi-lane metro highway traffic on a daily basis.
Throughout her career, Terri has found purpose in the realms of journalism and higher education. As part of an organization dedicated to improving K-12 education, she promoted and coordinated efforts which helped practicing educators, administrators, and school districts. She nurtured relationships with program leaders and partners, becoming a vital conduit of information, all while fostering stronger bonds with stakeholders who shared her commitment to educational excellence.
Today, at the REV Center, Terri is gratified to apply her wealth of knowledge, skills, and abilities to address the unique challenges faced by the communities of eastern Oregon. Her mission is clear: to serve those who cherish rural life and to introduce its unique charms to those who have yet to discover its treasures.
Terri packed her kayak when she relocated from the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest, and is overjoyed a clear blue mountain lake is just minutes away.
Project Coordinator
Ashley Innis
Ashley has been a resident of eastern Oregon for almost two years. Most of her life was spent residing on the west side of the state between Portland and Eugene. She holds a BFA in Photography from Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, OR and believes engaging in any creative practice builds intelligence, understanding and fosters curiosity.
Previously, Ashley managed the photography studios at Pacific Northwest College of Art where she interacted with artists of all ages centering around photography. Ashley performed tasks from camera repair to art direction and set design, workshop teaching, curriculum development and process research.
An artist, creative thinker and an outdoor enthusiast Ashley is very excited to bring her passions to REV as the Project Coordinator. She believes spending time in nature bestows encouragement and inspiration, it can center your focus and provide endless health benefits. In her spare time Ashley is usually hiking around Eastern Oregon, attempting to keep up with her dog, camera in hand. She then returns to her studio to bring nature and art together. Ashley holds extreme value in the rural parts of our state recognizing the possibility, diverse resources and amazing people.