Leslie Naramore Hired as MCCAC’s Interim Executive Director
From Mid-Columbia Community Action Council:
By Sarah Kellems
The Dalles, Oregon Feb. 11, 2025 — Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), the region’s leading homeless services provider, announced that Leslie Naramore will join the organization as Interim Executive Director. Leslie begins her new role after more than seven years of serving as the Executive Director of the MCCAC’s counterpart in Klickitat and Skamania Counties, Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP).
"We are delighted to welcome Leslie to carry forward the work of MCCAC and ensure that the values of equity, compassion, collaboration, community, and respect remain central in the critical work ahead to address homelessness in our community,” said Joan Bird, Chair of the MCCAC Board of Directors. “Her accomplishments running our sister agency across the river, combined with her experience partnering with MCCAC to create the Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative, uniquely qualify her to help the organization usher in our next chapter.”
Leslie started working at WAGAP in a temporary position in 2013, serving on the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program’s team. By 2014 she had been promoted to become the organization’s Associate Director, followed by another promotion to lead the agency as its Executive Director from 2017-2024. In that role, she led the agency’s publicly-funded programs and used her private fundraising skills to ensure other needs in the community were addressed. When a local fruit packing plant had a warehouse burn to the ground, she ran a fundraising campaign that brought in over $100,000 to help employees who lost their jobs, leading the Soroptimist Club of White Salmon to present her with their 2017 Soroptimist Ruby Award.
“I'm thrilled to be joining the MCCAC team and I’m looking forward to serving the organization during this interim period. There’s much more work to be done as we continue our efforts to prevent and end homelessness in the gorge,” said Naramore. “With a talented, dedicated staff, excellent new infrastructure, and a proven set of programs, MCCAC is well-positioned for success in 2025 and beyond.” Kelli Horvath, who stepped in to temporarily lead the organization in January, will revert to her previous role of Deputy Director.
“I loved working with Leslie when she was at WAGAP. I am honored to hand the reins to her and lend whatever assistance I can as she leads MCCAC into its next phase,” said Horvath.
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MCCAC is the Community Action Agency serving Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties. MCCAC's mission is to build a better future for our community through partnership and equity-centered programs that prevent and eliminate poverty and houselessness.
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