OJTA announces new leader
Joel Iboa will be the statewide alliance’s first executive director
Joel Iboa
Executive Director, OJTA
As Oregonians and especially Black, Indigenous, People of Color, low-income and rural communities—those on the frontlines of climate change—face multiple intersecting crises, Oregon Just Transition Alliance (OJTA) takes steps to build a strong, frontline-led movement for a just transition, by hiring their first-ever executive director, Joel Iboa.
Frontline communities face unprecedented hardships: health and economic suffering from COVID-19, rising white nationalism and climate change-fueled wildfires. But these communities have shown incredible resilience, jumping into action with mutual aid, showing solidarity in the streets and thinking through their futures by weighing in on bold policy visions, like the Oregon Green New Deal.
As we approach 2021, Joel Iboa will help lead these communities, with organizations across Oregon who are committed to base-building in marginalized communities, ensuring their people have their basic needs met, and lifting up leadership. Organizations across Oregon are members of OJTA, including PCUN, Rogue Climate, APANO, Beyond Toxics, Euvalcree and Unete Center for Farmworker and Immigrant Advocacy.
In August 2020, OJTA became an independent statewide alliance, fiscally sponsored by Community Initiatives, after being a part of OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon since 2017.
OJTA organizations and steering committee members are thrilled to welcome Joel into the movement for a just transition.
Joel Iboa (he/him) brings valuable organizing experience, strong leadership and a vision for a bright future to OJTA. Most recently, Joel has been Causa Oregon’s coalition manager, doubling the size of One Oregon, creating a powerful, effective statewide coalition of over 100 organizations, defending against anti-immigrant and anti-muslim policies and ballot measures.
Joel led coalitions defending the nation’s first sanctuary law as well as advocating for the passage of HB2015, making Oregon the 14th state to allow people without legal status the ability to drive.
Joel currently serves as chair of the Eugene Human Rights Commission championing two sanctuary resolutions as well as a resolution condemning white nationalism. Joel is the youngest person to be elected chair for the Oregon Governor's Environmental Justice Task Force.
The proud son of immigrants, Joel was born and raised in Eugene and was the first in his family to graduate from college.
Joel looks forward to growing the movement for a just transition in Oregon by continuing to listen to frontline communities and build support for an Oregon Green New Deal.
Joel says of his new role as executive director of OJTA, “I look forward to growing relationships across Oregon so that we can bring a bold, united vision to the Capitol and to our local communities. As we look to recover from the pandemic and the wildfires, and prepare for future disasters, we cannot afford to settle for business as usual. We must and we will work hard together to demand that Oregon become a more welcoming, safe and healthy environment for our people right now, and for future generations. We look forward to building an economy that values workers, justice and our beautiful environment here in Oregon.”
Khanh Pham, the outgoing Interim Director of OJTA and incoming freshman Representative for House District 46, says of the transition, “I can’t imagine a better leader for OJTA. His deep relationships with organizations across the state will help OJTA build its power and broad base. At a time when we face so many challenges, Joel will center frontline communities and lead with fierce determination and commitment.”
Reyna Lopez, Executive Director of PCUN and Steering Committee Member says of OJTA’s new leader, “I’m so excited to see where Joel takes OJTA. Through his immigrant-rights organizing and environmental justice leadership, he has shown the ability to connect with and inspire just about anyone. Joel represents the young, bold, frontline leadership Oregon needs. Joel has been fighting for his community his entire life, and I know he’ll continue to fight hard for all Oregonians.”
"Communities in rural Oregon and throughout the state have a lot to gain from a just transition that creates local jobs while reducing pollution," said Hannah Sohl, Director of Rogue Climate. "Joel has the vision, the experience, and the passion to help make this statewide movement for climate justice a success.”
About OJTA
OJTA is an alliance of communities on the frontlines of climate change, economic exploitation, and environmental racism. We’re organizing to create ownership over our collective future and move Oregon toward an economy that values workers and the environment. Learn more at ojta.org.
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