DPO Officers

Serving as Chair of the Jefferson County Democrats (4 years), and then as Chair of the Rural Caucus is where Kim began work within the Democratic Party of Oregon. In early 2021 Kim initiated work in outreach programs to non-affiliated voters to help change elections for the positive in more conservative, rural communities. Kim believes it is through local civic involvement we make the greatest impact on the local community. To this end, Kim focuses on young voter outreach, is an advisor for high school student leadership groups where 85% of her leaders are BIPOC, and serves on the Latino Community Association – Latino Festival Committee. Kim takes local experiences and passion for rural people to the state and national stage with service as Chair of the Rural Caucus, Chair of CD2 and additionally serving as the DNC Rural Council Western Regional Representative. Kim does democracy and policy  work so that rural young people, marginalized people of color, those who are undocumented, and families in need always know that someone standing in their corner, willing to fight for what is right.

For the better part of her career, Eileen Kiely was a financial controller and manager for Daimler Trucks North America. She moved to Sunriver in 2015, beginning her “retirement career” as an outdoor leader and educator. Eileen ran for State Legislature in 2018, and in 2019 was elected Vice Chair of the Deschutes County Democrats as well as Democratic Party of Oregon Secretary.

Jesse grew up in Lewiston, ID, where he made history at 18 as the youngest City Councilor ever elected in the State of Idaho and the first Latino elected in the city. Recognizing that progressive victories were possible even in traditionally conservative areas, he ran for Vice Chair of the Idaho Democratic Party, serving in the position for six years. As Vice Chair, he worked to elect Democrats up and down the ballot who would fight to make communities — red, blue or otherwise — stronger.

Today, Jesse works as the National Political and Labor Director for Democratic Municipal Officials, supporting local Democratic candidates and elected officials in all 56 states and territories.

As the first in his family to receive a four-year college degree, Jesse is also the first in his family to attend grad school, which he did in Eugene, where he earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Oregon. Jesse now calls Eugene home and teaches Intro to Public Policy as an Adjunct Professor at the UO and serves as Fundraising Chair for the Democratic Party of Lane County. Outside of politics, Jesse enjoys traveling around Oregon and rooting on the Ducks at Autzen Stadium and PK Park!

Born and raised in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, Kien immigrated to the United States in 2014 at 17. He has resided in SE Portland since August 2014 and proudly became a U.S. citizen in November 2021.

Since 2022, Kien has served as the Chair of the DPO Young Democrats Caucus, working to recruit and support the election of young democratic candidates, register young voters as Democrats, elevate the voices of young democrats to the party, and strengthen relationships between caucus members and Democratically elected officials. Kien was among the youngest Harris delegates elected to represent Oregon at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.

In 2023, Kien was elected to the Portland Community College (PCC) Board, becoming the first openly gay and former Student Trustee to hold the position. During his tenure, Kien has successfully advocated for holistic policies addressing housing insecurity, transportation access, rising childcare costs, and other barriers to student success. Most recently, he spearheaded an effort to revise PCC’s Investment Policies, leading to divestment from fossil fuel companies and an annual disclosure of the college’s investments.

In his professional career, Kien serves as Policy Advisor for Oregon Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama and the Senate Democratic Caucus, working closely with legislative leaders, state agency staff, policy stakeholders, and advocacy groups to help pass transformative legislation and secure major investments. In 2021, he was part of a collective effort that unionized Oregon’s legislative staff, making Oregon the first state in the nation to do so.

Previously, Kien served as the Secretary for the City of Portland’s AAPI Advisory Council, Co-Chair of Multnomah County’s Community Engagement Committee, and School Assistant for Refugee Newcomers at Lutheran Community Services Northwest.