Elisa Harrigan
Housing Opportunities Program Officer, Meyer Memorial Trust
Elisa Harrigan (she/her/hers), Housing Opportunities Program Officer, Meyer Memorial Trust. Elisa joined Meyer Memorial Trust in 2014 to co-lead the Affordable Housing Initiative. Prior to joining Meyer, Elisa was the executive director of the Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT), Oregon’s only grassroots tenant-led organization. Elisa was named “Best Low Income Tenant Advocate” by the Willamette Week in 2009 for her work on renter organizing related to displacement and substandard housing issues. Elisa has been involved in several projects and studies related to fair housing programs, affordable housing policies and revenue development, and systems change work. Her areas of expertise include policy and systems change, program development, nonprofit management, access and retention of renters in private market housing, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion in nonprofits, and community organizing. Meyer Memorial Trust, established from the estate of Fred G. Meyer in 1982, is one of the largest private foundations in Oregon, with current assets of $840 million. Meyer works with and invests in organizations, communities, ideas and efforts that contribute to a flourishing and equitable Oregon.