Flag Officers
The Oregon Women's Sailing Association (OWSA) is an all volunteer 501 c 3. Our organization is comprised of volunteers willing to devote time and energy to oversee the operation of OWSA. In addition to the board of directors, OWSA is fortunate to have a host of volunteers who act as program chairs coordinating our educational opportunities, activities and events. We are always looking to the future to improve our educational offerings and calendar of events to enhance the experience of our members.
There are a myriad of opportunities to become involved as a volunteer for OWSA. Opportunities range in duration from a couple of hours assisting with a program to chairing a program. For more information about how to get involved, check out our volunteer opportunities or contact any of our Board members.
The Board is made up of five Flag Officer positions (Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, and Treasurer) and the remaining board members are Directors, many of which also hold program chair positions.
Delona Lang, Commodore
I enjoy the sailing life! From a Typhoon at sea on Guam as a kid, to Sunfish and Hobie Cats as a teen, then larger boats as an adult, I have had a taste of The Dream. I am now finally learning the points of sail and the "proper" names for all those parts of the boat through OWSA. I invite you to come join us. No other organization offers the welcome, affordability and opportunity that OWSA does. If you have The Dream, follow it here!
Delona joined the OWSA volunteer team as the Membership Chair for the 2018 / 2019 membership years.
Shancy Holland, Vice Commodore
Shancy started sailing in the 90's on Lake Minnetonka when an opportunity to race came her way. She joined OWSA in 2009 and has served in a variety of volunteer roles supporting technology for OWSA and has served on the board for the past two years. She loves being on the water and gets out as often as possible on her Catalina 22. In 2019, she had the opportunity to race on the Columbia crewing for Karen Anderson on Bad Habit.
Contact: vicecommodore@owsa.net
Tressa Yellig, Rear Commodore
Tressa Yellig is originally from Ohio & Oklahoma but her love for the water would suggest otherwise. As a SUP'er, kayaker and floating home dweller, sailing made sense. She joined OWSA in 2013 and immediately became the Galley Gal, participated in the BOAT program, taught provisioning, bought her own boat with fellow OWSA member Michelle Williamson s/v Tabasco, and then joined the board of directors in 2015 where she has sat ever since in various director roles.
You can find her on the river for WNS, racing, on committee boats and otherwise trying to further OWSA's mission of getting women on the water as much as womanly possible. She's a nature lover at heart but sailing is her soul sport and she may forever be a beginner.
Tressa works in food and marketing around town as Wild Heart Solutions and also does brand development with Parisi Consulting. She has two cats, who have yet to learn to sail, and writes or makes cosmetics in her spare time.
Tressa served as our 2014 Education Galley Gal and as 2015-2016 Director
Contact: rearcommodore@owsa.net
Katie Wojciechowski, Secretary
OWSA has played such a wonderful role in helping me feel at home in Portland since I moved here in 2016. Growing up in Austin, Texas, my favorite thing was going out on the lake on my family's old ski boat. Wednesday Night Sails and the supportive community of OWSA have fostered my love of the water in a vibrant new way, and I could not be more grateful!
When I'm not on the Columbia, you can find me writing for work, hanging out with my corgi, and gardening. Cheers to sharpening our sailing skills together!
Tanya Seely, Treasurer
I have lived most of my life in the Pacific Northwest. I have always loved being around water. Growing up if I was not on horseback I was in my neighbor's swimming pool! Later I spent my summers with friends on the Willamette river water skiing and wake boarding. Most recently I have discovered sailing. I was enchanted so I looked for ways to be able to continue sailing. I learned about OWSA while shopping at West Marine. I thought that OWSA was exactly what I was looking for and I joined soon after. I have been an OWSA member for just over a year now
