Directors
Beven Peters, Program Director
I moved to Portland in 1979, graduated with a degree in Computer Science from OSU. Retired after spending many years as a software developer. I have been an OSU Multnomah County Master Gardener Volunteer (MCMG 501c3) for 20 years. I manage their annual training class of approximately 100 students. Ten years ago a fellow Master Gardener and I planned, and with the help of over 100 volunteers began a very successful MCMG annual fundraiser. In addition to MCMG, I have volunteered with Tualatin Riverkeepers as a river guide, and served food to homeless kids with the Transitional Youth Project.
I am a registered junkie … plant junkie. I am happy to spend hours talking about plants, gardening and landscaping … you have been warned :-)! I have remodeled several homes. I love the outdoors! Hiking, kayaking, camping … and sailing. I try to stay healthy and fit. Yoga, kickboxing, dancing. I enjoy cooking and love to entertain. I have two awesome cats!
I was first introduced to sailing by a college friend in 1984. Loved it! Until this year, joining OWSA, I had not been on a boat in over 20 years. I am excited to be back!
Carol Baker, Education Director
When I found OWSA classes in 2010, everything sailing came into focus. I bought a boat, then moved to a house on the river to save the commute. Since then I have cruised solo to British Columbia and all around Puget Sound as well as the Columbia River. In the Fall 2019 OWSA companions and I chartered in Croatia. Presently I have a 1983 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 at home I am upgrading and caring for. There is always something to learn that a boat can teach.
Allison Chown, Social/Membership Director
Allison Chown learned to sail at Girl Scout Camp in the late 90s on a Sunfish in Texas. In college she joined the Sailing Club, and raced with her team all over Texas. After having OWSA on her radar for quite a while, she joined OWSA the summer of 2018 once she had more free time available. Allison served as the communications chair for OWSA in 2019. Outside of sailing, Allison has been a volunteer and an executive leader in the Junior League of Portland. She has also served on the board of Alberta Main Street. Her experience includes management, event execution, marketing, education, and she is currently an Esthetician at The Portland Girl.
Leeta Anderson, Operations Director
I have always been a water baby, but growing up in landlocked Utah meant skiing was a better bet than boats. Prior to OWSA, I took some sailing classes where I heard about an amazing women's group. I found OWSA and joined 5 years ago, first enjoying Wednesday night sailing and taking classes. After taking the OWSA racing class, I started racing 3 years ago and have crewed on several different boats for the Columbia races. There is no faster way to develop skills than to be out on a race! In 2019, I crewed on the Offshore race to Victoria providing an entirely different experience than river sailing.
This is my first all-in volunteer position with OWSA, and I hope I'll be able to help get more women out on boats. I'm looking forward to another great year on the water with this awesome group.
Katie Braun, Fundraising & Marketing Director
Was born and raised in Dallas, Texas where she learned to sail with her parents on a Flying Scot (19-foot centerboard sloop). She relocated to the Portland area after earning business and history degrees at Southern Methodist University then becoming an aviation pilot flight instructor, corporate commercial jet pilot, commuter airline pilot and realtor. Next she completed her Portland Multnomah Bible College Seminary graduate school degree in four years.
Before joining OSWA- she crewed in the Caribbean around British Virgin Islands, St.Martin, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Aruba to Panama and from there down to Columbia, plus San Francisco to Portland. Although she might circumnavigate the world one day, she currently enjoys logging time for her future commercial boating license by cruising east and west on the Columbia River right next to the Portland International Airport on most Wed. night OSWA sails, racing Tue/Wed/Sundays and weekend cruising with friends. Winning an annual OWSA Island Sailing Club Scholarships in 2018 was so helpful to develop her skippering experience and knowledge. In 2020 she got a Venture McGregor sailboat in addition to racing Tuesdays with the 22 ft Catalina fleet and participating in WNS, and cruising on the ISC club boats.
She loves her four years as fireside orientation chair encouraging sailors - both young and old - to get more involved participating and volunteering in all aspects of the Oregon Woman's Sailing Club. Chairing the boat show in 2019 and 2020 was fun too as 35 people each year have to be scheduled and reminded of their volunteer shift over the 5 day event. Beyond Katies passion for flight instructing since 1993, selling houses since 2003 and sailing frequently - she enjoys dating men, traveling, reading, gardening, scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, remodeling houses, repairing boats, cars and airplanes, plus water and snow skiing.
Board member Secretary of the Oregon Pilots Association and/or from 2008 till 2015 Southern Methodist University elected governing Student body senator 2 years and Secretary 1 year Volunteer various nonprofits relating to human trafficking, soup kitchens, community gardens and aviation.
