Our Team

Buchi Asemota

Cofounder and Executive Director

Buchi was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He spent over five years as a special education educator and has also worked as a camp director. His mission is to unite community to discuss, strategize, and implement change to systemic issues within our society. Buchi is proud that Our Streets has so many great team members who find joy in providing resources to the Portland community.

Mikah Takashige

Cofounder and Deputy Executive Director

Mikah grew up in the state of Hawaii and remained in Oregon following his 2018 graduation from George Fox University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He currently works as a Superintendent at Colas Construction, managing commercial and residential construction projects with a primary focus on affordable housing and community-based projects. Mikah played on the Bruin Baseball team while in school. He now spends his free time exploring a variety of interests including photography, music, snowboarding and hiking.

Nik Wagner

Operations Director

Nik was born in Oregon and grew up in Portland where he graduated from Grant High School. With a background in carpentry and construction management, Nik’s career focus has been efficient planning and coordinating, qualities he has brought to Our Streets. His participation in Our Streets was unexpected, but it has been eye-opening. Seeing how the rapid changes to his hometown have hindered many of its people, Nik is grateful that Our Streets provides so many possible ways to help uplift the community.

Ceara Gundersen

Head Chef

Ceara started life in Zimbabwe before moving to Camas, Washington at six years old. She came to Portland to attend Oregon Culinary Institute where she graduated in 2016. Since then, she has worked as a chef with sustainability-focused catering firms, working with local farmers to improve seasonal food access. She was an enthusiastic kitchen helper before joining Our Streets full time to lead our meal-making journey. She loves the opportunity to bring together her passions for cooking and the environment.

Winter Wagner

Communications Manager

Winter was born and raised in Portland. After graduating from Grant High School, she attended Portland Community College, traveled, and eventually studied journalism, sociology and creative writing at the University of Oregon. She intertwines her passions for writing and photography with her work wherever she can. Joining Our Streets at its origin, enabling her to help her community, was one of the easiest decisions she ever made.

Jocelyn Lauderback

Kitchen Manager

Jocelyn was born and raised in Oregon. She has volunteered at local recreation centers since the age of eleven and has since continued that journey to her current work at Our Streets. She also works at a local artisanal women’s-owned coffee shop in NW Portland. Jocelyn joined Our Streets because it helps the community unite and take action to support those in need. Outside of work she enjoys creating art and attending concerts.

Joshua Bowman

Community Outreach Coordinator

Kings Valley, Oregon native, Joshua “wldmnd” Bowman moved to Portland in 2017 to join the band “Mustrd.” as bassist, while also working under the name “wldmnd” as an artist, executive producer, and mixing engineer. After establishing himself in the Portland music scene, Joshua found ways to connect with community beyond music, thanks to Buchi and the Our Streets team. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife and their two Boston terriers, gaming with friends online, and live music.

HT Green

Sous-chef

HT Green is an industry chef from Arizona who picked up his skills in a variety of kitchens across the country. He is fond of fall weather, making music, woodworking and gardening. He joined Our Streets to give back to the community while continuing to grow as a chef. He shares a home in NE Portland with his partner and two dogs.

Tony Arevalo

Finance Manager

Tony grew up in Monmouth Oregon. After graduating high school, he attended Oregon State University where he earned a B.S. in Business Finance with a Minor in Economics. He has worked in sales, insurance and investments for the past twelve years. During the pandemic he started daily runs outside where he noticed the increase in houselessness and wanted to do a part to help the community. He originally volunteered for Our Streets preparing meals—assisting with outreach, and distributing meals on the streets—before eventually joining the team as Finance Manager.