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About Me

Patricia Day TenEyck, is the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Oregon, a State Support Organization which assists the 33 local Habitat Affiliates found throughout Oregon through developing additional resources to house more families. The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate substandard housing in the world. She has been named the 2010 Woman Executive of the Year – Nonprofits by the Portland Business Journal.

TenEyck, who has a bachelor's degree in history and political science, has spent almost 20 years in nonprofit management and development here in Oregon. She came to Portland in the spring of 1991 after returning from almost four years with Peace Corps in the West African nation of Mali, where she trained Malians in Improved Well Digging and Irrigation/Sanitation – one of only three female volunteers in the world in this field at that time. After living in sub-Saharan Africa, she found Oregon to be a paradise filled with water falling from the sky and green plants year-round and has never left.

In her time in the Pacific Northwest she has worked for organizations such as Special Olympics Oregon, the Diabetic Children's Camp Foundation, Bradley-Angle House, and most recently, she has served as the Director of the International Visitors Leadership Program with the World Affairs Council of Oregon. While with the World Affairs Council, she also was given the assignment to coordinate all security concerns for visitors such as Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Archbishop Desmond Tutu – which offered some wonderful memories – having a beer with Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, losing Secretary of State Albright in Powell’s, and walking down Broadway holding the hand of her hero Archbishop Tutu.

TenEyck has two sons, ages 17 and 15 who she enjoys spending most of her spare time with. When not engaging in political and religious debates with or embarrassing her teenagers, she is most likely to be found outside in her garden or hiking with her two canine children. In addition, TenEyck serves on the Portland Police Bureau’s Use of Force Review Board as a Citizen Member, the Bureau Advisory Board and as a volunteer hospice foster home for Old Dog Haven, a rescue dealing only with senior dogs. Patricia opens her home to those old dogs that have only a few months to live and makes sure they have a happy, loving last few months.

Work History

• Habitat for Humanity Oregon
• Executive Director
• October 2005 to Present