Darlene Urban Garrett has dedicated her career to community development, starting as an undergraduate in Social Work. Her early engagement in community needs assessments ignited a deep passion for collaborating with community members to address and resolve local issues. Upon earning her Master’s in Public Administration, Darlene leveraged her expertise to navigate governmental challenges, enhancing her impact on community development.

Her professional journey has taken her across various cultural and geographic landscapes, from assisting U.S. Army communities in Germany to serving as a Neighborhood Development Specialist in Kansas City. She has also contributed to community development efforts in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Kalush, Ukraine, along with working with indigenous populations in Northern California.

Most recently, Darlene’s work in Appalachia as a County Community Development Manager and a Borough Manager has underscored her commitment to fostering community growth and resilience. Prior to her role at Neighbors West Northwest, she dedicated six years to volunteering with the unsheltered population in Portland.

Darlene is a mother to two children, Tierney, who resides in Portland, and Ian, who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. She firmly believes in the power of community engagement, often quoting Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”