Rian Satterwhite | Director
Rian's career in leadership education has spanned travel with students on four continents, working at three institutions, living in two countries, and innumerable treasured moments with students and colleagues. He believes that leadership is a lifestyle, a way of being in the world that requires congruence between beliefs and actions, is driven by deep and meaningful relationships, draws inspiration from a joy in the diversity of life, and is NOT (exclusively) a position. Rian attended the University of Arizona for his bachelor's degree (Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies), and the University of Wollongong (M.Ed. Educational Leadership) and Kennesaw State University (Grad. Cert. Leadership, Ethics and Character) for his graduate work. Rian's professional area of interest is in the emerging field of Sustainable Leadership, which examines how leadership theory and practice can be influenced by natural systems and principles. Rian is involved in multiple professional associations, including leadership roles in the International Leadership Association. Outside of the office, you'll often find him enjoying time with his growing family, behind a camera, deep into a new book, or riding his bike.
Christopher Ruiz de Esparza | Associate Director
Chris has worked at the University of Oregon (UO) since 2006, previously as a Senior Staff Therapist and the Outreach Coordinator for the UO Counseling & Testing Center. He has also served as a Staff- in-Residence for the UO's Center on Diversity and Community and was a member of the UO's Student Affairs Strategic Planning Committee. Off campus, Chris is a lead facilitator for the The LeaderShape Institute. He was born in East Lost Angeles, grew up 30 miles east of L.A. (Walnut, CA), attended Stanford University for his bachelor's degree (Psychology) and UC Santa Barbara for his master's and doctoral work (Counseling Psychology). His professional interests include multicultural leadership, identity development, social justice and advocacy, and community dialogue/facilitation. Outside of work, you might find Chris running on the trails around Eugene, eating BBQ or Mexican food, or hanging out with friends and family.
Eric Boggs | Assistant Director, Experiential Learning
Eric Boggs has worked in experiential education for over 12 years. Eric has long valued the learning that occurs through direct, real life experiences. This has allowed him to convert the Alaskan rainforest, Brazilian jungles, Thai beaches, Peruvian mountains, and Honduran villages into classrooms for others. Eric holds a M.S. in Geography Education from the University of Oregon, a M.A. in Teaching from Pacific University, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Lewis and Clark College. Eric is a senior field staff for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), a trained Wilderness First Aid teacher with the Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI), a Leave No Trace Master Educator trainer and a former AmeriCorps volunteer. Eric loves to work and play outside as an urban farmer, a whitewater kayaker and an avid bicycle commuter. At the Holden Center, Eric looks forward to developing high-impact experiences and programming for UO students to learn socially responsible leadership.
Elizabeth Schrey | Program Assistant
Elizabeth Schrey joins the University of Oregon's Holden Center with a background in non-profit theatre management. After graduating from Southern Oregon University with a Bachelors degree in Theatre Arts, Elizabeth returned to the San Francisco Bay Area to begin work at several theatre companies in the area. In addition to designing and stage managing a number of local theatrical productions, Elizabeth served as Administrative Project Manager for California Shakespeare Theater, providing administrative, marketing, fundraising and event support. Elizabeth also served as Office Manager and ran a successful volunteer program for Cal Shakes. When not professionally multi-tasking, Elizabeth enjoys a great movie, inspired cooking, spending time with her hilarious nieces, and yes, making chocolate!
Dr Timothy R. McMahon | Director of Special Projects
Tim serves as a part-time consultant to the Holden Center and is also a Program Development Specialist for the Center on Diversity and Community at the University of Oregon. Before coming to Oregon, Tim worked at Western Illinois University, University of Iowa, Washington State University, Lakeland College, and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Among his professional interests are leadership development, chaos and systems, and issues related to diversity. Tim has a Bachelor's degree in Astronomy and a Master's degree in Higher Education administration, both from the University of Illinois, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oregon State University in College Student Services Administration. He is a co-author (with Susan Komives and Nance Lucas) of Exploring Leadership: For College Students Who Want To Make A Difference and loves the Chicago Cubs, Macintosh computers, Diet Pepsis, and the music of Bruce Springsteen.
