In today’s episode, I had the opportunity to talk with Johnna Loreen.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Johnna Loreen is the Executive Director of Minds Matter Portland, a role that marks a full-circle moment in her career as a program alumna and first-generation college graduate. Her professional journey is deeply rooted in her lived experience with educational inequity and economic hardship, driving a lifelong commitment to justice and collective liberation. After studying at Macalester College and earning a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard, where she examined the intersections of faith and the U.S. carceral system, Johnna dedicated herself to expanding educational access for marginalized communities—from supporting first-gen students through AmeriCorps to bringing higher education into prisons. Today, she leverages her expertise in nonprofit management and fundraising to empower motivated students from low-income backgrounds, viewing education as a vital tool for reclaiming agency and breaking cycles of poverty.

To learn more about Johnna Loreen:

LinkedIn: Johnna Loreen

Instagram: Johnna Loreen

Website: Johnna Loreen

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