Jae has just recently retired from a long career and many diverse roles in public service – as a clinician, educator, scientist and administrator working at the local, state and federal levels. Formally trained in social work and social welfare research, Jae spent many years serving and caring for people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2004 she made a major transition to the field of Environmental Health, where she finished out her career as Multnomah County’s Environmental Health Services Director. Originally from Rhode Island, Jae has lived in Oregon since 1984, building her career and family. Her loves include her wife, kids, grandkids, and many horses, dogs, cats–and spending time riding, writing, walking, rafting, playing in the snow, practicing yoga and staying connected with friends.
Board
Jill Sanders – Board Chair
A lifelong community/school/faith based choral singer, Jill comes to the Aurora Board with professional experience in operations management as well as a history of serving on non-profit boards in healthcare and community music organizations. She is currently Manager of OHSU’s Ambulatory Access Services (think new patient referral scheduling) and rings handbells with her big brother in Pacific Ringers. Jill has two grown/growing daughters and enjoys hiking, bird watching, gardening and travel.
Meredith Peake
I was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area and then moved to Colorado for college. I started college as a theater and dance major, but changed my mind after two years and decided that a career in medicine would better suit my talents (or lack of). After completing medical school and my first year of residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, I moved to Irvine California where I completed my residency in pathology and began practicing. Somewhere in there I got married, had two children and got divorced. After 25 years in Irvine, CA, in 2010, I was given the opportunity to move to Portland OR to take over the pathology practice at Portland Adventist Hospital. Although I love my work and find happiness in cycling, running, knitting and quilting, I wanted something else in my life and decided that joining a chorus would be my next outlet. I am so happy that I found Aurora Chorus.
Secretary – Kristan Burkert
Kristan Burkert is a Management Analyst at the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services and a Board member since 2009. Her past service includes terms as Chorus Coordinator and Board President. She holds a Master of Divinity degree in Theology and Ethics from Boston University School of Theology and served as a United Methodist pastor for eight years, followed by a varied career in administrative services management in business and non-profit settings. A soprano 1 with Aurora since 2007, she also sang with the Portland Lesbian Choir for nearly 20 years, serving two terms as board president for that choir. She is an avid reader and expresses her creativity through quilting, designing many baby quilts for co-workers.
Treasurer – Lori Kovacevic
Lori, an Oregon native, currently lives in SE Portland with her husband, teenage son and various animals. Lori is an IRS enrolled agent and Oregon licensed tax consultant, currently working as a paralegal with Stoel Rives LLP in their private client group. In addition to singing, Lori enjoys spending time with family and friends, travel, cooking and eating. She is also a Master Recycler and active with the Center for Earth Leadership’s Eco-School Network.