Matthew Havniear, Executive Director
Matthew Havniear serves as the Interim Executive Director at the Jackson County Community Long-Term Recovery Group (JCC LTRG), where he leads efforts to support fire survivors, coordinates housing recovery initiatives, and leads Community Organizations Active in Disaster response in Southern Oregon. With over 15 years of experience as a strategic and data-driven nonprofit leader, Matthew has dedicated his career to designing and managing solutions that effectively support vulnerable populations.
Matthew’s background includes extensive experience in executive leadership, end-to-end project management, and developing stakeholder engagement and public-private partnerships, with a focus on delivering tangible results that enhance community resilience. He plays a pivotal role in the Rogue Valley Community Organizations Active in Disaster (RV COAD), aligning resources and coordinating collaboration to strengthen disaster response across the region.
Matthew holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Information Analysis and Decision-Making, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Leadership with a minor in Communication. As a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Qualified Mental Health Associate, he brings an adaptive, community-centered leadership approach to every initiative.
Tessa Elbettar, Director of Operations & Engagement
Tessa is a woman of many hats who brings a rich multi-disciplinary approach to her work in community recovery and resiliency.
Born and raised in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, Tessa earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She’s worn her ‘explorer hat’ (think Indiana Jones) to 28 countries, giving her a global perspective that enriches her work.
Tessa earned her ‘thinking cap’ as the Co-Founder and Program Director at Shift Happens Volunteers, a festival and live event volunteer coordination company. She supported the company’s growth into an expanded team that executes 10 volunteer programs annually. Through this work, she developed a knack for solving complex operational challenges.
Tessa is passionate about serving the Rogue Valley through cross-organization collaboration and long-term planning across the disaster services cycle.