Interim Executive Director: Leading Community Health & Care

Feb 21, 2025

EUGENE, OREGON – White Bird Clinic is pleased to announce that Amée Markwardt has been selected as the new interim executive director of White Bird Clinic.

Ms. Markwardt’s 18-year history with White Bird Clinic has distinguished her as a tireless advocate for the vulnerable Lane County residents that White Bird serves. Her experience working toward the agency’s mission, extensive knowledge of its programs, systems and processes, expertise in behavioral health, fine leadership skills, and longstanding relationships with the organization’s partners and funders make her an ideal delegate for this role.

Ms. Markward holds a Master’s degree in organizational leadership from the University of Maine and several national behavioral health certifications, and she represents White Bird in community-wide meetings with leaders of other local nonprofit organizations seeking to maximize the impact of their work through strategic cooperation and alliances. She will be White Bird’s first female executive director in almost 50 years.

“I am honored to step into this role during such a pivotal time for our agency,” says Ms. Markwardt. “My focus is on stability, collaboration, and supporting the incredible staff who make this work possible. We will move forward together, ensuring that our Mission and services remain strong for the community we serve.”

Under the leadership of this experienced clinician, White Bird will return to its roots, providing essential assistance to those who have been disenfranchised by the corporate health care system. This tight focus on compassionate client care will allow White Bird to support our community’s most vulnerable members.

With the current dramatic shift in federal funding priorities and political and economic uncertainty, human service agencies that provide a safety net to those experiencing homelessness and poverty are navigating an additional set of challenges. Ms. Markwardt’s leadership will be focused on building a stronger, more resilient organization that can continue to provide the vital support the community has relied on for more than five decades.

Ms. Markwardt and White Bird Clinic will work closely with clients and community partners to ensure that the agency provides the innovative care that has been its hallmark since its founding.