Meet Our Team
Our dedicated team of professionals works closely with each client, combining expertise and dedication to create lasting opportunities for success.
Ace Salu
Founder & Executive Director
Ace is the founder of the Pacific Islands Community of Oregon (PICO) and the PICO Instructional Football Camp, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting Pasifika communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Through sport, PICO uses football as a vehicle to teach leadership, discipline, and life skills—helping young people grow into confident men and women of character while fostering pride in their culture, traditions, and heritage.
A former three-sport high school athlete in football, basketball, and boxing, Ace played collegiate football at Portland State University under the late Coach Pokey Allen. He was a member of the 1988 PSU Football Team, which finished as national runner-up, and was inducted into the Portland State Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
Ace holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice. With over 30 years of experience in the social services field, he has dedicated his career to serving and advocating for his community. He is also the author of Raising D1 Athletes: A Father’s Journey, a book focused on raising sons and daughters to be champions not only in sports, but in life.
Mariah Benecke
Director of FCS Programs and Services
Mariah Benecke is the Director of FCS Programs and Services for PICO, bringing over a decade of experience in the social services field. She began her career in 2012 as a skills builder supporting youth with behavioral and mental health challenges, later working as a paraeducator in a structured learning center and in supported employment services.
Mariah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Psychology in 2015, followed by a Master’s degree in Child and Family Sciences in 2017. Although she initially aspired to work in reunification services, her professional path led her to recognize that her greatest strengths lie in case management and systems navigation. She returned to the mental health field, earned her Mental Health Professional credential, and served as a lead clinician for crisis stabilization services from 2018 through the COVID-19 pandemic. She later transitioned back into full-time case management, where she found deep fulfillment in client advocacy.
Mariah joined PICO after collaborating closely with Executive Director Ace, embracing the opportunity to work within an agency that values flexibility, innovation, and meaningful community impact. She is deeply committed to advocating for individuals facing systemic barriers and supporting them in achieving stabilization, self-sufficiency, and independence.
Outside of work, Mariah enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Piglet. Her interests include video gaming (RPG's specifically!), Renaissance Faires, karaoke nights, Dungeons & Dragons, and travel. A year spent studying in Germany during high school helped shape her appreciation for culture, community, and connection, and she looks forward to returning in the future.
360-524-2021
Mariahs@picosvs.org
Anjanette Wright
Program Manager: Housing and Compliance
Anjanette R. Wright is a passionate nonprofit professional with more than a decade of experience serving individuals and families through compassion-centered, mission-driven programs. Her work in the nonprofit sector is deeply personal and rooted in a desire to give back. Having once experienced homelessness herself, Anjanette’s life trajectory changed through the support of the Ford Family Re-Start Scholarship and the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree in Business Management from Southern Oregon University. These experiences shaped her values and strengthened her commitment to supporting others who face barriers similar to those she once navigated while building a better future for herself and her two children.
Anjanette strongly believes in the perspective captured in the quote often attributed to Abraham Lincoln and Alphonse Karr: “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” This philosophy guides her approach to life and work, reinforcing her belief that even challenging circumstances can hold strength, hope, and opportunity when viewed through a lens of resilience and possibility.
Throughout her career, Anjanette has worked exclusively within organizations dedicated to helping individuals access stability, resources, and opportunity. Prior to moving to Washington, she served as the Client Services Manager for a national service dog organization, where she interviewed and supported prospective clients across the United States and helped connect them with highly trained service animals that enhanced independence, safety, and overall quality of life. This role reinforced her commitment to dignity-centered care, empathetic listening, and meeting people where they are.
In her current work in housing services, Anjanette brings the same compassion-driven approach to every interaction. She values collaboration, advocacy, and relationship-building and remains committed to helping individuals achieve stability, access critical resources, and move toward long-term success. Her lived experience allows her to approach her work with authenticity, respect, and a strong sense of purpose.
Outside of her professional life, Anjanette is an avid crocheter and devoted animal lover who enjoys spending time with her two dogs and her polydactyl cat. Her children are her greatest achievement, and she is immensely proud of the strong and resilient individuals they have become. She also finds immense joy in her role as a grandmother, as her grandson is a constant source of happiness in her life.
360-209-4104
anjanettew@picosvs.org
Erin Stepanek
Fundraising and Grant Coordinator
Erin is passionate about people, connection, and building community. She believes life is at its best when we’re supporting one another—not just to get by, but to truly thrive.
With a background that spans both hospitality and nonprofit work, Erin naturally brings people together and creates spaces where others feel seen, valued, and inspired. She cares deeply about strengthening communities and helping families find stability, opportunity, and hope.
Outside of her professional work, Erin treasures time with her family and is especially devoted to supporting and advocating for youth. Her experiences have shaped her heart for helping others navigate challenges and find their own path forward.
At the core of everything she does is a simple belief: strong relationships change lives.
Jeff Angelo
FCS Employment Case Manager
Jeff Angelo is the supported employment case manager for PICO and has spent over 20 years supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including extensive experience as a Direct Support Professional in Employment Retention, Discovery, Development, and Long-Term Maintenance.
He has served in multiple leadership roles, including President and Board Member for the Arc of Southwest Washington and the Evergreen School District Foundation, as well as board positions with Friends of the Children’s Justice Center and Innovative Services NW.
503-267-2110.
Jeffa@picosvs.org
Anderson Jack: Housing Case Manager
Anderson Jack is a highly dedicated Community Social Services Case Manager with a strong passion for helping individuals, families, and vulnerable populations navigate challenges and access the resources they need to build stable, fulfilling lives. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to empowering clients through compassionate support, advocacy, and guidance, helping them overcome barriers to housing, healthcare, employment, financial stability, behavioral health, and community integration.
His work centers on meeting people where they are, understanding their unique circumstances, and developing individualized plans that support their personal goals and long-term success. Anderson believes that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and empathy, and he strives to create a supportive environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered.
One of Anderson's greatest strengths is his ability to build meaningful and trusting relationships with the individuals and families he serves. By fostering open communication and collaboration, he helps clients identify their strengths, overcome obstacles, and gain the confidence to make positive, lasting changes in their lives. Whether assisting someone in securing stable housing, connecting them with healthcare services, supporting employment goals, or navigating a crisis, Anderson is committed to providing consistent, person-centered support every step of the way.
Through a client-centered and strengths-based approach, Anderson works diligently to promote self-sufficiency, improve quality of life, and help individuals achieve lasting stability and success. His dedication to advocacy and service reflects a deep commitment to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for those facing life's most difficult challenges.
Nate Salu
NH/PI Project Coordinator
My name is Nate Salu, a graduate of Portland State University and former collegiate football player. I hold a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and bring a strong background in leadership, collaboration, and program coordination. Currently, I serve as the Project Coordinator for the NHPI Group at David Douglas High School, where I help lead initiatives that support student success, family engagement, and community connection.
Tolo Tuitele
Digital and Marketing Administrator NH/PI Student Support Specialist
He attended Portland State University as a student-athlete, where he distinguished himself as a standout football player while balancing the academic and personal demands of collegiate athletics. Beyond his achievements on the field, he was deeply engaged in campus and community life as an active member of the Pacific Islander Club (PIC) for five years. Through PIC, he participated in volunteer service, cultural awareness initiatives, student-led fundraising efforts, and community development projects throughout the Portland metropolitan area. His involvement in the organization helped him develop essential skills in organization, time management, goal setting, and financial responsibility, while also strengthening his commitment to service and community leadership.
Academically, he pursued his studies at Portland State University’s School of Art, where he thrived as a creative thinker and visual storyteller. Studying under the mentorship of Walton Fosque, he honed his design skills and creative perspective, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Design. His academic experience laid the foundation for a successful and enduring career in the creative field.
For more than 20 years, Tolo has worked as a professional designer, contributing to a wide range of projects for diverse clients across the country. His work reflects a strong understanding of visual communication, branding, and purposeful design, as well as a commitment to using creativity as a tool for impact.
Today, in addition to his work as a designer, Tolo is deeply involved in youth sports and enrichment activities throughout the greater Portland area. As a mentor and coach, he places a strong emphasis on leadership development, character building, and skill growth among youth athletes. He has collaborated with numerous organizations and programs, including Northwest Legends, Gresham Youth, Choose Your Own Journey, PICO Camp, Playbook Clinics, Pacific University, and other local partners. Through these efforts, Tolo remains dedicated to empowering young people, fostering confidence, and creating positive pathways for the next generation.
At PICO, our mission is to support you every step of the way. Whether through education, youth programs, employment, or housing, our dedicated team is here to provide guidance, resources, and encouragement—helping you and your family achieve stability, growth, and lasting success.
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