Forest Grove Candidate Forum 2026

Mallory Hiefield currently serves on the Forest Grove Parks and Recreation Commission and Budget Committee, providing direct experience with the advisory processes that support City Council decision-making. Professionally, Hiefield serves as Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Pacific University, with responsibilities that include internal operations, policy implementation, budgeting, compliance, and collaboration across diverse groups. Hiefield also holds an MBA, with a background in budgetary and organizational planning. 

Karen Martinez is a current Forest Grove City Councilor, first elected in November 2022. A Forest Grove resident for more than 30 years, Martinez earned her Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Portland and has professional experience in patient care, team leadership, collaboration, and process improvement. Her current term on City Council has provided firsthand experience with municipal government, public policy, budgeting, and community decision-making. 

Matthew Knight is a Forest Grove native and Forest Grove High School graduate with a professional background in business, sales, and operations, including experience building and operating a local small business. His work has provided experience in budgeting, problem-solving, negotiation, operational decision-making, and working with people from a variety of backgrounds. Knight emphasizes practical experience, fiscal accountability, and careful consideration of taxpayer resources in his approach to public service. 

Mariana Valenzuela currently serves as Forest Grove City Council President and has served on the City Council since her appointment in 2020, followed by election to the position in 2022. Originally from Chile, Valenzuela holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from New Mexico State University and brings more than 30 years of experience teaching in higher education, including at Portland Community College and Pacific University. Her public service has included a focus on youth opportunities, economic development, homelessness, and community resources. 

Chris Mejia is a lifelong Oregonian with deep ties to the Forest Grove community and a professional background in technology, education, consulting, and organizational leadership. His community service includes experience with local budget and planning processes, including service on the Forest Grove Budget Committee and involvement with Forest Grove School District committees and oversight efforts. Mejia brings experience in budgeting, technology, operations, education, and community engagement to his candidacy for Forest Grove City Council. 

Sandra Pereyda is a Forest Grove community member and candidate for City Council who describes her advocacy as focused on quality of life for all residents. Pereyda identifies economic fairness, environmental and land protection, and community safety among her priorities. She has also emphasized support for working families and immigrant families, as well as concerns about development she believes could negatively affect local land and community resources. 

John LePari is a Forest Grove City Council candidate with a professional background in technology, software engineering, project management, and technical leadership. LePari has also been involved in the Forest Grove community through years of volunteer service coaching local youth football and softball. His professional and community experience includes problem-solving, project coordination, team leadership, and working collaboratively toward shared goals.