Gina Bell

 Gina Bell, a Dubuque native, began her employment as Director of Sustainability with the City of Dubuque on October 1, 2018.

As the City’s Director of Sustainability, Gina is responsible for implementing and managing Dubuque’s sustainability plan based on environmental and ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and social/cultural vibrancy to create a viable, livable, and equitable community.  

Gina had previously served as the ESPERE program administrator for Adelante Mujeres in Forest Grove, Ore., since 2016.  The nonprofit organization works to educate and empower low-income Latina women and families in Oregon.  The ESPERE program trains families to manage conflict with compassion and understanding, helps individuals overcome past emotional trauma, and fosters healthy, violent-free relationships. Gina's responsibilities as ESPERE program administrator included data collection strategies, data analysis and program improvement, and managing facilitators and program volunteers. 

From 2011-2016, Gina was senior project/program manager for Prosper Portland (formerly the Portland Development Commission) where she facilitated community engagement efforts as liaison to three districts in the Neighborhood Prosperity Initiative and Main Street Network.  She also oversaw contracts with non-profit partners, coordinated the Economic Opportunity Initiative Microenterprise Program and Small Business Development Program, supported community and organizational capacity-building efforts, served as liaison to the Small Business Advisory Council and the Portland Business Alliance, and was involved in the creation and promotion of each district’s equity plan. 

Before her time with Prosper Portland, Gina was the director of operations and farmers market manager for Adelante Mujeres from 2006-2011.  In that role, she managed human resources for a 21-person staff, supported the executive director in all organizational matters, developed and implemented a comprehensive fund development plan, and directed all aspects of the Forest Grove Farmers Market. 

Before moving to the Portland area, Gina served on Dubuque’s housing commission and worked as the manager on duty at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque.  She also served in the Peace Corps for over two years as an advocate for sustainable agriculture in Paraguay where her work included designing and supervising a road construction project, developing and facilitating leadership courses for young women, and providing technical support on a variety of other sustainability projects.   

Gina holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and Spanish from Pacific University in Oregon and is fluent in Spanish. She was named one of “35 Innovators Under 35” by the 1000 Friends of Oregon in 2010 and received the Young Alumni Leadership Award from Pacific University in 2008.  She served on the Prosper Portland Equity Council for three years, including one as president, and the Prosper Portland Green Team for three years, with one year as president of that body as well.