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Save the Date: Fall SORA Career Panel Webinar

Ariane Erickson

Save the Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025

Time: 11am-12pm

Join four panelists from across the Oregon state government for a career-focused Q&A. With experience in a variety of roles across different companies and agencies, the panel consists of Oregon employees with interesting career paths and perspectives. If you are thinking about transitioning to a new role, moving into/out of management, or heading to the private sector, come ask our panelists your questions!

Register for the event here!

Ask/vote on questions here.

Panelists: 

  • Jason Pruett has served Oregonians in a variety of roles at the Oregon Department of Human Services. His experience spans positions such as Eligibility Worker, Case Manager, Quality Assurance Analyst, Line Supervisor, Branch Manager, and Program Manager. He now contributes to the Office of Aging & People with Disabilities’ Policy Design team, where he is leading the development and implementation of a new in-home care option.
  • Eric Main is the Environmental Justice Mapping Lead at the Oregon Health Authority. He has 25 years of experience as a research analyst with the Oregon Tracking Program and as an urban planner prior to joining OHA. He currently leads the Methodology Workgroup in the development of the Oregon Environmental Justice Mapping Tool which includes subject matter experts from state agencies, Metro, local public health, and academic partners.
  • Jiguang Zhao is the state traffic safety engineer at Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) managing the traffic safety engineering program. He previously worked in the consulting industry for over ten years on traffic safety engineering projects in 10+ states. He is a member of the Transportation Research Board Standing Committee on Pedestrians and served in the technical panel for multiple National Corporative Highway Research Program projects. He is the current the chair of American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials Committee on Safety, Research Subcommittee.
  • Kristen Banschbach is the current Chief of Research for the Oregon Department of Corrections with more than 15 years in corrections. Before moving to Oregon three years ago, Kristen served as Director of Community Corrections in Indiana. She has supported statewide reform efforts through Justice Reinvestment and Evidence Based Decision Making initiatives and continues this work in her current role. Beginning her career as an administrative assistant in a local community corrections department, Kristen’s path reflects a steady progression shaped by curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to using data and evidence-based practices.