Debbie Kitchin is a mom, small business owner, and passionate advocate for equality.  For over 40 years, Debbie has worked with local governments, organizations, and businesses to strengthen our community and our economy. Her lifetime of public and private experience makes her the right candidate for this historical moment in Portland.

Debbie grew up believing deeply in social justice and will use that commitment to guide her work on city council. She was born in Kansas and came to Portland for to go to Reed College. She fell in love with Portland and stayed, making Portland her home for nearly 50 years.

 As a young person in the 1970s, she believed deeply in the fight for equality and creating opportunities for all people to succeed in life. She organized for racial and gender equality in her church, local civic organizations, and on her college campus. She volunteered to help communities in Central and Southern Africa.  That dedication to serve and advance equality has remained a guiding force throughout her life.

In her professional life Debbie has served the community by building collaboration to improve our community.  After graduating college, Debbie went to work for the federal Bonneville Power Association as an economist – helping the agency ensure it could provide affordable electricity to over 140 counties across the Pacific Northwest.

 She went on to join the Northwest Power & Conservation Council, participating in groundbreaking work to revolutionize how utilities planned for and acquired energy efficiency and renewable energy to serve customers. Thirty years ago, Debbie and her husband founded a Portland small business specializing in home renovation. Their commitment was to be the contractor you enjoyed working with, treating their customers as partners and focusing on green building, energy efficiency improvements, and other sustainable practices. They were also committed to providing good benefits and wages to workers to support shared prosperity.

 Even during the Great Recession, when many other contractors were going out of business, they were able to adapt, survive and ultimately succeed. On the City Council, Debbie will apply this understanding of how to build effective partnerships to guide the work of the city to achieve meaningful results.

During this time, Debbie made it a priority to care for her daughter and son. She helped coach soccer, took on leadership roles in the PTA, and was active in the Girl Scouts. Debbie saw the difference strong neighborhood schools play in kids’ future and believes it is critical that we support all children across our community. 

Outside of work and family, Debbie has also been an active volunteer for organizations and committees. She is a committed champion for small business. She served on the boards of economic development entities including Greater Portland Inc., the Central Eastside Industrial Council, and Central Eastside Together. She is a past president of the Energy Trust of Oregon. She served as Chair of the Board of the Portland Metro Chamber.  Debbie has also served on advisory committees for Portland Public Schools, the Port of Portland, and Prosper Portland to elevate our small businesses, especially BIPOC owned businesses. And recently Debbie was a member of the Portland Charter Review Commission. 

Today, Debbie lives in Sullivan’s Gulch with her husband. They enjoy golfing, skiing, hiking, and paddle boarding.

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