Lori Sanchez - Administrative Assistant

Lori Sanchez was born and raised in sun-speckled San Diego, where every few days her family would drive down to Tijuana for an impromptu grocery run in the bustling streets of Northwestern Mexico. She enjoys the company of nature, people, and animals, and can be found making art around various parts of Portland as a chronic nomad. As a child, her mother would take her to the sprawling streets of Coyoacán where they would wander the chromed halls of Frida Kahlo’s pastoral “Casa Azul” and gaze upon the oil-streaked canvases of her vida, exploring the intricate facets of Kahlo’s dual-identity in the early-mid 1900s. With a newfound curiosity for understanding the relationship between nature, identity, art, and culture, Lori went on to attend UC Berkeley to study Anthropology, volunteering as an archeology technician and working at several museums before graduating in May of 2024 and moving to Portland a year later.

At Tierra, Lori utilizes her academic background in cultural studies to engage with the Spanish-speaking  community, finding it deeply fulfilling to be a part of Tierra’s mission of nurturing a multicultural environment that celebrates community and education. As Tierra’s administrative assistant, she prioritizes that every student feels guided, acknowledged, and warmly welcomed when attending a Spanish class. She understands how daunting it can be to learn a new language, and believes that clear and accurate communication combined with empathy is the best way to support and meet each student’s academic needs. Additionally as a heritage speaker, she is always open to practicing casual Spanish with Tierra’s students.

In her free time, she likes to engage in urban sketching, making music, playing with her two rambunctious kittens, and volunteering in art or stewardship-related events around Portland. Her favorite animal is the capybara, and hopes to meet one someday!