Amy Kohnstamm

Amy Kohnstamm
Zone 3  [map]
Amy Kohnstamm
Current Term: 7/2019 - 6/2023

Amy Kohnstamm has been on the Board of Education since 2015, serving three years as elected board chair or vice chair. She is a fifth generation Oregonian and is proud to have received her K-12 education in Portland Public Schools.

Amy has been a volunteer, activist and vocal advocate for public education. She served 12 years on her children’s school foundations, and on the board of the Portland Schools Foundation/All Hands Raised, serving as board co-chair and chair of the Equity Grants committee. Amy has advocated for increased education funding at the legislature and in support of local bonds and levies, served on the Superintendent's Bond Advisory Committee, and has helped lead the district’s successful bond campaigns in 2012, 2017 and 2020.

In the community, Amy has served on the boards of Mercy Corps NW, Planned Parenthood, Literary Arts and its Writers in the Schools committee. She also served for six years on the board, and as chair, of Open Meadow, helping initiate its innovative Open School in East Portland for kids identified at risk for dropping out. She maintains that focus on historically underserved students and passion for reforming PPS to honor their promise and serve all students more equitably. Previously, she worked in community relations for Mercy Corps, for Tri-Met in its Capital Projects Division, and as a professional journalist. She and her husband Kevin have three sons who have attended PPS. Amy's hobbies include trail running, skiing, cooking and youth sports.