Our Staff
Daniela Meltzer
Executive Director
As a multi-disciplinary, bilingual nonprofit professional, Daniela has worked with numerous mission-driven organizations throughout her professional career in the fields of healthcare, education and the environment. Aside from organizational management, fundraising, event production, community relations, marketing and communications, she brings a global perspective to Candlelighters. Originally from Colombia, Daniela has an intimate understanding of the immigrant experience in the United States. Having worked with underserved students and families for the past six years, she has honed her skills as a compassionate listener and an advocate for those experiencing trauma and loss. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her husband and two daughters on the trails, cooking, and going on adventures. She is an avid reader and aspires to live a healthy, environmentally-conscious lifestyle.
Contact Daniela: (503) 719-4244 | daniela@candlelightersoregon.org
Nicole Ek
Program Director
Nicole was introduced to Candlelighters in 2009 when her daughter, Emme, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As a cancer warrior, Emme’s journey has been arduous, leaving her with numerous secondary side effects as a result of treatment. Through it all, when Nicole and Emme discovered the family-centric support Candlelighters had to offer, they were hooked! After many years as an active Candlelighters family, Nicole jumped at the chance to work at the organization in April 2023 as a way to give meaning to her experience and help others. In her role as Program Director, Nicole looks forward to lighting the way for all with friendship, community and empathy just as Candlelighters has lit the way for her family. When Nicole is not working, she loves spending time with her children and family, watching fun documentaries on Netflix and playing with her cats.
Contact Nicole: Office: (503) 719-4244, ext. 5 | nicole@candlelightersoregon.org
Salena Griffith
Business Development
Salena first encountered Candlelighters when she was on a real estate foundation board, selecting which organizations to donate to. She fell in love with Candlelighters’ mission and started collecting bedside buddies and sponsoring families during the holiday toy drive in addition to attending numerous fundraising events.
With 25 years of experience in marketing and sales, and five years of experience in campaigning and fundraising, Salena is in charge of cultivating relationships and growing financial partnerships with businesses that are excited to give back to community organizations like Candlelighters. Outside of work, Salena loves to spend time with her son, watching him play baseball, reading romance novels and hanging out with her menagerie of animals.
Contact Salena: (503) 719-4244 | salena@candlelightersoregon.org
Rachel Downey
Administrative Assistant
Rachel’s first encounter with Candlelighters happened when her friend and fellow staff member Salena Griffith recruited her to take photos for one of our events. Since then she has been taking pictures at many of the Candlelighters events each year for the past 8+ years. She has also attended some of our events as a guest and has donated to our events.
Rachel started taking photos as a volunteer at Candlelighters events over eight years ago at the request of her friend and fellow staff member, Salena Griffith. Since that time, she felt a strong affinity with Candlelighters’ mission. When the opportunity arose to join the staff, she jumped at the chance. With 20 years of experience in company administration and over 13 years of professional photography experience, including running her own photography business, Rachel makes sure systems are working so that the organization can be organized and efficient. She also assists with all aspects of fundraising including item acquisition, donor management, database management and event production. When not at work, Rachel spends lots of time outdoors, hangs out with her two teenage sons and husband, and travels around the country.
Contact Rachel: (503) 719-4244, ext. 4 | rachel@candlelightersoregon.org
Anna Fullerton
Development & Community Engagement Coordinator
Anna joined the Candlelighters’ team in the summer of 2025 excited to find ways to give back to the local pediatric cancer community. With a background and degree in social work and 25 years of experience serving children across schools, foster care and nonprofit systems — her work is rooted deeply in hope and purpose. As the Development and Community Engagement Coordinator, Anna assists in item acquisition, puts together give back events, assists in event planning and production, and spreads awareness about Candlelighters to the broader community. In her free time, Anna enjoys cooking and photography as well as spending quality time with her sons and fur baby, Alice.
Contact Rachel: Office: (503) 719-4244 | anna@candlelightersoregon.org
Sydney Chang
Marketing Associate
Sydney joined Candlelighters as an intern and has since moved into a full-time role in marketing and communications for the organization. She quickly connected with Candlelighters’ mission and the importance of providing a strong support system for families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis. Sydney is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a business degree and a specialization in marketing. In her role as Marketing & Communications Associate, Sydney is proud to bring awareness to Candlelighters’ mission, update the organization’s brand and social media presence, and keep families informed about upcoming events and programs. In her free time, she loves to cook, draw, and spend time with her cat, Beans!
Contact Sydney: Office: (503) 719-4244 | sydneyc@candlelightersoregon.org