Meet the team!
Tom Allsworth
Chief Executive Officer
Tom grew up in Phoenix, AZ and a graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. After college, Tom commissioned in the US Marine Corps where he served on active duty as a Combat Engineer with the Marines serving in various locations and billets throughout the US and Afghanistan.
After leaving active service, Tom started his career as a Marine Engineer as a Marine Surveyor at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea and later as a Port Engineer for the US Navy in Yokosuka, Japan. Eventually, he left his roles in heavy industry to pursue his passion for serving his local community. Tom started working with Pillar Health Group (PHG) in 2021 and later transitioned to Portland to take over the role of Executive Director at Pacific Opportunities in 2022. In 2024, Tom assumed the position of Chief Executive Officer at Trellis, overseeing the business operations for all PHG-related companies in Oregon.
Jim Wilson
President
Jim was born and and raised In Portland Oregon.
He graduated from the Oregon Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Computer Systems Engineering.
After graduating from OIT - Jim spent the majority of his career in various technology and operational roles in multiple industries including the non-profit world.
In these experiences he has held a number of executive management roles.
In his spare time - Jim likes to read, cook, camp, fish, and travel to see his 3 adult children and 1 grandchild.
Julia Ansberry
Founder and Executive Director
Julia has a long history of teaching independent living skills and empowerment abilities in both her personal and professional life. Julia’s mantra, “Being able to believe in one’s abilities and then move forward” is how she guides her work with her staff, clients, and family.
Julia founded Trellis, and stated “Trellis has provided her challenges, personal growth, and the most amazing joy that I would have expected. I am grateful each day to be surrounded by talented, awesome people and clients that are growing and reaching their goals”.
Walt Courtney
Community Director
As the community manager for our Salem branch, Walt bring five years of valuable management experience to our team. He is dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where individuals can flourish.
Walt’s belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life and reach their highest potential is what guides his work at Trellis. His goal focuses on fostering a community that celebrates diversity, independence, and personal growth.
Walt’s passion for supporting adults with disabilities goes beyond my professional role, as he has supported his adult stepson with autism for over 13 years. This firsthand experience has deepened his understanding and commitment to providing the highest quality of care and support each day at Trellis.
Janet Castaneda
Salem Community Manager
Janet hails from the golden coasts of California, though Oregon has been her haven for the past thirteen years. She is a single mother to a teenage daughter, navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood with a grounded but youthful spirit.
Over the past four years, Janet has immersed herself in a field that fuels her purpose: caregiving. She began as a Direct Support Professional, where empathy guided her work and the people she supported shaped her passion for the profession. Her dedication propelled her forward, earning two promotions within the company. Now, as the Salem Community Manager at Trellis, she focuses on building connection and fostering a strong sense of belonging within the community. While her experience is still growing, her commitment runs deep. With her eyes on the future, she’s ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that will support the continued growth of her team and the people they serve.
Nicci Kelley
Employment Director
Nicci began her career in intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as a Program Manager at a group home for women with dual diagnoses. There, she successfully implemented dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) groups, collaborating with Multnomah County to replicate this effective support model across various countywide programs. Nicci developed tailored transition programs that equipped clients with essential skills for independent living.
As she advanced into roles such as QA Director and Director, her focus shifted towards enacting client-centered services that empowered individuals to achieve their personal goals. Nicci also created a pioneering program that introduced integrated services and supports, marking a significant milestone in service history.
Throughout Nicci’s lifelong commitment to social services, her journey has been profoundly influenced by her grandmother, a dedicated three-term Multnomah County Commissioner. The positive transformations she’s witnessed in people's lives continue to inspire and motivate her every day.
Madelyn Snead
Portland Community Manager
Madelyn was born and raised in Louisiana, surrounded by bayous, zydeco, and a culture built on keeping the good times rolling. Now an Oregonian, she brings that same spirit to Trellis by fostering connection, meaning, and joy across the work her team does every day. Her path has included time in Oakland and Fresno, where she earned a Master’s in Psychology from Fresno State. Those diverse communities shaped her passion for supporting and empowering people from all backgrounds.
For more than ten years, Madelyn has supported individuals with developmental disabilities in schools, clinics, homes, and community settings. Her work has ranged from helping children find their first words to helping adults build friendships and independence. As Community Manager, she ensures the Portland-area Community program runs smoothly and effectively so every member of Trellis has a safe, supportive place to learn, grow, and find belonging.
Heather Johnson
HR Manager
Heather Johnson is an HR leader and Certified High Performance Coach™ with a track record of building engaged, high-performing teams and driving organizational success through people-focused strategies.
As HR Manager at Trellis, she oversees all aspects of human resources while fostering a compassionate culture that supports exceptional service to our clients.
Heather partners with senior executives to align talent initiatives with business objectives. Her expertise includes talent development, employee engagement, cross-functional collaboration, performance management, and creating environments of trust and accountability.
A Certified High Performance Coach since 2018, Heather brings a unique blend of strategic HR acumen and coaching excellence to develop leaders, strengthen teams, and cultivate workplaces where people thrive with purpose and resilience.
You fit here!
We are about training, supporting, and growing our staff. We celebrate each other’s successes and step into each other’s challenges. Make a difference and love where you work.