Dr. Markisha Webster is the Director for DEIB, Learning, and Sustainable Communities at SMUD.
She came to SMUD in 2021 after a three year tenure as the Director for the Office of Equity and Human Rights at the City of Portland and Special Advisor to the Mayor on issues of racial justice.
She previously served as Director for the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Oregon
Department of Education. Her work is specifically focused on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and
inclusion, belonging, culturally responsive practice, intersectionality, eradicating anti-Blackness, and
working to eliminate systems of oppression.
Markisha’s previous experience includes working as the Director of Undergraduate Teacher at
Warner Pacific College, as an Assistant Professor at Western Oregon University and Northern Michigan University, and as a high school English teacher in Houston, Texas for nine years. She is a self proclaimed poet, lover of art, and expert in the kitchen. Most importantly, she is a proud mother of two beautiful children, Cadence, and Bryson.