Interview with We All Rise founder, a Cedarwood Alum, Maris Yurdana
We sat down with We All Rise co-founder, Maris Yurdana, to talk about her organization and how her experience at Cedarwood prepared her for this opportunity.
What is We All Rise and why did you create it?
We All Rise is a multicultural, multigenerational firm that focuses on deepening the integrity of sustainable community development. With our partners, we exist as a collaborative group of technical experts, equity strategists, urban planners, creatives, and community engagement practitioners. We serve as a bridge between public funding and initiatives, the people and communities who have first-hand knowledge to inform these projects, and the builders who receive funding and put up capital to make development happen.
Since 2020, we have worked for ODOT to design transportation systems that serve all Oregonians better; brought together diverse workforce coalitions for the Port of Portland’s Mass Timber Project; helped spearhead East Multnomah County’s upcoming resilience initiative; broken ground on new affordable housing funded through Metro bonds; helped PGE understand homeowner needs to electrify the grid; and run multiple multicultural reentry programs to support post-gentrification re-integration of small businesses. Most recently, we received a grant from PGE’s Drive Change Fund to create the largest non-municipality ride-to-own eBike program with The Street Trust to spur new demand, reduce barriers for eBikes, and track critical emissions data.
Why did we create We All Rise?
My great friend and co-founder, Quincy Brown, and I started this work in June of 2020 — one month after I finished my bachelor’s degree in environmental policy from Loyola University Chicago and a few months into the pandemic. We began as an informal advocacy duo, compelled to respond to the multiple crises we saw in our home city. We quickly pivoted to a business structure to be a part of formal government contracts, as our work became recognized as a bridge between often mistrusted development plans and communities that know what’s right for them.
On a soul level, We All Rise was born because it nourishes us and others. As many change-makers have said, our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. Yet as we let our light shine, we give others permission to do the same. As native Portlanders in their mid-twenties we show up as leaders, rather than employees, to inform state-wide investments and build broad coalitions. The fact that we exist — with our diversity of ages, races, cultures, genders, abilities, etc. — is breaking the energetic cord of societal expectation that this isn’t the way things are done.
How did Cedarwood help to prepare you for this career path?
Cedarwood raised me, built my foundation, and helped me strengthen my life force. I can’t count all the ways, and I think that’s the point. Waldorf education doesn’t try to make us conscious of everything. Instead, it fosters an environment of safety, stability, and repetition that allows us to grow into grounded human beings who can work with our heads, hearts, and hands. Cedarwood developed an indescribable instinct within me that doesn’t need rationalization. I move through the world with this instinct, and I honestly believe it’s one of the best gifts my family could have ever given me.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Cedarwood?
My favorite memories have always been Michaelmas (Micha-El Festival), Lantern Walk, and Spiral Walk (Winter Spiral). At the start of every school year, those are the moments I would get excited about. There’s something so important about bringing the light into the darkness, not only to see the light within you but by doing it in community. I have always been so drawn to that power — because it truly is powerful — and even now, I hold that energy with me as inspiration. Fall continues to be my favorite season I think in part because of the way I always felt carried into the winter by these traditions.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to current Cedarwood students?
Do not fall into the false belief that our world is made up of dichotomies. Many changemakers will try to make you believe that there are “others” who are different, opposing, and the reason we aren’t where we need to be as humanity. Do not give in to this narrative. It is limiting, unproductive, and will keep you apart from where the true potential for change lies. There is a reason Waldorf education steers clear of teaching war at a young age. Warring between us never gets us very far.
Redirect the fire inside of you that becomes reactive when people have different values than you. Redirect your flame instead to hold steadfast patience, compassion, and strength — this is what’s required to come together as human beings to create sustained change for a better world.
Maris Yurdana began at Cedarwood in Red Cedar Kindergarten and was a part of Cedarwood’s fourth graduating class (Class of 2012).
Maris can be reached via email at maris@weallrisegroup.com.