Meet the Council

A true Grover, born and raised in the city, Mayor Malynda Wenzl is the first female mayor of the City of Forest Grove. Mayor Wenzl was elected to Council in 2014 then elected Mayor in November of 2022. She attended Harvey Clark Elementary, and Tom McCall Middle School, and graduated from Forest Grove High School.  After earning her Master’s in Education from Southern Oregon University, Mayor Wenzl felt it was her responsibility to return home to teach and give back to her community.   

Mayor Wenzl began teaching eighth-grade history, health, and leadership classes at Neil Armstrong Middle School.  She coached basketball and volleyball, instructing our youth to embody teamwork and tenacity.  One day, a student inquired why the city didn’t have a Recreation Center. As a mother of two, Mayor Wenzl was so moved and motivated by this heartfelt question, that she decided to run for City Council. With her love for the community and perseverance to bring people along to get them involved in the city she loves,

Mayor Wenzl enthusiastically dove into her position to learn as much as she could about the community’s vision moving forward. She is excited to collaborate with community members and work both to build and maintain existing city infrastructure; creating systems that remain resilient in challenging times. She is focused on balanced growth while retaining the small-town essence of our city. 

Concerned about homelessness, affordable housing, and the local economy. Mayor Wenzl is looking to develop partnerships that will encourage positive community outcomes and plans to focus on strategic growth, moving the vision of the city forward at a pace the community supports.  Mayor Wenzl’s goal is to be mindful and intentional in long-term development; encouraging community engagement and collaboration while truly making a difference in the future of Forest Grove.  

Councilor Falconer has been a dedicated public servant for nearly a decade, bringing her passion and experience to her community. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Angelene (Angel) attended the University of Cincinnati, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Her first job as a paralegal was for a small law firm (Freking & Betz). Shortly after the start of her new job, she met her husband, Ian. The couple moved to the Portland area in 2006. The decision to move to Forest Grove in 2022 was to bring their lives closer to her husband’s job as head coach at Pacific University.

Angel’s commitment to public service began in Milwaukie, where she was first elected to the city council in 2016. During her tenure, she served as council president and was re-elected to the council in 2020. Her leadership and vision played a vital role in addressing local challenges and fostering a sense of community.

After a brief stint on the Forest Grove Planning Commission, Angel realized she could help in other ways. This prompted her to run for City Council.

Now, as a newly elected city councilor, Angel is excited to bring her collaborative spirit, thoughtful decision-making, and dedication to her constituents. She is committed to focusing on land use and transportation. Long-term goals include climate and sustainability, which is in step with her transportation goals.

Councilor Falconer is looking forward to the outcome of the 2040 Visioning project and how we can best develop a strategy for the next 20 years to build a self-reliant and resilient community. Her roots in both Ohio and Oregon have shaped her as a compelling leader who values hard work, inclusivity, and innovation. Her drive, passion, and commitment will lead to her success on our City Council.

Born in Roy, Oregon, in humble beginnings, Councilor Donna Gustafson has been a lifelong Oregonian. Councilor Donna Gustafson was elected to Forest Grove City Council in November 0f 2020. A graduate of Banks High School, Donna was the dance team captain, reigning for two years as State champions. While in high school, she landed her first job at sixteen at Providence Health Services as a clerk.

During her 27-year tenure at Providence, Donna moved to Hood River and La Grande as the corporate promotional opportunities presented. She climbed the corporate ladder, leaving Providence as a Project Manager to start her own consulting business, which she is CEO of today.

Donna is deeply concerned about several issues that impact our community as a whole; from homelessness and affordable housing to the imbalance of the economic downturn.; as well as the opioid epidemic, which has created a lack of rehabilitation facilities and access to mental health services.  Councilor Gustafson is working towards revitalizing the City with a combined outreach of working directly with the Forest Grove City Club and researching possible solutions to these challenges.  Donna is adamant that citizens and their community participation in conjunction with the positive impact of Council decisions are the formula to our future success.   

Councilor Karen Martinez is a 30-year resident of Forest Grove and was elected to the City Council in November of 2022. While raising her family, Karen returned to school, attending the University of Portland, where she acquired her Bachelor of Nursing. 

Councilor Martinez has seen many changes in the community over the years. As a result, she was pulled to get involved and decided to run for City Council. Karen is leaning into her new Councilor position, learning a lot, and relying on her fellow Councilors for encouragement and guidance. 

Karen is focused on the resolution of homelessness in our city.  Her goal is to find solutions to help the homeless off the streets and on the road to becoming self-supporting.  Also concerned about drug use and theft, she is a proponent of protecting police funding and public safety. Karen is impressed by the transparency and fiscal accountability that city management provides.

Councilor Marshall Was elected to the City Council in November of 2022. As a resident of Forest Grove for over 30 years and a local business owner, Councilor Mike Marshall cares about the community's future. Councilor Marshall advocates for the youth of Forest Grove and strong City services such as police, fire, and library. The youth need places where they can reach their academic, athletic and social potential. Council Marshall works towards solutions for those who are suffering from homelessness to help them be contributing members of their community.

Councilor Schimmel’s journey to public office stems from a commitment to building systems that empower individuals and create sustainable solutions. “I’ve always looked around the room and wondered who's missing and how we can break the barriers to entry while working together to create solutions,” Brian shares. “My goal is to bolster our community leaders and staff with a sense of unity to inspire others to work alongside me for the greater good of our community.”

Known for his forward-thinking approach, Brian is eager to establish systems that address immediate concerns and set a foundation for long-term success. From housing options to transportation and other infrastructure improvements, he plans to champion policies that prioritize resiliency and effectiveness while inviting diverse voices to the table.

With a clear vision and a collaborative spirit, Councilor Schimmel is ready to make a meaningful impact. He looks forward to facilitating ongoing conversations in the community and developing courses of action and strategic strategies to improve the quality of life in Forest Grove.

Councilor Mariana Valenzuela is a native of Chile, and grew up in Chile and the US. Councilor Valenzuela was appointed to Forest Grove City Council in 2020 and then elected to the council in November 2022.  

Mariana completed her undergraduate degree and master’s degree (in Spanish) at the New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Mariana has over thirty years of teaching experience at institutions of higher education, including Portland Community College and Pacific University.

Councilor Valenzuela is focused on positively influencing and improving the lives of youth in our community. She is extremely excited about the City of Forest Grove’s new recreation programs; offering our kids various opportunities from summer camps, Lego building groups, sports, and more. She is committed to working with fellow council members to tackle homelessness, support economic development, and create additional community youth resources.