Meet Isabel Gallegos: Building stronger workplace culture at OPC
Office of Planning and Construction
Whether she’s coordinating a new employee’s first day, coaching a colleague through a challenge, or organizing a lunchtime walk, Isabel Gallegos is focused on helping people feel supported and connected.
As Operations Manager for Portland Community College’s Office of Planning and Construction (OPC), Isabel supports the people, processes, and day-to-day operations that keep the department moving. While OPC manages improvement projects across the college, Isabel helps ensure team members have the resources they need to do their best work.
“I enjoy relieving stress for others by providing support,” she said. “I’m drawn to servant leadership—being an example, treating people how I would like to be treated, and supporting people in the ways they need, which is different for everyone.”
That philosophy closely aligns with one of OPC’s core values: stewardship. While the department serves as a steward of public resources, Isabel applies that same mindset to supporting the people behind the work.
Isabel’s people-first approach has shaped many of OPC’s workplace initiatives, including communication training and Culture Club, which offers opportunities for staff to connect outside of their day-to-day work through activities like lunch walks, potlucks, craft projects, and coffee breaks.
“Culture Club was created to increase morale and support connection and collaboration,” Isabel said. “I think people have enjoyed the opportunities we’ve provided to connect.”
As a certified professional coach, Isabel also brings a coaching mindset to her work. One of the biggest lessons she’s learned is the importance of listening before responding.
“Most people just want to be heard,” she said. “If we’re truly listening and responding to individual needs, it’s ultimately going to improve workplace culture as a whole.”
Outside of work, Isabel is also a creative writer, and she sees surprising parallels between writing and leadership. Just as a first draft is rarely the final version, she believes workplace processes should continue to evolve.
“The real work is in the revision,” she said. “Any new process or procedure can be considered trial and error. We’re always evaluating, adjusting, and improving.”
Above all, Isabel hopes every member of the OPC team feels they belong.
“When I first joined the department, I asked people what they needed most,” she said. “The answer I heard over and over was, ‘I just want to feel part of the team.’ That’s become my goal—to help people feel included, supported, and like they belong here.”
Whether she’s solving problems behind the scenes or creating opportunities for colleagues to connect, Isabel’s work helps build the collaborative culture that supports OPC’s projects—and the people who make them possible.