20 Under 40: Joel Iboa

Founding Executive Director

Oregon Just Transition Alliance

The proud son of immigrants, Joel was born and raised in Eugene and is the first in his family to graduate from college. His accomplishments and the effectiveness of his work clearly demonstrates his leadership. As Founding Executive Director for the Oregon Just Transition Alliance (OJTA), Joel served as Campaign Director of the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity during the 2021 Legislative Session. Under his leadership Oregon now has the fastest timeline and best labor standards for 100% clean energy in the country. 

Joel was a Coalition Manager for Causa Oregon, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Organization, during the Trump administration. Joel doubled the size of One Oregon, building a statewide coalition of over 100 organizations with the sole focus of defending against anti-immigrant and anti-muslim policies and ballot measures. Joel led coalitions defending the nation’s first sanctuary law as well as advocating for the passage of HB2015, making Oregon the 14th state to allow people without legal status the ability to drive. 

Joel served as chair of the Eugene Human Rights Commission (2019-2021) championing two Sanctuary resolutions and a resolution condemning white nationalism. Joel is the youngest person to be elected Chair for the Oregon Governor’s Environmental Justice Task Force (2017-Present)

At 30 years old Joel has accumulated years of service, education, and leadership experience. He supports efforts and develops strategies to engage and activate communities which support racial, economic, and climate justice for all Oregonians.