Canby Chronicle Profile Questionnaire: Ray Keen
Name: Ray Keen
Place of birth: Newport Beach, California.
How long have you lived in Canby: 11 years.
If you were not brought here as a child, what brought you to the area: To:gether Canby (formerly the Canby Center).
Profession: Executive Director at To:gether Canby since 2015.
Other professions: I have served at Multnomah University, Arrow Leadership, SMART (Start Making A Reader Today), and Birch Community Services. I have helped lead strategic initiatives and fundraising which have generated more than $50 million in support for mission focused organizations. I enjoy coaching other nonprofits in fundraising, served as the founding President of The Dr. Richard Davies First Responder Fund, and served as President of the Rotary Club of Canby from 2021–2022.
Favorites
Favorite Musical: Canby High School’s Les Misérables and The Addams Family. Actress and Actor: Selah Keen.
Book: The Bible (The Psalms steady me and the Gospels guide me)
Type of Music: Folk Rock, Alternative Rock/Pop
Food: Homemade Italian.
Hobbies: Old motorcycle restoration, hiking, fishing, and writing
If offered a dream vacation, where would you go, and why: Italy, it’s in my blood!
Best lesson learned as a child: “Leave it better than you found it.”
Defining moment in your life: Trusting God for the first time on a mountainside in a blizzard.
A memorable dinner: My Aunt Rosie and Mary’s rich and abundant Italian meals.
A funny moment from your life that you can share: I’m an “amateur electrician” (two words that do not belong together). A few months ago I was rewiring a 48 volt battery system for an electric pallet jack and almost shocked myself.
If you could invite anyone (past or present) to dinner, who would it be, and why: My great-grandmother, who we called “Money” because she was a woman of real faith and she made the best pimento-cheese sandwiches.
Describe yourself in one word: Helper.
When you're not reading the Canby Chronicle, what book/author/magazine/other do you read: I read books about leadership, team building, history, and poverty.
If your life were made into a play or movie, what would the title be: “Still Becoming Ray”
Pet peeve: Overflowing trash cans.
Bad habit you’d like to break: Eating a large bucket of popcorn at the movies. Favorite quote: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Favorite part of the Canby Chronicle: Community! It’s also my favorite part of Canby!
