Introducing our new Executive Director!

Feb 17, 2022

Exciting news for all Oregonians: We are thrilled to introduce you to OCJ’s new Executive Director, Jagjit Nagra! Jagjit was selected by our Board of Directors to be the organization’s first permanent leader.

Our Search Committee worked to find a candidate who demonstrated both exemplary qualifications as well as a commitment to our vision.

“Jagjit’s professional accomplishments and personal values are completely aligned with OCJ’s mission and vision. His commitment to dismantling barriers to equity and advancing social justice can be traced from his personal experience facing inequities to his professional career as a trusted advocate and community leader. We are very pleased to have an enthusiastic champion for equity and social justice at our helm.” — Se-ah-dom Edmo, Chair of OCJ’s Search Committee

Jagjit, who has a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School, also has a background in Oregon-based policy, advocacy, government relations, and politics. He has worked extensively with community groups, foundations, government agencies, and elected officials to dismantle barriers to equity and build a more just and equitable society.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as Oregon Consumer Justice’s Executive Director. As a lifelong advocate for social justice, I believe that ensuring a fair marketplace for all is a step toward advancing equity. I am eager to join the movement to connect consumer justice to economic justice, and I look forward to connecting and collaborating with partners and Oregonians from every community, so that we can collectively advance OCJ’s mission.” — Jagjit Nagra, Executive Director of OCJ

Jagjit has devoted himself to public service in Oregon for years, most recently leading the Government Relations office for the Washington County Administrative Office and Board of Commissioners. Previously, Jagjit worked in U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley’s office as Field Representative for Multnomah and Washington Counties.

“For too long, tricks and traps in the loan, debt collection, housing, and car industries, and in other financial transactions have stripped wealth from working families. I’m encouraged that an organization like Oregon Consumer Justice will be actively working against such challenges under the new and inspired leadership of Jagjit Nagra. Jagjit, a former staff member, is unafraid of taking on considerable responsibility, and I am hopeful for positive changes in the future.” — U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley

Jagjit will step into the Executive Director role in March 2022. His initial priority will be to connect with OCJ’s partner organizations and community members to understand their most pressing consumer needs and how OCJ can address them. Jagjit will then lead the development of OCJ’s strategic plan, ensuring that our plans for advocacy, legal support, community engagement, and consumer outreach over the coming years are driven by the needs of Oregon communities.

We are excited to have Jagjit’s leadership and look forward to this next phase of advancing consumer justice for every Oregonian!