Beven Byrnes, a Portland, Oregon native, is a mother, artist and community activist. In her professional life Beven is director of communications for Compassion & Choices, the nation’s largest and oldest nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. She coordinates a vast array of public relations and communications efforts designed to inform and educate the public. In addition, she leads grass-roots advocacy teams, leveraging the expertise of staff and consultants with the energy and commitment of on-the-ground volunteers. Beven has close to twenty years of experience in non-profit development and communications.