Susheela Jayapal

Founding member of the Bull Run Center

Susheela Jayapal brings a distinguished record of legal, corporate, and nonprofit leadership to her public service. Born in India, she came to the United States at sixteen to attend Swarthmore College, later earning her law degree from the University of Chicago. Her early legal career included litigating cases in San Francisco and Portland, representing the government in actions against corrupt bank officers during the 1980s fiscal crisis, and providing pro bono representation to individuals seeking political asylum. She went on to serve as General Counsel at Adidas America, where she was part of the senior executive team and led the development of the company’s first labor standards for contracted overseas factories.

Motivated by a desire to have a deeper impact in her community, Susheela shifted to nonprofit leadership nearly two decades ago, contributing her expertise to organizations working across education, health, arts, and social services. She has served on numerous boards—including Planned Parenthood of the Columbia-Willamette, All Hands Raised, Literary Arts, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council—and supported philanthropic initiatives through the Oregon Community Foundation. A longtime advocate for children and families, she has also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for youth in foster care. Susheela lives in Northeast Portland and enjoys hiking in the Columbia Gorge, reading, gardening, tennis, and visiting family in India.