Willis is a quiet community leader

If you've lived in Sisters for long, it becomes clear that this little town has an uncanny ability to attract interesting, productive people. Whether it's through their volunteer work, past accomplishments or current endeavors these folks are a big part of what make Sisters special.

An example is a woman who has lived in town since 2004. She came to Sisters through a serendipitous introduction and soon found she loved the town and the man too much to ever leave.

Ten years ago, a handsome thoroughbred named Dreamer was stabled in a barn in Wilsonville. Right next to him was a cute grey horse with an owner who knew an eligible bachelor from Sisters. Thanks to this introduction, Fran Willis met her future husband Ted Johnson; she commuted back and forth to Portland for awhile but soon found she was drawn to a gentle life with Ted and the quiet, wild landscape of Sisters more than the city lights.

Like many folks in Sisters, Willis came to Sisters Country with an inspiring résumé teaming with interesting jobs and adventures. But you wouldn't know it unless you dig beneath the humble, unassuming personality that endears Willis to both friends and colleagues.

"I'm still not sure why you want to interview me," she laughed over a cup of Earl Gray tea at The Depot Café.

Originally from Southern California and the youngest of six, Willis attended UC Berkeley studying economics and French. Fluent in French, after graduating she used her language skills in corporate communications for hi-tech firms.

After seven years in the workforce, she took a job with the Women's International tennis Association (WITA) as a tour director, running tennis tournaments for the top 500 women players in the world. Having played competitive tennis through high school, and with her public relations skills, she was excited to use her background and travel the world.

"I was one of four women managing worldwide tournaments, the women players, volunteers and the media."

Willis traveled with the WITA to places like Taipei, Paris, Rome and New York for the U.S. Open. It was a fast-paced, challenging job but after a year of traveling 28 days a month she hung up her tennis rackets and looked for adventure a little closer to home.

She landed a contract with Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), creating and promoting their community education events. In the next five years she put on over 200 events to educate the public about OHSU offerings and research.

"I loved that job; I could go anywhere I wanted on campus and ask the staff to create a presentation on their work that was free to the public," she said.

Even after the fateful meeting with Dreamer's stable-mate and her eventual marriage, Willis continued working from Sisters for OHSU another year.

"When I moved to Sisters, it became clear that I simply wanted to be here," she said. "The more you're here, the more you want to be here. I love the quiet time in nature and the people; I can't imagine not having that now."

Like many new arrivals, Willis was eager to find ways to meet people and get involved in the community.

"I connected with the community through Sisters Athletic Club and then by joining the Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS)."

Willis co-chaired the board with Chuck Newport, who quickly became a friend.

"Working with CATS gave me a nice view of the city and an introduction to some of the community leaders," she said.

Eventually, Willis took a position with Bank of the Cascades as their director of marketing and corporate philanthropy. Working for the bank proved a great way to meet people and to get to know the nonprofit community.

"My job was to be out in the community," she said. "It gave me a much broader view not just of Central Oregon but the state."

Willis left the bank and did some contract work for nonprofits. That segued into her current position out of Bend, working for the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) as a donor relations officer.

"I love connecting people, ideas and resources. It's really a calling for me. I get to do what I love," she said.

"OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through those funds, OCF awards more than $60 million annually in grants and scholarships," she said.

Willis spends time traveling throughout Central and Eastern Oregon in support of OCF donors to learn about community needs and to educate people about what OCF can do to help them and their community. OCF has a long history of supporting Sisters with efforts like establishing the Deschutes Land Trust and the Sisters Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store. OCF played a part in both endeavors, helping get them off the ground and on sound footing. Sisters Park & Recreation District and the Sisters School District have also received funding to grow programs and serve more people in the Sisters community.

Her new job has given Willis a chance to spread the word about Sisters. She is happy to tell her Bend friends and many folks around the state about how to get involved and enjoy Sisters.

"When I share that I live in Sisters, so many people say they are drawn to Sisters but don't know how to connect with the area," she said. "I love to fill them in on where to hike, eat, and stay, and of course about our festivals, movies and music. Sisters has so much to offer!"

When Willis moved from Portland to Sisters she brought her beloved horse Dreamer with her. They spent many happy hours exploring trails and learning the finer points of dressage. When Dreamer grew too old to be ridden, Willis found a wonderful place for him to spend his final years. He passed away a year ago after bringing so much joy, love and laughter to his grateful owner.

Willis now spends her spare time with her young mare, Nell, at Pilato Ranch.

"She's in training to be a good equine partner using dressage as a foundation, which I see as quite similar to yoga for horses," said Willis. "My dream is to ride her out in the surrounding forest and mountains. She teaches me about patience, listening, boundaries, joy and being present."

All qualities Willis has been sharing with her grateful human counterparts for years.