Neyssa Hays
Neyssa Hays is the co-founder and Finance Director of Outdoor Education Adventures (OEA), a Yamhill County nonprofit that gets thousands of kids and kids-at-heart outside every year to explore forests, creeks, wildlife, and the wonders of science. Before starting OEA, she worked as a park ranger, wildlife biologist, environmental educator, and even spent time teaching at the Oregon Zoo.
When she’s not wrangling budgets or leading outdoor adventures, you’ll likely find Neyssa hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, or enthusiastically pointing out mushrooms, birds, and salamanders to anyone who happens to be nearby. She believes curiosity makes life more interesting, laughter makes communities stronger, and everyone deserves the chance to experience both.
After spending much of the past year in the serious world of county politics, she’s delighted to trade campaign speeches for sequins and scorecards. Neyssa is honored to serve as a judge for the 2026 Crown of Yamhill County and can’t wait to celebrate the creativity, confidence, and heart each contestant brings to the stage.
