Dingfelder has a bachelor's degree in Geography-Ecosystems Management from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master's degree in regional planning, with an emphasis on water resources management, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
[2] After redistricting based on data from the 2000 Census, Dingfelder represented House District 45.
[4] In 2009, she joined the Oregon State Senate representing District 23 (Northeast and Southeast Portland).
[5] Her support and advocacy in animal-related measures saw her labeled as a 2011 "Top Dog" by the Oregon Humane Society.
[6] In October 2013, Dingfelder resigned from the Senate to join the staff of the mayor of Portland.