Members

As Chief Operating Officer, Peter oversees the day-to-day operations of Melvin Mark Companies. Peter has a deep sense of pride in his job and his community. Having been born and raised in Portland, he has a passion for the city, its people, and its food. Peter is dedicated to the community and is deeply involved in several local organizations and civic committees. 

As Nike’s Chief Public Policy Officer, Jorge leads an experienced and accomplished global team focused on accelerating NIKE’s growth and innovation strategies across the intersection of public affairs, public policy and the private sector. He joined Nike in 2013 after senior leadership roles at The Coca-Cola Company and serves on several industry and nonprofit boards. 

Michael Cole oversees strategy and growth for Regence BlueCross BlueShield Oregon and Regence BlueShield Washington , which serves 2.5 million people in Oregon and Washington with $5.5b revenue. He brings more than 20 years of executive health care leadership experience across a wide spectrum of the industry, including payer, payment integrity and
health care diagnostics.

Eric Cress serves as President of UDP, overseeing company strategy and supporting daily operations. He serves as President of Portland’s second-largest business district, the Central Eastside Industrial Council. He is passionate about the intersection of people, environment, and entrepreneurship. He embraces development of the built environment as an entrepreneurial endeavor that shapes our communities.

President Ann E. Cudd joined Portland State University as its 11th president in August, 2023. Prior to joining PSU, Dr. Cudd served as Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh and Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Boston University. She started in academic leadership at the University of Kansas where she served as Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies as well as University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy.

Heather Davis was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Portland Timbers in 2023. Davis is the first woman in club history to hold that position and is one of the highest-ranking female sports executives in Oregon sports history. A University of Oregon graduate and a recipient of a Bachelor of Sciences in Journalism and Political Science, Davis obtained her law degree from the George Washington University Law

School in 2005.

As the president of Oregon’s only academic health center, his expertise in health care delivery for large, integrated health systems and focus on serving vulnerable communities bolsters the university’s statewide mission. In his role as president, Dr. Elnahal oversees a budget of more than $6.2 billion andmore than 22,000 employees – the city of Portland’s largest employer and one of the largest employers in the state. 

Kurt Huffman founded ChefStable in 2008. Huffman and Chef Andy Ricker teamed up and opened Ping. After that, recommendations for partnerships kept coming in and Kurt built his team to be able to design, build, and operate restaurants. Kurt and his team at ChefStable have opened more than 40 restaurants and he personally has taken more trips to Portland Nursery than anyone could count. He is a firm believer in the power of partnering with the right people

Andy serves as President and CEO of Central City Concern. He is Board Certified in Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine. Andy’s heart has always been anchored in service work to the most vulnerable and simultaneously resilient members of the Portland metropolitan region. Andy’s favorite part of his role at CCC is supporting leaders to center, evolve and scale services to best support the needs of the clients.

Lisa Mensah is President and CEO of Oregon Community Foundation, which is headquartered in downtown Portland. OCF is one of the largest community foundations in the United States and one of only a few with a statewide focus. Mensah served as CEO of the Opportunity Finance Network and as the US Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Rural Development under President Obama, along with other roles at the Aspen Institute and the Ford Foundation. 

Erik Nordstrom is Co-Chief Executive Officer of Nordstrom Inc., a leading fashion retailer dedicated to helping customers feel good and look their best. He is a fourth-generation member of the Nordstrom family. He has driven critical investments in new capabilities to blend the digital and physical experiences, bringing Nordstrom closer to customers and serving them how, where, and when they want to shop. 

For over fifteen years, Proctor has led Literary Arts, growing it into the largest literary center in the United States, opening a new headquarters in Portland.  Previously, he worked in New York in the publishing industry and in the human rights sector, and also in London for the cultural affairs office of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.  He

currently sits on the board of the Central East Side Industrial Council in Portland.

Rob Stuart became President and Chief Executive Officer of OnPoint Community Credit Union in 2006. Before assuming the role of President and CEO at OnPoint, Rob held management and executive roles at Bank of America for 14 years. Under his leadership, OnPoint has grown to become the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, serving over 635,000 members throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Vanessa Sturgeon is the President and CEO of TMT Development. For over two decades, Vanessa has led a team with a whole-hearted investment in preserving and innovating Pacific Northwest real estate for those who call it home. Her extensive board service, leadership mentoring and community involvement demonstrate her steadfast belief in Portland and its residents.

Jeff Swickard is the founder and President/CEO of Swickard Group, a hospitality-driven company delivering premium experiences across the automotive, commercial real estate, and hotel industries. Most recently, the Swickard Group acquired Big Pink, one of Portland, Oregon’s most iconic buildings. Swickard Group is focused on making Big Pink the premier office and community space in the city, as well as revitalizing the neighborhood the building calls home.

Winta Yohannes is the executive director of the Albina Vision Trust, a nonprofit organization stewarding the thoughtful reinvention and transformation of the 94-acre historic lower Albina neighborhood. Responsible for overseeing all facets of the organization, Ms. Yohannes drives the mission, fundraising, operations and strategy. Previously, Ms. Yohannes was a senior policy advisor at Portland City Hall.