BLD PNW 2024 Speakers

Tim (he/him) brings decades of executive, management, non-profit, and Board experience to his work addressing the connected challenges of climate change and equity. As the voice of forward-looking businesses to advance equitable, aggressive climate action in Oregon.

Previously, he served as the CEO of Enhabit, a leading non-profit program that helped over 6,000 families improve the energy efficiency and health of their homes. Prior work includes strategic consulting for over 30 non-profits, agencies, and clean-tech companies, advancing sustainability and climate solutions, as well as high-tech and low-tech industry roles.

Thread helps brands tell meaningful product stories that connect with their customers across all touch points.

Molly’s (she/her) job is to steer positive change across Thread’s people and studio operations. She’s an operational thinker who instinctively zeroes in on the bright spots and squeaky wheels of any project or organization. Never rigid or prescriptive, Molly brings a flexible approach to problem-solving and is always game to try out a new way of doing things.

Dr. Keecha Harris (she/her) is president and CEO of Keecha Harris and Associates, Inc. (KHA), a U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a)–certified firm and a certified B Corp. KHA leads organizational development, project management, and evaluation projects for publicly and privately funded efforts – working with grantmaking organizations with assets exceeding $340 billion. The firm has also been retained by clients to facilitate power-differentiated stakeholders in processes framed to redress racial inequities, and it actively engages leaders in strategy development that centers racial equity in a politically hostile environment. Dr. Harris is a board member of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and Orchid Capital Collective. Her writing has been published in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Quarterly.

Ms. Gaskins-Nathan (she/her/they) is dedicated to advancing measures and ideas that improve democratic systems and engage democratic culture in the United States to support full and fair democratic and economic opportunity for all. Keesha has worked as an organizer, lobbyist, and trial attorney. Prior to joining the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, she was senior counsel with the Brennan Center for Justice, serving as the director of the Redistricting and Representation program. Her portfolio included redistricting reform, voting rights, and elections, with a focus on voter suppression issues. Ms. Gaskins-Nathan is a frequent lecturer and writer on issues related to gender equity and politics, racial justice and equity, movement building, and democratic transformation.

Avenue's mission is to help purpose-driven brands connect with their audiences in a way that fosters genuine relationships and drives sustainable, long-term growth.

Reed (she/her) is passionate about amplifying change and impact, Reed leads strategy innovation and Avenue’s team of digital experts with a philosophy of "conscious marketing," focusing on building meaningful customer relationships rather than simply driving transactions. With nearly a decade of experience, Reed has a proven track record of driving successful marketing solutions for tech and apparel startups to Fortune 500 companies.

Charlie (he/him) is a Portland-based Dad of two. With experience building philanthropic programs at two different B Corps, as well as time spent on the nonprofit side of things, he has a passion for bridging the many gaps between funders and nonprofits, particularly when it comes to trust and shared accountability. Charlie holds a Masters of Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University

World Centric is a leading manufacturer of plant-based packaging for the food service industry.

Janae (she/her) has worked for World Centric since 2013 and, for the past six years, has led the organization’s philanthropic initiatives—partnering with non-profit organizations working to improve livelihoods for people experiencing poverty and to strengthen the resilience of communities most affected by climate change. She is on the board of directors for SPOUTS Impact and served eight years on the board of B Local Bay Area.

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Natasha (she/her) moved to New Zealand with her now-husband when she was 21. In 2012, they decided to relocate and had to choose between Vancouver and Melbourne. They chose Vancouver and have since been privileged to have three children and an amazing chosen family. Natasha is an entrepreneur focused on empathetic leadership with a human-centered approach. For the past three years, she has been a leader of the BIPOC Network and is dead set on increasing engagement and participation within the BCorp community of our global majority.

Kylie (she/her) brings more than 12 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to B Lab U.S. & Canada.

Her experience ranges from community organizing and engagement, local policy advocacy, program development, volunteer management, strategic partnerships and marketing & communications. Prior to coming to B Lab U.S. & Canada, she was at Fair Trade USA for 7 years where she led their national advocacy program, Fair Trade Campaigns, and consumer marketing efforts. In her current role as Senior Program Manager for Climate Justice, she leads a business-focused program around climate justice that uplifts and learns from frontline communities most impacted by climate change. Kylie thrives on collaborating, shifting power, and elevating the intersectionality between issues and movements.

Lindshy (she/her) enjoys showcasing the critical environmental, social and educational work that happens every day in the Tribal government, including the life-changing opportunities and services the government provides its Tribal citizens, as well as the philanthropic effort to uplift communities across Southern Oregon. She veered into the world of casino marketing as Player Development Manager of Seven Feathers Casino Resort, helping increase revenues from targeted guest demographics and growing VIP services for high-value players. As Communications and Marketing Director for the Cow Creek Umpqua Tribe, Lindsay is back in her happy place of writing news features, press releases, speeches, scripting and directing video shoots, wrangling public affairs, while also working toward federal accreditation with FEMA as a Public Information Officer.

Terra (she/her) supports the mission of Beneficial State Bank through the development, evaluation, monitoring, and reporting of the Bank’s social impact and environmental outcomes. Her top priority is to ensure the Bank’s work delivers on our commitment to invest in and serve our local communities, contributes to environmental sustainability nurtures people in an inclusive, fair, and equitable manner, and promotes responsible and transparent practices.

Terra most recently came from U.S. Bank, where she launched the bank’s first Impact Measurement and Management team. This team was responsible for structuring impact strategy, evaluating outcomes, and conducting research in the fields of renewable energy, affordable housing, and community investment. She previously was the program manager for USBCDE, where she developed the first-ever racial equity impact strategy, recruiting an empowered advisory board and securing over $200M in federal tax credits since its launch.

Sustainable Northwest Wood is a local wood wonderland in SE Portland. Lynn (she/her) helps specifiers, project owners and contractors procure responsibly sourced wood products that have a positive impact in our local forests, ecosystems, and communities.

Lynn is a connector and community builder with a passion for bringing people together for the Greater Good. She is active in the B Corp community, the founder of Women in Sustainable Endeavors (WISE) and a former Board Member of the Build Local Alliance. When not geeking out about wood, you’ll find her hiking, gardening or writing sad songs on the ukulele.

Chelsea (she/her) is leading her team to inspire our community of employers and job seekers to make better, more welcoming workplaces. She believes in feel-good marketing rooted in genuine connections that add value to all who engage.

Corbin (he/him) has worked with job seekers for over a decade. With a focus on transparency and efficiency, Corbin has supported thousands of job seekers in their searches, through both one-on-one consulting and a weekly job search workshop series covering all facets of the job search.

Alysha (she/her) has been working in the marketing industry for over 15 years and is a strong believer that marketing is a tool that can be used to create positive change.

As the B Keeper at Intuitive Digital since their initial certification in 2020, Alysha has successfully overseen their first recertification with a 21-point increase. She has also dove deeply into the B Corp Community. Currently, she is the B Local PDX comms chair and a B Lab US/Canada Marketers Network Leader.