EDI (or DEI, JEDI, etc.) has become a buzzword that many still are trying to wrap their heads around: exactly, what, does, an, EDI, practitioner, do?

Hint: it is closely connected with Team Building, Innovation, and Leadership. It also has a lasting impact on Talent Acquisition and Retention, Competitiveness, and the Longevity of a Business. Watch this 3-minute video to get some ideas.

In this fireside chat, Sandra Hunter (she/her), Kjell van Zoen (they/them), and Zhou Fang (she/her) are going to share their stories, experiences and perspectives both as independent practitioners, business operators, and colleagues and peers for each other.

Important to note: just like any profession, all EDI and leadership practitioners share similarities and have differences at the same time. One does not fit all. Have a conversation, ask questions, process information, and find the practitioner(s) that speak to you and connect with your team.

Sandra Hunter (she/her) is a Women’s Empowerment Coach and an advocate for cross-generational collaboration and mentorship with a focus on empowering women of color. She has 19 years of experience as an English and Creative Writing professor and her own experiences with race and gender bias led her to create Wild Women Leaders of Color. Her work offers a holistic approach to professional development through somatic stress release and story-healing techniques. She’s also an award-winning author of three books that highlight social injustices and amplify young women’s voices. Her ultimate vision is to equip the next generation to combat racism and gender bias, creating a more inclusive society.

Kjell van Zoen (they/them) is a non-binary, multicultural, organizational culture nerd who loves to inspire people towards being less racist, sexist, ableist, ageist, homophobic, transphobic, and the intersectionality of all of those plus more. Combined with their background in business and entrepreneurship, Kjell enables organizations, teams, individuals, and leaders to develop efficient, resilient, agile, and equitable operations and communications systems.

Zhou Fang (she/her) is the founder and principal practitioner of Intersectional Group LLC, a leadership and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) consulting practice with a focus on intersectionality, empathy and compassion, as well as curiosity.

Zhou is an advocate for pay transparency and equity, immigration reform and climate justice, as well as a committed ally for the LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities.

Learn How to Utilize Podcasting in your Online Marketing efforts.

If you are looking to learn from or meet other Podcasters and Content Creators then this meetup is the right place for you!

RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/portland-podcasters-meetup-tickets-741106789357

Join us for the AI Portland inaugural meetup, where we'll dive into how AI is superpowering our day-to-day work. Our first event will feature a dynamic roundtable discussion with sharing insights on using AI to supercharge everyday tasks. Discover ways to streamline your work, save time, and focus on what truly matters.

If you are interested in sharing the way AI has helped you in your job, please reach out to the organizers by email at [email protected] to get more information.

What if the person who could further your career was already looking for you?

What if a room full of people knew exactly the insight you sought?

What if your knowledge could be someone else’s Eureka moment?

Welcome to Magnet. Where you can let your net...work.

Some of the feedback from previous Magnet events: "Genius."

"Amazing!"

"Brilliantly devised. 10/10."

"Where has this been my whole life?"

"Best Networking Event I've ever been to!"

Here's how it works. At the event, you write down on a sheet of paper something you need help with (aka "your ask") and tape it on the wall, for example:

I need a literary agent.

I need to chat with someone who has started a technology incubator.

I need to connect with someone at GOOD Magazine.

I need to hire a web developer capable of setting up a digital sales platform.

Does anyone have any contacts in Prague?

Does anyone know a good personal trainer?

Does anyone know how I can play a round at Augusta National Golf Club?

It can be anything!

Each sheet will have a unique number associated with it: (1, 2, 3, etc). You’ll have a name tag with that same number.

Everyone’s task will be to look at the board of opportunities and select at least 3 people you’d like to connect with, in whatever capacity.

How do you connect with them? You write your name and "sheet number" on a Post-It note and slap it on their sheet.

First Fridays are back and Upstart wants to invite you to our 7th floor perch for a toast to the month ahead!

Join Portland-metro founders for a happy hour with views for days and inspiring conversations that will jump start your weekend.

Demolicious is back! This monthly pitch event brings together founders and the community to learn about what is being built here and around Portland.

How this all works: If you are a founder, you will apply to pitch here: https://forms.gle/sx81RaT6Nuqj9sWR7. Don't worry. "Apply" simply means you want to pitch, but there's no real competitive process to be accepted. We just want to see what you're working on before we put you in front of a room full of people.

You will be given 3 minutes to pitch at the event.

The audience will be given a number to text and vote for their favorite one. The one with the most votes will go home with the Demolicious Championship belt.

The belt is not for you to keep as you will have to come back and "defend" it. However, you will be allowed to put your startup sticker (if applicable) on the belt for all to see and to live on forever in infamy!

We will post the projects/companies that will be pitching a week prior to the event. Which means you have until then to fill out the form.

Will you be the next founder to pitch!?!

Every month the UpStart Collective opens up to the startup community at large to raise a glass, network, and feature one of the founders that make the space so special.

This month we are featuring local startup founder, Nick Lawson of Sqwad who will talk about their sports marketing platform, how they were able to land teams such as the Yankees, Cowboys, and more. He will also talk about how they plan to grow for 2024 and beyond.

Save the date because the first hacklandia happens this October at the old Portland State University Business Accelerator/new westside UpStart Collective location! You will have the opportunity to come to build an idea you have been thinking about or join a team that will be formed to create over 48 hours.

RSVP here: https://hacklandia.splashthat.com/

Space is limited to 150 RSVPs so don't wait. This event will fill up fast!