Meet Our Volunteers
Oregon Pride in Business is run almost entirely by a staff of unpaid volunteers. This organization could not exist without them.
Jeremy Favors (he/him)
Jeremy is ORPIB's Event Sponsorship Coordinator, working with both the Events and Partnership Development teams. Jeremy is also a key participant in our mission to have a more consistent and meaningful presence in SW Washington. Jeremy is also the founder of Peak Promo, an LGBTBE Certified business.
Born and raised in Alaska, I ventured to Washington in 1996 to attend The Art Institute of Seattle, marking the start of my over 25-year career in production and creative fields. My journey led me to the promotional products industry seven years ago, where I've had the privilege of working with major brands like JPMorgan Chase & Co., American Airlines, Ernst & Young, Macy's, and Starbucks, helping to elevate their presence through branded merchandise.
My passion lies in collaborating with organizations and suppliers committed to making a positive impact—socially, economically, or environmentally. I believe in the power of branding to not only boost business but also to foster positive change in the world. Let's work together to elevate your brand by focusing on purpose-driven promotional strategies that make a difference.
Ashley Collins (she/her)
Ashley is ORPIB's Social Media Coordinator, refining our brand and creating content that helps make us look good online while we're sharing about our volunteers, programs, and opportunities and issues that matter to the communities we serve. She's also managing our scheduling and analytics, to ensure we're effectively reaching our audience.
I have been a graphic designer for about ten years now, currently working at an advertising agency to develop numerous print products as well as assist in developing material and artwork for the company directly. Outside of that I have worked on numerous freelance projects when my corgi allows which includes assisting ORPIB with designing and coordinating with their Facebook and Instagram account to boost their online presence as well as inner company materials for events. If you’re in need of a graphic designer, let’s get in touch!
Jon-Michael Kowertz (we/us/ours)
Jon-Michael is an Instructor in our Fall 2023 Mentorship Program, teaching content on business startup and entrepreneurship.
For nearly 20 years, Jon-Michael has served the business community in various roles empowering over 3,000 small businesses to start and grow in the Portland Metro area. With an MBA and Masters in Finance, and a strong background in sales and marketing, Jon-Michael is entrepreneurial and analytical in advancing small business startup endeavors.
As an Asian Pacific Islander experiencing life through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion, Jon-Michael is committed to creating a meaningful impact with entrepreneurs, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities. Jon-Michael stays active in the community by volunteering with ORPIB, FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America).
Brandon Giles (he/him)
Brandon provides facilitation services to ORPIB, guiding both working sessions and decision-making meetings toward clarity and collaboration, and helping our team to get more out of our time together, pleasantly.
LB Collaborations facilitates collaboration and manages projects by leveraging the ideas, expertise and experience of individuals and teams to find effective, inclusive solutions together.
Oscar Novelo (he/him)
Oscar is an Instructor in our Fall 2023 Mentorship program, offering material on access to capital, small business loans, and more.
Oscar Novelo is a loan officer for Prosper Portland and has previously worked with small business owners, most recently as an SBDC advisor, and prior to that, as a commercial lender. Before his career in commercial banking, Oscar was a project manager on affordable housing and commercial redevelopment projects. Oscar earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Southern California, and a certificate from the Grow America Fund (f.k.a: National Development Council) as an Economic Development Finance Professional.
Jayme Rabenberg (she/her)
Jayme volunteers in our Business Incubator Program as the Executive Sponsor and Strategist.
I love helping people build beautiful, intentional spaces. I'm a flower shop owner, serial entrepreneur, and startup/small business advisor.
Flower Club PDX is my passion business: I design locally sourced, seasonal flower bunches and vase arrangements delivered weekly throughout Portland. custom space, design, and maintenance services for homes and businesses, as well as special orders and floral education. I started designing with flowers over 20 years ago as a way to fill my spaces with nature and beauty and exercise my creativity. Flower Club PDX specializes in self and community care. We offer subscription delivery, custom space design & maintenance services for homes and businesses, as well as special orders.
Corvus Advising is how I subvert the capitalist patriarchy by coaching other small business owners in operational tools, strategic development, and accountability to build sustainable businesses. I have over two decades of experience in tech and politics, most recently as Head of Product and Co-Founder of a VC-backed technical education and onboarding company.
Talk to me about flowers: flowerclubpdx.com/
Talk to me about coaching: linkedin.com/in/jaymerabenberg/
Kataya Plett (she/her)
Kataya helps out with ORPIB Events, from tabling at Pride Festivals, to supporting our in-person networking events. She makes working a crowd look easy. Thank you, Kataya!
I’m Kataya and I’m the Operations Manager at TradeWinds Wealth Management — a leading financial services firm in Portland. We provide customized solutions for our clients’ investment and financial needs.
We are also proud of our work supplying our community with free financial education. Our goal is simple — helping people to make smart choices about their money and feel confident about their decisions. If you are looking to better manage your investments or plan your retirement, we are here to help you!
Leticia Lares (she/her)
Leticia is an instructor in our Fall 2023 Mentorship Program, teaching Business Planning and Loan Readiness.
She is a Certified Coach, has a bachelor's degree in business administration and over a decade of experience in accounting, business operations, and management. She strongly believes in supporting the financial growth of businesses and breaking down barriers that hinder access to funding.
linkedin.com/in/leticia-lares/
Mario Alfonse (he/him)
Mario is a key member of our Membership Committee, having been involved with ORPIB as a member business, and now Corporate Partner since 2018.
I'm Mario and I'm a Brand Solutions Manager for Morel Ink. A women-owned, fully-integrated print shop with a broad range of marketing and printing capabilities at our fingertips. We have locations in Portland, Springfield, and Vancouver Washington, plus a national network of trusted vendors. Morel Ink has been honored for our philanthropic involvement and support of progressive organizations. We believe in and support our communities, and our print shop is proudly Union run.
Whether you know exactly what you need printed and just need an estimate, or haven't the slightest idea but need some ideas on how to add a tactile element to your marketing, I am here to help!
Michael Jonas (he/him)
Michael is an instructor in our Fall 2023 Mentorship Program, providing expert coaching on Business Entity Formation, Client Service Agreements, NDAs, and other contracts, the importance of preventative law.
Michael Jonas, JD, MBA is the Owner and Principal Attorney of Rational Unicorn Legal Services. The firm offers pay-as-you-go legal services in WA, OR, and CA to small businesses, nonprofits, and artists/entertainers. Services include but are not limited to small business and nonprofit formation, contract review and drafting, intellectual property services (ie. trademarking, copyrighting, patenting, licensing), and conflict resolution. The firm's slogan and action plan is "Community business law for everyone in the community." Michael is proud to represent clients of all walks of life, passions, and talents. When not working, Michael is volunteering with a nonprofit, exploring nature, hanging out with his husband Andy, or cuddling with his dogs Edison and Ginsburg.
You
Share your expertise, grow your skills, connect more deeply with your LGBTQ+ Business Community, and help develop and operate an organization you're proud to be a part of.
Sarah Giffrow (she/her)
Sarah is an Instructor in our Fall 2023 Mentorship Program, providing guidance on Website and Online Marketing Messaging, Email Marketing Basics, Social Media Strategy and Planning Basics to our cohort of mentees.
My path was set in the days of the Old Internet, after I built my very first webpage in (gasp!) the ’90s. Upswept Creative was born out of my previous side-hustle as a photographer, where I often found myself seized by the irrepressible urge to help my photography clients improve their websites.
Since then, I've re-embraced my love of the web, design, and strategy, and I've also learned that a lot of online marketing is, well, kind of same-y. So, I work to help ethical and passionate people sell their services online with clarity and sincerity, instead of fly-by-night trends and tactics.
Nowadays, I call myself a "website nerd and accidental marketer," but after 10+ years in business, I've become a badass at promoting small businesses in the big world of the internet. My team and I are here to help build a world where we can live and work in fulfilling, anticapitalist abundance, and have positive impacts on the lives of those around us.
linkedin.com/in/sarahgiffrow/
Other Volunteer Staff Include
Adrienne Akin (she/her) — Events Logistics Specialist
Amanda Evrard (she/her) — Email Marketing Coordinator
Brent Balog (he/him) — Partnership Development Committee, Government Affairs Committee
Charlie Hersman (he/him)
Dan Cushing (he/him) — Government Affairs Committee Chair
Danielle Morris (she/her) — Government Affairs Committee, Communications Committee
David Audley (they/them) — Communications Committee Chair
Elliott Hinkle (they/them) — NGLCC Certification Chair
Eric D Brown (he/him) — Corporate Partner Liaison
Jeana Hooker (she/her) — Interim Programs Committee Chair
Jill Nelson (she/her) — Partnership Development Chair
Kellen Moody (they/he) — Events Committee Chair
Kristin VanderSchick (she/her) — Incubator Coach, Financial Planning
Marielle Balogh (she/her) — Incubator Coach, Branding
Nicole Hetz (she/her/Ella) — Incubator Program Chair and Legal Coach
Paul Reed (he/him)— Events, Vancouver Outreach
Rae Hardy (they/them) — Events Committee
Rich Rainbolt (he/him), CPA — Bookkeeping
Sean Moore (he/him) — SW Washington Outreach
Shannon Jakes (she/her) — Career Readiness Program
Skye Lei (she/her) — Incubator Program Coach, Social Justice and Sustainability
Spencer Blank (he/him) — Communications Committee Co-Chair
Dr Yaritza Cruz-Rivera (she/her) — Career Readiness Program, Instructional Designer
Join Us!
ORPIB invites students 18+, retirees, solopreneurs, and employee resource groups, and anyone else with interest in volunteering to reach out for more information. We have volunteer positions on the Committees that operate our organization, in the Programs that we run, and as ORPIB representatives at external events such as pride. We want volunteering with ORPIB to be a mutually-beneficial experience for both the volunteer and our organization and will work to support your individual goals for volunteering with us.
voice or text: (971) 442-3224