Meet Megan!
The ORPIB Foundation’s relaunched Mentorship Program is nearing the end of its current cohort year, and we wanted to take an opportunity to introduce you to one of the incredible mentees.
Megan is a member of the 2025-2026 Mentorship Program Cohort. She moved to the Portland area for college 7 years ago, and has been establishing her career since graduating from the University of Portland. Currently in marketing at OnPoint Community Credit Union, Megan plans to one day start her own business.
Responses have been lightly edited for length.
What initially motivated you to seek out a mentor through the Foundation's mentorship program?
I learned about ORPIB through OnPoint’s membership and was excited to get involved in events and other programs. When I got an email about the Mentorship Program I was eager to apply. I am very interested in entrepreneurship, but I was also looking for a mentor that understood the different challenges of being queer in a corporate space.
In what ways did you hope a mentor could support your personal or professional growth?
This is my first mentor who is someone who I have not worked with or for and did not know me before starting this program. This was an exciting opportunity for me to have space to ask questions about my personal and professional growth as they relate to honoring my queer identity. I was hoping to have a mentor that I could ask questions to, bounce ideas off, and learn a lot from. I have received all of this and more from my mentorship with Michael, and I feel really fortunate to have this opportunity to learn from someone with such an incredible career. There is no question too big or small for Michael and I have been able to learn so much from him.
What changes—big or small—have you seen in your work, mindset, or habits as a result of your mentoring experience?
I have become more thoughtful about the ways that I can be a leader at work and how I can support my teammates and show up in small ways that can make a difference. Michael has also provided a lot of direction when it comes to starting my own business. It can be really overwhelming having an idea you are trying to bring to life and Michael has been incredibly insightful as I work through different ideas. He has helped me be more grounded in my business planning and given me a lot of direction when it comes to ideating and trying to create something real.
How would you summarize the overall value of your mentoring experience?
“I have been in other mentorship programs before, but the niche this program serves is special.”
The mentorship experience has been beyond what I could have hoped to get from it. I have learned so much through the process and feel grateful to have been paired with Michael. I have been in other mentorship programs before, but the niche this program serves is special. The Foundation has created an incredible community through this program, and I am so lucky that I get to be part of it. I have already used so much of what I have learned and I know that it will continue to serve me. I also know that I have a lifelong mentor through this program!
Would you recommend mentoring to others? Why or why not?
I absolutely would! There has been a great balance of mentorship in terms of my current career and where I want to go. It has helped me a lot as I think about what is next in my career and potentially my own business. Being part of the cohort has also been an incredible way to network with other like-minded folks and learn from their experiences as well.
Is there anything else you want to share about your experience working with a Foundation mentor?
I would say to apply no matter where you are on your professional and entrepreneurial journey. I feel like I am at the beginning of both and I know this program has been so beneficial for my personal and professional growth.
About the ORPIB Foundation’s Mentorship Program
ORPIB’s Mentorship Program matches Business Owners and Leaders with experienced mentors within our community. The nine month program combines Monthly 1:1 Sessions between mentor and mentee and Quarterly Connection sessions that bring the larger program participants together to share insights, learn from peers, and build meaningful networking connections. The current 2025 session kicked-off on May 27th and will run through February of 2026. This cohort consists of a diverse group of nine business owners and leaders at varying stages of their entrepreneurial journey.
The 2026 session will start accepting applications later this Fall for mentees and mentors. To anyone interested in becoming a Mentor, we are looking for 5-10 experienced business leaders with mentorship experience to join us.