Chamber Board of Directors
-
Mike Watters (they/he)
President; Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, SAIF
“I am passionate about helping 2SLGBTQIA+ people survive and thrive in a business environment that doesn’t always welcome them. We devote so much time and effort to our professional lives; we deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be ourselves in business.
As your president, I want to harness my experience in management, business strategy, marketing, and customer experience to strengthen ORPIB's foundations and build for the future.”
Mike joined the board in 2023, working on the mentoring program. A resident of Salem, they are passionate about ORPIB's statewide expansion and supporting LGBTQ+ businesses in every corner of the state. Mike previously served as a commissioner for the City of Salem Human Rights Commission and was the chair of the city's LGBTQIA+ Intersectional Rights Task Force.
Mike is the customer experience director for policyholders at SAIF, Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation provider. In this role, they manage customer feedback and research, and translate insights into action to improve the customer experience. Mike previously led SAIF’s communication and design department from 2013 to 2021. Prior to joining SAIF, Mike edited and designed publications for businesses and organizations in education, health care, tourism, entertainment, and the arts. They are a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism.
-
Kel Moody (they/them)
Vice President; Founder and Director, Alluvium Gatherings, Co-Founder, Place to B
“It feels more important than ever to show up to support, organize with, and nurture one another in these dark and stormy times we find ourselves in. As a nonbinary/trans-masculine person, I feel like my success is rooted in the success of the broader queer community's success.
I am committed to using the skills I have in organizing, project management, facilitation, and event planning to uplift ORPIB and its members, increasing our ability to thrive through economic empowerment.”
Kellen (Kel) Moody (they/them) is a community cultivator and placemaker. As the founder of Alluvium Gatherings, they create and uplift movements through the design, planning, and implementation of gatherings. They have a passion for convening communities and leading teams to create meaningful experiences.
Through their deep networks of relationships across the bioregion, they have led dozens of small- and large-scale events including the week-long virtual Festival of What Works hosted by Salmon Nation Trust. They have also worked in and around the Certified B Corp community, using business as a force for good, since 2016.
Kel deeply believes that developing a strong sense of place is one of the most meaningful pathways to purpose and that gatherings have the power to motivate collective impact to drive real and meaningful change.
They currently live with their child in the traditional territory of the Cowlitz and Chinook Nations, or what is now called Vancouver, WA. They take moments to retreat to the forest and rivers as often as possible.
-
Molly Smithson Callahan (she/her)
Secretary
“When we are safe to be our true selves, we thrive in our work. This is startlingly true and poignant for the LGBTQ+ community today. By continuing my time as ORPIB’s secretary,I hope to apply my communications and media experience to further economic empowerment for Oregon’s Q+ community. I am dedicated to listening and recording the ORPIB board’s explorations, reasoning, votes and ultimate decisions to provide our staff, members and stakeholders with accurate information and the transparency they deserve.”
Molly S. Callahan is a communications professional, entertainer and content producer who brings joy to gatherings around the Pacific Northwest, and across the worldwide web. Over 20 years of experience in live performance, film and TV, Molly has developed a charming, accessible hosting style that engages all types of audiences, from her weekly Last Call Trivia Shows to appearances at Helium Comedy Club, Funhouse Lounge, and other standup shows around the region. She has written show trivia, specific sets for events, and booked over 100 comedians during her weekly show, The Big One at Etc. Eatery. Most recently, she made it to the 2025 Roast City Comedy Tournament Quarter Finals, mixing in a little salty with her usually bittersweet humor.
Molly joined ORPIB in 2021 as a digital marketing agency owner seeking community, who fell in love with how ORPIB has fostered belonging for queer professionals in the Portland area over 30 years. Since then, she has supported the organization’s evolving media needs. She is in her third term as a member of the Board of Directors, and will serve as the board secretary through 2026.
-
Leanne Todd (she/they)
Treasurer; Strategic Account Manager, Paycom
Leanne Todd is passionate about leveraging her financial expertise to ensure ORPIB’s resources are managed effectively and responsibly. Her interest in running for Treasurer stems from a deep commitment to supporting the organization’s mission through strategic financial planning and transparency.
With a strong background in finance and a proven track record of leadership, Leanne is eager to contribute her skills to help ORPIB achieve its long-term goals.
Leanne Todd (she/they) is a change agent for LGBTQ+ rights and community empowerment. Having proudly called Portland home since 2017, Leanne brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her work with ORPIB. Her experience spans many years and includes diverse volunteer roles, from leading corporate DEI training to nonprofit board leadership.
With a background in human resources, governance, strategic planning, and successful business ownership, Leanne's perspective is comprehensive and dynamic. Her years of dedicated service in nonprofit roles have sharpened her ability to foster inclusive workplaces, while her entrepreneurial ventures have instilled a practical understanding of operational efficiency.
As Strategic Accounts Manger at Paycom, Leanne infuses her role with a deep-seated commitment to advocacy and people-centric values. Beyond her professional endeavors, Leanne is a frequent volunteer with arts nonprofits, reflecting her enthusiasm for community enrichment. In her free time, she finds joy in creating music, making art, and exploring the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.
-
Brent Haugen (he/him)
Member at Large; Office Manager at World Forestry Center and Independent Artist
-
Brandon Byars (he/him)
Principal and Talent Development Consultant, Byars Consulting Group
I joined the ORPIB Board because I know firsthand how powerful it is to feel seen, supported, and connected - especially in professional spaces that haven’t always welcomed queer people. Growing up in rural Montana shaped my belief that access, visibility, and community matter deeply, no matter where you live or work. I’m passionate about helping ORPIB create spaces where LGBTQ+-owned businesses and allies can grow with confidence, clarity, and pride. As a board member, I bring my experience as a consultant, speaker, and lifelong cheerleader for teams to help ORPIB continue strengthening its impact across Oregon.
Because when people feel they belong, everything else becomes possible
Brandon Byars (he/him/his) is the founder and principal consultant of Byars Consulting Group, a Portland-based leadership development and people strategy firm focused on helping organizations build aligned, inclusive, and high-performing workplaces. His work spans strategic planning, employee engagement, leadership coaching, and team development, with an emphasis on practical tools leaders can apply immediately.
Brandon is also a frequent speaker and workshop facilitator, delivering engaging keynotes and interactive sessions on leadership accountability, communication, personality dynamics, and building cultures where people and performance thrive. He is known for his approachable style, clear facilitation, and ability to serve as both a strategic partner and a genuine cheerleader for teams navigating growth and change.
A lifelong football fan - and a proud Green Bay Packers supporter and part owner - Brandon brings a strong sense of teamwork, discipline, and shared responsibility into his leadership philosophy. He is deeply passionate about supporting queer communities and allies, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Having grown up in rural Montana, Brandon understands firsthand the importance of visibility, belonging, and community connection outside of major metropolitan centers. He often draws inspiration from the bison: resilient, herd-centered, and at their strongest when moving forward together rather than alone.
As a member of the ORPIB Board of Directors, Brandon is committed to advancing inclusive leadership and strengthening Oregon’s LGBTQ+-owned business community. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking with his husband and their busy-body cattle dog mix, who also serves as his ever-present office mate. Brandon believes the strongest teams - like the strongest communities - are built through trust, encouragement, and showing up authentically.
-
Bridget Jackson (she/they)
Member at Large; Principal, Nexus Public Relations
Bridget is a proud member of Oregon Pride in Business because she believes equity, representation, and inclusion are essential to a thriving business community. She values ORPIB’s role in creating space for LGBTQIA2S+-owned businesses to be seen, supported, and connected, and views membership as both a responsibility and an opportunity to advocate for inclusive economic growth, amplify diverse voices, and help build systems where all businesses can succeed. She believes that fostering diversity in business isn’t just a principle; it’s a practice that strengthens communities, fuels innovation, and leads to more ethical and effective communications.
Bridget Jackson (she/they) is a public relations professional with more than 25 years of experience spanning agency, corporate, and nonprofit communications. She is the founder and principal of Nexus Public Relations, LLC, a Portland-based consultancy known for delivering strategic, results-driven communications counsel paired with hands-on execution. Bridget brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to every engagement, helping organizations clarify their voice, strengthen their visibility, and connect meaningfully with the audiences that matter most.
Often referred to as “The People’s Storyteller,” Bridget specializes in crafting compelling mass media messaging designed for maximum impact. Through Nexus Public Relations, she serves as both a trusted advisor and collaborative tactical partner to emerging nonprofits and socially conscious small- to medium-sized businesses. Her work is grounded in the belief that authentic storytelling can drive awareness, build trust, and inspire action, especially for organizations committed to positive social change.
-
Craig Cabrera-Manalo (he/him)
Member at Large
“I joined Oregon Pride in Business to amplify the vibrant voices of the LGBTQIA2S+ Pacific Islander community. While we are often part of the larger AANHPI umbrella, I am passionate about bringing visibility to our distinct heritage and the unique strengths that define us. My goal is to ensure our specific stories are celebrated, turning our 'small but mighty' presence into a powerful catalyst for inclusion within the collective consciousness.”
Craig Cabrera-Manalo (he/him) is a results-driven leader from Saipan, the largest of the 14 islands that make up the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island. Craig has amassed over two decades of experience advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives within federal agencies. His career, which includes significant tenures at the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Customs & Border Protection, and the Transportation Security Administration, is marked by a proven ability to lead organizational change and manage large-scale, cross-functional programs.
Craig has successfully managed multimillion-dollar portfolios and driven operational and policy changes that align with equity-driven goals. His public service work has focused on building equitable frameworks for personnel, procurement, and policy development, ensuring that organizational decisions reflect both efficiency and fairness. Craig excels at cultivating inclusive environments, building strategic partnerships, and intentionally including the voices of historically marginalized communities.
Craig is an avid traveler and currently lives in Forest Grove, Oregon with his husband, Edison, and their two fur-babies: Mochi and Uni-Chang.
-
Jeremy Favors (he/him)
NGLCC Liaison; Founder & Managing Director of Peak Promo
“I believe deeply in the power of small businesses to create visibility, opportunity, and lasting economic impact. As a small business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how access, relationships, and advocacy can open doors, and I want to help strengthen those pathways for others. ORPIB’s mission aligns closely with my values around inclusion, economic empowerment, and community-led growth, and I’m motivated to contribute my experience, energy, and collaborative mindset to support a thriving, connected LGBTQ+ business community across the region.”
Jeremy Favors is the owner of Peak Promo, a certified diverse-owned promotional products company that helps businesses create meaningful brand moments while supporting inclusive and values-driven supply chains. As a small business owner, Jeremy is passionate about using his work to build strong relationships, amplify underrepresented businesses, and help foster a more financially inclusive business environment.
Deeply rooted in the LGBTQ+ business community, Jeremy believes small businesses play a critical role in driving economic empowerment, visibility, and long-term change. His work often intersects with supplier diversity, sustainability, and community engagement, aligning purpose with practical impact.
Outside of work, Jeremy enjoys traveling, spending time with his husband Scott, and doting on animals whenever possible. He lives by the motto "run your own race"; a reminder that success doesn’t have to follow a single path to be meaningful or impactful.
-
Joelle Kim (she/her)
Board Member at Large. Interim Executive Director, Q Center
“I believe economic justice is inseparable from 2SLGBTQIA+ liberation, and that workplaces can either reinforce harm or become powerful sites of belonging and equity. I see this as an opportunity to push beyond rainbow branding, elevate QTBIPOC leadership, and help build business communities that actively protect, invest in, and stand with our people.”
Joelle (she/her) is a first-generation Korean American immigrant with lived trans experience, and a leader with a deep commitment to equity, restorative justice, and community care. With a background in music therapy, mental health, and nonprofit leadership, she brings years of experience in advocacy, program development, and fundraising. Formerly a Mental Health Care Coordinator for Multnomah County, she now serves as Interim Executive Director of Q Center. Her priorities include strengthening infrastructure, removing access barriers for QTBIPOC folks, and fostering affirming spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Centering Black trans voices and guided by lived experience, Joelle leads with heart, integrity, and a deep love for community.
-
Tempest Blanchard (they/them)
Member at Large; Graduate Studies, Health Policy and Management
Tempest is a graduate student studying health policy and management, with a strong focus on health equity and access to care.
They are developing a 2SLGBTQ+ culturally competent curriculum for Certified Recovery Mentors and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors in Oregon. This work addresses a significant curriculum gap and aligns with the Oregon Health Authority's goal of eliminating health inequities by 2030.
Inspired by their communities in Oregon and Louisiana, Tempest has built a background in service, local government administration and strategy consulting. Their purpose is anchored in lived experience and a commitment to advancing inclusive and equitable systems. Tempest also loves learning, exploring the outdoors and practicing drawing.
-
Sarah Ambrosek (she/her)
Member at Large, Operation & Policy Analyst 3, Paid Leave Oregon, Oregon Deployment Department
“I want to serve on this board because I believe deeply in the power of visibility, representation, and economic opportunity within the ORPIB community. Not only does ORPIB play a vital role in LGBTQIA2S+ owned businesses, but also in creating spaces where people feel affirmed, connected, and empowered to grow. I am drawn to the Chamber’s mission because it aligns with my values of inclusion, collaboration, and community-centered leadership.
“I work in outreach and customer care for Paid Leave Oregon, where I support individuals, families, and employers in navigating paid leave benefits with clarity, compassion, and dignity. My role centers on meeting people where they are—often during vulnerable or transitional moments—and ensuring they have access to accurate information, resources, and support. Through this work, I see firsthand how public programs and inclusive policies can positively impact economic stability, family well-being, and workplace equity.
This daily experience directly informs my service as a newly appointed board member of ORPIB. Supporting diverse communities has strengthened my understanding of the barriers individuals and business owners may face, particularly around access, visibility, and economic security. I am honored to contribute this perspective and remain committed to learning, collaboration, and advancing equity through meaningful community engagement.”'
-
Sarah Crisp (she/they)
Member at Large; Founder, Queer Social Club
“I’m obsessed with helping people connect with their communities in ways that fit their unique lives and identities. In a society that pushes people to be passive consumers instead of active citizens, I work to build simple opportunities for people to thrive and support each other. ORPIB’s mission of economic empowerment is a vital part of building a better future for our communities, by offering opportunities for support and growth that many of us can't find on our own.”
Sarah Crisp AKA “Crisp” is the founder of Queer Social Club, an online resource for queer-friendly community events that serves tens of thousands of people every week. With a professional background in developing software products with engineering teams, Crisp finds happiness among software developers and other entrepreneurial builders.
Before a long career in software she worked for nine years in veterinary medicine, and was part of a small team that launched the trailblazing online medical training platform atdove.org in 2011.
In her free time you can find Crisp reading sci-fi books from Multnomah County Library, or watching/attending professional women's basketball games.