Anna Shapiro came to the US Small Business Administration (SBA) with experience from the private sector, nonprofits and the small business community. Over the last few years, she has participated in economic development and has been dedicated to optimizing the contributions that SBA’s capital, contracting and small business counseling services have on the productive capacity, vitality, and economic well-being of the communities and citizens served by the Portland District Office. Anna works to build and maintain collaborative alliances and partnerships with resource partners, economic development organizations, small business owners, and, most recently, the small business lending community.

WORKSHOP Session 1- Think Like A Lender: Panel Discussion

Senior Recruiter & Account Manager Carly Richter has been with HR Annie Consulting/True Calling Recruitment since 2021. She is passionate about sharing how to build and maintain a positive company culture for her clients and workshop attendees. Before making connections between companies and candidates, Carly hired and developed employees as a General Manager at celebrated companies like Salt & Straw and Sisters Coffee Company.

WORKSHOP Session 1 - Strategies for Successful Hiring

WORKSHOP Session 2 - Building Loyalty & Engagement in Employees the First 90 Days

WORKSHOP Interactive Wrap Up - HR & Recruitment In Action +

Panache Consulting is a small business located in Vancouver, Washington. Charlene Ruell operates both a retail business (in-person and online) and an administrative consulting agency geared towards helping other small businesses. They also serve as a member of the Square and Adobe Beta communities and utilizes the latest tech whenever possible. In their previous life, Charlene worked in many sectors ranging from higher education to non-profit. They hold a BA in History from Northwestern University and an MA in Cultural Heritage and International Development from University of East Anglia.

WORKSHOP Session 1 - Cultivate E-Commerce Excellence

WORKSHOP Interactive Wrap Up - Revitalize Your Online Sales +

Oregon Department of Revenue's Withholding and Payroll Outreach Coordinator Chris Cox has been with DOR for over 10 years.

The primary function of the outreach events is to offer educational information and presentations on various topics to small business, associations, tax preparers, and more. Our outreach partners with private sector and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to best reach those who can benefit from increased knowledge and understanding regarding Oregon payroll withholding taxes and transit programs.

WORKSHOP Session 3- Dive into Business Structures & Entities

Chris Landis is a product manager for KAMIND IT building a “Virtual Information Security Officer” as a service. Fusing artificial Intelligence, big data and security best practices.

KAMIND IT Is a Microsoft Partner, building secure IT environments for small and medium sized businesses.

WORKSHOP Session 3 - Cyber security in the Digital Age

With more than 25 years of commercial lending experience, Corey Werle is known as an authority on SBA lending at US Bank. He sees things that other lending professionals may overlook, allowing him to help many business owners each year. Corey is passionate about finding creative financing solutions for his clients, no matter how complex. He utilizes his dedication to learning, along with his experience and unparalleled insight to better understand the forces that drive lending practices. By staying up-to-date on the latest complexities of SBA lending, business owners look to him for guidance for the borrowing needs.

WORKSHOP Session 1 - Think Like A Lender: Panel Discussion

Daaniël is the founder, owner and CEO of Issue53 LLC., a managed service provider (MSP) helping businesses manage their IT needs, so they can focus on the core functions of their business. A heavy focus on cybersecurity and networking puts Issue53 in a great position to help businesses improve their cybersecurity posture and get them back online in the event of a hack. Issue53 has strong skills in cloud-native technologies as well, and they believe compliance should be a priority for every business.

WORKSHOP Session 3 - Cyber security in the Digital Age

Emma Wihtol, owner of Frame Marketing, focuses on organic social media growth for small to medium sized businesses. She creates strategic campaigns designed to help small businesses grow their brand awareness and conversions through organic social media marketing. Emma has a double degree in Digital Marketing Communications and Sustainability from Oregon State and loves using her skill set to work with and empower local business.

WORKSHOP Interactive Wrap Up - Organic Social Media +

Esteban Lara studied Finance and International Trade and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Northern Illinois University. He immigrated to the United States and settled in Salem, OR. Esteban founded Brilliant Consulting Solutions in 2022, who owns Toro Taxes Territory. Currently, Esteban and his team advise entrepreneurs to develop growth strategies for businesses connected to business growth strategy, strategic business finance, bookkeeping, accounting, payroll and taxes.

WORKSHOP Interactive Wrap Up - Finanzas - Spanish Only +

As a spirited entrepreneur and first-generation Latina, Ivette Heredia co-founded Birdee Media to bridge the gap between businesses and multicultural communities. Her background in social media management and digital storytelling, along with her connection to her roots, mirrors the core values of Birdee Media: authenticity, creativity, and trust. Like an “arañita” (little spider), she tirelessly weaves connections across sectors, fostering genuine relationships. Beyond her professional endeavors, Ivette finds balance in outdoor pursuits, her passion reflecting the vibrant energy she brings to Birdee Media.

WORKSHOP Session 3- Técnicas Potenciadas por la Inteligencia Artificial para Captar la Atención de tu Audiencia – Spanish Only

WORKSHOP Interactive Wrap Up - Marketing - Spanish Only +

Originating from the Dominican Republic and nurturing his skills in Panama, James Reyes brings a multicultural perspective to Birdee Media as its co-founder. With over fifteen years of experience across graphic design, marketing, web development, and filmmaking, he personifies Birdee Media’s values of authenticity, creativity, and trust. His entrepreneurial ventures span several countries, reflecting the company’s commitment to building bridges between diverse communities. Now based in the US, James dedicates his efforts to help businesses thrive, underlining Birdee Media’s mission to foster genuine relationships. His passion for his craft brings unique narratives to life, creating a meaningful impact and forging lasting connections.

WORKSHOP Session 3- Técnicas Potenciadas por la Inteligencia Artificial para Captar la Atención de tu Audiencia – Spanish Only

WORKSHOP Interactive Wrap Up - Marketing - Spanish Only +

Jon Bebe provides culturally competent business coaching to high-mission borrowers to help address barriers so they can access capital and grow their businesses at Craft3. He focuses on empowering his clients and instilling knowledge and confidence so they can chart their own course.

WORKSHOP Session 1- Think Like A Lender: Panel Discussion

Joshua Jacobs is the Business Development Manager for Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO). Joshua oversees a team of business advisors who work with small business owners to develop their strengths and increase their revenue. Joshua has connected dozens of small businesses with grant opportunities and provided assistance with their grant applications, business plans, and financial projections. Joshua has been doing this work for over 15 years and is still as passionate about helping small businesses as the day he started.

WORKSHOP Session 2 - Grant Writing Success

Julie Preciado advises businesses on a wide variety of corporate, real estate, and employment matters at Dunn Carney, LLP. As a former business owner, Julie has a unique understanding of the issues and legal matters that businesses often face. She has extensive experience counseling clients on day-to-day issues, including governing documents, service agreements, agreements for a variety of business transactions, ownership transfers; lease negotiations, drafting and review, and enforcement; and workplace compliance, policies, and investigations. Before private practice, Julie completed an externship for Oregon Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Walters, an internship for Honorable Magistrate Judge John V. Acosta, and served as a law clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as with Legal Aid Services of Oregon’s Statewide Low-income Taxpayer Clinic.

WORKSHOP Session 1 - Contratos Comerciales Revelados - Spanish Only

Kyle Baisch was hired by Oregon Pacific Bank in 2022 to lead the banks growth into the Portland market. He has been in commercial banking for over 17 years, spending the bulk of his career at Pacific Continental Bank, specializing in depository and cash management products and services. Kyle is a 2015 graduate of Leadership Portland and chairs the Alumni Association Leadership Committee. Kyle is a recent graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Oregon.

WORKSHOP Session 1 - Think Like A Lender: Panel Discussion

Originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Laura Navarrete studied Public Accounting (CPA) at the University of Guadalajara for 4 years. She immigrated to the United States and settled in Portland, OR. Laura obtained her license to practice tax services and opened Total Business & Tax Solutions in 2015 while simultaneously working at another tax office. Laura currently manages two offices in Vancouver and Portland and collaborates with various organizations and assists Latino entrepreneurs with accounting and tax matters.

WORKSHOP Session 2 - Maximiza tu Estado Financiero para Ganancias y Crecimiento - Spanish Only

Lauren Teague knows the secret to building a great business is cultivating fandom rather than followers. She is a sought-after business strategist, an acclaimed speaker, and the founder of the re-commerce startup FanWagn.

She’s the only strategist anywhere with a client list this diverse: Retail brands (Cabela’s, TaylorMade), Tourism hotspots (Grand Ole Opry, Tourism Alberta), Sports entities (Heisman Trophy Trust, Jason Day, Hal Higdon), and Technology giants (SAP, Cisco), to name a few. Visit laurenteague.com to learn more.

WORKSHOP Session 3- Adding AI to Supercharge Your Marketing

Mark Grubbs helps his clients plan for the inevitable departure from their business. Whether transferring to family or key employees, a third-party sale, or holding the business until death, as a Certified Exit Planner at WestPac Wealth Partners, his ability to provide insights and strategies for this transition can help clearly define the best path forward. Mark works on a wide array of business issues ranging from building value within a business to identifying exit objectives, addressing key employee incentive planning and retention issues, incorporating business continuity planning, and establishing wealth preservation. Together with his clients they prepare the business and the owner(s) for the transition away from their business, leaving it on their terms.

WORKSHOP Session 1- Develop your Business Growth Strategy: A Roadmap to a Successful Exit.

Michael Jonas, JD, MBA is the Principal Attorney and Owner of Rational Unicorn Legal Services. Michael was recently awarded Portland's 40 Under 40 by the Portland Business Journal and the Small Business Champion of the Year for Oregon by the SBA. When not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his husband Andy and their two dogs, Edison and Ginsburg. Michael believes that business and community go hand in hand. He is proud to represent clients of all walks of life, passions, and talents.

WORKSHOP Session 3- Business Contracts Unveiled

Nancy Zacarias is a Latina entrepreneur and business community leader, currently serves as the Resource Navigator Lead at Livelihood NW where she provides direct navigation support to business owners, colleagues and partner organizations in English and Spanish. With a focus on business formation, Nancy is passionately committed to setting start-up businesses on the path to success. Her ability to build meaningful partnerships has been instrumental in her role, enabling her to thrive in professional environments where she can leverage her skills and relationship-building commitment to drive business success and economic impact in Oregon communities.

WORKSHOP Session 2- Financial Empowerment

WORKSHOP Interactive Wrap Up - Financial Profit & Growth +

Reggie Gaines is a Commercial Relationship Manager for OnPoint Community Credit Union, with over 30 years of commercial banking experience. He has served on the Wilsonville Public Library Foundation, as well as the library board, and has lived in Wilsonville since 2006.

Let us help you meet the needs of your local business. Whether you’re expanding, building out or looking to purchase your facility, an OnPoint Small Business or Commercial Loan makes getting the financing your small business needs quick and convenient.

WORKSHOP Session 1- Think Like A Lender: Panel Discussion

Known for driving over $80+ million in online sales via small teams, Ryan Mark of Winship Labs, merges prowess in automation and AI with lean business grit to help teams quickly get from zero knowledge to massive cost savings within days/weeks. His expertise uniquely positions him to guide small business owners through this exciting and new frontiers as it begins to take off worldwide.

WORKSHOP Session 2 - Unlocking AI Potential in Business Operations

Trevor Leahy is the Secretary of State’s Small Business Ombudsman. He has 15 years of state service in Oregon with the Office of Small Business Assistance and the Employment Department. Since 2014, he has been working with businesses on understanding compliance, identifying resources, and navigating the requirements for doing business in Oregon successfully. Trevor thrives on representing the government as approachable and human, eagerly helping entrepreneurs find answers to their questions and making positive connections.

WORKSHOP Session 3 - Dive into Business Structures & Entities