Angela Tanaka has more than 15 years of experience leading product strategy and execution in finance and accounting technology, with a strong focus on delivering SaaS solutions that streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency. Throughout her career, she has worked across multiple industries and business verticals, partnering with cross-functional teams to translate complex business needs into scalable, customer-focused solutions.

As a Senior Product Manager for Sage Intacct Construction, Angela leads initiatives that enhance workflows for construction companies, including the integration of AI-powered capabilities into the product experience.

Prior to joining Sage, Angela worked at Zillow Group, where she developed deep expertise in new construction and real estate technology. Angela holds an MBA from the University of Oregon and certifications in Professional Scrum Product Ownership (PSPO), Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), and Prosci Change Management.

Angela Wilhelms has been president and CEO since September 2021. Before joining OBI, Angela held several roles focused on public policy, organizational governance, communications and strategic planning. Her work spans manufacturing, higher education, Capitol Hill and the Oregon Legislature. In the Oregon House of Representatives, she served as chief of staff in the House Minority Office and the House Co-Speakers’ Office helping advise lawmakers on a diverse portfolio of policy, budget and legislative management issues. Angela has a degree in finance from Santa Clara University and both a JD and MBA from Willamette University. She serves on the boards for Sport Oregon, the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and Common Sense Institute Oregon and is an emeritus member of the SMART Reading board. In her spare time, Angela loves to explore Oregon, and she is a certified official with USA Track & Field.

Breanna Henderson is an Oregon Coast seafood professional, entrepreneur, educator, and workforce advocate with more than 13 years of experience in seafood processing and commercial fisheries. As the founder of Sea-Bre's Premium Seafood LLC, she works directly with local hook-and-line fishermen to market Oregon-caught seafood while promoting sustainable fisheries and coastal economic development.

Through partnerships with schools, workforce organizations, ports, and industry leaders, Breanna provides fish fillet demonstrations, seafood education, and hands-on internship opportunities that introduce students to careers in Oregon's maritime industries.

She is also the founder of Old Jack's Pantry, a seafood-based pet food company focused on creating value-added products from Oregon-caught seafood. Her work centers on strengthening connections between fishermen, students, and coastal communities while helping build the next generation of Oregon's maritime workforce.

Carrie Laird is the Vice President, Wildfire Mitigation and Emergency Operations at PacifiCorp, where she oversees the teams responsible for wildfire mitigation plan development, risk modeling, meteorology, emergency management and wildfire response. In this role, Carrie leads efforts where the above listed teams are focused on reducing the risk of utility caused wildfires via a variety of programs that form a comprehensive, state level wildfire mitigation plan. Plans focus both on internally focused programs like asset hardening, as well as externally facing efforts that support the safety and resiliency of the customers and communities we serve.

Christian Paige is an Emmy-nominated spoken word poet, a professional speaker and an educator. Paige is a first-generation college graduate, an Actsix Scholar and is passionate about community, anti-racism, equity, and empowerment. He has spent his entire career in and around education advocating for historically marginalized populations and working to create equitable environments where young people can thrive.

Paige's work has appeared on national stages, on television, and in museum exhibits. Paige is one of the top youth speakers in the Pacific Northwest and is in demand nationally; however, he believes there is no place like home. He was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington where he currently lives and serves as the Tacoma poet laureate.

Corinna Pereira is one of six Multi-State Navigators with the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship, monitoring apprenticeship state agencies in WA, OR, NV, AZ, HI, and the U.S. Territory of Guam. In her career, she’s also held roles as the Training Center Director for Sheet Metal Air Rail & Transportation Local Union 67 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) in Austin, TX, Director of Apprenticeship Programs at West Hills Community College District in Coalinga CA, and Apprenticeship Consultant for the State of California Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS). Corinna has nearly 15 years of academic and professional experience related to workforce development, particularly in registered apprenticeship. She holds a Master of Science degree in Management and Leadership as well as an MBA. Corinna is also an honorably discharged Persian Gulf War veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Damon Runberg is the Economist at Business Oregon, the State of Oregon’s economic development agency. He supports the statewide economic development goals by tracking and analyzing economic indicators critical to Oregon’s workers and businesses. He also evaluates the effectiveness of Oregon’s economic development strategies and incentives. Prior to working with Business Oregon Damon was a Regional Labor Economist with the Oregon Employment Department for nearly 12 years. In his free time, you’ll likely find Damon along one of Oregon’s beautiful rivers with a fly rod in hand.

Born and raised in Lebanon, Emile spent eight years working in refugee services across the Middle East, providing holistic support to displaced families as they navigated uncertainty and waited for opportunities to resettle. After moving to the United States, he found himself working on the other side of the resettlement journey with Salem for Refugees, welcoming and supporting families arriving from countries including his own home country of Lebanon.

Through these experiences, Emile and his wife have embraced a shared mission: to serve families holistically, restoring dignity, hope, and a future for those who have lost so much. Their work is rooted in the belief that meaningful service goes beyond meeting immediate needs—it is about walking alongside people as they rebuild their lives and move toward a place of belonging and thriving.

Eric Sherman serves as Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 932, representing union electrical workers and apprentices on the Oregon Coast. Eric is a master electrician by trade, 20+ year member of the IBEW, a 17-year electrical apprenticeship classroom instructor, Chairs the Pacific Inside Electrical JATC registered apprenticeship program, and serves as a Board member on NW Oregon Works. Eric is a passionate advocate for workforce development and blue collar work in general, and is always eager to learn and educate.

Hannah is the Project and Grant Manager with PIVOT Architecture, where she supports educational and workforce initiatives across the state. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. Hannah brings direct experience coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, including leading professional development for over 110 Team Oregon Build instructors across Oregon, a statewide effort requiring coordination across school districts, community partners, and regional workforce organizations. In Lane County, she facilitates Regional Advisory Committees for Career and Technical Education programs, bringing industry partners to the table with educators to ensure teaching practices are relevant and industry connected.

Heather is the Executive Director of the East Cascades Works, a non-profit serving the ten (10) counties on the east slope of the Cascades Mountain range in Oregon including Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Wheeler, Gilliam, Jefferson, Crook, Deschutes, Lake and Klamath counties. East Cascades Works mission is to support the talent needs of employers, and maximize and align investments in the career goals of individuals to fuel a thriving economy.

Heather has over 25 years’ experience in workforce development in Oregon, ranging from direct service to working for a local workforce board. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of Wisconsin Madison and her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University. Heather has supported the start-up of several organizations as well as programs, and has extensive experience with youth workforce programming and re-engagement strategies that launch young people on to careers.

Currently, Heather serves as a member of the Governor’s Workforce and Talent Development Board – Continuous Improvement Committee, is Chair of Oregon Human Development Corporation (OHDC), a nonprofit serving migrant seasonal farm workers in Oregon and Nevada, and serves as an officer on the board of Better Together, Central Oregon’s Cradle to Career Collaborative.

Jason Burk is a semiconductor manufacturing and industrial engineering leader with more than 24 years of experience driving large-scale operational transformation, capacity expansion, and manufacturing excellence across high-volume fabrication facilities. Currently serving as Associate Director of Production Operations and Industrial Engineering at Microchip Technology's Fab 4 in Gresham, Oregon, Jason has led initiatives that, supported more than $1 billion in capital investments, and delivered significant improvements in productivity, cost, and workforce development. His career has spanned operations leadership, industrial engineering, capital planning, lean manufacturing, and long-range strategic planning, with a consistent focus on building high-performing teams and creating sustainable systems for growth.

Today, Jason's work is focused on the next evolution of manufacturing: integrating artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and autonomous robotics into legacy industrial environments. He is leading smart manufacturing initiatives that combine AI-driven decision support, digital factory systems, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), collaborative robotics, and real-time operational analytics to improve productivity, flexibility, and resilience within existing manufacturing operations. His passion lies in bridging the gap between traditional operational excellence disciplines and emerging technologies, creating practical pathways for the hybrid integration of human expertise, artificial intelligence, and autonomous systems. Through this work, Jason is helping shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing where data, automation, and people operate together as a unified intelligent production system.

Jennifer Denning has over two decades of experience in Oregon state government, specializing in workforce development and collaborative program delivery. She has supported statewide initiatives spanning youth conservation programs, WIOA Youth, and OregonServes disaster response. Jennifer currently manages the U.S. Department of Labor’s federal apprenticeship grants, partnering with BOLI, state and local agencies, and grantees to strengthen apprenticeship pathways. Her work focuses on providing technical assistance, coordinating cross‑agency workgroups, and advancing innovative, equity‑driven workforce solutions across Oregon.

Jessica Ventura serves as Director of the Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement within the Oregon Department of Human Services. She leads statewide policy coordination to ensure immigrant and refugee Oregonians are treated with respect and dignity when interacting with state systems, and that agencies align their response during periods of federal change.

Jessica brings more than a decade of experience in state government, including leadership roles at the Oregon Department of Education, the Oregon Legislature, and the Secretary of State’s Office. Her work has focused on equity-centered policy development, cross-agency coordination, and legislative strategy.

She is a first-generation immigrant who grew up in Oregon and has dedicated her career to public service. She lives in Oregon with her family.

Jim Pfarrer serves as Director of the Workforce Operations Division at the Oregon Employment Department, leading statewide workforce programs and operational strategy. With 32 years of agency experience, he started out working claims and employment services to regional management and executive leadership. Over the past decade, Jim has driven modernization efforts, strengthened statewide performance, expanded access to services, and improved customer experience across Oregon’s workforce system.

John Tapogna is President of the Oregon Business Council, a CEO-led organization representing many of Oregon’s largest employers and working to strengthen the state’s long-term economic competitiveness and prosperity. He previously served as President of ECOnorthwest and has spent nearly three decades advising governments, foundations, and business leaders on economic strategy and public policy. John currently focuses on several structural pressures shaping Oregon’s future—housing supply, education performance, wildfire management, tax competitiveness, and regulatory and land-use constraints. He also serves as Board Chair of Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Julie Guenette is the Principal Healthcare Workforce Strategist at Willamette Workforce Partnership. She brings employers, educators, and community partners together to strengthen healthcare career pathways across Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. Her work spans regional workforce planning, training partnerships, recruitment, and retention. She is also helping develop a registered apprenticeship for Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors and will share what that experience has taught her about building apprenticeships with employers and educators.

Venkat is the Chair of the Workforce and Talent Development advisory board to the Governor of Oregon. Venkat also co-chairs the Technology Industry Consortium for Future Ready Oregon. As the Senior Director of AI computing at NVIDIA, his engineering teams designed computing platforms enabling perceptive, generative, reasoning, agentic, and physical AI applications.

With extensive experience in private and public sectors, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, and a passion for lifelong learning, Kim thrives on building connection. As Vocational Rehabilitation’s statewide Workforce and Business Coordinator, Kim collaborates with businesses and workforce partners throughout Oregon, providing disability training, hiring and retention supports, consultation on accommodations and more. You’ll find Kim enthusiastically speaking about disability, driven by a favorite quote, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” - Maya Angelou

Over the course of her career, Kim has led a variety of public and nonprofit organizations. Her career has focused on early learning and care, workforce, business advocacy, and housing. She has a passion for helping individuals improve their situations in their lives, supporting the community and the local economy. In addition to her professional work, volunteer service has also allowed her to fulfill these passions.

Kim has an adult son who lives in New York with his wife, and a daughter living in Portland, along with four ‘bonus’ kids, including a stepson working on his Master’s Degree at Texas A&M Kim and her husband, Salvador, enjoy traveling, camping, listening to live music, wine tasting, and watching sports. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Willamette University.

Larry Williams earned a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has worked at the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries for 28 years, with a focus on apprenticeship. Since September 2010, he has managed the Highway Construction Workforce Development Program in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Using program evaluation reports provided by researchers at Portland State University, BOLI and ODOT have refined the services to emphasize those that show the most positive impact on retention and completion of apprentices in the highway construction trades. More recently, he has been standing up an expansion of child care subsidies to all construction apprentices and some early career journeyworkers in Oregon in partnership with Business Oregon.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Organizational Leadership and 15 years of progressive HR experience, Lynn Nelson serves as Director of Human Resources at Jireh Semiconductor, supporting more than 625 employees.

Lynn is passionate about workforce development and creating accessible pathways for career advancement. He has chaired Oregon’s first Youth Apprenticeship program, the state’s first Semiconductor Apprenticeship program, and Portland Community College’s MT Advisory Committee. His leadership philosophy is simple: “Don’t ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.”

Nick has 15 years of experience working at the intersection of technology, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. As Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a $1.5B global philanthropy, Nick oversees all of the Foundation’s programmatic efforts to advance a human-centered technological future. He leads a team of grantmakers, technologists, and program leads who advance AI- and data-driven solutions to global challenges through a $60M hypothesis-driven grants portfolio, AI product development, nonprofit capacity building, and storytelling. Nick also created Fund.AI, the largest platform for philanthropies seeking to integrate AI and machine learning solutions into their charitable giving strategy.

In his community, Nick founded the Portland, Oregon chapter of Frontline Foods, which raised more than $200K in cash relief for local restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nick earned a bachelor's from Columbia University and an MBA with honors from the Berkeley-Haas School of Business.

Representative Daniel Nguyễn is the son of Vietnam War refugees who came to the United States in 1975. He was born and raised in Camas, Washington. He earned a BA in Business & Public Administration from the University of Puget Sound and an MBA from Marylhurst University. Daniel founded and owns Bambuza Hospitality Group, operating restaurants for 20 years alongside his wife Katherine.​

Before being elected to the Oregon House of Representatives, Daniel served as a Lake Oswego City councilor, making history as the first person of color elected to the City's Council and as the first public elected official in Oregon of Vietnamese heritage.

Daniel is an active community volunteer and dedicated public servant, serving on the Oregon Community Foundation's Metro Leaders Council, the Oregon Treasury Savings Network, the Oregon Innovation Council and the Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs. He previously volunteered with Immigration Counseling Services, Business for a Better Portland and as Co-Chair of PCC School of Business and Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee. ​

Shareen Vogel is the Career Technical Education (CTE) Regional Coordinator at Lane Education Service District with over 25 years of community and economic development experience in secondary, nonprofit and higher education. Shareen graduated from the University of Oregon’s school of Planning, Public Policy and Management with a masters in Community and Regional Planning and Nonprofit Management. Prior to joining Lane ESD, she worked for 10 years at Lane Community College as a faculty liaison with dual credit and CTE. In her role, she supports Career and Technical Education programs in Lane County, providing regional collaboration, alignment, training, and support for initiatives like Team Oregon Build. In 2025, Shareen won the Oregon ACTE CTE Administrator of the Year Award.

Starlene Clig is the Transition Coordinator at Snake River Correctional Institution with the Oregon Department of Corrections, where she has served since 2014. She is dedicated to helping individuals involved in the criminal justice system prepare for successful transitions back into their communities, recognizing that the foundation for reentry begins long before release.

Starlene brings both professional experience and personal perspective to her work. She and her husband of 45 years have raised 12 children, 10 of whom they adopted through the foster care system. As the mother of a son who has been involved in the criminal justice system, she understands firsthand the challenges individuals and families face during incarceration and reentry. Her family’s experience has shown her the life-changing impact of educational opportunities, access to resources, strong community connections, and family support before and after release. With these supports in place, her son has now been out of the criminal justice system for more than eight years. Today, he gives back to the community as the Program Coordinator for Hosea Youth Services, demonstrating how meaningful support and opportunities for growth can help individuals build a new future and positively impact the lives of others.

Through her work, Starlene strives to bridge the gap between correctional institutions and community organizations, helping create pathways to opportunity, stability, and lasting change. She believes successful reentry is not simply about leaving prison, but about empowering individuals to rebuild their lives, strengthen relationships, and become contributing members of their communities. Her professional work and personal journey reflect her belief that people can overcome significant challenges when they have access to the right support, encouragement, and opportunities.

Theresa committed herself to creating equitable opportunities to education and jobs for the past 15+ years. She has worked with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization in Workforce Development for over 6 years and currently is the WorkSource Site manager for the Portland Metro N/NE WorkSource 1b Skills and Training team. Here she leads 5 different programs focused on training participants for in-demand careers, creating equitable access for local community organizations to utilize WorkSource services, training participants in Early Childhood Education as part of Preschool for All initiative, and providing layoff transition services to the surrounding area. Her previous experience includes volunteer work abroad in Europe with migrants and refugees and persistence coaching for higher education students and institutions to help student retention and success rates.

Tony Gebhard is an Assistive Technology Specialist and an Artificial Intelligence enthusiast with the Oregon Commission for the Blind. He specializes in practical applications for blind and low vision clients for use in their homes and work environments. Tony serves his community with passion and a continued growth mindset.

Tony is enthusiastic about music, playing bass, drums and piano, and he has written and released 12 albums over the span of 10 years. In addition, he hosts a podcast where he interviews a wide array of guests whose lives and accomplishments challenge assumptions about blindness. You’ll find Tony traveling with his beloved guide dog, Norris, who Tony says is the star of the show!