Honored to share MAC member and Board of Trustee Secretary?Susan Bladholm's?well-deserved recognition as a?2025 Woman of Influence!??? ? Susan embodies leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to Portland. Her words on purpose, people, and bravery resonate deeply, not just for the next generation but for all of us striving to make an impact. ? Congratulations, Susan, on this incredible honor! ??
Dear Portland Business Journal and esteemed selection committee, thank you for the honor of being a member of the 2025 Women of Influence Class. The advice I gave to my 12-year-old self during the on-stage interview was: 1. Find your purpose. (It will likely change over time and may take time. Sage advice from my daughter, Haley.) 2. Find your people. Those who support you and always have your back. 3. You will need your purpose and people in order to be brave. Because the future "you" is going to need to be brave. All of us need to be brave. A shout out to my friends and family who showed up in such a big way to celebrate me and to all of the Women of Influence in the room. I am gobsmacked grateful to Rebecca Armstrong for her introduction, touting my love of Portland. "She lives and breathes Portland. And even during the hardest of times, she celebrates it." I could not ask for a more meaningful tribute. Mayor Wilson, thank you for making the time to stop by and celebrate many of Portland's female leaders. We see you and your efforts to rebuild our City. Given the breadth of energy, goodwill, kindness and positive intention in the room, our community is beginning to bloom again. Haley Schulberg Nina Byrd Monique Barton, APR Rebecca Armstrong Teresa Oneill Denise Ker Waldron Michelle F. Peggy Maguire Jill Eiland Jennifer G. Strait Julie Lee Debra Weekley Mia Birk Nancy Cardwell Kimiko Matsuda Alison R. Amy Snyder Rebecca McClain Keith Wilson Ashley Fenker Jessica Velazquez meridel prideaux Jessica F. Elkan Pleschette Fontenet (she,her) Cara Turano Lori Spencer Willamette Technical Fabricators, LLC Krista Tappan Candace Beeke