March 15, 2022 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Free- This event has passed.
Explore ways to #BreakTheBias and work toward a gender-equal world.
In case you missed it, watch recording here.
About this event
OBI recognizes that collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes International Women’s Day impactful. Attend this panel discussion as we explore ways in which we can all #BreakTheBias when working toward a gender-equal world. The discussion will center on the experiences of women leaders in entrepreneurship, academia, tech, and bioscience industries – and how they have navigated the road toward equality in their respective fields.
About the Moderator:
Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, Managing Director of Black Founders Matter
Himalaya Rao is one of the Managing Directors and General Partners of the Black Founders Matter Fund which is a $10mm seed-stage fund focused on highly scalable Black-led deal flow within the United States. Prior to becoming a GP, Himalaya got an MBA and specialized training in Venture Finance and worked in seven different firms as an Associate, Deal Lead, and eventually Fund Manager. She continues to work with Portland Seed Fund as a Venture Partner now helping to train new associates in the fundamentals of VC and teaches MBA and MSF students about venture investing at Portland State University.
She has a passion for expanding accessibility of entrepreneurship to BIPOC and rural communities as a pathway for economic development and generational wealth building.
About the Panelists:
Denise McCarty, Senior Technology Centers Strategic Relations Manager, Autodesk
My passion for community building is a common thread that is woven through both my professional and personal life. I am a convener and master dot-connector. Throughout my eclectic career I have held positions in the Non-Profit and Economic Development worlds, with fifteen plus years in Global Business Development and Supply Chain.
Outside the Autodesk office my wife and I own and operate the award-winning McConnell’s Boxing Academy. My wife, Molly McConnell, is a two-time World Champion boxer and Oregon Sports Hall of Fame inductee, making me the second-best boxer in our household. Our home is filled with royalty, as our two cats, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret rule our kingdom with an iron claw.
Jenn Klotz, Community Relations and External Communication Lead in Oregon, Genentech
Jenn Klotz is the Community Relations External Communications Lead for Genentech in Oregon. In her role she is responsible for executing site-based giving and external communications strategies with initiatives that connect Genentech with the community. Jenn has been with Genentech for over 13 years and in that time has been a member of the leadership team, the executive sponsor for employee-led diversity teams and a leader in the community.
Outside of work Jenn is a Portland native with two grown sons and a professional musician. Jenn was the recipient of the Athena Women’s Leadership award in 2019 and is passionate about mentoring women of color. Jenn gives back by volunteering for several organizations and is currently a Court Appointed Special Advocate for teens in the foster system.
Patti White, Co-founder and CEO, Hemex Health
Based in Portland, Oregon, Hemex Health has commercialized Gazelle™, an affordable, point-of-care diagnostic platform for users at the new frontlines of healthcare. Gazelle is now used in 13 countries in over 300 locations.
Patti is a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in medical technology and has launched over 20 successful products. Her experience includes executive roles at Hewlett Packard and 3 successful start-up companies. Patti has an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a degree in International Business from the University of Washington.
Susy Dunn, Chief People Officer & Chief of Staff, Zapproved
Susy is a transformational leader with deep SaaS operational expertise who aligns people, process systems and culture to unlock high growth and high-performance teams. At Zapproved she leads HR, DE&I, Legal, Security, Compliance and IT where she has help scale a collaborative, inclusive, and empowered culture where the employees, business, and customers thrive. Susy has over 25 years of experience in business operations and human resources leadership roles across small to large global companies in the technology and energy sectors. She then transitioned to software serving at notable Portland start-ups Jive, Jama and Act-On.
Susy has been a trusted advisor to the Oregon software start-up community, was a recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s 2017 Women of Influence award, served for many years as Chair of the HR Executive Committee with the Technology Association of Oregon, was a founding Board member with Innovate Oregon and founder of the successful PCEP Intern Program with Portland State University.
A big THANK YOU to our Sponsor, Cambia Health Solutions!
Cambia Health Solutions is dedicated to making the health care experience simpler, better and more affordable for people and their families, including the 3.3 million people we serve through our regional health plans.
Cambia is deeply rooted in a 100-year legacy of transforming the industry and the way people experience health care. And we’re committed to delivering a seamless, personalized health care experience for the next 100 years.
Cambia has taken its legacy business and pivoted to meet the needs of today’s health care consumers. Our six regional health plans, Echo Health Ventures investment portfolio, strategic philanthropy with the Cambia Health Foundation and Cambia Grove innovation hub are all united by our Cause—to serve as a catalyst to transform health care, creating a person-focused and economically sustainable health care system.
This program is organized by OBI/OTRADI. Register here.