About Us
Venture Portland
Means Business
Since 1986 Venture Portland has invested in the smart, strategic growth of Portland’s unique business districts. These dynamic districts, which together make up a majority of the city’s businesses and nearly half of its jobs, play a vital role in Portland’s economic prosperity and collectively represent local, regional, national and international demand for goods and services.
Included
Our Impact
On The Business of Portland
The business of Portland is about more than business. It’s about people, neighborhoods and culture. It’s about a vision for our city that business owners, residents and government officials share. It’s about risk and reward. Building capacity to build the city. Growing the economy to grow prosperity. And connecting capital, creativity and community. It’s about growing business and connecting communities.
Through grants, trainings, and marketing Venture Portland builds the capacity of and connections between Portland’s business districts.
Business
Leaders
Portland’s business districts, like Venture Portland, are managed by a passionate group of volunteers working hard to make their businesses and communities succeed. Leaders from diverse business districts make up the Venture Portland board of directors and contribute more than 1,000 volunteer hours annually in addition to the hours spent running their business districts and own businesses.
Venture Portland is a key partner in the city’s economic development efforts to create new jobs and stimulate small business vitality.
Our Team
Dedicated to the Prosperity of Portland Business
Venture Portland’s staff have diverse backgrounds with significant business district and non-profit management experience. They are passionate about preserving the unique character of Portland’s business districts.
Joy Church started with Venture Portland in 2019, serving as the Executive Director since 2020. She brings over two decades of of executive non-profit leadership experience to the role. Joy’s political work includes spearheading initiatives with Mayor Brown in San Francisco and organizing actions with Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith, Congressman Blumenauer, and Governor Brown. Joy brings extensive human resources, finance, media, governance, and strategic planning to Venture Portland.
Jacob has been with Venture Portland since 2013. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Jacob has a diverse background that includes video production, marketing, non-profit administration and grantmaking with organizations like the Pew Charitable Trusts. A passionate advocate for Portland’s neighborhood business districts, Jacob has helped grow Venture Portland by developing new grant programs, trainings, marketing tools, and the Catalytic Investment Initiative.
Blest has been with Venture Portland since 2023. Born and raised right here in rainy little Portland, Blest came of age as Portland grew from a sleepy little town into the booming city it now is. Having owned and operated a number of small businesses in the city, Blest has a strong understanding of the joys and challenges that come with entrepreneurship. Blest is vey much looking forward to working with business owners to develop strong communities to weather the hard times, and celebrate the good!
Sam is an event planner, graphic designer, entrepreneur, activist, artist, musician, and thought leader who is passionate about bringing the Portland community together. On top of founding multiple event-based, community-focused businesses, she has served on the executive board of Historic Parkrose since 2016 and has volunteered with Venture Portland since 2017. In 2023 she joined the Venture Portland team as their Events and Marketing Manager, bringing 20 years of visual communications, experiential marketing, event planning and community building.
Born and raised in Oregon, Tanya has a huge belief in and passion for community and the environment. Working her entire career overseeing departments and product categories in the Outdoor Industry for Portland based companies, Tanya understands the complete lifecycle of what it takes for a business to be successful and is excited to help the St Johns Boosters thrive. In her spare time, she volunteers for her children’s events, and loves to Ski, mountain bike, run, camp, knit, sew, bake…
Kathy has been with Venture Portland since 2019. She is originally from Boston, MA. Her background is in advertising and graphic design. She is an experienced designer/project manager with an eye to detail. She likes taking on challenges and coming up with creative solutions. She is very organized, a good communicator and problem solver. She has lots of energy and enjoys helping people. Her passions are traveling, eating out, playing tennis, hiking, walking her dogs, cooking, reading, knitting and watching Netflix.
Jeff grew up in the Bay Area, but has lived in Portland for 17 years. Prior to Venture Portland, he worked in social services with youth struggling with behavioral and mental health issues. He also spent several years as a volunteer supporting the Foster-Powell community. Now at Venture Portland, Jeff loves connecting with the people and organizations that make up the Foster Area Business District.
Laura has been with Venture Portland since 2023. She was born and raised in the Los Angeles area but loves the weather and the melting pot of the Pacific Northwest. Her background is in event planning and in the music industry as an Artist Manager, promoter, music education advocate who has worked behind the scenes for over 20 years in the world music and jazz idioms. Curating cultural music programs, master classes, traveling marketplaces and art shows is her calling.
Leah Kohlenberg is a former journalist turned artist who has lived and painted in Portland since early 2012. She currently serves as the volunteer president of Portland Open Studios, and also runs her own art school, including both online and in-person classes, called The Roaming Studio (www.theroamingstudio.com). As a small business owner who runs a teaching business, an art sales business, and an off and on gallery business, she has a passion for small business and group marketing. Though she’s a relative newbie to Portland, she grew up in Seattle, Washington, and considers the Northwest her stomping ground.
Jermaine Ulinwa, born and raised in Miami, FL, proudly calls Portland, OR, his home. A passionate Oregonian, Jermaine has spent several years immersing himself in the beauty and culture of the state, forging deep connections with its vibrant community.
As an accomplished entrepreneur, graphic designer, and freelance creative, Jermaine brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to his work. He is dedicated to supporting small businesses, guiding them from inception to completion with a commitment to excellence and innovation. Jermaine’s expertise and enthusiasm for helping businesses thrive.
Did you know?
We Have a Podcast!
The Small Business Portland Podcast features interviews with business district experts, small business owners and local leaders to discuss the state of small business in Portland. Join host Eleni Gerding as she explores issues affecting Portland’s 50 business districts and the small business owners that make them unique.
Our Board
An All-Volunteer Board of Directors
Venture Portland is comprised of an all-volunteer board of directors and professional staff. The board is made up of delegates from member business districts that simultaneously serve on Venture Portland’s board and contribute to their business district while also working at their own businesses. Per the organization’s bylaws, directors are elected each April by Venture Portland’s membership.
Executive Committee
Eleni Gerding, President
Eric Larpenteur, Secretary
Nicole Tignor, Treasurer
Liz Smith, Past President
Directors
Michael Chase
Pamela Coven
Hawthorne Blvd Business Association
PBS Consulting