When my wonderful neighbor and friend Karyn Barsa invited me to an event at her home to learn more about ninety-nine girlfriends, I knew almost immediately this was something I wanted to be a part of.

What made it feel so timely was that just a few months earlier, my friends and I were having a really honest conversation about how much we want to make an impact here in Portland, and how it can sometimes feel like one person's contribution gets lost in the enormity of what our city needs. The ninety-nine girlfriends model answered that feeling so directly. Pooling our resources and being intentional about how they're allocated creates something truly powerful. I am so happy to be a part of that!

I'm excited to be in a room with women who are deeply invested in Portland and show up with both their hearts and their resources. There's something special about collective giving that goes beyond the dollars: it's the conversations, the relationships, and the shared sense of purpose that comes with it. I'm looking forward to learning from the members around me and feeling more connected to the organizations doing meaningful work across our beautiful city.

I've spent my career in brand strategy and marketing, and one of the things I believe most deeply is that community is built through intentional connection. Ninety-nine girlfriends embodies that for me: women choosing to show up, give thoughtfully, and make Portland a better place together.