Kelly Williams Brown

Writer

Kelly Williams Brown studied journalism at Loyola University before becoming a reporter for The Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon. Her handy tips on life ended up in a hilarious and highly successful 2013 book, “Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps” that was optioned by J.J. Abrams (the director the has taken over the “Star Wars” mantle).  Kelly writes copy for a Portland advertising firm and columns for The Daily Beast.

What kind of Portlander are you?

The rarest of all—the indoor-cat Portlander. That might be overstating the case, but I've lived in Portland on and off since 1996 and have yet to voluntarily purchase hiking boots. Everyone here loves the outdoors, and I do too — I'm not a total monster — but I love the indoor parts of Portland: the fantastic restaurants, the great bars, and all the soup-making opportunities that our dreary winter presents.

What do you think are the issues facing Portland and how would like to engage the city in making it a better place to live for all of its citizens? 

It's the obvious answer, but gentrification. I think Portland needs to work very actively to recruit not only high-tech jobs, but also the kind that can support the middle class. Portland does a lot to cater to young professionals (like me) who don't have kids and who do have disposable income, and often ignores the needs of the working and lower-middle class. 

Is Portland a good place to do your kind of work?

I think Portland is a good place to do nearly any kind of work. Except cactus farming. That sounds like an uphill battle.

Anthony Watson

Chief Information Officer, Nike

Before he became the Chief Information Officer for Nike, Anthony Watson was Managing Director & CIO of Europe Middle East Retail & Business Banking and of Global Operations at Barclays Bank PLC and was Chair of the EMERBB Operating Committee. A rare openly gay executive at the highest levels of Fortune 500 companies Watson joined the board of the LGBT advocacy group GLAAD in 2013 as its first non U. S. citizen. Watson was recently featured in Fortune’s “40 Under 40” next to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg. 

Photo Credit: Glaad Website (image cropped) 

Carrie Brownstein

Singer/Actor/Writer/Comedian

Before landing herself on television with Fred Armisen on the hit IFC sketch comedy show Portlandia, Carrie Brownstein was a singer and guitarist for the popular rock band Sleater-Kinney, which went on “indefinite hiatus” in 2006. Carrie, who was a writer before she joined up with Sleater-Kinney has written for Slate and NPR Music, and has even did a little work reviewing worthy applicants for Portland’s most venerated advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy now defunct WK12 internship program. But it’s with Portlandia, of which Carrie is the co-creator, co-writer and co-star that Brownstein has reached her largest audience. 

Photo Credit: By Peabody Awards Uploaded by JohnnyMrNinja via Wikimedia Commons (image cropped)

Toya Fick

Executive Director, Stand for Children Oregon

Toya Fick is a testament to the importance of education.
It is hard to believe that Toya, a former education policy advisor for Hillary Clinton, almost didn't go to college. But thanks to teachers and school counselors who intervened and encouraged Fick to apply herself and persevere, she reached heights beyond anything she imagined. Now, as Executive Director of Stand for Children Oregon, she leads an organization set on giving students in Oregon an excellent education and better access to college. Fick helped pass a bill that helped to grant in-state tuition to undocumented Oregon students in 2013. 

If you had to describe yourself and what you do in a tweet, what would that look like?
I am a teacher and a southerner at heart. I listen to every child’s story, and advocate for the education policies that lift them up.
 
What kind of Portlander are you?
The kind who loves the rain! (Seriously, I do.  Am I the only one?)
 
When I first moved here, I was worried about the lack of sun for stretches at a time. Then one morning, on my drive over the Fremont on my way to work, I looked up and took in the view and it took my breath away!  The green hills of Forest Park, the mist surrounding the buildings downtown … it was amazing.  I know that doesn’t happen without all the rain.  It is a bit cold here for my taste (I’m Southern), but oh well. I just make sure to buy coats with hoods on them. 
 
As someone who could do your work almost anywhere in the world, why did you choose Oregon and what do you get out of living here?
I moved to Portland to live near family.  My husband grew up here and it’s important to me to raise my kids (ages 4 and almost 1) near extended family.  In fact, when we were looking to buy a house in Portland, I would only look at homes within a 10 block radius of my in-laws (or, what I called “stroller pushing distance”).  We were lucky to find a home we loved and could afford within stroller pushing distance. 
 
What do I get out of living here … I have never had to pay for a babysitter!  That’s worth its weight in gold. 

What do you think are the issues facing Portland and how would like to engage the city in making it a better place to live for all of its citizens? 
I think one of the issues facing Portland is that not all of its citizens are involved in making the decisions that will make it a better place for all of its citizens to live.  It’s not a problem that is unique to Portland, but I think it’s one that we are uniquely positioned to solve.  There are so many people (from officers of local neighborhood associations to local superintendents), organizations (Stand, City Club, Food Bank), and elected officials (Charlie, Deborah) who care about making this place a better place for everyone.  It’s a critical first step, but it’s just the first step.   

What is on the horizon for you?
I’m still new to my role as executive director for Stand, Oregon, and all I can think about it making sure I’m doing a great job in this role. So what’s on the horizon for me is to ensure I help lead our members, staff and community partners to work together at the state and local level to improve educational outcomes for kids.
 
Is Portland a good place to do your kind of work?
Yes, and no.  Yes, in that this is the kind of place where a group of 10 people can start or stop something. (That’s a clear advantage for a grassroots organization.) No, in that there are so many things to work on!  It’s hard to know where to start.

And what inspires you?
Kids – my kids, kids I see when I visit schools in the area, kids I taught, kids my friends are teaching.  I was headed towards a career in medicine and decided to do education because I wanted to work to ensure more kids – particularly kids who grew up like I did – have options as adults.  Providing the kind of education that would provide the tools they need to graduate from high school prepared to take the next step is THE way to make sure that happens.  I’m inspired by all of them. 

Photo Credit: Stand for Children Oregon 

Reggie Aqui

Television News Anchor

KGW-TV news anchor Reggie Aqui started out as a television reporter for WKYT-TV in Lexington Kentucky. In 2007 Aqui went to work for CNN where he covered President Obama’s inauguration, the Virginia Tech shootings, and interviewed Dolly Parton for online news reports. For the last few years Aqui has been a reporter for KGW and one of the anchors of its 4 pm newscast. Recently Aqui took over hosting duties for the “Live at 7” broadcast. 

As someone who could do your work almost anywhere in the world, why did you choose Oregon and what do you get out of living here?

In a way, Oregon chose me. KGW saw my work and gave me a call. The moment I landed for my interview, I was enchanted. I saw Mount Hood when I pulled out from PDX in my rental car and I couldn’t believe it. I walked through the Pearl and it was the neighborhood I had always dreamed of living in. And then when I made it to Powell’s, it was over. I was already picturing myself living here.

What do you think are the issues facing Portland and how would like to engage the city in making it a better place to live for all of its citizens?

I think homelessness is the shame that all of us, especially our city leaders, must take on with a renewed energy. I’ve researched the topic for stories and for interviews and forums I’ve hosted and I keep coming up empty. I don’t have that one good idea. It frustrates me that it seems just about everyone I talk to doesn’t have it either.

Is Portland a good place to do your kind of work?

I’ve never worked in a more interesting and creative environment. Instead of nightly murders, I’m able to cover the woman who opened a cuddling business, or I’m talking to architect Michael Graves about his Portland building, considered to be the first post-modern building in the country (and by some as one of the ugliest in the world). I love that.

Photo Credit: Byron Beck (image cropped)