Driving Innovation Through
Cross-Sector Leadership.
Strong leadership is essential to solving Oregon’s most complex challenges. Oregon iSector’s Executive Committee brings together expertise from government, philanthropy, business and finance to guide our work convening leaders across sectors and advancing innovative, collaborative solutions.
Read on for recent highlights and to meet the members of iSector’s Executive Committee.
A Legislative Perspective on Systems Innovation
House Majority Leader Ben Bowman joined the Oregon iSector Board at its Annual Meeting to share his perspective on the challenges facing the state and the growing need for systems innovation to better serve Oregonians. He discussed the need for new approaches to how Oregon tackles complex challenges and achieves statewide goals.
Bowman recognized iSector’s unique role in bringing public, private, and civic sector leaders together and highlighted the organization’s potential to support future legislative initiatives that benefit from cross-sector and systems-change expertise. He expressed interest in continuing to work with iSector as a place where leaders can come together to develop innovative approaches to complex challenges.
FROM THE OREGON INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT
Turning Rural Needs into Fundable Projects
Oregon iSector Executive Director Keith Leavitt joined Deb Flagan of Hayden Homes and moderator Jenny Glass of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for a discussion on rural infrastructure, housing, and community prosperity.
A key takeaway: Funding alone isn’t enough. Rural communities often know what they need, but turning those needs into well-developed, fundable projects requires project development capacity, the right public-private partnerships, and stronger connections between housing, economic growth, and infrastructure investment.
Meet iSector’s Executive Committee
Kate brings more than two decades of experience in public policy and strategic partnerships. With leadership roles at Oregon State University, the Governor’s Office, Business Oregon, and now Travel Oregon, her experience spans state government, economic development and higher education, with a strong track record of building partnerships across sectors.
Greg brings more than 35 years of experience in state and local government, cross-sector problem solving, and systems change. He founded Oregon iSector in 2021 after serving as the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Director of County Solutions at the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), and the Deputy Director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). Greg also founded Portland State University’s National Policy Consensus Center, Oregon Solutions, and Oregon Consensus, bringing leaders together to tackle complex challenges and move innovative solutions into action.
At Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), Megan has helped lead major statewide initiatives including Project Turnkey, which expanded Oregon’s year-round shelter capacity by 30%, and the Building Hope Fund, an innovative investment strategy to increase affordable housing production. Her work brings together philanthropy, public partners, and new financing approaches to address Oregon’s housing needs.
Brenden brings more than two decades of experience in community and economic development across Oregon, Maryland, and international communities. At Columbia Bank, his work spans financial education, technical assistance, volunteer engagement, and community investment to help strengthen local economies and expand economic opportunity.
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