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Event Details
Weds. April 23, 2025
Ecotrust - Irving Street Studio
907 NW Irving St, Portland, OR 97209
11am-1pm
Buffet Lunch to be served
Keynote Speaker
Libra Forde is a transformative leader, former elite athlete, and advocate for racial and gender justice. As the Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Oregon, she leverages over 25 years of experience in corporate,
non-profit, and educational leadership to drive meaningful change. She’s a trailblazer in education, a dedicated mother and a community leader, creating a lasting legacy.
Our Panelists
Christine Lewis
Christine Lewis
Christine Lewis
Christine represents District 2 on the Metro Council, bringing a background in community organizing, policy, and advocacy across housing, local government, and economic justice. She is the Executive Director of the Portland Urban Debate League and has worked in local and state government, including managing Portland’s historic 2016 housing bond campaign. In 2023, she was named a Portland Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. Christine serves on the boards of the Portland Opera, Families for Climate, and PSU’s Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies. She lives in West Linn with her family and enjoys dragon boating, puzzles, and ice cream.
Anna Sortun
Christine Lewis
Christine Lewis
Anna is a trial lawyer and partner at Tonkon Torp LLP, where she serves on the firm’s Managing Board. Over the course of her career, Anna has tried more than a dozen jury trials to verdict in state and federal court, and has ushered hundreds of cases to resolution, through arbitration, motions practice, or settlement. The Portland Business Journal named Anna as a 2024 Women of Influence and as one of their 2017 40 Under 40. Anna serves on the board of directors of Oregon Humanities and has been involved in high-profile community initiatives such as The Ramos Project and the Oregon Reproductive Rights Hotline. In her spare time, Anna spends as much time as she can hiking and with family.
Cara Turano
Savonia Vassel
Savonia Vassel
Cara brings energy and enthusiasm for innovation, with a passion for entrepreneurship as a path to wealth-building and community growth. A former COO at the Technology Association of Oregon, she has over 20 years of experience in tech and startups. She chairs the Portland Public Schools Bond Accountability Committee and serves on multiple advisory boards, including the Metro Region Innovation Hub and Portland Seed Fund. A 2025 Portland Business Journal Woman of Influence and Atlanta 40 Under 40 honoree, Cara is a University of Georgia graduate. In her spare time, Cara is an avid runner, skier, camper, reader, and home chef with a soft spot for her 6 ½ lb chihuahua, Toby, and her amazing family.
Savonia Vassel
Savonia Vassel
Savonia Vassel
Savonia is a seasoned leader with over a decade of experience driving operational excellence and strategic growth in local and federal government sectors. As a manager at Nava PBC, she enhances efficiency, employee engagement, and cross-functional collaboration while supporting remote engagement for government contracting firms.
In addition to her career, Savonia owns and operates a music booking agency as well as a successful event planning company. Recently married, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends in Washington, DC, and relaxing with her German Shepherd puppy Luke
Who We Are
About Rose City Women’s Summit
The first Rose City Women's Summit was hosted in 2017 and over the years has evolved through virtual and hybrid iterations. This year we are doing a luncheon format with a keynote speaker, a panel of women leaders, a headshot booth and networking opportunities. Past events have attracted as many as 275 individuals and speakers have included Her First 100K's Tori Dunlap and Tarana Burke, one of the founders of the me too movement. This event is open to the entire Portland community, and is for anyone looking to grow their leadership skills and make a difference.
Previous Keynote Speakers:
2024 - Shari Dunn https://thesharidunn.com/
2022 - Tori Dunlap https://herfirst100k.com/
2021 - Rachel Cargle https://rachelcargle.com/
2019 - Noor Tagouri https://www.noortagouri.com/
2017 - Tarana Burke https://www.taranaburke.com/
About the Junior League of Portland
Since its founding in 1910, the Junior League of Portland has served the needs of the community while educating and developing volunteer leaders in the Portland area. The Junior League has been the driving force behind the kinds of initiatives and institutions that make our community a healthier, more vital place to live.
Climate Justice stands as the primary focus for the league. Portland, like many major cities, faces environmental issues such as air and water pollution, habitat loss, and the impacts of climate change: including rising temperatures and extreme weather events. We also recognize that climate change disproportionately affects the health and well-being of vulnerable communities including people of color, the elderly and low income families. By engaging in projects that promote environmental sustainability, educating our communities, and partnering with like-minded organizations, we are working towards a greener, fairer future for all.
We are not merely an organization; we are a force for good, a network of passionate women who stand united to create a more just, equitable, and resilient world. Together, we challenge stereotypes, break barriers, and foster a culture of compassion, inclusion, and respect. We recognize that by working together as leaders we can amplify our impact with positive change in our communities.
Thank you so much to our Sponsors!
