I moved to Oregon to find a sustainable harmony between my professional ambitions and my personal well-being. After years of navigating the high-intensity, international media landscape of US /Middle East projects, I sought a community that valued intentionality and "peace of mind." Portland offered the perfect backdrop to be closer to family while establishing the Women Stories Network (WSN). I wanted to plant roots in a city that understands the power of grassroots storytelling and provides the creative breathing room necessary to build a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women of color.
As I establish and scale Women Stories Network (WSN) in Portland, my primary need is a combination of strategic partnership, seed funding guidance, and community trust. Transitioning my international media and communication experience to the Pacific Northwest requires a localized understanding of the ecosystem. To ensure WSN becomes a sustainable pillar of the local creative economy, I am seeking: 1- Seed Funding & Grant Navigation: I am looking for introductions to local philanthropic circles, social-impact investors, and organizations that prioritize women-led media ventures and female-founded startups. 2- Building a Foundation of Trust: A critical goal is to connect with local community influencers who can help bridge the gap for minorities and women of color to join WSN. I want to invite women to be part of a "founding circle" where they feel safe, supported, and empowered to own their narratives. 3- Expansion & Pilot Spaces: I am seeking connections to community hubs and corporate partners interested in hosting our workshops to provide women and minorities with the communication tools, confidence, and networking access they need to thrive professionally. 4- Mentorship in the PNW Ecosystem: Beyond capital, I am looking for insights from established local entrepreneurs to help bridge the gap between my global background and the unique, grassroots energy of the Oregon business community.
I am eager to establish cross-sector connections where WSN can act as a vehicle for amplification and leadership. My specific interests include: 1- Entrepreneurial & Economic Ecosystems: Connecting with Organization that support women business owner and entrepreneurs such as the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) and Mercatus PDX and others. I want to support fellow entrepreneurs by utilizing our platform to amplify their business journeys and leadership milestones. 2- Creative Advocacy & Media Production: I am looking for creative partners—artists, filmmakers, and digital storytellers—to help build the production pipeline that amplifies the lived diverse experiences of Oregon's women. 3- Civic Leadership & Mentorship: Engaging with Oregon leadership, the Coalition of Communities of Color or Portland State’s Center for Women's Leadership and other. I want to ensure that the diverse voices we amplify at WSN are integrated into the city’s broader civic and policy discussions. 4- Boards and Commissions: I am interested in exploring appointments to local civic boards (such as the Regional Arts & Culture Council or city communications committees) where my expertise in media and storytelling can help make public messaging more inclusive and accessible.
