As part of Portland's Welcoming Week 2026, join leaders from government, business, nonprofit, education, and community organizations across Oregon for an evening of celebration, conversation, mentorship, and recognition — including the inaugural Women Leadership & Empowerment Awards, honoring three women whose leadership has made a lasting impact in our communities.
You’ll hear from an incredible lineup of powerful Oregon leaders:
Demet Tuncer is a Turkish American award winning actress, Turkish voice of Disney Princess Tiana, Global Keynote Speaker, and Charismatic Leadership Strategist. Creator of the Celebrity Charisma Code™, a framework for turning charisma into captivating presence, her work reaches Fortune 500 leaders, NATO DIANA founders, and rising female leaders. Her belief is simple: we are all born with charisma. We’re just never taught how to use it.
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas is a first-generation American, longtime Oregon public servant, and U.S. Representative for Oregon’s 6th District. Her career spans congressional policy work, labor, environmental, and reproductive rights advocacy, and leadership in the Oregon House, offering a clear view of what it takes to move from community advocacy into public decision-making.
Judge Rima Ghandour is a Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge and the first Arab and Muslim woman judge in Oregon. Her leadership across Oregon’s legal community reflects a deep commitment to justice, public service, immigrant rights, and expanding representation within the institutions that shape people’s lives.
Jessica Venutra serves as Director of the Oregon Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement within the Oregon Department of Human Services. As a first-generation immigrant with more than a decade of experience in state government, she helps connect equity-centered policy, cross-agency coordination, and public systems that treat immigrant and refugee Oregonians with dignity.
Nadia Hasan is a Beaverton City Councilor, author, former teacher, and community leader committed to inclusive civic engagement. As a mother and daughter of immigrant parents, she brings a community-centered lens on representation, shared humanity, and building economic and civic power across diverse communities.
Arun Storrs is a leader, actor, and advocate whose work spans operations, storytelling, and grassroots empowerment across communities. Adopted from Nepal and raised in Oregon, she has spent her career supporting marginalized and under-resourced groups, including as founder of a nonprofit empowering young women in Nepal. Most recently seen as Minu on television’s The Pitt, Arun brings a powerful lens on identity, global connection, and what it means to use leadership and voice across many forms.
Omotola Oladapo is a doctoral student in Public Affairs and Policy at Portland State University and founder of Shela Quest Foundation, a Nigeria-based nonprofit expanding educational access for young people, especially girls and women. Her work bridges research, public policy, educational equity, and community impact, highlighting the important role immigrant women play in shaping the future of public institutions.
Delina Biniam is the Advocacy Manager with For All Families Oregon Action, with a background in health policy, public health, and the Oregon Legislature. She brings a valuable perspective on how advocacy, community engagement, and policy strategy can work together to build more equitable systems for Oregon families.
Hamdi Ali is the founder of Hidayah Consulting and a community leader whose work supports organizations and communities through culturally responsive leadership, engagement, and relationship building. Her leadership centers trust, belonging, and the kind of cross-cultural connection that strengthens communities from within.
Angelita Morillo Born in Paraguay and raised in Portland, Angelita got her start in politics working for Jo Ann Hardesty, the first Black woman to ever serve on Portland City Council. She went on to fight for immigrants and families experiencing food insecurity at the state legislature before becoming one of Portland’s youngest City Councilors in history last year. On Council, she represents District 3 – Southeast Portland – where she enjoys going on walks, painting, and wrangling her black cats.
Hosted in partnership with the City of Portland's Office of Community & Civic Life Immigrant & Refugee Program, the Mayor's Office, Oregon Commission for Women, and Center for Women's Leadership, this event is free of charge for attendees.
THIS EVENT IS AT CAPACITY. We hope you’ll join us next year!