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5 Organizations Professional Women in Portland Can Use to Connect

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It’s no secret that women face many unique challenges in the workplace. Connecting with other women and female-identifying professionals can be key to overcoming these challenges. Finding a group of women to support you and your professional growth can go a long way towards boosting your career satisfaction.

If you’re interested in connecting with other women professionals, Portland is the place to be. It’s time to get together, share opportunities to strengthen the community of professional women in Portland, and find inspiration for your own career. Here are five organizations you should know about that provide opportunities and foster connections for professional women in Portland.

Center for Women’s Leadership

The Center for Women’s Leadership (CWL) is the only organization of its kind in the Northwest. With a mission to increase women and girls’ leadership, CWL hosts leadership trainings, supports research on women’s leadership, develops and shares curricula on the achievements of Oregon women leaders, and supports Oregon’s women leaders through a speakers series and informational digital archive.

  • In their own words: “The Center for Women’s Leadership is changing the way her leadership looks from the ground up.”
  • Keep in touch: @CWLpdx
  • Connect: Get involved with CWL by attending their regular speaker series and annual Power Lunch. If you’re a current college student, you can enroll in their NEW Leadership Oregon programs, too.

Women’s Foundation of Oregon

With values to be bold, compassionate, inclusive, determined, optimistic, and accountable, the Women’s Foundation is striving to make Oregon a place where every woman and girl can thrive.

  • In their own words: “We craft opportunities for everyone who cares about Oregon women to participate, contribute, and connect.”
  • Keep in touch: @WomensFndOregon
  • Connect: Read their latest research report, Count Her In, which lists insightful stats about Oregon’s female workforce. You can also become a member of the foundation and attend their local events.

PDX Women In Tech

PDX Women In Tech is a nonprofit community organization dedicated to serving women working in the technology industry here in Portland. Their events are a great way to meet smart, driven professional women working for cutting edge organizations. And PDXWIT is growing, adding scholarship programs and more to encourage women and girls to pursue tech careers.

  • In their own words:  “Our purpose is to strengthen the Portland women in tech community by offering: educational programs, partnerships, mentorships, resources and opportunities.”
  • Keep in touch: @PDXWiIT
  • Connect: Start by showing up at one of their in-person events. They host a regular happy hour at tech companies around the Portland metro area; check the events schedule here!

Women’s Business Center – Mercy Corps NW

Mercy Corps Northwest hosts the only Women’s Business Center (WBC) in Oregon, funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The WBC provides education, financing, and resources to help entrepreneurs succeed, with extra consideration for specific challenges and issues for women entrepreneurs.

  • In their own words: “We believe that women business owners are community leaders and want to help you actively engage and advocate for the change you want to see.”
  • Keep in touch: @mercycorpsnw
  • Connect: If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own business, this is an excellent resource to get the practical know-how and community support needed for such an ambitious endeavor. To get involved with Mercy Corps’ WBC program, sign up for one of their three business training programs, apply for a business-propelling grant, or attend one of their frequent events.

Hub Dot

At the core of Hub Dot is the mission to revolutionize the way women network. It’s about removing labels. Through “Dot Alchemy,” Hub Dot lightens the pressure or awkwardness of networking, giving women the opportunity to connect based on discussing “What’s your story?” rather than “What do you do?” This group of women loves to support each other through sharing personal stories and connecting in an authentic and fun environment.

  • In their own words: “At the core of Hub Dot is the mission to revolutionise the way women network, regardless of whether they are in business, at the school gate, in higher education or philanthropy.”
  • Keep in touch: @hubdot
  • Next step: Portland is lucky enough to be one of the handful of cities Hub Dot takes place in. Join their mailing list to hear about upcoming events, and join their online community to keep your inspiration flowing in the meantime.

More Networking Opportunities for Portland Women

This list is just a sampling of the networking opportunities for women in Portland, and we’ll work to keep it updated as more groups sprout up! Here are even more resources to check out:

  • Ladies’ Night PDX is a quarterly networking event for professional women in Portland. You’ll meet lots of creatives and tech pros at their fun, engaging events. Events often sell out, so get on their mailing list!
  • Boss Ladies PDX is a Facebook group where female entrepreneurs ask questions and share advice and opportunities with each other.