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Hundreds Join Mac’s List and B Local PDX for a Conversation About Meaningful Careers

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More than 200 job seekers and community members filled Thesis Agency on Wednesday, Nov. 12, to discuss how to build a meaningful career. 

Co-hosted by B Local PDX and Mac’s List, Meaningful Careers in Portland: Align Your Job with Your Values, brought together a full house of attendees, nine tabling organizations, and an expert panel, including:

B Local PDX Director Wesley Griffin opened the night by sharing how he first experienced Portland as a place where businesses “invert capitalism in a good way,” being intentional and vocal about caring for their employees. 

“We really believe that thriving communities don’t happen without thriving businesses, particularly purpose-driven thriving businesses,” he said.

Our Founder and CEO, Mac Prichard, followed with a welcome and reminder of the Mac’s List mission: to help people find work that matters and make hiring more human.

From there, the conversation delved into what it means to pursue purpose-driven work in today’s job market.

Why Mission-Driven Work Matters

All three panelists agreed: working for a mission-driven organization isn’t just a feel-good idea. It changes how you show up in life.

Nicole described the complexity of mission-driven work. When organizations care about more than just profit — such as community and the environment — there are more stakeholders and more questions to wrestle with. For many professionals, that strategic challenge sparks curiosity and is deeply energizing, she said.

Charles spoke about the chance to see real change and to connect your work to something bigger than yourself, especially in times that can feel disheartening.

Brandi said she sees the impact directly with her coaching clients: When people take the time to understand their values and align their careers accordingly, she sees less burnout, lower turnover, and greater satisfaction — and that well-being spills over into relationships at home and in the community.

If you feel stuck in a misaligned role but still need to pay the bills, her advice is to take a “half step,” then keep working toward a more values-aligned role over time.

She advises taking time to ponder this question: “If I could do something that really aligns with who I am that would make me the very best version of myself, what would that look like?”

The Current Hiring Climate: Disheartening, but There’s Still Hope and Possibility

The panel was candid about today’s hiring landscape for purpose-driven roles in Portland.

Charles and Nicole both see more caution among employers. Hiring is happening, but organizations are being more selective and thoughtful.

Brandi described the market as a “course correction” after the salary spikes of 2020–2021. It doesn’t always feel good to job seekers, but she noted that more sustainable salaries can contribute to healthier organizations in the long run.

In this kind of market, clarity and focus matter more than ever. The panelists repeatedly cautioned against applying to everything you see. Instead, they encouraged job seekers to:

  • Know the job you want, where you want to work, and what you offer
  • Do realistic salary research for your role, industry, and region
  • Make sure your expectations match your competencies and the realities of the market

The candidates who stand out are targeted, specific, and able to tell a clear story about the problems they can help solve.

What Successful Job Seekers Do Differently

Throughout the evening, three themes surfaced again and again:

  1. Be curious.
  2. Know what you want.
  3. Network, network, network.

Brandi encouraged job seekers to “touch grass,” or step away from the computer and into the real world. She recommended:

  • Volunteering with organizations that align with your values
  • Conducting informational interviews to understand what people actually do all day
  • Getting curious and asking questions about others’ paths, challenges, and future plans

These conversations do more than build your network; they will boost your confidence and help you see new possibilities you may not have considered.

Nicole underscored that many hires happen because candidates are already known to the organization. Networking gives employers a chance to see your curiosity, values, and interests long before a job is even posted.

Charles stressed the importance of understanding organizational culture before you apply. At a minimum, read the website; then go deeper — follow social channels, talk with current or former employees, and pay attention to how the organization communicates with its community. This pre-work helps you decide if the culture is a fit and equips you to tell a more compelling story in interviews.

“What works is relationships; what works is being human,” Charles said.

Pathways into Purpose-Driven Work

For those looking to pivot into nonprofits, public agencies, or B Corps, the panelists offered encouragement and realism.

Some of the strategies they highlighted:

  • Start where you are. Look for special projects, stretch assignments, or committees within your current organization that let you contribute to social impact or community work.
  • Take incremental steps. As Nicole shared, you don’t have to make “the step of a lifetime.” You get to make the next right step for you, then the one after that.
  • Make your values visible. Brandi encouraged job seekers to get very clear on their values, then practice articulating them in conversations, networking, and interviews.
  • Leverage your network. Charles reminded the audience that hiring often happens through relationships. Be intentional about who you know, how you stay in touch, and how you showcase your skills.

And for those new to Portland or trying to break into the local mission-driven ecosystem, the advice was simple: show up. Attend events like this one, explore B Local PDX’s membership list, connect with local organizations, and don’t underestimate the power of meeting your neighbors or chatting with people at your favorite coffee shop.

“Purpose-driven work can come through in a board role,” Nicole said.
”It can come through in a volunteer role. It can come through in a job that you may have today, that you may not think you love, but where you seek out a new assignment… Think expansively about aligning your values to your next role. There are a lot of different places you can do that.”

Keep the Momentum Going

This event marked Mac’s List’s fourth and final job seeker event of 2025. A big thank you to our presenting sponsor, B Local PDX; our venue, Thesis Agency; our gold sponsors, Workplace Change and Talent Career Coaching; our panelists; tabling organizations; and attendees for helping make this event a success. Check out event photos by Celina Flores on Facebook.

In 2026, Mac’s List will host six events designed to help job seekers and employers. The first will take place in February, with details coming soon.

In the meantime, you can:

The message from the evening was clear: 

Get curious. Know what you want. And don’t try to do it alone — Portland is filled with mission-driven professionals and organizations who are happy to help you in your search. And there are plenty of ways to make a difference right where you are.

“I just want to peddle hope right now,” Charles said. “And part of the hope is putting ourselves to work. Because part of the hope is action, and we all have something we can give, and there are so many causes in the world right now that need us.
And so literally don’t be shy, pick up the phone, call your local nonprofit, do something.”