The Portland Trail Blazers have a tag line that reads, “Rise with us”. In keeping with the tag line, the team is indeed on the rise both on and off the court, and the Portland community has definitely re-engaged. But there is a different kind of rising taking part behind the scenes in the Trail Blazers front office. This rise is occurring for a group of exciting women who work on the Trail Blazers senior leadership team. The Trail Blazers executive management team is currently made up of 12 people including the president and general manager. Remarkably, 5 people on the senior team are women, the most senior of which is Sarah Mensah, who is the SVP Chief Marketing officer. You are all invited to come hear Sarah speak and share personal insights of her journey working in a field primarily dominated by men. She’ll talk frankly about her wins and losses over the years and how finding the courage to use her voice has helped contribute to the recent success of the team off the court. Mensah is inspired by the Marianne Williamson quote, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but rather that we are powerful beyond measure.” Mensah will discuss how the issues of power and influence have been a constant challenge and engage in a dialogue surrounding how she and four others are managing to blaze a new trail. 

About Sarah
Sarah Mensah was appointed to the position of Chief Marketing Officer of the Portland Trail Blazers in August of 2008.  In her current role as CMO, Mensah oversees Trail Blazers brand management, marketing, ticket sales & service, suite sales & service, corporate partnership, broadcast, digital communications, production and game operations functions. Mensah joined the Trail Blazers staff as a corporate sales manager in 1993 and has been promoted to positions of increasing responsibility within the company ever since that time. Before joining the Trail Blazers organization, she worked in radio sales for Portland stations KINK and KUFO.  Mensah began her career in television production at KGW-TV.  Mensah is a Portland native who holds two degrees from the University of Oregon, one in journalism and one in telecommunications.

The mother of an autistic child, Mensah is a passionate advocate for local and statewide efforts supporting autism research and awareness. She serves as Vice Chair of the Portland Schools Foundation board. She is also on the board of directors of the Urban League of Portland and is involved in the United Way annual giving fund campaign. Mensah co-founded the first Portland chapter of the National Association of Black Sports Professionals, and has also been recognized by the Portland Business Journal with an “Orchid Award,” which is given to outstanding women in business. Mensah resides in Portland with her son Davis. 

Non-Profit Spotlight
The Portland Schools Foundation is an independent, community-based organization mobilized to ensure a first-rate education for every child, in every public school, in every Portland neighborhood.

A gift for the holidays...
Than Clevenger, a member of The Link For Women Advisory Board, and his wife Sydney, have authored Swifty's Big Flight. It is a children's book about the Vaux's Swifts who roost in a school chimney in Portland each September. Than and Sydney will be on-site signing Swifty's Big Flight...What a terrific holiday gift!!  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Portland Audubon Society.

Event Schedule
5:30 - 6:30 Tapas, cocktails and connecting
6:30 - 8:00 Presentation and Q & A
8:00 - 8:30 A final cocktail

Location
The Hotel deLuxe
729 SW 15th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97205

Cost (Includes tapas and no-host cocktails)
Pre-Paid Members $25/ Non-Members $40 (By NOON, day of event)
At the Door Members $30/ Non-Members $45

We ask that you register at soon as possible to ensure success of the event. If you are not ready to commit, feel free to use our 'Pay at Door' option, which allows you to pay before noon on the day of the event and still receive the pre-pay discount. Since our pre-registration policy allows you to make your final decision six hours before the start of the event, we do not offer refunds after you have paid.