Your support for Habitat helps preserve and create more affordable homeownership opportunities in the Portland metro region.

Meet Our Speakers

Mitchell S. Jackson
Keynote Speaker

Winner of a 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing, Mitchell S. Jackson is a celebrated cultural critic, journalist, and author. Across genres, Jackson deftly employs an indelible literary voice and inventive forms to explore the personal and the structural: gentrification, race, racism, Black masculinity, justice, intergenerational trauma, and much more. His memoir Survival Math: Notes on an All-American Family examines the hardships that shaped his life in Oregon, his family, and his community. As a powerful storyteller, Mitchell is a pivotal voice who paints a moving picture of who we can be as a community.

Brenda Braxton
Emcee

Brenda Braxton is an anchor at KGW in Portland, Oregon. She is the anchor for KGW News at Sunrise and KGW News at Noon. She came to the Northwest from WAFB-TV (CBS) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1989 where she served as the evening anchor and medical/health reporter. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of Portland and a Master of Journalism Degree from Louisiana State University. Brenda volunteers with numerous organizations including the American Heart Association, Raphael House, Self Enhancement Inc., the Alzheimer’s Association of Oregon, and Park Academy. In her spare time, Brenda enjoys cooking, gardening and interior design. She has a son and a daughter.

Steve Messinetti
President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity Portland Region

Steve Messinetti began his 29-year Habitat for Humanity career working at Habitat’s International headquarters in Georgia. Since taking the helm at Habitat Portland Region 19 years ago, the organization has grown to become a region-wide leader in affordable homeownership development and tripled the number of people it serves annually over the past five years. Under Steve’s leadership, Habitat has been recognized as the Green Home Builder of the Year by Earth Advantage, one of Portland Business Journal’s Most Admired Nonprofits, and received the Rotary Oregon Ethics in Business Award. Steve is an active member of numerous local housing committees, is on the board of Habitat for Humanity Oregon, and the Habitat for Humanity International New Market Tax Credits Advisory Board.

Christiana Smith Shi
Former President, Global Direct-to-Customer, Nike Inc.

Christiana Shi joined Nike in 2010 as the Chief Operating Officer for Global DTC, responsible for overseeing DTC’s Global Store Operations, Real Estate, Finance, Supply Chain Operations and Information Technology. In April 2012, Christiana was named VP of E-Commerce, responsible for driving the integrated global e-commerce strategy and business for NIKE, Inc. In June 2013, she became President of Nike’s Direct to Consumer business, leading Nike’s retail and e-commerce business globally. She retired from Nike in 2016, and is currently serving as a director on the boards of Mondelez International, UPS, Columbia Sportswear and Habitat for Humanity International. Christiana also leads Lovejoy Advisors, LLC, an advisory services firm for digitally transforming consumer and retail businesses.

Parking and Riding Options

The Oregon Convention Center provides a limited number of spaces in their underground parking garage. The rate to park is $10 and can be accessed via NE Lloyd Street and First Avenue. In addition, there is street parking with coin operated meters nearby. The OCC is easily accessible by public transportation. The Portland Streetcar Central Loop and TriMet Bus Line #6 both stop right outside the center on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Blue, Red and Green MAX light rail lines all stop at the OCC at the intersection of NE MLK Jr. Boulevard and Holladay Street.

If you are unable to join us, and still want to support Habitat, donate here.

Sponsorships for the 2023 Lunch are available now on a first come, first served basis. Join Habitat at this fun and popular event. Sponsorship packages are available at several levels and include premium event privileges for you and your guests. Click here to learn more or contact Tor Ostrom at 503.502.3472.

Become a Sponsor