Breaking Barriers: Women in Business Leadership
By April Miller, UO Alumni Association assistant director of marketing and communications, and
Peyton Hall, class of 2024 (media studies), communications student associate
UO alumnae are leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs across a variety of industries and business functions. Discover the legacy that women have made at the top of the business hierarchy and their commitment to the next generation of women leaders.
University of Oregon alumnae are changemakers in business nationally and internationally. We look to the women highlighted in this article to lead companies as the highest-ranking executives, manage multi-million- and billion-dollar marketing budgets, invent new products, invest in startups, oversee large teams of people, and mentor up-and-coming women in their industries.
While the number of women in executive positions is increasing, there is still work to be done, especially as it pertains to women of color, those identifying as LGBTQ+, and women with disabilities in leadership.
According to research from McKinsey & Company, white women represent 21 percent of the C-suite and women of color just 5 percent. Women have undoubtedly faced great challenges in pursuing executive careers. However, despite obstacles, this esteemed group of alumnae show us that women play an essential role in innovating new products and services, managing capital flows, and improving our global economy.
While this list does not include all alumnae who have worked or are currently working in business leadership roles, we extend a thank you to all those who honor their alma mater through their dedication to building a future for more women in the boardroom.
Sports and Entertainment
Heather Davis, BS ’98 (political science and journalism)
Chief Executive Officer for the Portland Timbers
Heather Davis is the chief executive officer for the Portland Timbers, where she oversees all business operations for the professional soccer team, as well as Portland Thorns FC and Providence Park.
One of just five women in Major League Soccer to serve as president or CEO, Davis is the first female leader in Timbers history to hold the position, which she assumed in January 2023. Davis began working for the soccer club in May 2022 as general counsel.
“It is an extraordinary privilege to be entrusted to lead such a storied and successful franchise that means so much to so many in my home state,” Davis said in a Portland Timbers news release. “We will continue to do the work to be a first-in-class club that everyone can be proud of.”
Prior to the Timbers, Davis spent nine years at the NFL, where she served as the lead counsel for international operations and worked on major events such as the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, NFL Draft, and international games in London and Mexico. Before this, she worked for major law firms in New York and Washington, DC, as director of scheduling for Senator Hillary Clinton, and as a special assistant to the president and deputy director of presidential scheduling for the Clinton Administration.
“I’ve spent my career in politics, big corporate law firms, and sports, so I’ve sort of hit the triumvirate of male-dominated industries. But every step of the way, I’ve been really fortunate to work with and be supported by really amazing women, and I think this is my chance to pay that forward to the women at this club, and in our leagues, and in our community.”
Gabrielle Valdez Dow, BA ’95 (English), MBA ’00, JD ’00
Vice President of Marketing and Fan Engagement for the Green Bay Packers
Triple Duck Gabrielle Valdez Dow works as vice president of marketing and fan engagement for the Green Bay Packers, a role she’s held since 2014.
A year after graduating from the UO with her bachelor’s degree, she returned to Eugene to simultaneously pursue a law degree and an MBA. She applied to join the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center and ended up earning the final spot.
“The program only took 20 students and I interviewed with Rick Burton (the program’s director at the time) for that final spot,” Valdez Dow said in an interview with NFL.com. “Rick sat at the edge of his desk and asked, ‘So why should I care about you?’ I said, ‘Because some day you're going to tell your class and students about my career.’ To be honest, I just said that because I was trying to get accepted and it came true because I worked hard enough to reach my north star.”
On top of her studies for two graduate degrees, Valdez Dow became a law clerk and later a public relations intern for the Portland Trail Blazers, where she was introduced to the life of sports business. After graduation, she’d go on to work as a marketing manager for AEG with primary assignment to the Los Angeles Lakers, senior director of marketing for the NHL’s Florida Panthers, and vice president of marketing for the Baltimore Ravens, prior to landing at the Packers.
In her current role, she oversees retail, broadcast content, research analytics, marketing, and fan clubs, which means her work is changing every day. Despite her full schedule, Valdez Dow said she’s always happy to talk to other women interested in the sports industry, review resumes, and ask the hard questions.
“I’m proud of being in this business as a female, as a Latina, as a working mom. Loving what I do is no small feat.”
Consumer Goods
Sarah Mensah, BA ’87 (telecommunication and film; journalism)
Vice President and General Manager for Nike North America
In 2021, Sarah Mensah made history when she became the first Black woman to serve as vice president at Nike North America, the sportswear giant’s biggest geographical location.
She recently told footwearnews.com that open, authentic communication and creating space for others to step up and lead are key aspects of her success as a leader.
“I’m comfortable listening and allowing my team—many of whom are very senior female leaders—to help with the solution,” Mensah said. “These are the future leaders at Nike and they’re coming up with a lot of the strategies that will define the future.”
Prior to joining Nike in 2013, Mensah was at the Portland Trail Blazers for 19 years, holding senior roles, such as chief operating officer. She has received several accolades, including being recognized as a Women in Sports Business Game Changer by Sports Business Journal, named an Urban League Equal Opportunity Day Award recipient, featured on Fortune's Most Powerful Women: "Ones to Watch" list, and most recently, recognized as a 2023 Oregon History Maker honoree by the Oregon Historical Society.
Responsible for Nike's largest geography, Mensah has driven business growth and has focused on transforming the geo by powering innovation through a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. She believes that Nike innovation is best achieved through diversity across all dimensions and approaches.
With a passion for equal opportunities for all, Mensah is a dedicated advocate for underrepresented communities and individuals, with an emphasis on children and on autism. She resides in Portland with her husband Eddie and son Davis.
“So many of us, especially in my generation, spent a good portion of our time in business trying to emulate what the guys were doing, thinking there would be some reward at the end. The best way to unlocking success is to trust that gut and know that your voice matters.”
Gabby Sanders, BS ’14 (accounting), MActg ’15
Founder of Keto Pint, Finance Manager for Impossible Foods, and UOAA and Cultivate Bend Board Director
Gabby Sanders is the cofounder of Keto Pint, a healthy ice cream alternative that is sold in thousands of grocery stores across the US and internationally.
The idea to create the business, originally branded as UpStar, came from a desire to live a healthy lifestyle, while still enjoying sweet treats that don’t compromise on flavor. After six months and more than 500 attempts at ice cream alternatives, Sanders and Keto Pint cofounder Chris Spencer, BS ’14 (accounting) developed a recipe that met their criteria: low in sugar, high in protein, and most importantly, delicious.
The company launched in 2016, with Sanders serving as chief operating officer. She developed the go-to-market strategy; established relationships with manufacturers, distributors, and grocery executives; and managed research and development for future innovation. She did much of this work while also working full-time as a consultant for major accounting firms in Portland and obtaining her CPA license.
Today, Sanders is less involved in the day-to-day operations of Keto Pint, but still working to make healthy foods more accessible as a finance manager for Impossible Foods. She’s worked for the company, which makes plant-based meat, dairy, and fish substitutes, for more than two years. In 2022, Sanders also joined the UO Alumni Association Board of Directors. She’s also one of the founding board directors and treasurer for Cultivate Bend, a nonprofit mutual benefit trade organization formed to create a vibrant ecosystem for the natural products sector throughout Central Oregon and to support entrepreneurs.
“Every day is a new day to create change, be kind to those around you and make an impact. Being an entrepreneur taught me grit, passion, how to endure the highs and lows and to surround yourself with changemakers. I am driven by continuous learning, solving challenging problems, as well as daily personal and professional growth. From my own experience to now supporting entrepreneurs on their journey, it makes me excited for the future and the continuous positive change we can inflict on the world.”
—Gabby Sanders
Mackie Swan, MBA ’22
Chief Executive Officer for WOO More Play
Mackie Swan is the chief executive officer for WOO More Play, a Los Angeles-based manufacturer of natural and organic women’s sexual wellness products.
Leading a consumer brand was a goal of Swan’s as she pursued her MBA at the UO’s Portland-based program for working professionals. However, it wasn’t something she expected would happen while she was still in school. Swan started as WOO’s CEO in November 2021, less than two months after beginning her final year in the Oregon Executive MBA program.
Prior to WOO, Swan worked for Good Clean Love, another sexual wellness manufacturer, first as a brand manager and eventually as vice president of marketing and sales. This industry experience and her get-it-done approach were valuable when stepping into the CEO role. Doing so while simultaneously pursuing an MBA also provided benefits, despite the challenges of balancing the two.
“The pressure from going through an MBA program can actually be advantageous when you’re taking on something new. You’re already challenging yourself. You’re already trying to step up and grow into a bigger role. So I think that the two things went together really nicely,” said Swan.
WOO More Play products are sold in leading retailers like Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Revolve, and more. With Swan at the helm, the startup is expanding its product line.
Read Lundquist College of Business’s spotlight on Swan.
“WOO's founders were looking for somebody who had experience in the category but who was also willing to roll up their sleeves and get the work done—as you have to do with a growing startup. So it was a great fit for what the business needed and also where I was in my own career trajectory.”
Finance, Capital Management, and Investments
Laila Macharia, BA ’92 (planning, public policy and management)
Vice Chair for Centum Investment Company
Laila Macharia is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and mentor whose impressive career has spanned nearly three decades and multiple continents.
Since 2013, Macharia has served as vice chair for Centum Investment Company, Kenya’s largest publicly traded investments group. She’s also the chair for Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI), which offers world-class training to accelerate careers in creative media and technology, as well as a non-executive director for Absa Bank Kenya.
Macharia attended the UO as an international student in the early ’90s, where she told Kenya-based newspaper The Standard that she tried her hand at software engineering. After taking a few classes, she decided it wasn’t the career for her.
“I didn’t enjoy it and realized that it wasn’t for me. I’m motivated by seeing people’s lives changed . . . I moved to planning and public policy, and that’s where I found my space,” Macharia told The Standard.
After graduation from the UO in 1992, she earned a JD/LLM from Cornell Law School as well as a JSM (master’s degree) and JSD (doctorate degree) from Stanford Law School. Macharia spent time in legal roles in both corporate finance in New York and human rights law in South Africa.
However, through her coursework Macharia realized that her true passion lied in entrepreneurship and using business to transform economic systems and lives. She told The Standard that one of her professors introduced the class to a case study on how Southeast Asian countries lifted millions out of poverty.
“I realized that the heart of that is business. That you cannot do it through grants. No matter how much you love people, charity is not sustainable, what you do is grow the economy and create jobs and once people have jobs they can start moving up,” Macharia said.
In 2003, Macharia returned to Kenya after spending fourteen years in the US. She started a real estate firm, Scion Real and partnered with others to establish the Kenya Property Developers Association, a real estate industry lobbying group. These initiatives focused on sustainable and ethical property investment and development in urban Africa. From there, Macharia branched into other investment opportunities, including ADMI.
Macharia told The Standard that “her mission is to skill Africa for that global demand and help eradicate unemployment.”
“My vision of the world is one in which we go through a process of shared growth so that we get to a planet where everybody’s potential is realized, where there’s ubiquitous opportunity. Opportunity everywhere all the time, a chance for people to have second chances and to bring their contribution to the table, whatever that may be.”
Jenny Bennett, BA ’01 (public relations)
Market President at Summit Bank
Jenny Bennett is a Lane County-based banking executive and community leader. Since 2021, she’s served as market president for the Eugene-Springfield area at Summit Bank.
In this role, she serves on Summit Bank’s leadership team, overseeing the client base in their headquarter market. Previously, Bennett worked as senior vice president of marketing and business development for the bank.
In addition to her day job, Bennett is active in the Eugene-Springfield community, having served on several nonprofit boards and volunteering her time to raise money for local charities.
In 2022, her career and community service were recognized with a 2022 Women of Influence Award from the Portland Business Journal.
“When I do get involved in something, I tend to not just be a part of the board or volunteer, but I like to rise up and eventually lead it in some capacity and then step down and then let somebody else lead it," Bennett told the Portland Business Journal.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had great mentors—here in Oregon and nationally—who have helped me along the way. Paying that forward and giving back is very important to me.”
Tech Industry
Nicole Leverich, BA ’99 (public relations)
Vice President of Communications at LinkedIn
Nicole Leverich is the vice president of communications at LinkedIn, where she helps the world understand the business-oriented social media platform amid the evolving industry.
Leverich grew up in Dundee, Oregon—a small town thirty minutes from Portland. Her love for journalism began while she was in high school, where she served as the coeditor of Newberg High School’s newspaper and contributed to the yearbook. Her interest in the field ultimately led her to the UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) to study public relations.
While at the UO, Leverich was a reporter at the Oregon Daily Emerald, where she was able to interview a Nobel Peace Prize recipient who spoke on campus.
“It was an incredible opportunity that most people never have in their lives, and there I was as a sophomore in college getting to do that,” Leverich said in an interview with the SOJC.
The day after graduating from the University of Oregon, Leverich flew to St. Louis, Missouri and interned at a PR agency. There, she worked on many projects, including writing the daily news summary for Walmart and pitching book drives at Cracker Barrel stores to local media outlets.
From there, Leverich served in a variety of roles including director of public relations at Yahoo!, director of corporate communications at AdMob, and mobile advertisement group product marketing manager for Google. In 2014, she joined LinkedIn as the senior director of corporate communications, and a few years later was promoted to vice president of communications.
“There are so many exciting things you will get to do over the course of your career, and the more you are open to learning, the more you will be ready to meet it.”
Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, BIArch ’93
Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Bubu.com
Shinta Dhanuwardoyo is a trailblazer, investor, and entrepreneur who has been honored in Forbes Indonesia’s “Inspiring Women Honour Roll” and Globe Asia’s “99 Most Powerful Women” lists.
Shortly after graduating from the UO in 1993, Dhanuwardoyo pursued her MBA at Portland State, where she encountered the internet for the first time.
“I was besotted and fascinated by its power. Its innate ability to facilitate communication between people from different countries was surreal,” she said in an interview with Indonesia Expat.
In 1996, Dhanuwardoyo founded Bubu.com, a digital media agency that focuses on mobile app development, designing websites, e-commerce, and strategizing digital marketing for clients. The company has represented powerhouse clients like Unilever and AXE deodorant and won Red Herring’s 2011 Global Award for startups. She currently serves as CEO and founder of the company.
In 2019, Dhanuwardoyo launched Startupindonesia.co, an online platform that helps connect all startup ecosystems in Indonesia.
Dhanuwardoyo is one of the founding appointed members of the Asia Gender Network through the Asia Venture Philanthropy Network and has cofounded Silicon Valley Asia Technology Alliance to foster collaboration between the tech industries in Indonesia and Silicon Valley. She previously served as cochair for the Mobile Marketing Association Indonesia Council to promote, educate, and protect the global mobile marketing industry. She also works with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia, where she is currently the head of permanent committee digital business in ecommerce and startup development.
“Always see opportunity in every situation and remember to execute your ideas. Don’t simply let them dwell in your thought. Then comes the hard work, perseverance, and resilience.”
Jill Hazelbaker, BS ’03 (political science)
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs at Uber
Jill Hazelbaker is a veteran marketing and public relations executive, with experience at Google, Snap Inc., and now Uber, where she works as senior vice president of marketing and public affairs.
Prior to her roles in the tech industry, Hazelbaker started her career in politics. She worked on campaigns for Oregon Senator Gordon Smith and US House Rep candidate Jim Zupancic. A few years later, she served as the national communications director and chief spokesperson for Senator John McCain’s presidential campaign and as press secretary to Michael Bloomberg during his 2009 re-election campaign for New York City Mayor.
“I was drawn to politics because I’ve always viewed it as mission driven,” Hazelbaker said in an interview with the UOAA in 2015. “I want to work for and with inspiring people who have a strong sense of purpose. I actually started working on election campaigns while I was at Oregon.”
Hazelbaker made the leap from politics to tech in 2010, and has worked at Uber since 2015, where she has helped the company navigate its initial public offering and a CEO transition, as well as address incidents of sexual assault and other safety issues on rides. with Google’s Hong Kong announcement on her first day on the job, and her experience in high-stakes political campaigns, she’s no stranger to working through crisis situations.
“I like being at the center of the action because that’s where the impact is—and that’s where change is born,” Hazelbaker said in an interview with the New York Times. “It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines, but it’s no substitute for getting in the game yourself.”
In 2020, she was named in both Fortune and Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 lists, recognizing her significant contributions in the tech industry.
“Be easy on yourself. And do the things that bring you joy. These are hard jobs that require great energy and focus. You’re not going to get it right 100 percent of the time, and if you can’t laugh along the way, you’ll drive yourself absolutely crazy.”
Healthcare
KaLynn Gates, BA ’11 (planning, public policy and management), JD ’14
General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary at AccessOne
KaLynn Gates is an entrepreneurial lawyer, startup mentor, and Double Duck.
She currently is general counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary for AccessOne, a national fintech company providing text-based payments and financing programs for healthcare expenses. Prior to stepping into these roles, KaLynn served as president and corporate counsel for HealthFirst Financial, which was acquired by AccessOne.
Gates got her start with HealthFirst Financial after meeting its CEO and serial entrepreneur, Joseph Hawes, BS ’88 (finance), MBA ’94, through the Lundquist College of Businesses New Venture Championship competition where Hawes was a judge and Gates was a competitor in 2013. She joined the Hawes’ family of companies in 2014, which ultimately led to her leading HealthFirst Financial just a few years after graduating from Oregon’s School of Law. She grew HealthFirst and led it to its eventual successful exit.
Gates is also actively involved in the entrepreneurial community, regularly serving as mentor to early-stage companies. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for the UO College of Business.
“I am very excited about recently joining the Board of Advisors for the UO College of Business,” Gates said. “The investment the University of Oregon is making in students and the entrepreneurial ecosystem is exciting, and I look forward to the opportunities to continue to mentor and be a part of the next generation of alumni success stories.”
Read the Lundquist College of Business’s profile in mentorship on KaLynn Gates and Joe Hawes
“My story is really a testament to the impact of alumni mentorships. One connection can completely change the trajectory of a student’s life like it did for me. The mentorship and opportunities I received at the University of Oregon have motivated me to now give back as a mentor not just within my own company but also with the University of Oregon.”
—KaLynn Gates
Aisha Almana, BS ’70 (sociology)
Director at Al-Mana General Hospitals and Founder and CEO of the Mohammad Al-Mana College of Health Sciences
Aisha Almana is a hospital executive, prominent feminist, and a leading voice for gender equality in Saudi Arabia.
She came to the University of Oregon as an international student, graduating in 1970 when few women in her country had any formal education. After the UO, Almana earned her doctorate degree from the University of Colorado, becoming one of the first Saudi woman to obtain a PhD.
She returned to Saudi Arabia, where she became the first female hospital director in the nation, leading the family-run Almana Group of Hospitals and transforming it into one of her country’s leading medical providers.
In addition to her impressive career, Almana has made major strides in higher education. In 2003, she founded Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences (MACHS), a higher education institute specialized in health care education. She’s also a generous donor to the UO, paving a way for MACHS students to complete their studies at the UO through the AlRafeef Educational Foundation Scholarship.
Among her many accomplishments, Almana is best known for her commitment to women’s rights. In 1990, she led a protest in which Saudi women drove their own cars (then an illegal act). Through the decades, she has continued to be a pioneering advocate for equality, justice, and freedom for the women in her country. Forbes named her eighth on its list of 200 Most Powerful Arab Women of 2014.
“The University of Oregon gave me the opportunity to recognize that I am a human being equal to anyone else.”
Early groundbreakers in women-led business
Lila Acheson Wallace, BA 1917 (German)
Lila Acheson Wallace cofounded Reader’s Digest alongside her husband, DeWitt Wallace, publishing the first issue in 1922. Lila was the longtime chair of the magazine. She was also a philanthropist who gave millions of dollars to various nonprofits and universities, including generous donations to her alma mater. Lila died in 1984, and DeWitt three years prior. Their legacy of giving continues through the Wallace Foundation.
Learn more about Wallace’s legacy of philanthropy.
Carolyn Chambers, BA ’53 (accounting)
When she graduated from the UO in 1953, Carolyn Chambers was the only woman in her class to earn a bachelor’s degree in business, when she saw a need for a second television station in the Eugene-Springfield area. Chambers launched KEZI-TV, which went on air in 1960, and began Liberty Communications, Inc. which evolved into Chambers Communications. She was also the president of Chambers Construction and owned several wineries as well as McKenzie River Motors. Additionally, she was a member of the UO Foundation board of trustees and a generous donor to the UO. Chambers died in 2011; she is remembered as a pioneering business leader and philanthropist.
Learn more about Chambers’ entrepreneurial journey.
Margo Grant Walsh, BIArch ’60
Margo Grant Walsh is a recognized leader in interior design, real estate, and management. Her career, spanning more than four decades, shaped an industry. She served as vice chair and managing principal of the New York Office of Gensler, one of the world’s largest architectural firms. Subsequently, Grant Walsh founded the firm’s offices in New York, London, Boston, and Washington, DC. In 1987, she was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame.
Learn more about Walsh’s impact.