Reimagine the River
Bringing together thought-leaders from throughout the region for a day of conversation and connection.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The Redd in Portland
SOLD OUT
Online Program (Coming Soon)
Panelists
Schedule
Morning
08:00
Registration Opens
Noon
08:25
Call to take your seats
MC Cyreena Boston Ashby
1803 Fund
12:15
08:30
Welcome and Call to Action
Ronda Rutledge, Ecotrust
08:40
01:00
Articulating Our Intentions
Councilwoman Kathleen George
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
08:50
Welcome
Senate President Rob Wagner
District 19, Oregon Legislature
09:00
Reimagine the River: Restructuring, Reinvesting, and Rethinking the Value of Waterfront Development
LEAD: Phoebe Bogert - PLACE
PANELISTS:
Councilor Duncan Hwang - Metro
JT Flowers - Albina Vision Trust
Ryan Webb - tumwata village
Susan Bladholm - Frog Ferry
Trustee Toby Patrick - Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
02:15
02:45
10:00
Mix and Mingle Coffee Break
10:30
Where the Money Flows: The Economics of Opportunity
SESSION LEAD: Reed Wagner - Willamette Falls Locks Authority
PANELIST:
Andrew Colas - Colas Construction
Councilor Brigette McConville - Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon
Corky Collier - Columbia Corridor Association
Kimberly Branam - Port of Portland
Sara Reich - ECOnorthwest
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03:30
04:15
04:20
11:40
Drowning Out the Noise: Seattle's Reimagined Waterfront
KEYNOTE:
Tatiana Choulika -
Field Operations
Afternoon
Lunch
A Moment with the Mayors
MODERATOR:
Councilor Christine Lewis - Metro
Mayor Mayor Lisa Batey - City of Milwaukie
Mayor Rory Bialostosky - City
of West Linn
Mayor Denyse McGriff - Oregon City
Mayor Keith Wilson - City of Portland
The Ripple Effect: Resilience, Justice & the Power of Restoration
SESSION LEAD: Chuck Sams, Northwest Power and Conservation Council
PANELISTS:
Davis Washines - Dept of Natural Resources, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
Erin Graham - Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
Gabe Sheoships - Friends of Tryon Creek
Scott Fogarty - Human Access Project
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Mix and Mingle Coffee Break
Black Environmental Stewardship
Fireside Chat
Rukaiyah Adams, 1803 Fund
Glenn Lamb, Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts
Building a Coalition: What's Next?
SESSION LEAD:
Councilwoman Kathleen George
PANELISTS:
Rukaiyah Adams, 1803 Fund
Kate Brown, Willamette Falls Trust
Ronda Rutledge, Ecotrust
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RAFFLE
In Closing
​Councilor Robert Kentta -Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and Board Member, Willamette Falls Trust
THE PANELS
1st Panel
Reimagine the River: Restructuring, Reinvesting, and Rethinking the Value of Waterfront Development
This opening panel explores the interconnectedness that links people to the River: from earliest childhood memories to new developments reshaping the waterfront to transportation which will create an innovative, scenic journey along the Willamette connecting people and neighborhoods.
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2nd Panel
Where the Money Flows: The Economics of Opportunity
This dynamic group of panelists will explore the role the River has played in our local, regional, and state economies. Beyond just dollars and cents, the panel will discuss how to ensure historically underrepresented communities are included as we consider new and dynamic ways to balance economic opportunities with environmental needs.
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3rd Panel
The Ripple Effect: Resilience, Justice & the Power of Restoration
Chucks Sams, the 19th Director of the National Park Service leads this panel as they explore the benefits of River restoration and creative ways to reconnect people to the Willamette.
​
4th Panel - Keynote
Building a Coalition. What’s next?
Councilwoman Kathleen George explores how the three host organizations are working to reestablish and reconnect people to the Willamette. The panel will consider next steps to ensure this important conversation on economics, environment, and representation continues to inform decision making.
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