About us

We are the economic and urban development agency for the city of Portland. We focus on building an equitable economy by carrying out a comprehensive range of economic development programs that support small business, improve access to workforce training, and create jobs for Portland residents. We work with partners to drive public attention and resources to different areas of the city, which helps Portland realize capital projects – parks, streetscape improvements, community centers –that would not happen on their own, making it a better place to live for all Portlanders.

Prosper Portland is headed by an executive director who reports to a five-member, volunteer board of local citizens appointed by the mayor and approved by City Council. The structure allows us to exercise independence in program implementation and resource allocation.

Prosper Portland is committed to growing quality jobs, advancing opportunities for prosperity, creating vibrant neighborhoods and communities, and collaborating with partners to create an equitable city, with prosperity shared by Portlanders of all colors, incomes and neighborhoods.

Our Mission

To create economic growth and opportunity for Portland.

Our Vision

Portland is one of the most globally competitive, equitable, and healthy cities in the world.

Prosper Portland stimulates job creation, encourages broad economic prosperity, and fosters great places on behalf of the City of Portland.

We are a workplace of choice with passionate staff excelling in an open and empowering environment and sharing a commitment to our collective success.

Our Equity Statement

We acknowledge our past as we move forward to create economic opportunity and prosperity for all communities. We make racial equity the foundation of our community and economic development work. We hold ourselves accountable to Portland’s communities of color and others our work has negatively impacted. While racial equity is the primary lens to focus our efforts, we understand the connection between racism and other forms of bias that lead to oppression.

Within our workplace and working with our partners, we embrace values of authentic inclusion, transparency, and collaboration.

We work toward nothing less than an anti-racist Portland that welcomes and serves all communities and perspectives. We encourage our partners to do the same.

Our Values

Love Portland

Portland is a great place with great communities that inspire everything we do.

Make a Difference

We get things done and strive to have a marked impact on the lives of all people in Portland.

Do Excellent Work

We bring a high level of knowledge, professionalism, and passion, and always aspire to improve.

Build Partnerships

We are most effective when we work together and hand-in-hand with our public, private, and community partners.

Advance Equity

We recognize historic inequities and work tirelessly for a more equitable Portland and agency.

Honor the Public Trust

We seek financial sustainability and, as stewards of public resources, act for the good of the city with integrity and ethics.

Innovate

We are all entrepreneurs. Creativity, agility, and ingenuity elevate our work.

Our Team

Prosper Portland is governed by a volunteer Board of Commissioners who are approved by City Council and report directly to Portland’s Mayor. The Board is authorized by the City Charter to administer the business activities of the agency.

Board of Commissioners

Gustavo J. Cruz Jr.
Commission Chair
Gustavo J. Cruz Jr.

Commission Chair
ProsperCommissioners@ProsperPortland.us

Cruz is of counsel at the law firm Hathaway Larson with a practice in commercial finance, corporate finance and general business matters. His background includes service as a commercial lender and credit approval officer at a financial institution, and as in-house counsel with U.S. Bank in the Special Assets Group. He was born in Portland and has been active on several nonprofit boards, including the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves as board chair, and the Northwest District Association. Cruz played rugby in college and for a men’s club team and enjoys reunions with his rugby friends. He also enjoys spending time with his son, volunteering in his community, reading, and University of Oregon football. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Lewis and Clark Law School.

Cruz was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on July 1, 2015.
Marcelino Alvarez
Commissioner
Marcelino Alvarez

Commissioner
ProsperCommissioners@ProsperPortland.us

Marcelino Alvarez is the CEO of Photon Marine, which is building an intelligent electric outboard motor system, tailored to commercial boat fleets. He began his career in advertising, producing digital campaigns at Crispin Porter + Bogusky and Wieden + Kennedy. He later founded Uncorked Studios, a product design firm that helped companies such as Samsung, Nike, Google, Intel, and Adidas bring innovative software and hardware products to market. He is a mentor for PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment) and a member of the board of directors for The Freshwater Trust. He was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on September 6, 2023.
Felisa Hagins
Commissioner
Felisa Hagins

Commissioner
ProsperCommissioners@ProsperPortland.us

As the SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Oregon State Council Director, Felisa Hagins has dedicated her career to advocating for fair labor practices and economic equity, ensuring that every worker, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive. Felisa’s experience in labor relations, labor policy, housing advocacy, commercial development, and workforce development has equipped her with a deep understanding of the economic challenges that diverse communities face in Portland. Felisa is committed to bringing this crucial perspective to the forefront, striving to implement strategies that elevate economic prosperity and create equitable opportunities across all sectors of our city. She was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on June 5, 2024.
Michi Slick
Commissioner
Michi Slick

Commissioner
ProsperCommissioners@ProsperPortland.us

Michi is a Principal with Killian Pacific, a Portland-based company that owns and develops apartment, office, industrial, and mixed-use real estate properties regionally. She serves on the City of Portland’s Advance Portland Advisory Committee, City of Vancouver’s City Center Redevelopment Authority, Oregon Smart Growth’s Policy Committee, and Urban Land Institute’s Portland NEXT Committee. Before Killian Pacific, Michi worked in real estate development in New York, Washington D.C., and Shanghai, and spent several years prior with architecture firms in New York and Los Angeles. She was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on September 6, 2023.
Serena Stoudamire Wesley
Commissioner
Serena Stoudamire Wesley

Commissioner
ProsperCommissioners@ProsperPortland.us

Serena Stoudamire Wesley is an Oregon native with a passion for her community, public relations, and community engagement. She currently serves as Youth Development Director with the Oregon Department of Education. She was previously Policy Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the offices of Oregon Governor Kate Brown, and held a similar policy directing position at the Chief Education Office (formerly Oregon Education Investment Board). She is a member of the Warner Pacific University Board of Trustees and a former member of the Portland Children’s Levy Allocation Committee. She was appointed to the Prosper Portland Board of Commissioners on July 10, 2020 and reappointed July 9, 2022.