⁄From the Editor⁄ Simply the Best WOMEN’S SPORTS have often been sidelined—both in terms of athletes’ compensation and in terms of how seriously they are perceived. That is rapidly changing, though, and one need look no further than Portland for the evidence. The popularity of the Portland Thorns — who boast the best-attended games in women’s soccer— offers one clue. Another? The success of the Sports Bra, which Amy Milshtein profiled for this issue (“The Wide[ning) World of [Women’s] Sports,” p. 20). The bar, which exclusively shows women’s sports on its TV sets, opened last year in Northeast Portland and has already done so well that owner Jenny Nguyen is looking to grow. A while back, we noticed that nearly every time we run a story about Oregon’s food scene, one name comes up again and again: Sarah Masoni. The process and product development director for Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center is so frequently mentioned, thanked or quoted in our pages that we thought it was high time to turn the spotlight on her — and the dozens of signature Oregon products she’s helped create, improve or get on to grocery store shelves. I spoke to Masoni and several people who’ve worked with her in some capacity for “The Tastemaker” (p. 24), finding someone who’s happily turned her creative energy to helping entrepreneurs get going in Oregon. In March we kick off spring by celebrating the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon (p. 33). This year’s list includes some repeat contenders, as well as a number of newcomers. It’s always inspiring — and eye-opening — to review survey data and see what makes workers sing their employers’ praises. Compensation — including competitive wages that help workers keep apace with inflation, as well as robust benefits — always matters. So does having the autonomy and trust to do great work. But another recurring theme is flexibility:Again and again, morale is highest at organizations where employees can make time for their families and outside interests without it hurting their careers. Congratulations to everyone who made this year’s list. EDITORIAL EDITOR Christen McCurdy christenm@oregonbusiness.com ART DIRECTOR Joan McGuire joanm@oregonbusiness.com STAFF WRITER Sander Gusinow sanderg@oregonbusiness.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Jason E. Kaplan jasonk@oregonbusiness.com COPY EDITOR Morgan Stone CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Angela “Angi” Bailey, Amy Milshtein, Brooke Strickland PUBLISHING PUBLISHER Courtney Kutzman courtneyk@oregonbusiness.com EVENTS MANAGER Craig Peebles craigp@oregonbusiness.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Evan Morehouse evanm@mediamerica.net ADVERTISING AND PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Greta Hogenstad gretah@mediamerica.net DIGITAL PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Alison Kattleman alisonk@mediamerica.net PRESIDENT AND CEO Andrew A. Insinga CONTROLLER Bill Lee BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN André W. Iseli PRESIDENT Andrew A. Insinga SECRETARY William L. Mainwaring TREASURER Win McCormack VOLUME 47 ⁄ NUMBER 3 OREGON BUSINESS (ISSN 02798190) is published 8 times per year, monthly except Mar/Apr, Jul/Aug and Oct/Nov/Dec issues, by MEDIAmerica Inc. at 12570 S.W. 69th Ave., Suite 102, Portland OR 97223. Subscription inquiries should be directed to 503-445-8811. Subscription charge is $24.95 per year, $49.95 for two years in the USA. Single copies and back issues available at above address and at selected newsstands. The editor is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Copyright © 2024 by MEDIAmerica Inc. All rights reserved. All material is protected by copyright and must not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Printed in Oregon. Periodicals Postage Paid at Portland, OR. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Oregon Business, 12570 S.W. 69th Ave., Suite 102, Portland OR 97223 6
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