Capital Literacy for Women Entrepreneurs Thursday, June 5th | Portland, OR
Ready to demystify the money side of growing your business? We’ve got you.
Join Xcelerate Women, OEN, Latino Founders, and the Metro Region Innovation Hub for Capital Literacy for Women Entrepreneurs—an event created to help women founders get clear, confident, and connected when it comes to raising capital.
Whether you're bootstrapping your growth, eyeing your first investor, or just curious about your options, this workshop is designed to meet you where you are. We'll break down the many ways to fund your business—venture capital, private equity, angel investment, grants, loans, and more—with honesty, transparency, and expert insight.
What to expect:
✨ An all-women lineup of investors and capital advisors
✨ Real talk on the pros, cons, and nuances of each funding path
✨ Roundtable breakouts with experts so you can ask your actual questions
✨ Connection with fellow founders who get it
✨ A chance to join a follow-up Peer Mentor Group designed for women actively seeking capital
This isn’t just another panel—it’s a hands-on learning experience built for real-world application. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how different types of capital work, which ones might fit your business best, and what next steps you can take to move forward with confidence.
Whether you're actively fundraising or just exploring what’s possible, this event offers practical guidance, expert access, and peer connection to support your capital journey.
Let’s redefine what’s possible when women raise capital on their own terms.
Mia Birk - Chief Amplification Officer, Fabulous Female Founders
Mia Birk is an Executive Coach, investor, and writer who supports female founders through every stage of business and previously spent 25+ years leading the active transportation movement.
Kerri Leathers Izunagbara - Venture Associate, Decile Group
Kerri is a finance leader with 20+ years across startups and VC, helping founders get investor-ready with smart capital planning, financial strategy, and fundraising support.
Marquita Jaramillo - Principal Consultant, Powered by MJ
Marquita is a business strategist and founder of Powered by MJ, where she helps underrepresented entrepreneurs—especially women—access grants, capital, and strategic funding to grow and thrive.
Jill Kuehler - Founder + CEO, Freeland Spirits
Jill is the founder of Freeland Spirits, launched in 2017 to craft exceptional spirits while championing women, diversity, and Oregon-grown ingredients—rooted in a lifelong love of farming and community.
Charlene LaFountain - Finance Officer, Business Oregon
Charlene is a Finance Officer at Business Oregon, leveraging 20 years in banking to help underserved small businesses access capital, navigate resources, and grow through state-funded programs.
Leticia Lares - Loan Officer, Business Impact NW
Leticia is a bilingual Loan Officer serving SW Washington and Portland, dedicated to helping women and underbanked founders access capital, build financial readiness, and grow sustainable businesses.
Lori Spencer - Founder and Principal, Lori Spencer Consulting
Lori brings decades of experience scaling iconic Oregon brands like Salt & Straw and Tillamook. A longtime advisor to women entrepreneurs, she blends strategic vision with hands-on know-how to help consumer product companies grow, raise capital, and thrive.
Brianne Mees - Founder + CEO, Tender Loving Empire
Brianne is the co-founder of Tender Loving Empire, where she’s spent 17 years growing a small retail shop into a 7-location brand that has returned over $20M to independent artists and makers.
Kyle Lovell - Chief Lending Officer, Business Impact NW
Kyle is the Chief Lending Officer at Business Impact NW, bringing over a decade of CDFI experience to expand access to capital and drive small business growth across the Pacific Northwest.
Paula Luan Phillips - Business Advisor, PolyFin Advisory
Paula is a finance executive, advisor, and investor who leads PolyFin Business Advisory, guiding small and mid-sized companies on valuation, capital strategy, and exit planning.
Josie Ruiz - Small Business Relationship Manager, OnPoint Credit Union
Josie has been with OnPoint for 17 years, combining deep experience with a passion for financial education to help clients and communities thrive through confident decision-making.
Gini Ryles - Senior Business Finance Officer, Prosper Portland
Gini is a finance expert and community advocate with 16+ years in banking, helping Portland small businesses access capital through loans and outreach.
Marcela Piñeros - Global Head of Enablement, Stripe
Marcela is a seasoned sales enablement leader at Stripe with deep experience across sectors and an active angel investor passionate about supporting mission-driven founders.
Kathryn Latham - Owner, Latham Business Solutions
Kathryn Latham is a startup advisor and strategist with 15+ years of experience helping early-stage teams build scalable, fundable, and founder-friendly businesses.
We’re excited to share that refreshments for this event are being generously donated by Sokol Blosser Winery, Freeland Spirits, and Urban River Spirits. The delicious catering is brought to you by one of our very own—La Casa de Mamá, a proud Xcelerate business owner.
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