Dear SMPS Oregon Members,

On behalf of the board of directors, I’d like to welcome you all to the 2021-2022 SMPS Oregon program year! We have an exciting program year lined up and we look forward to connecting with all of you soon.

The 2020-2021 program year was presented with unique challenges. I continue to be impressed with the quality of education and programming SMPS Oregon maintained throughout this time. I’d like to thank our members for staying engaged, and the 2020-2021 board of directors and volunteers for their hard work and positivity during the past year. We will continue to pivot as we look at holding our first in person events in over a year as well as navigating hybrid options. Safety will be at the forefront of our event planning efforts and we will continue to follow all state and local guidelines.

Our board of directors looks a little different this year. We have condensed our board to eleven positions, including five key directors and committees. I believe this will help strengthen our communication and better serve our members. We are always seeking volunteers to join our committees and support our growing membership.

During our annual board retreat in May, we brainstormed and planned for a program year centered around our commitment to inclusion. This includes increased DEI outreach and events, an increase in the breadth of education offerings, continued virtual programming, and connection opportunities for members outside the Portland-Metro area.

SMPS has played an important role in my career development over the past seven years. Five years ago I joined the communications committee. For the past four years, I’ve been on the board of directors. I am honored to take the next step and lead our chapter this year. The relationships I’ve made have been a key part of my SMPS journey. I encourage all of you to get involved and make the most of your membership. I hope to empower you to connect, learn, and advance your careers.

Thank you for electing me your 2021-2022 President. I’m excited for the new year, and look forward to providing value to our membership with exceptional programs and opportunities for building strong industry relationships. Thank you all for being a part of our community and welcome to the 2021-2022 SMPS year!

Kaitlin Virding
2021-2022 Chapter President
Business Development Manager, MacKay Sposito