Join us for happy hour at AltSource on September 17th.
In the tech industry, companies often tout all the “fun” benefits they offer to employees, but do those perks really matter to everyone? Yes, ping pong can be entertaining for a few minutes, and kombucha is great for your gut, but are these the types of benefits that make workspaces desirable for everyone? Let’s talk about it! This month’s theme will be: “Functional workspaces: from behavior to the needs of parents,” and to help get the networking flowing we will be using the conversation prompt: What’s something you need to make your workspace functional?
While the event is primarily intended for networking, we will have a short segment at 5:30 p.m. to share important announcements and showcase three members of our community.
A representative from our host company AltSource will share what they do and what job opportunities are available at the company
Tina Semko and Kristy LaFollette, co-founders of Health Equity Partners, will give the following lightening talk: Beyond Beer and Corn Hole: Workplace Change for Families
Torri Wright, Founder and CEO at Wright Behavior, will talk about Decoding The Language of Behavior
During the event, we’ll have more to do than free-form networking:
An Activity Table where people can get creative. This is a fantastic way to meet others if large groups are not your thing. If you have trouble finding it, look for Meg Aul, our Event Activities Director.
Table Topics to help break the ice.
A section for job seekers and those hiring, to ensure people get connected.
Agenda:
4:30 pm - Doors open
5:30 p.m. - Introductions, Announcements + Lightning Speakers
6:30 pm - Event ends
Our events are inclusive. ALL people who support our purpose are welcome.
Host Spotlight
Meet Suzy Gerhart
What is your title and your favorite thing about your job?
As a lead developer I’m faced with a lot of diverse challenges. I never get bored. At AltSource I’m given the freedom to really be creative and come up with custom solutions that meet our customers’ needs. I interact directly with our clients daily, answering questions, resolving issues, and as their technical partner providing recommendations on how we can use software to meet their needs. I really enjoy this aspect of the job because customer satisfaction is very important to me, being responsive and making our clients happy is very fulfilling for me. We develop only custom software which comes with a lot of technical challenges, often integrating with old systems or creating complex workflows to automate current complex processes. I learn something new every day and get to flex my creative and technical muscles on interesting problems. But, most of all, I love to code, and I get to do it every day!
How did you become involved in PDXWIT?
Early on in my career, when I was working at Intel there was an Intel hosted PDXWIT event that I attended and met a lot of amazing women doing great things at Intel and elsewhere. I’ve been involved ever since.
What do you like to do for fun in Portland?
My favorite things in Portland are all of the arcades, walking through one of the many beautiful rose gardens, and taking day trips to Sauvie Island.
Where can we find you on a Saturday night?
On the weekends I like to go out to dance parties, hang out at the arcade, have a game night with friends, or staying up late playing video games.
We’re on the lookout for speakers
Do you have a unique story to tell? Do you have a specific skill set you’d like to share with our community? We’re always looking for speakers to share their knowledge at an upcoming PDXWIT event. Learn more about our current speaking opportunities.
Do you want to host an event?
Is your company interested in hosting a PDXWIT event? This is a great opportunity to gain powerful exposure to the local workforce while showing your support for inclusion in Portland’s technology industry.
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