OEN NewsOregon Entrepreneurs Network Announces 2026 Board of Directors

The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) has named a new board of directors with five members joining thirteen returning members.

OEN is proud to welcome the new directors while retaining the majority of current members following a year of financial stabilization and rapid membership growth. This year’s board recruitment process focused on expanding industry representation and geographic reach, adding directors with investor experience and including leaders based in Ridgefield, Washington and Hood River, Oregon. These additions further strengthen OEN’s statewide and regional perspective and position the organization to support entrepreneurs with greater speed, insight, and impact.

The new board members include:

Ernie Bootsma, Shareholder & Attorney, Buchalter I Ernie Bootsma is a partner with Buchalter LLP and practices law in the area of corporate startups and emerging business, as well as intellectual property. He has been practicing law in Oregon and Washington for 35 years and is heavily involved in the startup and emerging business ecosystem in the Pacific Northwest. Ernie counsels companies, entrepreneurs and investors in connection with early stage companies.
Suhail Khan, MBA, Senior Vice President, Marsh I Suhail Khan is a Senior Vice President at Marsh, leading risk management and insurance solutions for public and private sector clients. With extensive experience in strategy, analytics, and client advocacy, he drives impactful risk strategies that support organizational resilience and growth. Suhail is deeply committed to community engagement and philanthropy, leveraging his professional expertise to advance organizations focused on equity, education, and meaningful social impact.
Allie Persitz (Magyar), Founder, Investor and Mentor I Allie Magyar is an experienced entrepreneur, operator, and investor with a track record of building and scaling high-growth companies in both services and tech. She is the former CEO and current owner of Dynamic Events and the former Founder and CEO of Hubb, which she successfully sold in 2021, and currently serves as an Operating Partner at Elevate Capital. Known for her hands-on approach, Allie brings deep expertise in go-to-market strategy, community building, and founder mentorship. In her new role on the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network board, she will focus on supporting early-stage startups with practical guidance, access to networks, and founder-first leadership.
Melanie Strong, Founding Partner, NEXT VENTURES I Mel started her career as a first grade teacher and journalist. A chance meeting at the Boston Marathon led to an interview for an entry level job at Nike. She spent 17 years there, where she led businesses including Nike Women and Nike Skateboarding, and worked on the launch of the Nike Running and Training Club apps. In 2019 she left Nike to co-found venture capital firm Next Ventures, focused on early stage investments across health and wellness in companies like Oura ring and Outside Inc. She serves on the boards of Cofertility, Ramble Campgrounds, Sage Hospitality, and University of Oregon’s Knight Campus — and when she’s not traveling you can find her mountain biking on the trails in Hood River Oregon.
Shanbo Zhang, Investor, Oregon Angel Partners I Shanbo Zhang is an Oregon-based angel investor and Venture Partner at Oregon Venture Fund. His investments span sports and outdoor, food and beverage, agriculture, and consumer innovations, with portfolio exposure across the Pacific Northwest and East Asia. His cross-border investments and long-standing relationships in both regions provide Oregon with opportunities for foreign direct investment and overseas market access.

The re-elected directors are Ryan Comingdeer, Michael Goetz, Dave Hansen, Paige Hendrix Buckner, Mary Hull, Novin Kaihani, Nancy Lime, Beth Nguyen, Scott Sandler, Drea Schmidt, Mike White, John Williams, and Joseph Wyno. Board terms are two years and the directors’ guide OEN’s work supporting entrepreneurs across Oregon and SW Washington.

“As OEN heads into 2026 with growing momentum, our Board of Directors remains a driving force behind the organization’s strategic impact,” says Cara Turano, OEN President and Executive Director. “The addition of new board members brings powerful statewide perspectives and deep industry expertise that strengthen OEN’s ability to move faster, think bigger, and deliver greater value to entrepreneurs across Oregon and Southwest Washington. OEN is proud to welcome these leaders and grateful for the energy, leadership, and commitment they bring as the organization builds on its strongest trajectory yet.”

Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs start up and scale up. The organization hosts entrepreneur education, networking events and angel investment programs, including Angel Oregon Tech (AOTech), Angel Oregon Consumer Packaged Goods (AOCPG) and Angel Oregon Bioscience (AOBio), in addition to the annual OEN Entrepreneurship Awards. Learn more at www.oen.org.