Spring has a way of clarifying what’s ready to grow and what needs better conditions to take root.

In this newsletter, you’ll find stories that highlight a few economic bright spots, EmpowerPitch entrepreneurs reaching new milestones and students discovering unexpected career pathways.

Regionally, we're looking ahead to the April 1st Community Collaborative & Industry Luncheon: Business at the Center: How Industry Leadership Drives Regional Success, a timely conversation that keeps business voice, workforce alignment, and regional competitiveness central to our region’s economic future. With the event less than a month away, and with both tables and tickets selling out the past two years, now is the time to secure your spot. If you want to be in the room, grab your seat before it’s gone!

And finally, there are also efforts underway to reshape Oregon’s economic future and we share how you can plug-in to that conversation.

Let's keep it growing.

— Matt Sayre

Spring is when fresh ideas feel possible again, and this year, Oregon is actively asking what needs to change to support growth?

The call to action is simple: take the Governor’s Prosperity Council survey and share specific, practical input that can shape statewide recommendations on business climate, workforce, and tools for growth.

The Prosperity Council’s 16 members represent different regions of the state, critical industry sectors, and labor - dedicated to the advancement of Oregon’s economic prosperity and growth. 

If you have a clear example of what’s working, what’s getting in the way, and what would actually move the needle... this is the moment to share it. The survey closes March 20.

With a long-standing passion for helping women feel more beautiful through eco-conscious products, entrepreneur Caitlin Grey set out to build a company of her own and after participating in the EmpowerPitch program, she has gained impressive traction and refined her strategic direction at Pure Light Botanical Beauty.

The company expanded its direct-to-consumer (DTC) footprint internationally and refined its roadmap for scaling DTC with stronger margin discipline, clearer and more cost-effective customer acquisition strategies, and improved retention metrics. Her hero products, including the Botanical Creme Blush, Petal Perfect Lip Oil, and Nourishing Lipstick, are driving repeat purchases and healthy margins.

EmpowerPitch gave Caitlin tremendous clarity regarding capital planning and how to position Pure Light Botanical Beauty as an investable, infrastructure-backed beauty company built for sustainable growth. It also advanced her plans for building Oregon’s first woman-led OTC-compliant green beauty manufacturing facility. This evolution moves the company from a formulation-focused brand to a vertically integrated beauty company positioned for regulatory excellence, operational control, and long-term scalable impact.



Caitlin is one of 35 founders who have graduated from EmpowerPitch and gone on to scale with clarity and traction, demonstrating what is possible when disciplined strategy supports ambitious vision.

Join us in celebrating Caitlin’s inspiring work, we cannot wait to see where she goes next!

Ready to sharpen your strategy and build with clarity? The next EmpowerPitch Cohort starts on June 8th.

When Katie Voyles joined a Life Sciences Career Tour as a freshman, she didn’t expect it would lead to her first job after college.

Visiting Invivo Biosystems left a lasting impression. “I was impressed that the business was so small but also so successful,” she recalls. Even then, the company was operating at the cutting edge of the industry. As a new biology student, Katie was still discovering what careers in science could look like. Seeing work in gene therapies and drug trials that directly benefit patients with rare diseases made the field feel both real and meaningful.

The tour also opened her eyes to local opportunity. “I had no idea we had so many bioscience companies in Eugene,” she says. Realizing she could build a career in her chosen field without leaving the region changed her perspective.

After graduation, Invivo stood out for its mission, growth opportunities, and supportive culture, including flexible scheduling and clear paths for advancement. Having seen the company in person made it easier to picture herself there. “Instead of a job being an abstract idea, you get a first-hand look at what day-to-day life looks like.”

Her advice to students?

“Do it! You might end up with your dream job, or discover what’s not for you. Either way, you learn something valuable.”

Become a Career Tour Host or Sponsor!

Join 27 employer partners helping students turn curiosity into career direction.

Email Nicole@CollaborativeEDO.org