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Since Andre Baugh started Group AGB, his diversity management consulting firm, in 2000, he has seen a rising number of minority- and women-owned businesses gain greater access to construction projects. Teams that once aimed for 5 percent participation from these companies for projects now achieve 20 percent and more.

鈥淚t鈥檚 because there are more people in the industry who want to do this work,鈥� Baugh said. 鈥淭hese are people in historically underutilized or not utilized ethnicities and they are now working on projects. Seeing the outcomes of my work, seeing companies growing and people getting careers, housing and jobs is fulfilling 鈥� that, to me, is what I work for.

鈥淚 want to help people and, at the end of the day, make sure people are treated fairly,鈥� he added. 鈥淔or hundreds of years, they haven鈥檛 had that opportunity.鈥�

Baugh chaired the Planning and Sustainability Commission and is involved in the National Association of Minority Contractors, Oregon Association of Minority Contractors and Professional Business Development Group. In 2013, he was named winner of a Spirit of Portland Award.

Angela Murphy founded ARM Communications in 2021, building on the experience she gained from working in the public communications sector over the course of two decades. Her career includes working for TriMet, where she served as communications coordinator and public information officer before relocating and working for the agency as a contractor.

As public involvement manager for the construction manager/general contractor on the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project and school-based outreach program manager for the Earthquake Ready Burnside Bridge Project, Murphy uses interactive learning experiences that help connect students with urban planning and construction careers.

Her work with Kairos PDX and Portland Public Schools showcases her ability to bridge gaps between industry and community. Through Women鈥檚 Transportation Seminar International, Murphy advocates for women in transportation. Her efforts have not only educated youth about career opportunities but also helped rebuild trust between people and the projects being built in their communities, demonstrating the power of connection and creative problem-solving in public communications.

Jennie Rodriguez is president of Twirl Advertising & Design LLC, a Latina-owned creative firm she has operated for more than 25 years. With 40 years of industry experience, Rodriguez has navigated the creative field鈥檚 evolution from traditional drawing boards through digital design to artificial intelligence integration.

Rodriguez founded Twirl after 14 years working at various agencies and studios, building a practice centered on creative problem-solving and collaborative leadership. She describes her approach as servant leadership, adapting her style to each situation while prioritizing collaboration and empowerment.

A founding member of LatinoBuilt, Rodriguez serves on three mission-driven boards: Business Diversity Institute, LatinoBuilt and LatinoBuilt Foundation. Under her leadership, Twirl maintains active partnerships with OAME, PACCO, D.A.W.N and BESThq, supporting professional development initiatives across the creative industry.

Rodriguez explained that her career reflects resilience and adaptability, sustaining a business that supports her work and uplifts others in the field.

Jessie Steiger was a civil engineer for five years before volunteering with an ACE mentor group and learning about the roles of project managers. She hasn鈥檛 looked back and loves finding creative solutions to problems, building strong teams and being on jobsites.

She is now leading a renovation on Portland Community College鈥檚 Cascade campus that will enhance the Public Service Education Building, creating a welcoming, trauma-informed space that better supports the public safety team, staff and students. Construction is expected to begin in February and finish in fall 2026.

During her tenure with Klosh Group, Steiger created 鈥淭he Women of R____ Klosh鈥� (W.O.R.K.), a forum that allowed people to share their experiences and support each other. The focus on a monthly theme related to an R-word, such as 鈥淩esourceful鈥� or 鈥淩esilient,鈥� encouraging attendees to reflect on and apply these qualities in their professional lives.

As a volunteer for MESA, which teaches STEM skills to underrepresented middle and high school students, Steiger attended meetings every other week and helped high school kids tackle STEM-related projects.

Diana Strassmaier, a partner at Aldrich CPAs + Advisors, has spent 25 years building specialized expertise in the industry. She founded the firm鈥檚 architecture and engineering niche practice, transforming a handful of clients into a thriving national practice with local roots in Oregon. The practice combines specialized industry insight with personalized service, helping design firms navigate complex financial challenges.

Strassmaier鈥檚 leadership philosophy centers on empowering team members to develop their strengths and emerge as leaders themselves. She noted that her professional drive stems from childhood experiences that instilled a strong work ethic, which she has channeled into pursuing excellence for her clients and team.

She remains actively engaged in professional organizations, including the American Council of Engineering Companies at both national and Oregon levels, the Construction Financial Management Association, and the Oregon Society of CPAs Tax Committee. Through these organizations, she contributes to industry advancement while staying connected to emerging trends in construction and design firm financial management.

Kathleen Stuart considers herself lucky to stand alongside dedicated teams, including people who care deeply about their communities and aren鈥檛 afraid to tackle hard problems.

鈥淭he wins I鈥檓 proudest of, like securing historic funding for schools and protecting health care, were never the work of one person. They were built through collaboration, trust and persistence across coalitions, agencies and communities,鈥� she said.

Stuart recently relaunched her company as PUBLIC to help advocacy leaders advance the public good by turning ideas into clear, unified messaging that moves people to take action. She strives to create conditions for people to work together to create big, shared wins.

鈥淚鈥檝e also learned some hard leadership lessons along the way. I haven鈥檛 always gotten it right, but every year I focus on becoming a stronger, more grounded leader. What drives me is seeing good ideas take root and gain momentum because a group of people believed in them enough to stick with it,鈥� she said.

Stuart鈥檚 community involvement also includes Western States Center, PCUN and Oregon Environmental Council.