She Flies, a Built Festival Event

Lisa Schroeder, Executive Chef/Owner of Mother's Bistro & Bar

Lisa Schroeder is the executive chef and owner of Mother's Bistro & Bar in downtown Portland and author of “Mother’s Best” cookbook. She is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and was chosen as a Top Student Chef by Food and Wine Magazine. She honed her cooking skills at Le Cirque & Lespinasse in New York and Moulins des Mougins and L’Auberge de L’Eridan in France. She opened Mother’s Bistro & Bar in 2000 to rave reviews and the “Restaurant of the Year” title from Willamette Week. Lisa has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Roker on the Road, QVC and many other television programs. She was the recipient of the Oregon Commission for Women Woman of Achievement Award for 2014, Portland Business Journal's Businesswoman of the Year award, International Association of Culinary Professionals Chef/Restaurateur Award of Excellence and Restaurateur of the Year by Independent Restaurateur Magazine. In 2023 Lisa was chosen as “Small Businessperson of the Year” for Oregon by the Small Business Administration and Restaurateur of the Year from the Oregon Restaurant Association. Mother's Bistro & Bar has received numerous accolades as well, including "Top Restaurant Bargain" from Food and Wine Magazine, “and consistent “Awards of Excellence” from Tripadvisor. Lisa is also an active member of the community, participating in numerous charities and causes.

Susan Sokol Blosser, Wine Industry Pioneer

Susan Sokol Blosser is an Oregon icon. A wine industry pioneer, community leader, women's advocate, and environmental champion, she led Sokol Blosser Winery to national and international prominence at a time when women rarely held power in business or agriculture. Honored by the Oregon Historical Society as one of Oregon's History Makers and a recipient of the Portland Business Journal’s Joan Austin Woman of Impact award, Susan has written books about winery life, business, and aging. Violin Girl is her first novel. Her author website is: susansokolblosser.com

Lori Spencer, Co-Founder of Oregon Chai

Lori Spencer has more than 30+ years of proven success in the consumer products industry in a variety of roles. As one of the founders of Oregon Chai, Lori was a principal catalyst in the brand’s growth, from its inception in 1994 through its $75M acquisition in 2004, having led the charge in establishing the “Chai” beverage category in the US market. Lori has been a consultant, board member, advisor and coach/mentor to many emerging consumer product companies and has held senior leadership roles with companies ZoomCare+, New Seasons Market, Tillamook Creamery, Salt & Straw, Beaverton Foods and Rose City Distilling (just to name a few). Lori is currently CEO/Principal at Lori Spencer Consulting, where she enjoys working with small to mid-sized businesses in a variety of categories and channels.

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