---
title: 'A successful Silicon Forest Tech Summit'
date: '2024-01-23T16:26:38-08:00'
type: post
word_count: 659
char_count: 4522
tokens: 857
categories:
  - Portland
---

# A successful Silicon Forest Tech Summit

[![](https://i0.wp.com/siliconflorist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-01-20-13.22.41-1.jpg?resize=925%2C694&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/siliconflorist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-01-20-13.22.41-1.jpg?ssl=1)Last weekend, hundreds of folks from throughout the Portland tech and startup community — affectionately known as the Silicon Forest — gathered for the launch of the [Silicon Forest Tech Summit](https://www.steamcircuit.com/), an event designed to celebrate technology, the region, and the diversity of perspectives and lived experiences to be found here.

Despite the [weather of the preceding week](https://youtu.be/HeUnmGFcdx0), folks managed to make it out to the event — in droves. Hundreds of participants listened to speakers, talked to exhibitors, and networked within one another throughout the afternoon.

As lead organizer [Yoseph Ukbazghi shared on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7155642365313957891/):

> Wow, what a weekend! My cup is full
> 
> Thanks to everyone who supported, participated, and attended in the first Silicon Forest Tech Summit: Harnessing the Power of Diversity by [STEAM CIRCUIT](https://www.linkedin.com/company/steam-circuit/)
> 
> We counted 386 people in attendance amongst the cold and ice – y’all really “weathered the storm” 😅
> 
> For many folks, amid the ever-evolving landscape of innovation, navigating potential career paths & entrepreneurship can often seem overwhelming. This event is not THE solution, but can be used as a catalysts and platform for folks to connect and share ideas in a safe space.

Speakers at the event included:

- [Dr. Adrien Bennings](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAADNw2j0BO-pY-oV27_RCfYEn72zUBHYYRFw) – President, Portland Community College
- [Dr. Joseph Bull](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA_jtccB9XVA3eCKebwuL4opTTJWkw_4h_o) – Dean, MCECS, PSU
- [Fidel Ferrer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA8o-tgBTNjllnwb8Un07VOVoC-X1Uy5WR8) – ED, Project LEDO
- [Romanna Flores](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAMIcd0B6bMlOS_-4Dboi1yAhkLcb8bizcM) – IT System Analyst, Intel
- [Natnael Girmai](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAADyoAPcBcLyksHhbnSlU1FKVRcIvuXQHEWI) – Ambassador, WordisBond
- [Stephen Green](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAPetZIBKpOmhveb9u7nPBBERekTLHSYqEY) – Founder, PitchBlack
- [Jarvez Hall, MBA](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAKC_-wBbTkps_kvT99cpVWjAVREgHFJ5d8) – Director, East Metro STEAM Partnership
- [Scott Hanselman](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAADuJ4Beo6qsPWH1Fkj6TXKgPq3wx-rK6E) – VP President at Microsoft, Developer Community
- [Rahim Harji](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAlgjK0BYPj7G1W0exoWRCafFOiY5DaUTbA) – Deputy City Manager, Hillsboro
- [Karla G Flores Jaime](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACIx8AIBPhxL_2n2zJyR9Nces9QEtL_9_ro) & [Cindy Rogel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACPU3HABX_y0aQeUeWYP3MmUNx0faZCS34s) – Leadership Oregon SHPE
- [Gladys M. Juenger](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA-uxrQBrlBBFMakSBLWH4hIgZkfWFQT5VM) – Community Engagement Leader
- [Dr. Robert Kelly, PhD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAABiqygBj9BPAAdxYnyDplDlzXW-toJ6_yE) – President, University of Portland
- [Rita Munarwi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAADNIaCoBEJ0ZP2h7QdP7SnUTtYOE33Z_AuQ) – Program Manager, Microsoft
- [Juan Manuel Muro, JR.](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACCc5swBj2BnLDb0GpYpEFCqBygBC1MMa_c) – Executive Director, Free Geek
- [Dr. Richard Osibanjo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAhf504Bszc2bvnJSpsQ16gn2ifUEoJPHnk) – Chief of Staff, Intel
- [Miguel Rodriguez](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACqrh08BTtbDTwWwiA4ulpfCKKcHxUu5jCo) – DEI Leader, OMSI
- [Natalie Ruiz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAFTcQkBtFrUPOnIF9iLgXGwHNPYdCpnNZM) – CEO, AnswerConnect
- [Rick Turoczy](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAAZTPABpzOAcnIrkYOlK0XhArMoD_BVprE) – Co-founder, PIE & Built Oregon
- [Hazel Valdez](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABpEkHQBKoScpUiBFjzup_5JIpXROXCylEw) – Executive Director PDXWIT
- [Dr. Charlene Williams](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAASIR2YBmTNR8YyTZUhzIKph5LPD4BrzzN0) – Director of the Oregon Department of Education
- [Adrian Wright](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAB1HxGkBtIK_04MiGVDPPdoTKSxUMwhtAFA) – Founder, XB Community

For more information on future gatherings, visit [STEAM CIRCUIT](https://steamcircuit.com).

**BONUS CONTENT?** As an added bonus(?), I’ll subject you to share the intro video I was asked to create for the event. Please proceed at your own risk.