Meet Our Team

Cara Turano leads with a ton of energy and enthusiasm for innovative ideas. She is passionate about entrepreneurship as a wealth-building avenue for individuals and a driver for community-building. Formerly COO at the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO), she has spent over 20 years in technology and technology-adjacent companies, including a couple of startups. Cara chairs the Portland Public Schools Bond Accountability Committee and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Portland. She was recognized as an Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40 and is a graduate of the University of Georgia. In her spare time, Cara is an avid runner, skier, camper, reader, and vegetarian chef with a soft spot for her 6 ½  lb chihuahua, Toby, and her amazing family.

For the past 30 years Rylee O’Brien has honed her event planning skills at Northwest non-profit organizations and associations in both Seattle and Portland. By working closely with vendors to devise creative solutions within a budget, her goal is to execute exceptional events that meet objectives and exceed sponsor and attendee expectations – all with seeming ease and efficiency. The passion she shows in her work also translates into monthly dinner parties her family throws in their home, and reflects an authentic desire to make guests feel comfortable, appreciated and welcomed.

Yalda Moshiri grew up in Silicon Valley where she was deeply influenced by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, fueling her curiosity for innovation from an early age. As an immigrant, Yalda navigated the challenges of adapting to a new culture, which shaped her commitment to inclusivity and community support. She launched her career with renowned Fortune 50 companies, including Disney and Amazon, where she honed her expertise in business development and management. Her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her to co-found a hardware startup in San Francisco and a marketplace startup in Portland, OR. In both ventures, Yalda prioritized uplifting and supporting underrepresented founders. Yalda is dedicated to strengthening early-stage entrepreneurs across Oregon. With her experience as an entrepreneur, she is well-equipped to guide and mentor emerging founders, helping them navigate the challenges of building successful businesses.

A native Oregonian based in Portland, Sarah Norris, has spent the majority of her career in the hospitality industry with a focus in the events space. With a mindset dedicated to exceptional customer service, she works to curate the ideal experience for her clients, leaving them with long lasting memories and looks forward to bringing a high level of enthusiasm, care, and service to this role. Sarah also has a deep passion for the outdoors, marathon running, and her two dogs. She volunteers at the Oregon Humane Society helping prepare animals for their forever home.

John is an advisor and consultant to business owners, non-profits, and civic economic development initiatives in Portland and beyond. He draws on technology and innovation industry experience and high stakes generalist roles to offer pragmatic pathways forward to brave entrepreneurs in full adventure mode. Having built and sold an Oregon business, he deeply appreciates the impact of local community on a thriving economy. He is an essentialist who loves to whiteboard think along with driven people who know their business, to learn and ponder how to navigate to the future. By aligning community pillars with intrepid entrepreneurs, he believes that our region’s pride is in our own hands.

Jason is a rural community and small business development leader with more than 15 years of experience supporting entrepreneurs, business, and local economies. A military veteran with a background in financial services, marketing, and business development, Jason is known for meeting founders where they are and helping them build practical, sustainable, and revenue generating businesses. He brings a collaborative, hands-on approach to technical assistance, capital navigation, and community partnership, and is deeply committed to strengthening rural communities and expanding opportunity.