20 Under 40: Heather Gabbert

AVP, Relationship Banking Officer

Columbia Bank

Heather has been with the bank for over 14 years and remained dedicated to advancing her experience, business acumen, and leadership among colleagues. Having started as a client service specialist (better known as a teller), Heather worked over the years to advance her career to what it is today. She currently is Assistant Vice President, Commercial Relationship Banking Officer.

With her talent and experience in the industry and company, Heather is often a sought-out resource among peers and colleagues. She offers a gentle and quiet leadership, often listening first before responding, taking her time to process information and consider all sides. This has proven to be an incredible asset in an industry often being pushed to make changes quickly and efficiently.

Heather is one of our star community bankers. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but Heather seems to stretch those hours in ways that many people could not keep up for years. She currently serves as a member for Relief Nursery, Imagination Library, and Food for Lane County. She has participated for over a decade with United Way of Lane County’s Day of Caring. Heather is always the first to sign up and rally the team together.

20 Under 40: Angela Wilson

Chief Executive Officer, Eugene Gastroenterology Consultants

Age: 35

Together we can achieve more. This is a statement that I live by and fully believe drives my leadership style. The physicians that I work with are amazing people that spend each and every day literally saving lives through colonoscopy.

They are able to do the important work that they do in our community due to the team of people that support them. Running the business and workflow portion of their practice allows them to focus on what is important: our patients. The impact that our practice has on the community is huge and I feel fortunate to be part of that.

I have also had the honor of working with other great organizations in the community. Ophelia’s Place, Children’s Miracle Network and American Cancer Society are all wonderful organizations, and I enjoy being involved in the amazing initiatives they bring to our community. I really appreciate this recognition. The things I have been able to accomplish and the time that I am able to dedicate to it is largely due to the support that I have in my life, and for that I am grateful.

20 Under 40: Andrea Voorhees

Employee Benefits Consultant, USI Insurance Services

Age: 39

Before joining USI in 2017 as an employee benefits consultant, I worked in human resources for 10 years specializing in employee benefits. My benefits administration and strategy experience includes work with smaller, fully insured plans to multi-thousand life, alternatively funded plans. Given my experience as broker and client, I bring a unique and valuable perspective when helping clients structure their benefits strategies. In 2019, I was honored to be in USI’s top class of brokers nationwide and received our PEAK Award.

My transition to broker came in a round-about way. I have a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Oregon State University, was published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry A as an undergraduate and now have two HR certifications.

I am grateful to participate on the Broker Advisory Councils for PacificSource Health Plans and Kaiser Permanente NW as well as volunteer with the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Lane County (UWLC), Lane County HR Association (LCHRA), Oregon Bach Festival and the Rotary Club of Eugene-Delta. Some of the programs I’ve developed for LCHRA and UWLC’s Emerging Leaders include Corporate Social Responsibility, the Social Impact of the 2021 IAAF World Championships and Human Trafficking in Lane County.  My colleagues and friends know that I love details, context and education – and my volunteer work demonstrates that. Personally, I love to push my limits and do so regularly by caving and hiking with my husband of 13 years. The Pacific Northwest was founded on adventure and exploration, and we embrace that history.

20 Under 40: Jared Swezey

Chief Technology Officer, UpTime Sciences

Principal, Comscend

Age: 31

From being involved with the project to bring the first fiber connections to John F. Kennedy Airport to working with global business leaders to plan and implement digital transformation, I have had great opportunities to learn from the best in my field. I actively look for ways that I can use those experiences to benefit my involvement in local growth. I have had the privilege of being involved with many great organizations, including Parenting Now!, Eugene Science Center, Computer Science Regional Advisory Committee and Hack For A Cause that are making a vital impact on our community. It is my mission to further STEM education and technical knowledge through my involvement in these organizations and sharing useful information in the column I write for The Register-Guard.

In a city that is continuing to step up to the international stage and be recognized for our efforts to make the place we live a better place, I continue to be inspired by my peers in the tech and business communities. I am grateful to be recognized as a part of this forward-thinking community and I look forward to achieving more success together.

20 Under 40: Allison Straub

President, Burley

Age: 30

I am fortunate to work in a role where my passion and profession collide. As the president of Burley, I get to lead my team and our brand into the future as we continue to design, build and sell products that enable adventure for consumers around the globe. In my role, I’m also able to collaborate and partner with both local community organizations, as well as industry leaders nationwide, to work to make our planet a better place to live; be it through local sponsorship and volunteerism or lobbying in Washington on behalf of the cycling industry.

I am a lover of continuous improvement, collaboration and breaking down barriers, and I believe in actively investing time into the wonderful place we all get to call home. The collective impact of community members coming together to solve problems or seize opportunities can be transformational. It is these challenges (opportunities!) that inspire me to show up, listen, give back and be an active participant in our community.

I have many areas of interest and passion, with much of my volunteerism focused on children in the community and working to ensure that they are provided with every chance to thrive, grow and succeed in life. I am a member of the Relief Nursery Leadership Board, am the co-founder and board president of Free Bikes 4 Kidz Eugene-Springfield and am a member of the Leadership Eugene Springfield Steering Committee.

20 Under 40: Betsy Schultz

Owner, PNW Strategies

Age: 34

I’ve never done things the normal way, and my route to becoming an entrepreneur has been circuitous, to say the least. A childhood interest in history led me to start volunteering on political campaigns, which then led to starting PNW Strategies. Politics can be nasty and brutal, but changing this reality begins with how we choose to relate to each other in our community on a daily basis. My goal in representing my clients is to help shift the narrative from harsh, fear-based victimization to collaboration, bridging the gap to discover our shared values as humans.

The Eugene Chamber’s 2016 YP Summit inspired me to become more intentional about actively pursuing entrepreneurship. That year I started a boutique flower farm/florist business, Artis Flora, with a good friend. This business is an entirely new challenge and I am deeply enjoying it. I love offering a product to our community that provides luxurious beauty and an opportunity to pause and enjoy a sense of peace.

There is much about my world that I want to change. Social media constantly exposes us to a level of need in the world that we as individual human beings are incapable of solving. While much of my professional life is built on effecting change – pushing boundaries and changing the status quo – I’m also learning to accept my world and personal limitations. This gives me energy and a deep level of commitment to fully engage in the spaces where I’m uniquely suited to bring this change.

20 Under 40: Stephanie Scafa

2021 Project Lead, City of Eugene

Age: 36

In thinking about my career and leadership path, my core values as an individual guide who I am. These include creativity, authenticity, learning, integrity and humor. I try to bring my full self to work and life every day, honoring these values as I move through different circumstances and situations. A true leader to me pursues their inner drive while keeping their values in focus.

One of my goals as a burgeoning leader in the community is to fight for justice and representation, and model that behavior for those around me. What truly inspires me are authentic stories of people living out their values.

The leadership role that means the most to me is how I show up in my family—those roles as a partner, step-parent, daughter, sister and friend. I appreciate being able to bring humor as a connector to different situations; I do get a lot of comments on my laugh, which makes me think that’s a pretty impactful thing I bring to different people and situations! I am grateful for the people in my life who continually give me space to continue to grow and learn about myself. I cannot express how grateful I am to the City of Eugene for the honor of being recognized for an award like this. It’s my personal goal to continue to grow partnerships to increase our community’s capacity and serve the place I call home.

Thank you so much!

20 Under 40: Jennifer Richardson

Account Manager/Chief Storyteller, Funk/Levis & Associates

Age: 39

Jennifer Richardson is a marketing manager, public relations specialist and accomplished journalist. At Funk/Levis & Associates, she assists organizations in achieving their marketing and communication objectives. She specializes in helping businesses make an impact through creative and unique storytelling. She also leads seminars on best practices for working with the media and becoming a great company spokesperson. For nearly two decades, Jennifer worked in television newsrooms across the country and at KEZI in Eugene. She reported on important news topics with an emphasis on ethics and storytelling.

Jennifer believes giving back is one of the most important things we can do. She has volunteered for the March of Dimes, United Way, American Heart Association and Children’s Miracle Network. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Emerald Valley and volunteers on the committee for Kendall’s Catwalk for a Cause, which benefits the club. She has chaired the Field of Dreams fundraiser for the past two years. At this year’s event, Jennifer helped the club raise more than $100,000, which will fund programming for local children.

When she’s not at work or volunteering her time in the community, Jennifer loves spending time with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Hailey and Grant. A proud University of Southern California Trojan, she also enjoys giving her fellow Duck fans a hard time on game day.

Jennifer encourages others to be kind, take chances, do what’s right for their mind and soul, and, most importantly, make a difference.

20 Under 40: Jeff Oliver

Partner/Director of Golf, Laurelwood Golf Course

Age: 39

There are myriads of reasons we all choose to live and play in Eugene. However an often-overlooked one is the amazing depth of talent and skills our town’s professionals hold. What makes Eugene even more special is the overwhelming effort of those willing to give back.

There are nearly 1,000 nonprofit groups and organizations in Lane County, and I’m privileged to be an active board member on a handful of them. I’m honored to be just one of this year’s 20Under40 award winners who are all helping give back to our community. Collectively we are more – and it shows.

The “teamwork makes the dream work” philosophy our local community groups thrive on is also what creates the success we enjoy in our professional lives. And that is no different at Laurelwood Golf Course. In recent years, our community has sadly lost some magical places. Civic Stadium is gone. And while the New Hayward Field is going to be amazing, the historic version is now also gone.

The Laurelwood property began its life as a community asset in 1929. For the last 90 years, more than a million golfers have enjoyed a round, but tens of thousands more have used Laurelwood as a gathering spot for weddings, family dinners, school dances, funerals, group jogs, class reunions, graduations and more!

The Laurelwood Dream Team takes great pride in knowing we are the stewards to guiding Eugene’s “hidden gem” into a new era.

20 Under 40: Kimberly Z. Miller

Director of Health and Wellness and Healthy Living, Eugene Family YMCA

Age: 39

I was lucky when I started at the Y as a personal trainer. I had amazing mentors who guided me to grow professionally and personally. Now 16 years later, as the director of health and wellness and healthy living, I get to help others on their wellness journeys and see how that creates a healthier community. I believe true connections come from individuals taking the time to support each other.

For me, it starts by supporting a program that prevents the onset of Type 2 diabetes, teaching a class where seniors regain balance to prevent falls or helping cancer survivors become comfortable with their post-treatment bodies. When individuals find strength they didn’t know they had and connections they didn’t know they needed, it strengthens our community.

In fast-paced, technology-driven lives, it can be hard to remember that we are meant to move and to connect. I help people get back to those basics, reminding them to be active, be social and to encourage one another on their journeys. I believe everyone has something to give. We all have the knowledge and ability to make a difference in our own health and the health of the community. While change can be challenging, it is my job to empower individuals to make changes for the better.

In my work and in my personal life, I want to support a healthy and inclusive community wherever I can.