What We Do
Right now, a unique economic opportunity faces the Northwest – a chance to deliver the kind of future we all want for the region. Forbes magazine recently ranked Oregon and Washington in the top three greenest states in the US. Regional preferences for green power, hybrid cars, eco-friendly buildings, local and organic foods, sustainable forestry, innovative transportation, land-use planning and solid waste recycling reflect our leadership in the rapidly growing sustainable economy. A globally competitive workforce – with expertise in semiconductors, software, apparel, agriculture and manufacturing, and brimming with ideas and technologies from our research universities and companies – is actively seeking ways to make a living in the sustainable economy.
As organizers and sponsors of Pivotal Leaders, we believe that our region’s greatest strength lies in our most promising business leaders. We created Pivotal Leaders as a way to raise the profile of these talented entrepreneurs in the broader business community. These are the people we in the Pacific Northwest will look to as we work to build the future economy.
Pivotal Leaders uses a proven, independent selection process in which community members themselves nominate and select a list of the top prospective clean technology venture entrepreneurs with ties to the Northwest. We believe this peer-selected list of business leaders will help the region to build on its strong ethos of innovation around resources and sustainability, in turn creating more jobs and greater economic prosperity and pushing our region to the forefront of the rapidly growing sustainable economy.
Our goals for the Pivotal Leaders include:
- To increase visibility and collaboration among the Northwest's top prospective clean technology executives
- To raise the profile of these talented entrepreneurs in the broader business community
- To increase networking and dialogue among peers and with stakeholders who can support opportunities for lasting growth in the region
- To create a unique, self-directed network in which the members of Pivotal Leaders decide how to best use the organization's resources.
We will compile the list of leaders online and in a directory that will be available to everyone through the Pivotal Leaders website. Members will also have the opportunity to share insights and opinions and to shape their network at several events being planned throughout the Northwest in 2010.
A new list of Pivotal Leaders will be generated annually. Once selected, however, a member of the Pivotal Leaders will always be included and recognized.
Pivotal Leaders will benefit entrepreneurs as well as the entire region. Members will benefit from the exposure and peer recognition the Pivotal Leaders network provides. They also benefit from increased networking and dialogue with their peers and access to a dynamic group of sponsors who are committed to building leading companies in the area. The region and our economy will benefit from the synergy created when so many talented and successful individuals come together to discuss their ideas, needs and opportunities.
In our vision, the Pivotal Leaders network is integral to developing and enhancing the Northwest’s clean technology entrepreneurial ecosystem and accelerating economic development through new clean technology business formation.
