On September 20, ahead of the Portland Thorns’ match against the San Diego Wave, the club hosted Women Leading the Way - a pregame panel spotlighting five remarkable women who are shaping their industries and communities right here in Oregon.
Moderated by Portland Thorns Vice President of Communications Matt Radmanovich, the conversation brought together:
Together, these trailblazers shared their experiences as entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders discussing everything from breaking into male-dominated industries to the responsibility of using their platforms to create opportunity for others.
Each panelist reflected on the unique paths that led them to success; journeys marked by resilience, reinvention, and purpose-driven leadership. For Lisa Gossett, that meant building a company culture centered on trust and shared mission.
“Katie [McCarron] started Portland Pet Food after realizing there was an opportunity to improve nutrition in the pet food industry — so she began cooking for her dog, Rosie, using the same wholesome human grade ingredients she fed her family,” said Gossett. “Today, 70% of our leadership team are women. Katie believes in women in leadership, and she’s my role model.”
The conversation highlighted that empowerment often begins with visibility and seeing others succeed and realizing that leadership can take many shapes.
“If you can see it, you can believe it,” said Elizabeth Aguilera of Adelante Mujeres. “We want our young women and Latinas to see others succeeding, so they know they can, too. My voice does matter. My personal experiences matter. Everything you’ve experienced makes a difference.”
For Remy Drabkin, whose pioneering winery and public service have made her a leading voice in Oregon, empowerment means building systems that create lasting inclusion.
“Visibility matters. When you see someone like you in a position of leadership, it changes what you think is possible,” said Drabkin. “We’re proving you can make a global impact from a small corner of Oregon.”
Similarly, Lovely Laban, founder of Skin by Lovely, emphasized that leadership and compassion are inseparable.
“Our purpose is to bring light to people’s faces, not just by what we do, but by how we make them feel,” said Laban. “We’re 99% women, and we mentor other professionals entering this space. So now we have four locations, and I absolutely love what I do, and we mentor other professionals who are interested in getting into cosmetic dermatology and really talk about the impact that it can have”
And for Pallavi Pande, the founder of Dtocs, leadership starts with impact and extends across continents.
“I’m the mompreneur on a mission to rescue palm leaves and turn them into tableware - all made with love by women artisans in India,” said Pande. “We need more seats at the table. It’s okay to have diversity, but women should be able to pull up their own chair.”
Across all five stories, a shared truth emerged: leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about using your voice, your platform, and your purpose to elevate others.
As one of the NWSL’s foundational clubs, the Portland Thorns have long championed women’s empowerment both on and off the field. The conversation focused on Women Leading the Way reflects that mission a celebration of women pushing boundaries, building businesses, and creating community. It’s proof that Portland continues to lead by example, showing what’s possible when women are given platforms to shape the future.
“Events like this show what leadership looks like, whether that’s in business, community, or sport,” said Radmanovich. “It’s about how women across Portland are leading by example every day.”
That commitment to empowering women doesn’t end when the final whistle blows. Through programs like Lead(HERS) of Tomorrow and the Her Voice Council, the Thorns are creating tangible pathways for the next generation of leaders and allies in sport.
Supported by Ring, Alaska Airlines, and Toyota, Lead(HERS) of Tomorrow connects young women with mentors from across the Thorns’ front office, providing behind-the-scenes access, professional guidance, and real-world insight into careers in sports. During the club’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration match, participants from Adelante Mujeres’ Chicas Youth Development Program toured Providence Park, met with Head Coach Rob Gale, and heard directly from women shaping the sports industry today.
Meanwhile, the Her Voice Council brings together a collective of community and business leaders dedicated to advancing women’s sports and gender equity in Portland. By amplifying women’s voices and fostering collaboration across sectors, the council helps ensure that events like Women Leading the Way inspire continued connection, mentorship, and momentum toward lasting impact.
Together, these efforts underscore the Thorns’ belief that progress in women’s sports is about more than what happens on the field. It is about building systems, spaces, and opportunities that let every woman lead her way.
On September 20, ahead of the Portland Thorns’ match against the San Diego Wave, the club hosted Women Leading the Way - a pregame panel spotlighting five remarkable women who are shaping their industries and communities right here in Oregon.
Moderated by Portland Thorns Vice President of Communications Matt Radmanovich, the conversation brought together:
Together, these trailblazers shared their experiences as entrepreneurs, innovators, and community leaders discussing everything from breaking into male-dominated industries to the responsibility of using their platforms to create opportunity for others.
Each panelist reflected on the unique paths that led them to success; journeys marked by resilience, reinvention, and purpose-driven leadership. For Lisa Gossett, that meant building a company culture centered on trust and shared mission.
“Katie [McCarron] started Portland Pet Food after realizing there was an opportunity to improve nutrition in the pet food industry — so she began cooking for her dog, Rosie, using the same wholesome human grade ingredients she fed her family,” said Gossett. “Today, 70% of our leadership team are women. Katie believes in women in leadership, and she’s my role model.”
The conversation highlighted that empowerment often begins with visibility and seeing others succeed and realizing that leadership can take many shapes.
“If you can see it, you can believe it,” said Elizabeth Aguilera of Adelante Mujeres. “We want our young women and Latinas to see others succeeding, so they know they can, too. My voice does matter. My personal experiences matter. Everything you’ve experienced makes a difference.”
For Remy Drabkin, whose pioneering winery and public service have made her a leading voice in Oregon, empowerment means building systems that create lasting inclusion.
“Visibility matters. When you see someone like you in a position of leadership, it changes what you think is possible,” said Drabkin. “We’re proving you can make a global impact from a small corner of Oregon.”
Similarly, Lovely Laban, founder of Skin by Lovely, emphasized that leadership and compassion are inseparable.
“Our purpose is to bring light to people’s faces, not just by what we do, but by how we make them feel,” said Laban. “We’re 99% women, and we mentor other professionals entering this space. So now we have four locations, and I absolutely love what I do, and we mentor other professionals who are interested in getting into cosmetic dermatology and really talk about the impact that it can have”
And for Pallavi Pande, the founder of Dtocs, leadership starts with impact and extends across continents.
“I’m the mompreneur on a mission to rescue palm leaves and turn them into tableware - all made with love by women artisans in India,” said Pande. “We need more seats at the table. It’s okay to have diversity, but women should be able to pull up their own chair.”
Across all five stories, a shared truth emerged: leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about using your voice, your platform, and your purpose to elevate others.
As one of the NWSL’s foundational clubs, the Portland Thorns have long championed women’s empowerment both on and off the field. The conversation focused on Women Leading the Way reflects that mission a celebration of women pushing boundaries, building businesses, and creating community. It’s proof that Portland continues to lead by example, showing what’s possible when women are given platforms to shape the future.
“Events like this show what leadership looks like, whether that’s in business, community, or sport,” said Radmanovich. “It’s about how women across Portland are leading by example every day.”
That commitment to empowering women doesn’t end when the final whistle blows. Through programs like Lead(HERS) of Tomorrow and the Her Voice Council, the Thorns are creating tangible pathways for the next generation of leaders and allies in sport.
Supported by Ring, Alaska Airlines, and Toyota, Lead(HERS) of Tomorrow connects young women with mentors from across the Thorns’ front office, providing behind-the-scenes access, professional guidance, and real-world insight into careers in sports. During the club’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration match, participants from Adelante Mujeres’ Chicas Youth Development Program toured Providence Park, met with Head Coach Rob Gale, and heard directly from women shaping the sports industry today.
Meanwhile, the Her Voice Council brings together a collective of community and business leaders dedicated to advancing women’s sports and gender equity in Portland. By amplifying women’s voices and fostering collaboration across sectors, the council helps ensure that events like Women Leading the Way inspire continued connection, mentorship, and momentum toward lasting impact.
Together, these efforts underscore the Thorns’ belief that progress in women’s sports is about more than what happens on the field. It is about building systems, spaces, and opportunities that let every woman lead her way.
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