Thank You, Pearl District
NWCC’s Executive Director celebrates one year of community, collaboration, and progress in the Pearl District with a heartfelt Thanksgiving message of appreciation.
Appreciating a Remarkable First Year of Community, Partnership, and Progress
NWCC’s Executive Director celebrates one year of community, collaboration, and progress in the Pearl District with a heartfelt Thanksgiving message of thanks.
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, and as I reflect on completing my first year as Executive Director of NWCC this past September, I’m reminded of how much I have to be grateful for. The Pearl District has a culture unlike any other in Portland. Its density, diversity, and history create a vibrancy found nowhere else in the city. There has been a lot to learn and absorb this year, and I want to thank the community for welcoming me and trusting me to help lead the Pearl into the future.
First, to our humanitarian team and security team: a tremendous thank you for your tireless, everyday efforts to support the Pearl District. And a special shout-out to Terrance, our Humanitarian Lead. Your heart for helping others is enormous, and your compassion is evident in everything you do. Your honesty and trustworthiness have built strong relationships across the community, both among those with homes and those without, and that trust is a testament to who you are.
To our donors and members: we would not be here without you. I cannot fully express how grateful I am for your commitment to our mission and to our community. Your belief in this work makes everything we do possible.
I am truly appreciative of my NWCC Board of Directors: thank you for your leadership, guidance, and unwavering support. Your mentorship has been invaluable throughout my first year and has set me up for future success. Your expertise, thoughtfulness, and commitment to making the Pearl a better place for everyone inspire me daily.
I am also deeply thankful for the members of the Pearl District Neighborhood Association who have mentored me and brought me into the fold, from the Livability Committee to the Parks Committee, the Business Support Committee, and the board itself. This community is filled with thoughtful, kind, and dedicated people who truly want the best for the Pearl.
I am also grateful for the hardworking city employees who look beyond politics to get things done. I see you, and I appreciate you—your efforts make a real difference, and without you, it’s hard to imagine where our city would be.
To the Pearl District community as a whole: THANK YOU. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know so many of you: dog walkers, restaurant owners, office workers, residents, and business leaders. Thank you for your commitment to the Pearl and for feeling comfortable stopping me on the street to share thoughts, concerns, or just a friendly hello. Every conversation helps me learn and grow, and I’m grateful for each one.
Finally, I am profoundly grateful for my wife and two children, who are my foundation and my joy. Even a job I love becomes more meaningful knowing that home is my happy place, my reset, my grounding, and my reminder to show up as a good person for everyone I encounter.
Thank you, Pearl District, for an incredible first year. I wish all of you a warm, joyful, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Chase
