Fellowship Celebration

Image portrays a proposed dinner on the Burnside Bridge, the project central to the 2026 VEB Fellowship, provided by Emi Day.

You’re invited to a special gathering featuring our Van Evera Bailey and Pat Sanchez Women’s Fellows!

Our 2025 VEB Fellow Rand Pinson will present his year-long exploration and findings during his fellowship. Rand explored ways to elevate the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail into a cohesive and impactful national park experience. Inspired by successful precedents Rand conducted comparative research and field studies in Norway and along the Trail to identify strategies to enhance the Trail’s accessibility, cultural integration, and ecological stewardship.

You will also have a chance to meet our 2026 Fellows. Van Evera Bailey Fellow Emi Day will realize Bridging Portland, a citywide dinner series that reimagines Portland’s bridges as cherished public venues—temporary festival streets where people gather, eat, create, and celebrate together. Pat Sanchez Fellow Heather McGinn-Girón will participate in the Portland Metro Chamber’s 2026 Best Practices Trip to Vancouver, B.C., where she will travel alongside Portland’s civic and business leaders to study the city’s integrated approach to housing affordability.

Learn more about AFO Fellowships.

Register Now

Thursday, February 5
5:00-7:00pm
Central Portland location TBA

Free to attend