Advisory Board
Emi Day
Emi Day is a civic architect, strategist, and founder of One Day, a neighborhood placemaking studio rooted in social impact, climate action, and community resilience. Working across public, private, technology, and education sectors, she brings a user-experience mindset to the built environment, leading inclusive projects that create more connected, human-centered cities.
As the 2026 Van Evera Bailey Fellow, she will be reimagining Portland bridges into public venues of joy and belonging. Emi has designed award-winning high schools, facilitated international workshops, and has extensive public service field experience, including frontline work with the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic and disaster relief efforts for displaced residents following Hurricane Katrina.
Emi is a licensed architect in Oregon, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and serves on the City of Portland's Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Art Pearce
Art Pearce is an experienced urban innovator with an extensive background in broad public-private collaborations utilizing transportation investment and mobility innovations to shape the future of cities. He has 26 years of experience envisioning and driving change in Portland’s transportation system: establishing policy, planning and delivering transformative investments, and overseeing people-based behavior change and mobility programs. He has a deep understanding of the challenges cities and city governments face in propelling change at an adequate pace, and the new imperatives presented by the crises of climate, and social and racial equity.
Kimiko Matsuda
Kimiko is a community engagement strategist and second-generation entrepreneur, content strategist, and cultural connector with over two decades of experience building brands, shaping narratives, and curating unforgettable experiences. From leading multi-million dollar global businesses at Nike to launching community-rooted cultural initiatives in Portland, her career has centered on one question: "How can we tell better stories that move people to act?"
As a brand partner and content creator, she collaborates with public institutions and private brands to spotlight Portland’s most compelling people, places, and ideas. Her work blends editorial storytelling with strategic partnerships—connecting cultural arts, small businesses, and civic initiatives through visually-driven, high-impact content. She specializes in unconventional public relations, using story-first campaigns, experiential strategy, and cultural fluency to create meaningful visibility and lasting engagement.
Mike Thelin
Mike Thelin is a strategist at the intersection of economic development, place-based marketing, positioning strategy, strategic partnership, and cultural storytelling. A recognized authority in food and culture, Mike co-founded Feast Portland, one of the nation’s most influential food festivals, as well as Hot Luck in Austin, Texas. His expertise has been sought by organizations across the U.S. and Europe, and his insights have been featured on Netflix’s Street Food, in Phaidon’s America: The Cookbook, and as a judge for the James Beard Awards. He was named one of the 55 most influential figures in food and beverage by Observer. His work has raised over $600,000 for local and national causes. Based in Portland, he remains an active civic leader shaping the city’s future on a global stage.
Christina Fuller
Christina Fuller is a seasoned large-scale event producer and co-founder of Fuller Events, LLC, a full-service event coordination company based in Portland, Oregon. Since founding the company in 2008, Christina has brought more than two decades of expertise in event management, production, and operations to some of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved public gatherings.
Under her leadership, Fuller Events has produced marquee festivals on Portland's Tom McCall Waterfront Park, including the Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland Pride Festival, the Rose Festival, and the Rockstar Energy Open — events that have collectively drawn millions of attendees to the city's downtown core. Known for her exceptional organizational skills, seamless project management, and collaborative spirit, Christina has earned a reputation as a trusted and indispensable force in Portland's event industry.
Jessica Elkan
Jessica Elkan is the Executive Director of the James Beard Public Market, leading the effort to build a seven-day-a-week public market that celebrates Oregon’s agricultural bounty and culinary excellence. Raised in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and growing up in her family’s woodworking business, she developed a deep appreciation for local artisans, makers, and public markets.
With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, Elkan has launched social purpose enterprises and developed events at the intersection of food and philanthropy to create social impact. She has led initiatives to support underserved communities and has a reputation for strategic vision and civic engagement. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys exploring public markets around the world and is actively involved in her community promoting all things Oregon.
Join us
We're assembling a small planning committee and advisory board to help bring this centennial dinner to life—people who care about Portland's public spaces, civic culture, and the kind of gathering that actually means something.
We're looking for collaborators across disciplines: artists, historians, community organizers, urban thinkers, neighbors, and anyone who believes the city is still ours to shape together. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves on logistics or lend your perspective as an advisor, there's a role for you.
If you're drawn to the idea of reclaiming a bridge for a night—slowing down, gathering at the center of the city, and marking a hundred years with care and intention—we'd love to have you at the table.