Introducing the

"70 for 70" Grant Program!

Esther is a relentless advocate for user-centric and world-class design that prioritizes human health, connectivity, and belonging. With 30 years of experience and an extensive portfolio of nationally recognized projects, she serves as the president and CEO of LSW Architects. She leads efforts in design excellence, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, bringing expertise in planning and executing large-scale public and private projects, including K-12 education facilities, mixed-use and multifamily housing, high-rises, adaptive reuse, and urban master planning. Her enthusiasm, strategic vision, and ability to unite diverse teams make her an invaluable leader in the field. Beyond her work at LSW, Esther is deeply involved in civic and business initiatives. As a board member and vice-chair of Identity Clark County (ICC), she helps shape policy and growth management strategies, including climate policy, transportation, and education funding. She also serves on the boards of Vancouver’s Downtown Association and 100 Fold Studio, a nonprofit architectural firm focused on community transformation. Esther is an active member of the Greater Vancouver Chamber Executive Women’s Council, mentoring and empowering female executives and entrepreneurs. A champion for diversity in architecture, she also participates in the National Association of Minority Architects (NOMA), advocating for greater opportunities in the field. In recognition of her contributions, Esther was named Portland Business Journal's Executive of the Year in 2024 and is a past recipient of the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Iris Award.

Max is the Senior Director of Project Integration for the Kendal Corporation, a leading national not-for-profit organization of communities, programs, and services that advocate for and empower older adults to achieve their full potential. A seasoned executive leader and strategist, Max maintains a background in economic and community development, workforce and education pathways, strategic partnerships, and organizational leadership. At Kendal, Max is charged with the development and management of strategic corporate initiatives in support of the development and provision of value-add services to affiliate Kendal communities and the signature Kendal At Home platform. Max provides on-demand strategic, organizational, business development, marketing, and planning services in support of long-term growth, expansion, and impact goals of all existing Kendal affiliates. Empowering sustainable growth, Max also supports the analysis of new market opportunities, capital expansion, value-based services, technology, and strategy frameworks that improve and innovate the level of care provided by The Kendal System to current and future residents and members across the United States. Outside of his core duties providing strategic project and organizational support, Max maintains a passion for connecting people and ideas with the financial and intellectual resources that ensure their long term success. A champion of growth, Max has facilitated strategic capital supporting multiple company acquisitions and mergers, and coordinated early stage funding of two companies that have since had successful IPOs in 2020 and 2021. Max is an active and trusted advisor for an array of startup, nonprofit, and corporate teams.

Jamie is a dynamic entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader with a passion for innovation and social impact. Born in Okinawa, Japan, to a U.S. serviceman and an Okinawan mother, she was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she developed a deep appreciation for excellence in hospitality and business. A seasoned entrepreneur, Jamie co-founded The Juice Standard, Las Vegas’ first all-organic, cold-pressed juice bar, which expanded to four locations, including The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. She is also the CEO of Two Bear Services Group, overseeing operations across multiple affiliates, including Two Bear Air. In 2023, she launched 101 Central Management, which houses the fine-dining restaurant Herb & Omni, The Second Story theater and music venue, and The Belvedere Rooftop Garden in Whitefish, Montana. Beyond business, Jamie is deeply committed to philanthropy, focusing on women’s healthcare and reproductive rights, housing-first initiatives for the unhoused, and sustainable development in Montana. She is a current member of Leadership Flathead and is on track to graduate in the summer of 2025, where she aims to refine policy solutions that drive industry growth and strengthen community infrastructure. A certified permaculture designer and former portrait photographer trained by world-renowned Sue Bryce, Jamie blends creativity with strategy in every endeavor. She thrives in meaningful conversations and collaborative efforts that drive lasting change.

Born in Austria and raised in Portland, Daniel has traveled and worked extensively throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He started independently practicing in 2013 after receiving the Miami Design District commissions during his Master's of Architecture at Harvard’s GSD. After balancing private projects with working in other offices, he founded Daniel Toole Architecture in 2020. With over 16 years of experience, he has designed multiple award-winning private and public buildings, as well as landscapes and master plans independently and with various internationally recognized offices including Studio Rick Joy in Tucson, Barkow Leibinger Architects in Berlin, Perkins + Will in Seattle, and Allied Works Architecture in Portland, before founding DTA. A registered Architect in the states of Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, and Florida, he received his Bachelor’s of Architecture from the University of Oregon and his Master’s of Urban Design from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He completed additional studies at Columbia University in New York City and Paris, as well as a year-long DAAD research grant from the German government at the TU Berlin. He published a book on his alleyway explorations, Tight Urbanism, in 2010 and has received numerous other design awards and fellowships. Daniel is an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon School of Architecture and participates on studio reviews at universities throughout the United States and Europe.

Erica is interested in the design of urban environments in ways that honor the natural resources on which our lives depend. For a decade, Erica has dedicated her professional energy to advancing the use of mass timber. She began her journey as a sales representative for Structurlam, and went on to establish Swinerton’s mass timber division, which became Timberlab — a leading provider of holistic mass timber systems with a reputation for collaboration and innovation. As VP and Director of Preconstruction, Erica brought mass timber dreams to life, helping to deliver precedent-setting projects including Ascent in Milwaukee, Heartwood Apartments in Seattle, and the new main terminal at PDX International Airport. Erica is currently serving as the founding Director of MassTAc, the Washington State Mass Timber Accelerator. Erica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. She was named a DJC Oregon Women of Vision, and one of ThinkWood’s Leading Women Innovating in AEC and Beyond. She resides in Portland, Oregon with her partner and sons.

Mike serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and oversees the financial operations, administrative, human resources, facilities management, and technology functions of the Trust. He brings a rich understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities present for nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. A Certified Public Accountant who previously served as the CFO for the Historic Trust of Fort Vancouver before assuming the role of President and CEO, Mike graduated from George Fox University with degrees in accounting and business administration. Prior to his time with the Historic Trust, Mike served on the accounting staff at Moss Adams and has also served on a number of boards and committees for varies organizations throughout our region.

For the past 30 years, Ben has served as an architect, general contractor, and developer across a broad spectrum of project types. Committed to advancing sustainable development, he embraced mass timber as a primary construction material when it was first introduced in North America, integrating this innovative approach into all future projects. To realize his signature project, Carbon12, Ben successfully collaborated with state and local officials to secure exemptions from restrictive height limitations that previously capped timber buildings at 65 feet. The resulting 95-foot structure set a precedent, ultimately contributing to the United States achieving a new world record with a 284-foot mass timber building. As the newest partner at LSW, Ben is eager to merge cutting-edge innovation with the firm’s distinguished 70-year legacy.