Long-time Partner Kerry McClenahan Resumes as Board Chair

Kerry McClenhan became an Investor Partner in April 2010 to provide a forum for involving her kids in community service, to meet like-minded people who believe in creating a better Portland for all its citizens, and to use her skills to contribute to that effort. She quickly engaged with the communications committee, helping SVP to uncover its core brand identity elements.

Kerry also served on the committee that identified SVP’s audacious “Preschool for All” goal, where she became a passionate advocate for ensuring every child in our community arrives at kindergarten ready to succeed. Kerry joined our Board of Directors in 2011 and later served as Board Chair from 2014 to 2017. Kerry “retired” from the Board in 2017 but continued to serve as chair of the Portfolio Management Team and as a member of SVP’s Community Impact Strategy Committee.We are excited to announce that at the last Board meeting, Kerry was reelected to the Board, and as Chair, by a unanimous vote. Kerry is dedicated to helping SVP pursue not the easiest path, but the one with greatest potential, as we navigate inevitable challenges and evaluate opportunities for leveraging our resources towards securing “Preschool for All” and ensuring the long-term wellbeing of SVP Portland."

I often say that next to my two kids, SVP is my favorite subject," said Kerry McClenahan. "I am honored to serve as Board Chair and am very excited to do what I can to support our staff and Partnership as we continue on our audacious path of ensuring equitable access to high-quality, culturally-relevant early learning experiences in Portland."

A Northwestern girl through and through, Kerry grew up in Spokane, Washington, was educated in the field of Organizational and Mass Communications at Eastern Washington University, and moved to Portland on a whim at 21-years-old. She stayed for the charm, quirkiness, and eventually because she thought it was a great place to raise her two kids.In her day job, Kerry is President at Publitek North America (formerly McClenahan Bruer) a technology business-to-business marketing firm she originally co-founded in 1993. Her particular areas of expertise include branding, positioning and messaging, social media strategy, lead nurturing, and global advertising program development. In her free time, Kerry enjoys cooking dinners and hosting game nights with daughter Marika and son Kellen, and hosting extended family and friends for the same.