Partner Highlight: Todd Alsdorf
In this continuing series, we are highlighting Partners and the skills they bring to the SVP Portland Partnership.
Todd Alsdorf is originally from Denver and attended Colorado State University for studies in mechanical engineering. He moved to the Portland area in 1996 to work as an engineer on the construction side of the semiconductor boom. In 1998, he co-founded Evergreen EDC, eventually becoming the CEO. Todd led the firm as it grew to more than 300 employees with five regional offices throughout the US, before eventually merging with SSOE, a 1,000-person global engineering firm based in the Midwest. He then served on the SSOE Board of Directors for six years, and as a Sr. Vice President and leading the company's Innovation initiatives.
After 26 years in the engineering profession and raising two kids, that were then out of college, Todd and the love of his life, Audrie, decided to shift gears and start giving back. Audrie volunteers several days a week with the Red Cross as a disaster recovery case worker and they both invest in start-up companies in the Northwest through membership in the Oregon Venture Fund, E8, and VertueLab's first Climate Impact Fund. Todd has founded a consulting firm, Balance Rhythm Harmony LLC, that helps early-stage companies that are working to address climate change as well as local companies in the construction sector that are helping to shape Oregon's future.
Q: What was unique to SVP Portland that drew you to our Partnership
A: In addition to the philanthropic causes Audrie and I have supported over the years through monetary donations, we had been volunteering once a week with Habitat for Humanity. As I was crawling through an attic using a caulking gun to seal up drywall joints or painting an old house, I couldn't help but to think that there may be a way that I could make a bigger philanthropic impact by tapping into the skills I had built over the years of founding and growing a business. The idea of venture philanthropy and helping build capacity in organizations that are doing the hard work of serving the children and families in underserved communities really resonated with me.
Q: It sounds like you became deeply engaged, and quickly. What was that like?
A: My first engagement was with SVP’s Portfolio Management Team. Soon thereafter, I was asked to help with some board development and coaching work with the Center for African Immigrants and Refugee Organization (CAIRO). Then I was asked to help with some Project Management on the Child Care Shared Services Alliance and shortly thereafter to be a part of the investment team considering Hacienda CDC. I kept saying yes to each of these engagement opportunities (I do have a problem with saying ‘No’ sometimes), which has provided a fast-paced learning environment as well as some very rewarding experiences.
Q: Wow, that is… a lot. What experience stands out?
A: I've really enjoyed all of it, but the highlight has been working with CAIRO’s Executive Director and Board and being a part of SVP's CAIRO team. My background both as a company founder as well as the work I have been doing advising start-up companies has certainly helped. More so, though, my hope is that the skills I built over the years being a good business partner will have more impact as we go through the learning journey together with the Community Partners.
Q: What’s next?
A: As far as my next engagement goes, my plan is to continue to be open to the opportunities that come through SVP, but I’ll likely opt to be a little more focused on one or maybe two engagements at a time in order to be the best Partner I can be.