Join us for "Elevating Women's Sports, Empowering the Next Generation," a fireside chat-style conversation with Vanessa Gidden, during our annual UO Portland Soaring Together event celebrating leaders impacting the sports product industry and beyond.

Vanessa Gidden is the Lead Global Merchant of Jordan Women's Sport Footwear and Apparel at Nike, a trailblazer whose journey spans from professional athlete to global leader in sports product merchandising. From the court to the boardroom, Gidden drives the future of sports product innovation while championing athlete development and industry growth.

With a career that bridges the worlds of elite competition and business innovation, Gidden has shaped the future of women's sports footwear and apparel, and she has also dedicated herself to empowering the next generation of athletes. Don't miss hearing her story of resilience, leadership, and the power of sport to create opportunities and drive change.
 

Event Overview

We are offering this event both in person and virtually. The virtual session is from 4:30–5:30 p.m. PT. Virtual attendees will receive a UO Business YouTube link upon registration. The in-person event will be held at UO Portland, Library and Learning Center, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, OR. Please choose virtual or in-person attendance during registration.
 

Schedule

• 4:15 p.m. - Doors open
• 4:30 p.m. - Vanessa's session begins, moderated by SPM student Jordan Wilmoth
• 5:30 p.m. - Mix and mingle, hors d'oeuvres
• 6:30 p.m. - Event wraps up