The International Mass Timber Conference in Portland, Oregon, will feature the keynote panel "Mass Timber for the People" on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 8—9:15 am in the Portland Ballrooms at the Oregon Convention Center.

The panel will be moderated by Thomas Robinson, Founding Principal of LEVER, and will explore the evolution of mass timber in Portland, Oregon. The discussion will cover the role of early mass timber projects in shaping today’s industry, how mass timber can advance workforce equity and sustainability, and its potential to revitalize communities through large-scale district development.

Panelists include:

Erin Graham, President and CEO of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), discussing the OMSI district development.

Winta Yohannes, Executive Director of Albina Vision Trust, addressing displacement and reinvestment in the Albina neighborhood.

Alex Colas, Vice President of Preconstruction at Colas Construction, representing the largest Black-owned construction firm on the West Coast and discussing their role in these mass timber projects.

The session will highlight Portland’s historic role in the mass timber movement and examine its future as a model for equitable and sustainable urban development. For more information or to register for the conference, please visit International Mass Timber Conference.