2024 Expo Breakfast Speakers Announced - Portland Workforce Alliance

Two local leaders will take the podium at this year's PWA Expo Breakfast on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at the Oregon Convention Center. The speakers include Andrew Colas, president of Colas Construction, and Dr. Ann Cudd, President of Portland State University.

The annual breakfast attracts about 450 business leaders and educators, as well as high school students from across the city who are developing their college-and-career aspirations.

Andrew Colas

Andrew Colas

Andrew Colas is president of Colas Construction, a growing presence in Portland's construction community. Colas formally joined Colas Construction in 1999, serving as an apprentice to his father in the field. Upon completion of his degree from the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon, Andrew joined the company full-time as a project manager, where he developed the skillset to successfully manage multiple projects. Actively involved in the business development and daily operations, Andrew's impact continues to support the growth of Colas Construction, one of the largest Black-owned construction firms in the Pacific Northwest. His dedication to community and activism is rooted in his experience of being born and raised in Northeast Portland, Oregon. Andrew works tirelessly to promote investments and job creation for underserved populations through his role at Colas Construction and The Colas Foundation.

Dr. Ann Cudd

President Ann E. Cudd joined Portland State in August, 2023, bringing with her an immense amount of energy and focus on the mission and values of Oregon’s urban research university. She comes to the president’s office as an accomplished academic leader and philosophy scholar whose research explores themes of oppression, economic inequality, capitalism and gender. She is a proven champion of racial justice and equity initiatives, including the development of an online course for incoming students on racism in America.