Meet a PWA Board Member: Maggie Flint 

Maggie Flint, an HR professional at Gunderson Marine & Iron, was elected to the Portland Workforce Board of Directors in June 2026.

Maggie has worked at Gunderson Marine & Iron for five years, immersing herself in the manufacturing industry and supporting colleagues at every stage of their careers. She graduated from Lewis and Clark College in 2019 with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology. 

She has volunteered at the NW Youth Careers Expo multiple times, helping students and educators learn about career pathways in manufacturing. 

Below are some insights from Maggie: 

• Best career advice: “Know what you don’t know. The moment we believe we have all the answers is the moment we stop learning and growing. Stay curious, stay humble, and embrace every opportunity to learn something new. When someone points out that you've made a mistake or gotten something wrong, see it as a chance to gain knowledge, improve, and grow.”
  
• Most memorable job as a teenager: “I worked at a pottery-painting studio, and one of the things I enjoyed most was seeing the wide range of artistic styles people brought to their projects. Some customers painted super detailed, realistic designs, while others kept things simple with patterns, shapes, or a few colorful lines and dots. I also liked being able to help customers bring their ideas to life, whether they came in with a detailed plan or figured things out as they went. It was interesting to see how different people approached the same blank piece of pottery and ended up with completely different results. Getting to be part of that creative process and seeing the finished pieces was one of the most enjoyable parts of the job."
• Something I learned in high school about work: “You have to show up to succeed. Even if you're new to an industry, a role, or a subject, you can't learn if you're not there. Growth comes from experience, and experience comes from consistently showing up, even when you don't feel completely prepared. Not every day will be your best day. Some days you'll be energized and productive, while other days you'll feel like you're operating at 70%. That's normal. What matters is that you're still present, still participating, and still giving yourself the opportunity to learn and improve. A less-than-perfect effort is often far more valuable than not showing up at all.”
  
• What draws me to serve PWA: “I understand that not every student has a strong support system or someone they can go to with questions about school, careers, or professional development. Because of that, I hope to be a resource and mentor for students as they begin exploring their career paths. I'm excited about the opportunity to help students prepare for interviews, navigate professional environments, and better understand what different industries look like. Starting something new can be intimidating, especially when you don't know what to expect, and sometimes having someone to talk through those experiences with can make a big difference. One of the things I look forward to most is helping students build confidence in themselves and their abilities. Everyone brings different experiences, strengths, and perspectives to the table, and I enjoy helping people recognize how those qualities can contribute to their success.”

Thank you, Maggie, for your service to the community through PWA!