After joining OTRADI and OBI in 2017, Ellis was promoted to assistant director in early 2019. She assumed the role of executive director for the organization in June 2020.

In her role, Heather manages and oversees all of OBI and OTRADI operations and spearheads OBI’s newest initiatives. She currently serves on the Portland Innovation Quadrant Board of Directors.

Ms. Ellis graduated from Portland State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree with minors in Business and Communications.

Ms. Thompson is an administrator with years of experience providing associations and businesses with managerial support. Before joining OTRADI, Ms. Thompson was an executive assistant at a number of large organizations, including Newsweek magazine and the City Club of San Francisco.

Rene Miller joined the Oregon Bioscience Incubator/OTRADI in January 2020. As Associate Director, Rene recruits and helps select new client companies to join the incubator, implements and markets community and client programs and events, leads DEI initiatives, and manages communications and social media outreach.

Ms. Miller holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Business from Portland State University and Clinical Laboratory Science from Oregon Health & Science University/Oregon Institute of Technology, as well as a Master of Science in Nutrition from University of Western States. Rene’s background includes clinical laboratory experience and small business ownership. As a longtime Chamber of Commerce participant, she also brought her interest in supporting and encouraging business growth and development to the OBI.

Sarah joined OTRADI in July of 2021. She is a seasoned office specialist with over a decade of administrative experience. In her role, Sarah helps facilitate the everyday administrativia of the office and is the point person for OBI client companies.

Having a background as a technical writer and a passion for nonprofit and social justice work, Sarah served as a committee head and then Board Director of Communications for Pride Northwest, the nonprofit organization that plans and implements the Portland LGBTQ+ Pride Festival and Parade, until 2017.

In her personal time, Sarah is an avid crafter, permaculture gardener, home cook, and true crime fanatic.

The OBI has two Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), Bill Newman and Gordon Hoffman. Both have extensive entrepreneurial and venture capital backgrounds. They assist and coach OBI client companies and, through their BioMentor role, other emerging Oregon bioscience startups throughout the state of Oregon. Their areas of expertise include business formation, financing options, investor presentation reviews, business strategy, business model development, corporate development and governance, M&A, strategic partnerships, and both general and bioscience-specific business issues. The EIRs have an onsite office and work with OBI client companies regularly.

The OBI has two Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), Bill Newman and Gordon Hoffman. Both have extensive entrepreneurial and venture capital backgrounds. They assist and coach OBI client companies and, through their BioMentor role, other emerging Oregon bioscience startups throughout the state of Oregon. Their areas of expertise include business formation, financing options, investor presentation reviews, business strategy, business model development, corporate development and governance, M&A, strategic partnerships, and both general and bioscience-specific business issues. The EIRs have an onsite office and work with OBI client companies regularly.