Meet your 2008 PDXfX Board of Directors

Julie Faugeroux: President

Allison Elliott: Treasurer

Laura Fallon-Burns: Membership Director

Raime Merriman: Marketing Director

Marina Peterson: Operations Director

Heidi Pool: Programs Director

Margie Schroeder: Sponsorship Director

Tamela Viglione: Communications Director

Colleen Wright: Online Marketing Director

Additional PDXfX Contributors:

Barb Wilson: Volunteer Coordinator

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Julie Faugeroux, President

A PDXfX member since 2004, Julie Faugeroux served as membership director from 2005 to 2007 and began service as president in 2008.

Julie grew up in the Portland area and received her bachelor's degree in French from the University of Oregon and a training and development certificate from Portland State University. Her background includes human resources and professional development training at OHSU and other Portland-based organizations. In 2007, she launched Julie Faugeroux LLC, a personal concierge company, with help and guidance from the many strong and successful women she’s connected with at PDXfX.

Julie appreciates the opportunities that PDXfX gives women for their personal and professional growth. She is living proof that the relationships and support that we all give each other can help build businesses and sustain women's interests in Portland and its surrounding areas.

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Allison Elliot, Treasurer

A native Texan, Allison Elliot moved to Portland from Houston, Texas when her husband accepted a position on the west coast in 2005. Allison, a CPA, had held management positions in private industry, in the public sector, and in public accounting in her home state before joining Perkins & Co in 2007 where she is a senior tax manager in the wealth management practice area at Perkins.

In addition to her role as treasurer for PDXfX, Allison is on the board of the Women's Care Foundation, serving as the assistant grants chair for 2008. She also serves on the planned giving committee of United Way.

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Laura Fallon-Burns, Membership Director

Laura Fallon-Burns serves the retirement plan needs of local businesses as a senior consultant with Deschutes Investment Advisors. Laura has over 20 years of experience in banking and investments and has held several management level positions with local community banks.  

Best known for her “can do” attitude and a tenacious creative spirit, Laura is passionate about empowering people about their financial life and is a frequent speaker on financial topics. Laura also enjoys helping women understand their financial life better and giving back to the community. In addition to her role with PDXfX, Laura serves on the United Way’s 2007-2008 campaign and planned giving cabinet.

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Raime Merriman, Marketing Director

Raime Merriman joined PDXfX in 2005 and joined the board member as marketing director in 2007. She is currently a marketing communications manager at CNET.com, where people go to discover the latest in tech and consumer electronics.

Raime’s professional background is in marketing and brand management. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Northeastern University and her master’s in business administration from Willamette University.

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Margie Schroeder, Sponsorship Director

Margie Schroeder is an attorney with Black Helterline LLP. Margie represents a wide-variety of clients, including individuals, homeowners, homeowner associations, developers, small business owners, and large corporations, in matters relating to land use and real estate, estate and trust disputes, general business and civil litigation. 

Originally from Florida, Margie moved to Oregon in 1998 and attended law school at the University of Oregon School of Law. After graduating from law school, Margie clerked for the Honorable Cynthia D. Carlson in the Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene, Oregon. Margie moved to Portland and joined Black Helterline LLP in 2003. 

In addition to her busy career, Margie has two young children—a four-year old son and a one-year old daughter. In her (limited) spare time, Margie enjoys any home project involving power tools and paint. Margie also speaks Japanese and enjoys collecting Asian art. 

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Tamela Viglione, Communications Director

Tamela Viglione is an awarded business communicator, writer, and communications strategist. She made her professional debut at age 18 with the publication of her first and national award-winning novel, Buck, and has been "wowing with words" ever since.

Tamela is principal of The Ilumina Group, a marketing communications firm that helps people and businesses connect with their customers via print, web, PR, and other messaging channels. An independent communications consultant since 1997, Tamela has forwarded her clients' growth and marketing goals in roles such as vice president of communications, communications director, board member, communications and business manager, editor, speaker, author, and advisor.

Helping people achieve their dreams is near and dear to Tamela's heart. In addition to her other community service interests, Tamela has served as a Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) big sister since 2004.

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Colleen Wright, Online Marketing Director

Colleen Wright is owner of Response Interactive LLC , an interactive marketing agency offering search engine optimized web site design, search engine marketing services, online display advertising, email marketing, SEO training, and consulting services.

Colleen’s career has spanned a variety of industries from banking and finance to seminar marketing, sports marketing, high tech, non-profit and horticulture. She joined the board at Portland Female Executives as a way of giving back. When she started Response Interactive LLC in January 2007, her first client came from networking at a PDXfX meeting.

As an associate of Search Engine Academy, Colleen teaches search engine marketing through the Search Engine Academy of Oregon. Colleen is also on the education committee for the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) and attends local and national professional development events regularly.

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Marina Peterson, Operations Director

Marina Peterson is a partner in Peterson Entertainment, a record label, artist management, and consultant firm for music industry clients interested in branding, promotions, advertising campaigns, and special events. Extremely organized, on-task, and enterprising, she brings 10 years of corporate experience in human resources, recruitment, training, and management to her role as PDXfX operations director.

Marina has a B.S. in management with a certificate in public relations from Marylhurst University. She volunteers for the Red Cross (organizing blood drives), Loaves and Fishes, likes good wine and music, and is happy to be a part of PDXfX. She looks forward to developing new relationships with other professional women in the Portland business community. 

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Heidi Pool, Programs Director

Bio coming soon...

Kathryn James: Founder

Kathryn moved back to the Northwest from California January 2001. While living in California she attended California State University at Chico where she earned her BFA in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. After that she spent nine years in the San Francisco Bay Area as a gallery director and corporate art consultant. Kathryn returned to college in 2000 where she earned a certificate in CIS Web Design.

Special thanks to Founding Board Members: Kathryn James, Tammy Spencer, Kathleen Doyle, Barbara Anderman, and Jennifer Johnson.

And, Special thanks to past board members for their dedication and contribution: Sheri Fitts, Krista Everson, Ode Minton-Smith, Julie Tucker, Lora Durst, Tracey Cullen, Krista Foxwell, Kate Johnson, and Tammy Neeley.