Oregon Rainmakers
A conversation with Caitlan Vargas, Startup Community Director for Onward Eugene and Michael Dunne
Our mission is prosperity for all, and we mean that.Caitlan Vargas
“I’ve taken many of those personality tests that many professionals do, and what I found out about myself is that I’m extremely logical and ask a lot of questions,” says Caitlin Vargas of Onward Eugene. “And the entrepreneurs I meet are visionaries who sometimes need to answer challenging questions before they get off track – that makes us a great match.”
Vargas, who has helped lead many nonprofits in our region, as either a staff person or board member, believes her skill as a connector helps the clients of Onward Eugene find the right people or organizations they need to grow and thrive.
Onward Eugene unites regional partners and brings together support for startups, business expansion, regional marketing and business recruiting initiatives. Founded by the Eugene Chamber in 2019, Onward Eugene has been instrumental in recruiting new business to the community including Southwest Airlines.
“Our mission is prosperity for all, and we mean that,” says Vargas. “We want to see a thriving economy for our entire region.”
