Join Better Portland members for a lunchtime panel with local leaders focused on a single issue.
The City of Portland & Climate Resiliency
In recognition of Earth Day, Better Portland members are invited to join a panel discussion exploring how Portland is preparing for and responding to climate challenges. Our panelists, Vivian and Sam, will share insights on climate resiliency, the role of cities in addressing environmental change, and what it means for Portland’s future.
This conversation will provide an opportunity to hear from local leaders working at the intersection of city planning, sustainability, and climate action and to engage in thoughtful dialogue about how our community can continue building a more resilient Portland.
Come ready to learn, reflect, and ask questions.
Panelists
Vivian Satterfield, Chief Sustainability Officer | City of Portland
Sam Baraso, Program Manager | City of Portland
12:00 – Moderated conversation with panelist by Ciara Pressler, Better Portland & Pregame
12:30 – Q&A
Panelists
Vivian Satterfield (she/她) is the City of Portland's Chief Sustainability Officer. A biracial, first-generation Chinese American, Vivian was born and raised in Chicago. For nearly two decades, Vivian has worked in Portland's frontline communities at the intersections of environmental, racial, and economic justice delivering a track record of success at the municipal, regional, and statewide level in securing policy wins and programmatic investments. She joined the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability in 2023, and transitioned into the City Administrator’s Office in 2025. Prior to the City, Vivian served as the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Verde, a Portland-based non-profit whose mission is to build environmental wealth by investing in climate resilience through social enterprise, outreach, and advocacy, especially for frontline communities.
Sam Baraso leads the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), a nationally recognized initiative that is investing $1.6 billion through 2029 in climate action, community resilience, and economic opportunity. He has helped guide more than $500 million in community grants and over $1 billion in strategic investments designed to reduce emissions and deliver more equitable outcomes for Portland communities. Sam brings more than 15 years of experience in finance, environmental management, and climate policy, and he also serves as Board President of Willamette Partnership. His work is rooted in the belief that climate solutions should strengthen communities and expand opportunity at the same time.