Drum roll, please…

We’re excited to announce our 2026 Agency community client lineup! The AMA PDX Agency program has supported a wide range of projects over the years—in 2025 alone, our volunteer teams delivered more than $100,000 worth of marketing support across four community organizations—an incredible milestone we were proud to celebrate throughout the AMA PDX community.

This year, we’re ready to set the bar even higher and build on that momentum!

We've partnered with four incredible organizations and paired them with professional marketing teams with a vast range of backgrounds, specialties, and experiences. Over the next six months, teams will collaborate to produce strategic marketing projects designed to amplify each organization’s mission and impact, all pro bono.

Help us in welcoming our 2026 nonprofit community clients and the launch of this impactful Agency season <3

Our 2026 clients include: Depave PDX, Ethos Music Center, Oregon Farm Corps, and The Pathfinder Network.

Depave PDX

Depave PDX empowers disenfranchised communities to overcome social and environmental injustices and adapt to climate change through urban re-greening.

Their work focuses on communities most impacted by urban heat and the lack of green space, challenges often tied to historic and ongoing environmental inequities. Through community-powered projects that remove unnecessary pavement and restore natural landscapes, Depave PDX helps create cooler, healthier neighborhoods across the Portland region.

In 2023, they partnered with the NASA DEVELOP program to help inform and document the impact of this work. The partnership measured changes in land surface temperature in areas where high social vulnerability overlaps with high heat exposure, providing powerful data that demonstrates the real impact of community-led environmental solutions. How cool!

Ethos Music Center

Ethos Music Center is dedicated to making music education accessible to all youth in Portland and across Oregon.

Founded in 1998 in response to the elimination of music programs in Oregon public schools, Ethos has grown into a thriving community hub in Portland’s Historic Albina neighborhood. Today, their space includes 14 music classrooms and a recital hall, along with more than 30 offsite classes hosted at community centers, SUN schools, and libraries across Multnomah County.

Their programs are designed to be culturally responsive and accessible, creating opportunities for youth of all backgrounds and identities to explore music, creativity, and community. By prioritizing equity and removing barriers to participation, Ethos continues to expand access to music education for the next generation of Oregon musicians.

Oregon Farm Corps

Oregon Farm Corps works to strengthen and preserve Oregon’s farmlands through hands-on training and education programs for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

Oregon Farm Corp programs serve individuals transitioning into agriculture from other fields, young adults seeking land-based livelihoods, farmworkers moving into management or ownership roles, and rural residents seeking meaningful work in stewardship and community. Through partnerships with farms and community organizations across the state, Oregon Farm Corps provides real-world training, mentorship, and support to help build a more resilient and inclusive agricultural future.

Rooted in Oregon’s agricultural communities, their work intentionally prioritizes access for historically underserved farmers, including those who identify as women, LGBTQIA2s+, low-income, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), Latine, and veterans.

The Pathfinder Network

The Pathfinder Network provides the tools and support that justice system-impacted individuals and families need to be safe, stable, and thrive in their communities.

This organization works with people who are incarcerated, reentering the community, under community supervision, formerly involved in the justice system, or navigating these experiences alongside a loved one. Through programs focused on mentorship, family support, housing stability, and community reintegration, The Pathfinder Network helps individuals rebuild their lives and strengthen their futures.

The Pathfinder Network is committed to supporting whole people, whole families, and whole communities. Their work is grounded in a belief that all people have the capacity to grow and change, and that strong support systems help create safer, healthier communities for everyone.

In 2025, the organization launched its Lived Experience Advisory Board, composed of members directly impacted by the justice system. The board ensures those voices remain centered in guiding the organization’s work.

2026 Agency Kick-Off

To mark our annual program kick-off, teams gathered together in person to celebrate our launch and the next six months of collaboration ahead. Sharing endless pizza, smiles and inspiration, volunteers mingled with clients, connected with fellow team members and aligned on goals.

This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of our community partners. Our event space was kindly donated by HOTLIPS Pizza Hawthorne, and Burgerville provided burgers and shakes for our hardworking volunteers—contributing more than $500 of in-kind support for the event. (In-kind partnership donations secured by Alexandra Hagel, Communications Director on the AMA PDX Agency committee.)

We’re incredibly grateful for the support of these partners, the continued dedication of the Agency leadership team, and the community that powers this program forward.

What Our Teams Will Be Working On

AMA PDX Agency teams will have a variety of deliverables at the end of the program to help these organizations improve their marketing efforts, while also expanding their professional development and experience portfolios.

The projects will tackle a multitude of marketing initiatives, including organizational brand updates and messaging development, marketing research and audience insights, campaign strategy and implementation planning, updated marketing personas, annual content and communications planning, and support for new program launches.

Led by an incredible leadership team, the 2026 Agency program will be one we will continue to talk about. AMA PDX Agency is powered by volunteers who serve on the AMA PDX board, and believe in the power of marketing to create social impact.

This year’s Agency leadership team brings a thoughtful mix of strategy, creativity, and community connection:

Kate Ludgate, VP of Community Engagement — A marketer, connector, and education enthusiast with 15 years of experience in mission-driven marketing, Kate is passionate about work that strengthens communities and creates meaningful impact.

Lauren Lester, Director of Agency — A strategist, full-stack marketer, and designer with 14 years of experience, Lauren focuses on building brands and systems that center clarity, equity, and long-term impact.

Renee Garcia, Director of Agency — A brand strategist and identity designer who blends intentional design with strategic foundations, Renee brings strong organization, communication, and a purpose-driven mindset into our program.

Alexandra Hagel, Director of Agency Communications — A marketing communications strategist and creative producer with over a decade of experience, Alexandra specializes in storytelling, art + media creation, and building authentic community connections.

Follow along for more updates as our teams begin working with these amazing organizations.

Stay connected by following AMA PDX on social media and subscribing to our newsletter, and keep an eye out for information about applying to the 2027 Agency program!