The Out Entrepreneur | Bringing Our Whole Selves to Work | Conversations with Leading LGBTQ Bosses

Tiffany Harris is the founder of Harris Defense, a private criminal defense law practice working in federal court and counties throughout the State of Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law where she secured a fellowship with the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. She worked as an associate attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and as lead staff for the Oregon Senate’s Committee on Rules and Elections during the 2005 legislative session. In 2007, she went to Metropolitan Public Defender, and she also served on the legal advisory board of Basic Rights Oregon for ten years. Tiffany enjoys hiking, jogging, and cheering for her beloved Portland Thorns.

Tiffany Harris is the founder of Harris Defense, a private criminal defense law practice working in federal court and counties throughout the State of Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law where she secured a fellowship with the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. She worked as an associate attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt and as lead staff for the Oregon Senate's Committee on Rules and Elections during the 2005 legislative session. In 2007, she went to Metropolitan Public Defender, and she also served on the legal advisory board of Basic Rights Oregon for ten years. Tiffany enjoys hiking, jogging, and cheering for her beloved Portland Thorns.

Roey Thorpe offers strategic support for social justice, partnering with philanthropic organizations including the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations and the Arcus Foundation resource social justice movements, as well as advocacy organizations committed to building a better world. She has many years of leadership experience and is known for her success at building (and rebuilding) organizations, as well as for her experience with legislative advocacy and ballot initiative campaigns.

Roey Thorpe offers strategic support for social justice, partnering with philanthropic organizations including the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations and the Arcus Foundation resource social justice movements, as well as advocacy organizations committed to building a better world. She has many years of leadership experience and is known for her success at building (and rebuilding) organizations, as well as for her experience with legislative advocacy and ballot initiative campaigns.

Dr. Vivienne Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. She co-founded Socos Labs, her fifth company, a “mad science incubator.” The think tank is far from “mad” however, as she and her wife provide guidance to clients on how to use AI and neuroscience to enhance hiring practices, the treatment of employees, and better ways to support students. In her free time, Vivienne has invented AI systems to help treat her diabetic son, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers weeks in advance, and reunited orphan refugees with extended family members. She sits on the boards of numerous companies and nonprofits, including an Out Entrepreneur favorite, StartOut.

Dr. Vivienne Ming is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author. She co-founded Socos Labs, her fifth company, a "mad science incubator." The think tank is far from "mad" however, as she and her wife provide guidance to clients on how to use AI and neuroscience to enhance hiring practices, the treatment of employees, and better ways to support students. In her free time, Vivienne has invented AI systems to help treat her diabetic son, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers weeks in advance, and reunited orphan refugees with extended family members. She sits on the boards of numerous companies and nonprofits, including an Out Entrepreneur favorite, StartOut.

Densil Porteous serves as the CEO of Pride Fund 1, which empowers a generation of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through venture capital. With a keen interest in the tech and startup, Densil has advised and worked with partners like The Varsity Group, RaiseMe, Rev1 Ventures, Juggle, and LEAP. Prior to working in the venture capital space, Densil had a notable career in higher education administration with roles at Kenyon College, Stanford University, and Ohio State University. He also has served on the boards of Advocates for Youth and the Human Rights Campaign.

Densil Porteous serves as the CEO of Pride Fund 1, which empowers a generation of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through venture capital. With a keen interest in the tech and startup, Densil has advised and worked with partners like The Varsity Group, RaiseMe, Rev1 Ventures, Juggle, and LEAP. Prior to working in the venture capital space, Densil had a notable career in higher education administration with roles at Kenyon College, Stanford University, and Ohio State University. He also has served on the boards of Advocates for Youth and the Human Rights Campaign.

James R. Nowlin is a millennial, a miraculous near-death drowning survivor, and first-generation college graduate. He has been humbled by triumph as well as tragedy. Today, James is the CEO of Excel Global Partners (EGP), a financial information technology and management consulting firm, which received national recognition in 2015 as NGLCC’s national business of the year. James dedicates a significant portion of his time to executive coaching, teaching wellness methods in the workplace, and leadership development.

James R. Nowlin is a millennial, a miraculous near-death drowning survivor, and first-generation college graduate. He has been humbled by triumph as well as tragedy. Today, James is the CEO of Excel Global Partners (EGP), a financial information technology and management consulting firm, which received national recognition in 2015 as NGLCC's national business of the year. James dedicates a significant portion of his time to executive coaching, teaching wellness methods in the workplace, and leadership development.