Sport Oregon Appoints Janat-Vennemann as Chief Operating Officer — News Release

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 6, 2022) – Sport Oregon today announced that Maika Janat-Vennemann has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer for the organization.

Janat-Vennemann, who previously served as the organization’s senior director and general manager, is the perfect example of a business leader who has been able to use her broad experiences and perspectives to help Sport Oregon achieve many successes since joining the organization in 2019. Her relentless passion to strengthen Portland’s business community as well as local and regional communities through her skills – including executive and project management, premium live event production, brand marketing, media and business development – make her a perfect fit for the position of COO.

“In just over two years, Maika has served as a transformational management leader, helping to steward the organization’s vision and mission development that has reshaped its event strategy and implementation,” said Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon. “Externally, Maika is the connector, convener and enabler throughout the city. She is sought out by business executives and non-profit organizations in attempts to help Portland be the great city it strives to be. She is a trusted leader in the local tourism, events and sports conversation.”

Janat-Vennemann is recognized as a leader in promoting young girls and women in sports as well as developing leadership skills for young women that can be applied in the business world.

Janat-Vennemann currently serves as a founding member of the board of directors for Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Portland, a leading voice and resource for women in the business of sports. WISE is the leading voice and resource for women in the business of sports. Janat-Vennemann played a key role in expanding board membership, committee structure and general membership in 2020, and helps drive a full slate of events and programs planned to grow and cultivate the local community of women in sports and events.

Additionally, Janat-Vennemann has been the driving force behind Sport Oregon's SHE FLIES initiative — lifting girls and women through sport. With the mission to connect girls and women across Oregon to sports, SHE FLIES is creating inclusive communities through events, partnerships and grants. Janat-Vennemann served as a board member for the Portland Community Football Club (PCFC) from 2018-20 and has led Sport Oregon's hosting of monthly downtown SOLVE cleanups.

“As a believer in the powers of sports – both from an economic and social perspective – I am looking forward to continuing my work with the Sport Oregon Board of Directors and its leadership as well as the dynamic team Jim Etzel and I have put together to further the mission of Sport Oregon,” said Janat-Vennemann. “Besides the economic and job creation engine that sports generate, its role in working with youth – including young girls and women, in particular those in underserved communities – to help develop leadership skills is a core value I share with the organization and wish to take to the next level.”

Maika and her husband, Venne, live in Northeast Portland and enjoy spending as much of their free time as possible outdoors with their two daughters, Lucy, and Amy. She is an avid runner as well as an excellent baker, with German bread and pastries being among her specialties.

Sport Oregon is a 501(C6) association with 125-plus members who are like-minded in the drive to enhance the state through sport. Its 501(C3) foundation provides grants and conducts programs to support youth sports, with an emphasis on both underserved youth, young girls and increased physical activity.