Quwenikov was previously interim CEO for the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce, and led projects that provided Tualatin-area businesses with critical support during the pandemic.
The Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it has selected Caitlyn Quwenikov as the organization’s new executive director.
Quwenikov has more than a decade of community engagement and leadership experience in Oregon, and led key projects that provided Tualatin-area businesses with critical support during the pandemic.
“We selected Caitlyn to lead OEDA because of her strong track record in executing a strategic vision, navigating public policy, and recruiting and engaging stakeholders,” said Seth Sherry, OEDA’s board president and economic development manager for the City of Albany. “With a big election year and federal infrastructure dollars on the line, this is an important time for economic development in Oregon. We’re confident her leadership will strengthen OEDA’s relationships and grow its impact statewide.”
Quwenikov was most recently interim CEO for the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce, a position she held since October. She was originally hired in 2019 as the chamber’s director of member services.
In her roles at the chamber, Quwenikov identified grant and tax credit opportunities, including the Washington County’s Business Recovery Center Grant, which the chamber successfully secured. Under Quwenikov’s leadership, the Tualatin Business Recovery Center became the most successful in Oregon, delivering more than $10 million in capital to small business owners over the course of 18 months.
As director of member services, Quwenikov successfully recruited new members while building strong relationships with community partners and public officials at the local, county and state levels. She also led the 2020 transition of all chamber programs, events, committees and executive operations to virtual platforms during the pandemic.
Prior to her roles at the Tualatin Chamber of Commerce, Quwenikov managed store operations for Road Runner Sports, Inc.
“My passion is in creating new opportunities for the people and communities I serve, so I am excited to support Oregon’s champions of economic development in this role,” Quwenikov said. “It presents a chance to build stronger partnerships throughout the state, develop programs to support and address the emerging issues of Oregon businesses, and build a stronger economic climate. OEDA has the potential to make an even greater impact in the coming years as the need for guidance grows, so I look forward to collaborating with the team and contributing to their success.”
Quwenikov starts her new role on April 18.