Tag: public project

  • Ricondo | Port of Portland, Portland International Airport (PDX)

    PDX 2045 Master Plan

    Strategic Advisor and Facilitator, 2024-present

    Facilitating the PDX 2045 Planning Advisory Committee, which is advising the PDX 2045 project team and providing insights on decisions that benefit or affect community members. The purpose of PDX 2045 is to update the master plan, defining a framework for planning and implementing development and investments at PDX to meet future demand. The PDX 2045 project will ensure the airport has the space and facilities to serve travelers, cargo, employees, and businesses across the region.

    Updating the master plan involves forecasting future needs, comparing those needs to current capacity, and analyzing alternatives to best meet the Port’s shared prosperity mission. The plan will help the Port prepare for emerging opportunities and trends in the aviation industry while also exploring ways that PDX can bring economic benefits to everyone across the region.

  • Barney & Worth | Portland Water Bureau

    Bull Run Filtration Projects Urban Indigenous Engagement Circle

    Community Engagement Facilitator, 2021-2025

    Facilitating engagement circles with six urban Indigenous communities as part of a billion-dollar improvement project that will serve safe, clean drinking water to over a million people in the metro area. The bureau wants to improve engagement with urban Indigenous communities, in recognition of Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land. The project will result in guidance for opportunities to connect through water, taking a long-term view, and advancing native stewardship of land and water. It will also result in an internship focused on representation of Native languages and partnerships with Native organizations.

  • Diameter | Portland Water Bureau and Bureau of Environmental Services

    City of Portland Advanced Metering Infrastructure

    Community Outreach Leader, 2023-2024

    Conducting community outreach for a project to replace the City’s utility meter reading and online customer service technology. The project will move the utility bureaus from the manual meter technology collecting customer usage data once per quarter to advanced metering infrastructure that collects data for every meter, every day. Includes consolidating online customer services in four separate systems into a new online and mobile customer engagement portal.

  • Metro | 2030 Regional Waste Plan Community Engagement

    Cultural Ambassador and Facilitator, 2/2017-2/2018

    Served as cultural ambassador and facilitation consultant for community engagement on Metro’s 2030 regional waste plan. Included facilitation of sessions with community-based organizations (sometimes with interpreters), asking people what they know about Metro’s waste plan, and discussing garbage and recycling. Later accompanied the groups on a tour of area recycling plants so they could see how their waste is being processed.

  • Balfour Beatty Construction/ Howard S. Wright Constructors Portland Building Reconstruction Project

    Portland Building reconstruction where Donaldson Consulting LLC provided mentor-protégé consulting services.

    Mentor/Protégé Services Facilitator, 9/2016–11/2017

    Facilitated introductory meetings with each design mentor/protégé team to identify goals and action plan for the following year. Monitored and checked in on each team on a quarterly basis. Wrote and submitted reports to the team lead.

    Learn more about our Diversity Consulting and Training/Mentoring Services.

  • Metro | Training and Certification Assistance

    Diversity and Small Business Consultant, 2015-present

    Working with Metro staff in continuing to develop Metro’s small business development program to align with their strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Serving as an advisor to make recommendations for additional improvements.

    Developed and cofacilitated a “How to Respond to RFP” workshop; performed outreach to potential bidders; identified potential barriers to proposing; assisted qualified firms with the certification process; provided technical assistance to proposers responding to requests for proposals; and provided due diligence documentation. As an example, for one RFP, helped five firms become certified and provided proposal technical assistance to six firms. A total of 15 certified firms received a contract, over 50 percent of the contracts awarded to certified firms. 

    Testimonial

    “With Suzanne’s outstanding leadership, dedication, and ability to support our organization’s project goals, we achieved great success in providing assistance to our clients. I strongly recommend Suzanne Donaldson for projects that require strong leadership, professionalism, great organizational skills, and a pleasant demeanor. Suzanne has been very dedicated in helping Metro to increase diversity in contracting. I had the pleasure of organizing a workshop for which Suzanne was one of the winning proposers and took a leadership role in making the event a success. Suzanne worked on a project team to plan the workshop and conduct training on MWESB certification, sustainability in contracting, and how to do write successful proposals. Suzanne distinguished herself from other team members by her excellent leadership skills, outstanding outreach work, and dedication to the workshop. I particularly appreciate Suzanne’s authentic approach and excellent presentation skills to educate traditionally underserved businesses about how to do business with public agencies. The weeks following the workshop, Suzanne committed herself to providing technical assistance to the workshop attendees in order for them to achieve their MWESB certification and write strong proposals. As a result, Metro has received an increasing number of successful proposals from traditionally underserved businesses. Suzanne is a great team player and easy to work with. We are looking forward to working with her in the future. We are in the process of planning more workshops and outreach events for which we will seek Suzanne’s great expertise again.”

    Gabriele Schuster, Procurement Manager, Metro

    Learn more about our Diversity Consulting and Training/Mentoring Services.

  • Metro Human Resources Department | Diversity Outreach Process Review, Metro Human Resources Department

    Metro booth at a Pow Wow. Donaldson Consulting LLC participated in diversity outreach, process review, and identified areas of opportunity for recruitment of diverse employees

    Diversity Consultant, 2015

    Interviewed human resources staff, researched outreach efforts at comparable public agencies, and summarized successes and challenges. Created interview guide and drafted questions. Identified community-based organizations that serve diverse communities and assessed their roles in the community and how they could serve as an intermediary for Metro employment recruitment efforts. Summarized findings into a final report and made recommendations on how to recruit diverse employees. 

    Learn more about our Community Engagement and Diversity Consulting Services.

  • Wenaha Group | TriMet

    Tilikum Bridge Crossing. Donaldson Consulting LLC served as a DBE consultant, providing outreach services for multiple projects over 2 years as an Owners Representative for TriMet on various projects.

    DBE Consultant, 2013-11/2017

    Provided outreach services for multiple projects on this all-DBE and all-Native-American-owned team as owner’s representative for TriMet on projects of various sizes and scopes. Served as community liaison to introduce opportunities and gain interest by certified firms. Prepared and distributed Notices of Invitations to Bid while directing bidders to TriMet’s Vendor Registration System. Identified real or perceived barriers in regard to bidding projects. Maintained transparent communication within the team. 

    Testimonial

    “In our industry you meet and build relationships with a wide variety of companies and individuals, but none quite like Suzanne Donaldson. Suzanne is a unique individual who holds strong ethical values and understands the value of community and the strength of diversity. Suzanne has become a key component of our team at the Wenaha Group. She was a vital part of our team that was awarded the Facilities Group Project Management Services contract for TriMet. Over the past two years she has been instrumental in helping the Wenaha Group and TriMet achieve DMWESB participation goals on several projects. Her knowledge of construction and ability to outreach effectively in the community directly attributed to five certified firms submitting price proposals on a large multi-year contract for TriMet. These were the only firms to submit pricing, and four of them were awarded contracts. Her excellent communication and presentation skills have been paramount. Suzanne’s expertise, experience, and reputation would be a great asset to any team. We have truly have enjoyed working with her and look forward to our continued successful relationship.”

    Jim Houchins, Senior Manager, Wenaha Group, Inc.

    Learn more about our Community Engagement and Diversity Consulting Services.

  • JR Merit | Seattle City Light Mill Pond Dam Removal

    Mill Pond Dam removal project where Donaldson Consulting LLC provided oversight regarding inclusion of diverse minority and woman-owned businesses.

    MWBE Expert Consultant, 2015

    Provided oversight regarding inclusion of diverse MBEs and WBEs; developed a mentor-protégé program; conducted outreach, dispute resolution, and monthly compliance meetings; monitored utilization reports; and trained JR Merit staff and teaming partners on issues affecting certified firms.

    Learn more about our Community Engagement, Diversity Consulting, and Training/Mentoring Services.

  • TriMet | DBE Consultant Support Services, Technical Assistance Program Development

    Image of TriMet MAX train and bus.

    Diversity and Small Business Consultant, 2012-2016

    Identified local and nationwide resources to interview and created interview questions. Identified longevity of programs, level of commitment, and level of success of each technical assistance program. Researched and reviewed literature and disparity studies. Compiled all results and submitted a comprehensive report with recommendations. Conducted DBE site visits, reviewed documentation, and submitted reports. Interviewed DBE businesses on Portland to Milwaukee Light Rail Project. Conducted and facilitated focus groups of DBEs. Provided all necessary services to ensure comprehensive compliance with TriMet’s DBE program by professional services and construction contractors. Assisted TriMet in reviewing contractor’s documentation of their DBE utilization and workforce programs, and performed all required DBE monitoring activities. Provided all necessary reporting and documentation as required to comply with federal, local, and agency requirements. 

    Testimonial

    “Donaldson Consulting LLC has been instrumental in providing services to contractors working on TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail project. Suzanne is knowledgeable and diligent in her approach to resolve complex issues. She is a pleasure to work with.”

    Monika Johnson, Representative, Diversity & Transit Equity

    Learn more about our Diversity Consulting Services.