Cobi Lewis didn’t apply for the job at first.
When asked for a list of candidates to succeed Nita Shah as executive director of Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, Lewis compiled one.
Her own name was not on it.
At the time, Lewis worked as senior vice president at Umpqua Bank. She has a background in nonprofits and is widely respected for her work to make Oregon more economically equitable, including making capital more available for underserved borrowers, the sort of work that’s right in MESO’s wheelhouse.
This is part of a package of stories within PBJ's first-ever Money Issue, which features pieces on finding and managing cash in today's volatile climate.
Shah finally texted Lewis.
She thanked her for the list. Then she asked Lewis why she didn’t include her own name.
“I loved my job (at Umpqua),” Lewis said, in a recent phone interview. “I loved my team. We were moving the needle.”
In her time at Umpqua, Lewis said the bank had made significant progress. She was named a Portland Business Journal Woman of Influence in 2020 for the work.
Lewis said the decision to finally apply came down to one factor: “When it comes to access to capital for small businesses, oftentimes the blame is placed with the banks,” she said. “At some point people have to realize banks are highly regulated. There are a lot of things they want to do with small businesses that they can’t. But you know who can? Organizations like MESO, Craft3 and others. We have flexibility.”
'What is that next level?'
After talking it through with Shah, Lewis decided to apply. In March, she got the job. She started in April.
Lewis said she’s excited and energized by the new role. She hopes to build on the foundation Shah created.
Shah, like Lewis, is widely respected for her work on economic inequality. Hundreds of Portland businesses have benefited from MESO’s help, including through loans, technical assistance and connections in the community.
“Whatever it means to take it to the next level, that’s what (I want to do),” Lewis said of her plans for MESO. “What is that next level? That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”
For now, Lewis said, “MESO does two things very well, lending and technical assistance.”
She said the nonprofit will continue to offer those services and build on them. Lewis wants to expand the technical assistance to include more of the nuts-and-bolts help that many micro businesses need, such as building a website, basic branding and setting up an e-commerce function.
Lewis said MESO’s also expanding its geographic footprint, including in Clark, Clackamas and Washington counties. MESO is mostly known for its work in Portland. It also has offices in Beaverton, Gresham and Vancouver.
Lewis also wants to add youth programs and virtual services that could reach Southern Oregon as easily as Beaverton.
'Push the boundaries'
As the name suggests, MESO is known for its work with “micro,” or very small businesses. But Lewis said she also wants to work with bigger businesses, including with educational offerings and market research.
“A lot of businesses need general information,” she said.
New hires include workers with expertise in sustainability and the green economy.
MESO, which is a nonprofit, remains grant funded. It also benefits from community support, including some donors who write $50 annual checks.
“I’m really optimistic and really positive about where MESO is today and the future,” Lewis said. “We’re growing at a very sustainable rate and we’re growing in response to the needs in the community and business districts.”
As for Shah, while she’s no longer executive director, she remains a senior adviser.
“With the complexities and size of the organization, there is no way she could have just walked away,” Lewis said. “The board was able to keep her on through the year. She loves MESO.”
More than anything, Lewis looks forward to capitalizing on MESO’s flexibility and room to innovate.
“It’s time to step out and push the boundaries,” she said. “Let’s try it. If it doesn’t work, we’ll never do it again. If it does work, let’s scale it. We need to start trying some things as opposed to just talking about it.”
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon
What it does: Business assistance for underserved entrepreneurs
Headquarters: Portland
Offices: Portland, Beaverton, Clackamas, Gresham, Vancouver
Executive director: Cobi Lewis
Previous executive director: Nita Shah
Founded: 2005
Families served: Nearly 3,000
Online: mesopdx.org
Timeline:
2005 - Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon founded as part of The Black United Fund of Oregon
2008 - MESO becomes a standalone nonprofit
2021 - Founder and executive director Nita Shah announces retirement and agrees to serve as a senior adviser for the remainder of the year
2021 - MESO names Cobi Lewis executive director
