The theme of the Business Journal's 2022-2023 Book of Lists and Leaders is water. To demonstrate H2O’s contribution to the regional economy, we asked nine business leaders to write short essays on how water intersects with their lives and companies. Photographer Sam Gehrke photographed each executive behind a sheet of clear acrylic, which he then sprayed with water to achieve a rainy look. Below is the contribution from Heather Ellis, executive director, Oregon Bioscience Incubator and OTRADI . You can read all the essays here. The Book of Lists and Leaders will be mailed to subscribers on Dec. 23. You can find more information here.
Water is the most critical element for life. Oregon Bioscience Incubator (OBI) houses health innovation startups that rely on pure water to ensure reliable and repeatable laboratory experiments. This purified water is crucial to health innovation research development happening at our facility.
The OBI facility is located along the Willamette River and provides spectacular views which none of us take for granted. This view of the river transports us from our daily grind and gives us a momentary pause, taking a moment to reset and rejuvenate. A way to gain perspective by viewing the river in all its beauty, power, and taking that moment with us back to our work, giving us fresh eyes and promise.
Wabinoquay Otsoquaykwhan of the Anishinaabe Nation was quoted once regarding water, “Water isn’t just for drinking or washing. Water has its own spirit. Water is alive. Water has a memory. Water knows how you treat it, water knows you. You should get to know water too.” This quote places water as a critical element to our lives, more than keeping us alive. When you think about how business is conducted today, there is power, memory, and spirit in all aspects of the work we do, like how you can view water.”
— Heather Ellis, executive director, Oregon Bioscience Incubator and OTRADI
