New to the Board

Lewis & Clark’s Board of Trustees recently welcomed four new members:

Tony Abena BS ’86, after moving back to Oregon from Minnesota, is now the owner of Partnerworks.com, an online mentoring and learning resource for operating partners and advisors in private equity and venture capital firms. Abena previously served on the board from 2014–16 and is currently an executive member of the advisory board for the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership. He also served on the Lewis & Clark Board of Alumni from 1987–90, and again from 2001–04. He and his wife, Stacy Manning Abena BA ’88, have four children.


Serena Cruz BA ’89 became a Multnomah County commissioner in 1999, the youngest woman and first Latinx person ever elected to Multnomah County government. After representing North and Northeast Portland for eight years, she cofounded and managed Albina Construction. For the last seven years, she’s led fundraising, public relations, marketing, and advocacy as the executive director of the Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation. Cruz was a member of the Lewis & Clark Board of Alumni from 2005–11 and served on its diversity and inclusion committee. She has a teenage daughter and lives in Northeast Portland.


John Stadter BA ’79 has focused his career on early stage and entrepreneurial companies, all with a common theme of technology. He has held a variety of roles, including controller, vice president of finance, chief financial officer, and president. Stadter is also a member of the advisory board for the Bates Center for Entrepreneurship and Leadership. He and his wife, Maureen Stadter, have one college-age son.


Stacy Thompson BA ’79 is a lifelong resident of the Oakland/East Bay, California, community with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. She mentors faculty, staff, and administrators who wish to advance their careers and has a long history of promoting a social justice agenda. Thompson is also a member of the Lewis & Clark Board of Alumni and serves on its administration and equity and inclusion committees. She and her husband, Martin Thompson, have two adult sons.