What City Government Has To Offer: Kathleen Saadat'74 & Anna Kanwit '76
Wednesday, October 24, 12 to 1 p.m.
Vollum Lounge
RSVP EXTENDED: noon, October 23

Working for the City of Portland, what does city government have to offer? Please join Reed alumnae Kathleen Saadat '74 Psychology and Anna Kanwit '76 Psychology for a lunch time discussion about the breadth of employment opportunities at the City of Portland. Many Reedies have found their way to careers in city government and Kathleen and Anna will speak about the range of jobs and careers, the work culture, getting started and opportunity advancement, and the potential for making a great contribution to your community. The City of Portland is anticipating an uptick in hiring over the next several years and they would love to see more Reedies apply and join the work force there. "Employment with the City of Portland represents more than just a job. A career in public service is an opportunity to serve fellow citizens across our beautiful city. Professions at the City of Portland help to support vital infrastructure, strong neighborhoods, public safety, economic vitality and a sustainable future for all to enjoy." from the City of Portland website Wednesday,

Kathleen is currently the Diversity Development/Affirmative Action Manager for the City of Portland and will retire from working in December of 2012. Prior to coming to the City, Kathleen worked at Cascade AIDS Projects in several different positions including Director of Diversity and Human Resources. In 1987, former Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt appointed Kathleen Saadat the State Director of Affirmative Action. From 1990-1992, she was Assistant to Portland City Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury. Between 1992 and 1997 Kathleen worked as an independent contractor. From 1997 until 2001, she was Strategic Plan Coordinator for Multnomah County Oregon's Department of Community and Family Services. During that time she also continued work as a private consultant and trainer in the areas of human diversity and organizational development and as a motivational speaker. Kathleen is a member of Class VI of the Oregon American Leadership Forum, a 1992 Fellow with the Advocacy Institute in Washington DC and recipient of fellowship to Hedgebrook Women's Writers Retreat and a member of the 29th Street Writers.

Anna has been the Director of the Bureau of Human Resources for the City of Portland since May 2012 and prior to her appointment was the Assistant Director of the Bureau for 11½ years.  She began her career in government in 1991 as a Senior Deputy City Attorney in the City of Portland’s City Attorneys Office, advising City bureaus on employment law matters.  From 1983 to 1991, Anna practiced law with two Portland area boutique law firms, specializing in labor and employment law. Anna earned a JD degree in 1983 from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis and Clark College, and a BA from Reed College in 1976, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. She credits her professional success to the excellent liberal arts education she received and the many wonderful experiences she had at Reed! Anna has three children and three grandchildren.  Her daughter , a licensed clinical social worker. lives in St. Charles, Illinois; one son, a journalist in sports media, lives in Phoenix, Arizona; and the other son stayed in Portland, Oregon and is following in her footsteps by pursuing a career in law.