Sussman Shank LLP is proud to announce that Heather Kmetz has been elected president of the Board of Directors for the Portland’5 Centers for the Arts Foundation, effective July 1, 2019.
Portland’5 is a not-for-profit organization that supports education, access to the arts, and community outreach programs for five of metro Portland’s finest performing arts venues: Keller Auditorium, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Newmark Theatre, Winningstad Theatre, and Brunish Theatre. In the past ten years, the Portland’5 Foundation has funded over $1.5 million in capital projects.
Heather has been an active member on the board of directors of Portland’5 since 2017. In addition to her dedication to the local arts community, Heather is involved in other local civic and professional organizations related to her practice.
The Portland’5 board is comprised of about a dozen members with a diverse range of backgrounds and skills, all of whom are committed to expanding access, diversity, and outreach in the performing arts community.
As president, Heather will work to support the overall mission of the foundation, general governance, and advocacy efforts. “I am excited to be able to put my energy, enthusiasm, and professional background into something I am passionate about, the arts,” Kmetz adds.
Heather is a tax lawyer and Chair of the firm’s Business Group. Heather advises individuals and businesses in establishing tax-sensitive wealth preservation plans and transactions. She also serves as outside corporate counsel for a variety of closely-held businesses, helping them to develop and transition their business.
About Portland’5 Foundation
Established in 1994 to support Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, the Portland’5 Foundation is dedicated to ensuring a strong cultural arts presence in the community through advocacy, fundraising and region-wide community outreach. The Portland’5 Foundation supports offering culturally relevant education programming as part of Portland’5 Centers for the Arts’ commitment to celebrate diversity and broaden access to the performing arts for people of all means, cultures, and ethnicities. Additionally, the Foundation raises funds for capital improvements to help maintain high-quality venues that attract premiere performers.
About Sussman Shank LLP
Sussman Shank LLP is a full-service business, litigation, and commercial bankruptcy law firm with over 30 lawyers. For nearly 60 years, we’ve been counsel to public and private companies, government entities, institutions, non-profit organizations, and individuals. We are proud to be recognized by Oregon Business magazine in Oregon’s 100 Best Companies to Work for, and as one of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon. We were also named as one of Oregon’s Most Admired Companies, and one of Portland’s Most Diverse Law Firms by the Portland Business Journal.