Kathleen Kee and Andrew Colas join Meyer Memorial Trust Board of Trustees

Meyer Memorial Trust has added two new members, Kathleen Kee and Andrew Colas, to its board of trustees. Their diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to fostering equity and opportunity across the city and region will help Meyer Memorial Trust continue its mission of accelerating racial, social and economic justice for the collective well-being of Oregon’s lands and peoples.

Kathleen Kee: Financial Empowerment and Community Leadership Champion

Kathleen Kee brings more than 40 years of experience as Senior Wealth Advisor at Focus Partners Wealth (formerly Buckingham Strategic Wealth) and as a trailblazer in the financial industry. A Portland native whose family came to Oregon with many of the early Chinese immigrants in the mid-to-late 1800s, Kee has been both a business owner and advisor, and has made significant strides in creating a successful, inclusive team in a traditionally male-dominated field. 

Kee’s leadership extends beyond her professional life into her extensive community involvement. She serves as treasurer for the International Women’s Forum of Oregon, and served as the president of Randall Children’s Hospital Board of Trustees from 2020-2021. She also serves as a board member of Friends of the Children - SW Washington, the Portland Business Alliance, and a number of other economic equity and cultural preservation organizations. In 2021, Kee received a Women of Influence award from the Portland Business Journal.

“Giving back to the community is a part of who I am,” Kee said. “We are all connected as a community and we have to share in the responsibility to work together with respect and optimism to improve and solve the many injustices around us. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the board of directors and the team at Meyer that has given so much to the state and its people.”

Kee holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Oregon State University and an MBA from Washington State University. 

Andrew Colas: Visionary Leader in Construction and Community Advocacy

Andrew Colas, President and CEO of Colas Construction, brings a wealth of knowledge in business development, project management and operational leadership to Meyer’s board. Colas Construction is a leader in sustainable and innovative commercial property construction, with projects ranging from affordable housing and multifamily dwellings to retail spaces and schools.

Colas currently serves as board president of the National Association of Minority Contractors and vice chair of the Black Business Association of Oregon. He also serves as board chair of New Avenues for Youth and on the board of the Portland Metro Chamber. Colas was also an inaugural member of the board of trustees for the University of Oregon.

A lifelong resident of Northeast Portland, Colas says his experience in construction and in community service have deeply informed his view of community service. “Serving on several community-focused boards has reinforced a key truth: people have more in common than not, yet too many feel marginalized and left out. Meyer’s mission to support organizations advancing justice and bridging this gap aligns deeply with my values, and I’m excited to bring my experience and perspective to this important work.”

Colas earned his bachelor of arts from the Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon.

Farewell to Charles Wilhoite

As Kee and Colas join the board, Meyer bids farewell to Charles Wilhoite, who concludes his term in March after 12 years of service.

“Charles has been a cornerstone of our board, leaving an indelible mark on Meyer’s vision and strategy. His leadership and insight have shaped our path in profound ways, and his presence will be deeply missed,” said Janet Hamada, Meyer’s board chair. 

She adds, “We are excited and honored to welcome Kathleen and Andrew to our board of trustees at a time when steadfast leadership and an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice are more essential than ever. Their deep experience and dedication to our community will help Meyer navigate today’s challenges and drive meaningful progress toward our mission.”