Let’s connect!

Through planning and a practical framework, I can help you authentically connect with your community; telling your story in a creative and positive way.

Brandy Steffen, Owner

Connections seem easy – we make them every day, right? But it can be harder than it looks when you’re scaling up your business, trying to reach a group that you’re not familiar with, or when communication just isn’t your specialty (it’s ok to be an introvert!).

That’s where I can help! With more than 12 years of experience connecting with individuals and organizations in person and online, I can find a solution for you and your company.

  • Undergraduate degree in Geography and Community Development; Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, with a focus in Community Development
  • 12 years of work in public involvement, in both the private and public sector, with a focus on transportation and connecting with under-represented groups
  • 7 years experience writing for blogs and social media, as well as 6 years designing and developing websites
  • Current Cascade Chapter President of IAP2 (International Association of Public Participation)
  • Check out LinkedIn for more information about my background and trainings I’ve completed, as well as my complete resume and work samples
  • Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and Emerging Small Business (ESB) in Oregon – #10590

    Certified DBE in Washington – #D2F0025279

A community of practitioners

  • Becca Thomsen, Kingfisher Consulting

    Kingfisher Consulting is a communications strategy firm based in Portland, Ore. that works with clients who want to be known, tell their story, or build context of policy or community issues that could affect their operations. Offering expertise in community engagement, public relations, writing + editing, and research.

  • Jennie Rodriguez, Twirl Adveristing and Design

    Twirl is a full-service strategically creative shop that understands how to position your brand for success, communicate key messages and develop the marketing materials to translate it across multiple media platforms. Twirl has won the 2016 Business Diversity Institute “Minority Business Firm of the Year” Award, several Summit International Awards, as well as an IABC Quill and PCC Trumpet Award.

  • Joy Alise Davis, Design + Culture Lab

    Design+Culture Lab’s engagement strategy is rooted in creative activities to allow community members to be empowered to actively participate in the urban transformation of their neighborhood. While traditional engagement models often intimidate community members through complex language and processes; We aim to engage the community on their terms to ensure that the solutions are informed by the people they affect.

  • Suzanne Donaldson, Donaldson Enterprises

    Donaldson Enterprises is a national consulting firm with over 15 years of
    experience serving clients in construction, engineering, and the public sector focusing on diversity/equity inclusion and market research, and serving underutilized firms.

Giving back

  • Micro Enterprises Services of Oregon (MESO)

    As part of Brightside Engagement’s commitment to supporting the larger community, I provided a custom social media training for small businesses.

  • Portland Creative Conference

    Brightside Engagement provided social media strategy and management for a conference that mixes the creative process, personal stories, and amazing music to inspire Portland creatives while raising money for arts education in rural Oregon.

  • Lean Portland

    I provided a communications and digital plan for this group of professionals who are committed to developing leadership skills of members and local non-profit organizations through project-based volunteer work that lead to continuous improvement.

Experience

Engage & Facilitate

  • SW Corridor Project, TriMet and Metro

    Brightside Engagement worked extensively with Donaldson Enterprises and the SW Transit Partner team to create a two-day, facilitated workshop to encourage new ideas and creative solutions.

  • Community in the Streets Grant, Portland Bureau of Transportation

    Brightside Engagement provided additional staffing support for Design + Culture Lab during this grant program, including facilitation assistance.

Communications

  • Brooks Staffing

    Brightside Engagement has provided social media strategy and management to this minority-owned professional services and staffing firm, which was founded in 1981.

  • Cully Blvd. Alliance

    Provided a social media plan and website revamp to this neighborhood resource and champion.

  • Viva! Events

    Provides social media strategy and management, as well as website management, for this dynamic, women-owned, corporate event management firm.