Shi Choong is the founder of Her Fire Within, a platform created to amplify the raw and real stories of women who have broken barriers and rewritten the stories they were given. Born and raised in Malaysia, Shi learned resilience early when her parents left at 15 and she helped raise her three younger siblings. She later came to the U.S., earned a PhD in Analytical Chemistry, and built a career at Intel before leaving corporate life to pursue entrepreneurship. Through Her Fire Within, Shi is creating a stage for courageous women to share their stories, so others may see themselves, find their own voice, and rewrite their own.
Read more at Founder’s Story
founder: Dr. Shi choong
Lori Spencer is a longtime business leader, entrepreneur, advisor and mentor who believes deeply in the power of people, community and meaningful connection.
With more than 25 years of experience building and growing brands, Lori co-founded Oregon Chai and helped lead the company from an idea to a successful acquisition. Since then, she has worked with some of Oregon’s most recognized brands, including New Seasons Market, Tillamook Creamery, Salt & Straw, ZOOM+Care and Honey Mama’s, helping businesses navigate growth, develop new ideas and build for what comes next.
But Lori’s impact extends far beyond business. Throughout her career, she has served as a board member, advisor, consultant, coach and mentor, supporting founders and women as they navigate leadership, growth and change. At the heart of her work is a genuine desire to help people recognize what is possible within themselves and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Outside of work, Lori loves spending time outdoors, discovering new restaurants, training her dogs with varying levels of success, and continuing to improve her pickleball game.
moderator: lori spencer
speakers
Marci O'Sullivan is the Chief Operating Officer of Divine Distillers and The Inferno Restaurant, overseeing operations for a distillery, restaurant, and bar. After a decade as a stay-at-home mother, she began as an administrative specialist and advanced to COO within four years. She holds a bachelor's degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, serves as Event Director for Networks of Salem, and is a third-degree black belt and world champion. Marci is passionate about leadership, operational excellence, and creating memorable experiences.
marci o’sullivan
Mariah milan
Mariah Milan is a project manager, systems strategist, and former entrepreneur whose life has been shaped by resilience, reinvention, and community. After building businesses over a 25-year career, the Lahaina Fire upended both her hometown and the future she had carefully built. Like many people forced to begin again, she took whatever work she could while rebuilding her life from the ground up. Today, she leads complex projects, helps organizations create human-centered systems, and advocates for the belief that our circumstances do not get the final word. Born and raised on Maui and now living in Portland, Mariah believes our most powerful stories are the ones we choose to rewrite.
Shae Noble is the founder of Trauma Informed HR, an executive HR leader, speaker, and workplace strategist dedicated to helping people and organizations create healthier, more human-centered workplaces. Once a stay-at-home mother navigating financial hardship, Shae rebuilt her life to become a trusted advisor to executives, nonprofits, and organizations across the country. Through candid storytelling, humor, and practical insight, she speaks on leadership, burnout, resilience, and the courage to challenge systems that no longer serve us. Her mission is to empower women to reclaim their voices, embrace their authenticity, and lead lives defined by purpose rather than expectation.
shae noble
bio coming soon