Celebrating the 2026 Model the Way Nominees
The Lloyd EcoDistrict is thrilled to announce the official nominees for this year’s Model the Way Awards. These awards recognize the individuals, businesses, and organizations that are actively building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable Lloyd neighborhood. The depth of commitment shown in these nominations is truly inspiring.
We invite you to join us on April 7 to celebrate these community champions and find out who will take home this year’s awards. Secure your free ticket today to be part of this special evening.
The Bedrock Award
Recognizing dependable and solid leaders whose work provides the foundational support for equity, resilience, and climate protection in the Lloyd community.
Lionel Irving Jr. | Love Is Stronger
Lionel Irving Jr. is a respected community leader, strategist, and advocate dedicated to strengthening communities through equity-centered collaboration, economic opportunity, and climate-conscious initiatives. Through mentorship, partnership building, and thoughtful leadership, Lionel contributes to initiatives that support youth engagement, workforce development, and environmental responsibility. His approach prioritizes inclusion, trust-building, and practical action, helping ensure that programs designed to benefit communities are grounded in fairness, access, and shared accountability.
Nancy Reimer | Oregon Convention Center
As the Sustainability Coordinator at the Oregon Convention Center, Nancy is a consistent and effective leader for sustainability in Lloyd and Portland. Her work is characterized by a quiet, persistent approach to managing large-scale environmental initiatives that have a measurable impact on our community. She is a key member of the team at OOC who is responsible for the systems and offerings that make the Convention Center a preferred choice for sustainability-minded conferences, ensuring Portland remains a leader in the green events industry.
Postal Annex
Led by Ben, Omar, and their dedicated team, the Postal Annex serves as a vital community hub that provides essential business support for local residents and nonprofits. A true neighborhood institution, they are the kind of small business that quietly holds a neighborhood together. They have built a reputation for speed, accuracy, and a personalized approach that makes every customer feel valued. Their active involvement in the local business community and their reliable presence make them a foundational piece of the Lloyd District’s daily operations.
Joseph Perez | Cascadia Court Condos & BikeLoud
Joseph has spent a decade volunteering his expertise to support the Portland cycling community as a leader for programs like the BikeLoud PDX Bikelane Sweepers. He currently serves as the vice chair of the PBOT bicycle advisory committee and advocates for city cycling policy. Beyond his advocacy, Joe is a leader within his own residential community in Lloyd, where he helped facilitate the installation of EV charging stations and LED lighting upgrades.
Kristin Leiber | Lloyd EcoDistrict
Since becoming the Executive Director in 2023, Kristin has helped to reinvigorate the organization with her community-focused leadership. She is a true doer who has launched innovative programs like Lloyd Live and numerous public space activations that bring heart to the neighborhood. Her willingness to collaborate and her focus on equity have helped redefine what the EcoDistrict can achieve for all residents.
The Collaborator Award
Celebrating problem solvers who build sustainable and equitable partnerships to address complex local challenges.
Maitri Dirmeyer | Oregon DEQ & Mobility Committee
Maitri is an Operations and Data Analyst at the DEQ who lives her values every day by bike commuting to the Lloyd 700 Building. She has been a proactive partner with Go Lloyd, serving on the Mobility Committee and leading routes for the Lloyd Bike Bus. Her ability to connect state-level environmental work with local, ground-level action and her passion around biking makes her an invaluable collaborator and voice in our district.
Liuda Serohina | Go Lloyd
Liuda is the creative mind behind Go Lloyd Connect, a vital resource she developed to support low-income residents when external transit funding was cut. She is a dedicated advocate for transit and active commuting modes and works tirelessly to support employers in reducing single-occupancy vehicle use. Her collaborative spirit has turned potential transportation barriers into opportunities for community connection and equity.
Jill Spencer | Holladay Park Plaza
Jill is a resident of Holladay Park Plaza who has spent over a decade serving as a vital bridge between the residents of Holladay Park Plaza, the Right 2 Dream Too rest area, and others in the Lloyd area. fer commitment is not just occasional; it is a long-term dedication to solving the complex and interconnected challenges of the Lloyd neighborhood through steady communication and genuine relationship building. Most recently she helped to run a biannual donation drive, resulting in the collection of over 1,500 items of winter clothing and hygiene supplies for those experiencing homelessness. She models how a single resident can turn empathy into organized, collaborative action that benefits the entire Lloyd community.
Carlos & Annette | PopCart PDX
Carlos and Annette lead a mobile activation team that uses a cargo trike to transform overlooked public spaces into vibrant gathering spots. They have partnered on dozens of events in Lloyd, bringing music and art to our streets with a low-impact, sustainable approach. Their work is deeply rooted in inclusion, specifically prioritizing children and artists who may not always feel a sense of belonging in traditional public spaces.
Jamie Robins | Right 2 Dream Too
Jamie is a resident leader at R2DToo who serves as a vital bridge between the rest area and the broader Lloyd community. She is known for her visibility and her consistent presence at community meetings where she advocates for the strengths and needs of her neighbors. By building genuine relationships with neighborhood partners, she is helping to break down the barriers that often separate our residents.
The Daredevil Award
Recognizing drivers of new ideas who are not afraid to disrupt the status quo or take risks to solve community challenges.
Brother Nolan Pratcher & Black Men in Training
Brother Nolan and Black Men in Training have spent over fifteen years doing the deep and often difficult work of community outreach and youth mentorship. They are bold leaders who go into neighborhood spaces and youth prisons to guide Black youth toward positive futures and real opportunities. Their approach is rooted in building genuine, long term relationships rather than following traditional bureaucratic models.
Joel Stenberg | Green Bridge Coffee
Joel has transformed Green Bridge Coffee from a local cafe into a central community hub that anchors the Lloyd Community Association. In a challenging economic environment, Joel has taken smart, values-driven risks to expand his footprint and influence. His commitment to neighborhood vitality proves that a small business can be a daring force for community stability and engagement.
Krista Catwood | Food Court 5000
Krista, known to many as “Vera Mysteria”, is the creator of Food Court 5000, a high-energy weekly mall walk that blends fitness with performance art. Krista is taking a bold, unconventional approach to community building and making it work. She is turning exercise into celebration, strangers into neighbors, and everyday spaces into something memorable. Her bold approach to health and community building is successfully reactivating the heart of our district and other spots in Portland in a unique way.
Danny Moore | Stoopid Burger
Danny Moore and his team brought the iconic Stoopid Burger brand into Lloyd Center, marking a bold move for a Black-owned business in an evolving space. Stoopid Burger stepped in and became part of a new wave of small, independent businesses that helped redefine the space. It has been recognized as one of Portland’s most prominent Black-owned food businesses and has built a strong reputation for creativity, quality, and community connection.
The Game Changer Award
Celebrating thought leaders who lead the charge on new approaches to sustainability and inspire others to join the cause.
Free Geek
Free Geek is a powerhouse of digital inclusion and environmental sustainability that operates on a truly circular model. They address the dual challenges of electronic waste and technology access by refurbishing donated computers for underserved communities. Their work empowers thousands of people while keeping tons of hazardous materials out of our landfills every year. In addition to environmental benefits, Free Geek creates social impact through digital skills training, community workshops, and digital navigation support that help people access education, employment, and essential online services.
B-Line Urban Delivery
B-Line has helped to fundamentally change the logistics of the Lloyd and Portland by using electric-assisted cargo trikes for carbon-neutral, last mile delivery. They provide a practical alternative to heavy trucks, reducing congestion and emissions while maintaining a high-touch, relationship-driven service. Their innovative approach proves that urban delivery can be efficient, reliable, and perfectly aligned with community values. In the Lloyd, B-Line has supported event logistics, operational needs, and is actively partnering on future concepts like mobility and resilience hubs and expanded access to shared resources like lending libraries.
Monqui Presents + AEG Presents
The partnership between Monqui and AEG is set to transform the Lloyd Center with a new, large scale music venue that will anchor the neighborhood’s cultural identity. This project represents a massive investment in Portland’s music infrastructure and has the potential to turn Lloyd into a premier evening destination. By integrating sustainability and community revitalization into their development plans, these organizations are leading a major shift in how our district functions.
Ground Score Association
Ground Score is a worker-led association of informal recyclers and waste pickers who are creating low-barrier jobs while managing our city’s waste. They prioritize work opportunities for those facing housing and job insecurity, effectively changing society’s perception of who and what is considered valuable. Since contracting in Lloyd, they have become a model for how to integrate social justice with environmental stewardship.
Get You Model The Way Tickets
Celebrate these leaders and find out who won at the Model the Way Awards on April 7. Register for your free ticket today.