Building the Hatfield Network: from Legacy to Partnership
Across Oregon, several institutions carry the name of Senator Mark O. Hatfield—a leader known for his commitment to public service, principled leadership, and collaboration across differences. But what does it mean for these institutions to share that legacy today?
This panel brings together leaders and scholars connected to Hatfield’s enduring influence, including voices from the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, the Hatfield Marine Science Center, and Willamette University's Mark Hatfield Library. Together they will explore how Hatfield’s values continue to shape public leadership, research, and civic life—and how institutions inspired by his work might collaborate more intentionally in the future.
Whether you are a student, alum, or community member, this event engages in conversation about legacy, leadership, and the possibilities of building a stronger “Hatfield Network” dedicated to advancing the public good.
2024 Speakers
| Speaker | Bio |
| Dave Robertson | Dave was a member of Sen. Hatfield’s legislative policy staff in Oregon and Washington DC. He currently serves as Chief of Public Affairs Officer for Port of Portland. |
| Tom Imeson | Former VP of Public Affairs with NW Natural, Tom served as chief of staff for Governor Goldschmidt and spent over 15 years working with Senator Hatfield. |
| Marth Bennett | As the current City Manager of Lake Oswego, Martha has over 25 years of local government experience, including working for Senator Hatfield. |
| Phil Kiesling | Phil served as Oregon Secretary of State from 1991-99. Before his retirement, he supported the Hatfield School’s Center for Public Service as Executive Director. |
| Laurel Singer | Laurel joined the National Policy Consensus Center in 2006, and served as Executive Director from 2015 until her recent retirement. She also supported the Hatfield School as Interim Director until Dr. Nishishiba joined. |
2025 Speakers
| Speaker | Bio |
| Mike Jordan | As Portland’s City Administrator, Mike leads the city’s transition to a new form of government. With decades of public service experience including the Chief Operating Officer at the State of Oregon and Metro, he works to ensure transparent and accountable city operations. |
2026 Speakers
| Speaker | Bio |
| Seth Cotlar | Seth Cotlar is a Professor of History at Willamette University where he teaches a range of courses on US History. His first book - Tom Paine's America: The Rise and Fall of Trans-Atlantic Radicalism in the Early Republic - won the Best First Book Prize from the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic. He is currently working on an article entitled “Rightlandia: Walter Huss and the Long History of the Far Right in Oregon, 1955-2005” about an anti-communist crusader with ties to white nationalists and neo-Nazis who was elected chair of the Oregon Republican Party in 1978. |
| Mark Farley | |
| Masami Nishishiba | |