If you’re not liking her Instagram posts documenting her latest jaunt around Portland, you’re probably rubbing shoulders with her at a community event. Kimiko Matsuda, 55, is a constant advocate for the Rose City, and she’s using her fervor—and experiences from her tenure at Nike—to create a career for herself facilitating brand partnerships, activations, and events for local businesses from Powell’s to Pinolo Gelato. “I was the type of shopper that on a Saturday, I would wind up staying and talking to the owners because I was fascinated by what they did and the culture and how the city supported them,” Matsuda says. 

After decades working in the apparel industry, in 2019 she took the leap and opened a juicery, Rose and Lincoln. After the shop closed in 2021, she pivoted to helping other businesses improve customer engagement, creating events for Multnomah Whiskey Library and helping launch West End Wednesday, a monthly initiative to bring people into more downtown shops and restaurants.

What’s your opinion on Portland when it comes to style? In Portland, it doesn’t matter what the trend is. Your high style is your self-expression. 

Favorite places in the city to clear your mind? Japanese Garden, Forest Park.

Favorite part about fall? Dahlia season, sunflower season. The farmers market.

Go-to Portland restaurants to take out-of-towners? Multnomah Whiskey Library, Cart Blocks, Måurice, Han Oak. 

Food you hate that everyone seems to love? I don’t know if this is an answer, but I am not a fan of leftovers.

Favorite TV show? Any food travel show. 

Favorite book? You Are a Message by Guillaume Wolf. 

Eternal playlist song? Jay-Z’s Unplugged. The whole thing. 

A store that’s the city’s best-kept secret? A print shop called Outlet, owned by a PSU graphic design professor. 

Favorite Oregon road trip? Hood River Fruit Loop. 

Local fall dish you love? I look forward to whatever Sugarpine’s fall sundae is. 

Who’s your hero? My grandmother Vera. She had this idea of what things could be like, and she would fight like hell to make it happen. 

Best advice you’ve received? You can politely reject the rejection. 

Worst advice you’ve received? Wait until the time is right. 

Scariest career moment? Closing my juice bar. 

What’s your mantra? Start with yes.

The best gift you’ve received? My son. He’s 18 this year, and every day
I think time with him is a gift. 

What excites you the most about the future of Portland? Its potential. 

Three words that describe Portland? Home. Untapped potential. 

Three words that describe you? Optimistic. Curious. Connector.