2021 Sam Blackman Award Honoree Announced

Portland, Ore. – April 5, 2021 –The Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) announced today the selection of Monica Enand of Zapproved at the Sam Blackman Award Winner. Enand will be recognized as part of the Oregon Technology Awards ceremony, an annual program celebrating excellence and achievement in the region’s technology industry, on September 16th.

Monica Enand, the 2021 Sam Blackman Executive of the Year, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Zapproved, a cloud-based software provider for corporate legal departments, where she currently serves as Chief Executive Officer. Enand chairs the Board of Directors of Auth0, is a board member of Oregon Business Council and NW Natural Gas, and is a former Chair of the Technology Association of Oregon Board of Directors. She previously served on the Oregon Growth Board and Oregon Innovation Council. 

Enand received the 2018 Sam Blackman Award for Civic Engagement, the 2016 TiE Entrepreneur of the Year award, and the 2010 Portland Business Journal Orchid Award for achievement for women in business. Enand holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Portland.

Prior to starting Zapproved with co-founder Chris Bright, Enand worked at Intel and IBM. Launched in 2008 during the Great Recession, under Enand’s leadership Zapproved has become one of Oregon’s most successful tech startups. The company now employs 150 people with upwards of $20 million in yearly revenue. 

The company’s growth and successful sale in 2017 to Vista Equity Partners demonstrates Enand’s business prowess, but her leadership also shines in the social justice arena. As one of few women of color to found a tech company in Oregon, Enand is outspoken about injustice and racism in our culture, and the potential consequences of bias being built into the artificial intelligence that companies like Zapproved rely on. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Technology Association of Oregon, and to be included in such a well-respected and prominent community of leaders,” said Enand. “The dedication and innovation of the Zapproved team has fueled the success of our organization, and I couldn’t be prouder of our accomplishments.”

“The Sam Blackman Award recognizes executives of Oregon and Southwest Washington-based technology companies for excellence in industry leadership as well as an individual’s positive impact in the greater community.” said Skip Newberry, TAO President and CEO. “Monica has been a steadfast leader of the local business community and is an example of an individual who has worked to build a great company for Oregon while keeping equity and the wellbeing of her employees top of mind.” The 2021 Oregon Technology Awards Program is presented by JLL and UnitedHealthcare. 

Tickets to the September 16  event can be purchased here.

About TAO

TAO is a local nonprofit working to build opportunities, better our economy and unify a voice for innovation in Oregon and beyond. A recognized leader in shaping and growing technology and business communities, TAO empowers businesses and entrepreneurs through networks, events, advocacy, resources and more. With over 475 member-companies, TAO’s network brings together some of the largest companies in the world, small startups, and tech-enabled companies that are using technology to drive growth and innovation. For more information, please visit www.techoregon.org.