Portland‑based Rain, a women‑led independent advertising agency known for its growth‑centric approach, announced on March 5, 2026 that its chief executive officer, Jane Crisan, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Xcelerate Women. The nonprofit, headquartered in Oregon, focuses on dismantling systemic barriers that impede women and gender‑expansive founders, helping them scale their businesses and generate sustainable economic impact.
The board appointment marks a strategic alignment between two organizations that have long championed inclusive growth. Xcelerate Women’s mission—to equip under‑represented entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence, and networks required for expansion—mirrors Rain’s own commitment to equity and community‑driven success. By bringing a seasoned marketing leader onto its board, Xcelerate Women gains direct access to industry insights that can sharpen its programming and outreach.
“I’m honored to join the Board of Directors of Xcelerate Women,” Crisan said in a statement. “This organization’s dedication to removing barriers and supporting women and gender‑expansive business owners mirrors Rain’s own commitment to equity, community, and transformational growth, particularly with our SheScales program. I look forward to contributing to Xcelerate’s impact and helping expand opportunities for entrepreneurs across Oregon.”
Crisan’s comment underscores a broader trend in the ad‑tech ecosystem: senior leaders from private firms are increasingly lending their expertise to mission‑driven nonprofits. This cross‑pollination can accelerate knowledge transfer, allowing nonprofit programs to adopt data‑driven tactics traditionally reserved for commercial agencies. For Rain, the partnership offers a conduit to amplify the reach of its own SheScales initiative, a marketing advisory service designed to help female founders scale fearlessly.
SheScales, which operates under Rain’s umbrella, provides targeted strategic counsel, analytics, and creative direction to women‑owned businesses. While the program’s core services remain unchanged, the new board seat could open doors for joint workshops, shared research, and co‑branding opportunities with Xcelerate Women. Such collaboration would not only broaden the advisory program’s audience but also embed it more firmly within Oregon’s entrepreneurial support network.
Beyond the immediate synergy, Crisan’s appointment brings more than three decades of marketing strategy, digital innovation, and leadership to Xcelerate Women’s governance. Since joining Rain in 2013, she has overseen the agency’s expansion, championed inclusive workplace practices, and steered data‑centric campaigns that marry creative storytelling with measurable outcomes. Her tenure as CEO has been marked by a steady push toward equitable access to growth resources, a philosophy that aligns tightly with Xcelerate Women’s objectives.
Industry observers note that the infusion of senior commercial talent into nonprofit boards can reshape how support services are delivered. By leveraging Crisan’s experience in analytics and digital transformation, Xcelerate Women may refine its mentorship models, introduce more rigorous impact measurement, and adopt technology platforms that streamline program administration. For the broader ad‑tech community, the move signals a growing recognition that sustainable market growth depends on nurturing a diverse pipeline of founders.
The appointment also arrives at a pivotal moment for the advertising technology sector, which has faced criticism for lagging behind in gender diversity at senior levels. According to recent surveys, women occupy less than 30 % of leadership roles in ad‑tech firms, a gap that translates into fewer perspectives influencing product development and client strategy. By placing a women‑led agency’s CEO on a nonprofit board focused on gender‑inclusive entrepreneurship, Rain and Xcelerate Women together model a proactive approach to addressing that disparity.
From a business‑impact standpoint, Rain’s clients stand to benefit from the expanded network and insights that Crisan will bring to the table. The agency’s portfolio—spanning retail, technology, and services—can tap into the nonprofit’s community connections, gaining early access to emerging brands led by women and gender‑expansive founders. Such relationships can translate into fresh creative collaborations, co‑marketing initiatives, and a richer pipeline of case studies that demonstrate the efficacy of inclusive growth strategies.
While the press release highlighted the appointment and its alignment with existing programs, the deeper implication lies in the potential for policy advocacy. As a board member, Crisan will have a voice in shaping Xcelerate Women’s strategic direction, possibly influencing regional economic development policies that favor diverse entrepreneurship. This could lead to increased funding opportunities, public‑private partnerships, and legislative support for initiatives that lower entry barriers for under‑represented founders.
The move also reinforces Rain’s brand positioning as a catalyst for change within the ad‑tech landscape. By publicly committing senior leadership to a nonprofit cause, the agency differentiates itself from competitors that may still view diversity initiatives as peripheral. This alignment can attract talent seeking purpose‑driven workplaces and clients who prioritize socially responsible partners.
In summary, Jane Crisan’s addition to Xcelerate Women’s Board of Directors represents more than a ceremonial role; it bridges commercial expertise with nonprofit mission, potentially accelerating the growth of women‑led businesses throughout Oregon and beyond. As the ad‑tech industry continues to grapple with inclusion challenges, such collaborations may become a blueprint for how agencies can leverage their leadership talent to drive broader societal impact.
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