In honor of National Women in Construction Week, recognized March 3-9, 2024, we are highlighting two of Bremik’s female board members. Both women represent this year’s WIC theme, “Keys to the Future,” celebrating the strength and knowledge of women and their vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry.
Christe White has been on the Bremik Construction board since April of 2023. As a founding partner of Radler, White, Parks & Alexander LLP, she has built her career as an expert in land use and real estate law. Her experience with policy at the state and local levels, as well as extensive knowledge of residential, commercial, and mixed-use development projects, make her one of the most prominent land use lawyers in the state. Her experience in the local community and her passion for improving the city of Portland have made her an excellent addition to the Bremik team.
When asked why she was compelled to join the board, White shared that “[she drives] by the Bremik office building daily into work. The work and care Bremik put into restoring the firehouse impressed me, and when they called about being on the board, I felt I already knew the company’s quality because of that building. Additionally, the company’s expertise gives them a platform and a role to play in making the public and private needs of affordable housing a reality.”
White earned a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a J.D. with high honors from the University of California at Berkeley. She is frequently asked to speak to client groups, other lawyers, and consultants on a wide array of topics, including successful permitting strategies, density transfers, constitutional limitations on exactions, and updates on legal developments in land use.
Amy Kohnstamm is a public policy strategist and advocate who served on the Portland Public School Board for over eight years. During her tenure, she oversaw the implementation of capital bonds for the PPS school modernization that were subsequently passed in 2012, 2017 and 2020. Prior to her time on the PPS Board, Kohnstamm worked as a community relations manager for TriMet. In that role, she was involved in the capital project for TriMet’s development of the light rail to the airport along with other non-profit organizations.
Kohnstamm will bring a wealth of knowledge to Bremik’s education construction sector. She shared, “it’s an exciting time at Bremik. They have a stellar reputation, great workmanship, and a strategic plan that positions them for growth.”
Kohnstamm earned a B.A. in Anthropology and Political Science from Macalester College and completed the Executive Education and Public Education Leadership Program at Harvard Business School. She has served on a number of local and regional boards including Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette Valley, Literary Arts, Mercy Corps Northwest and Open School NW.
Bremik is honored to have such influential female leaders on our board, and their positions help celebrate the vital role that women play in the future of the construction industry.