In this episode of Coming to America, the host talks with Grace Moen, an Oslo-born freelance journalist and event producer who moved to Portland with her parents in 1991. They discuss Norway’s geography and economic model (fjords, hydropower, oil policy, and the sovereign wealth fund), social trust, and the country’s push for electric vehicles. Grace shares how her American mother and Norwegian father built a Norwegian-speaking home in Oregon, spent summers in Norway, and navigated the “in-between” identity of immigrants. She reflects on living in San Francisco during the tech boom, returning to Portland for community and arts, and how Oslo invested in transit and public waterfronts. Grace also describes earning an online Harvard journalism master’s during the pandemic, focusing on prison healthcare, and contrasts U.S. punishment-driven incarceration with Norway’s rehabilitation-centered prison design. The episode closes with ways to connect through Grieg Lodge, scholarships, and Portland’s May 17th Constitution Day celebration.

https://www.grieglodge.org/

https://www.gracemoen.com

In this episode of Coming to America, the host speaks with Meike Bradley, an immigrant from Hamburg, Germany, who first arrived in Portland in 2005 as an au pair on a J-1 visa. Meike shares what it was like growing up in Hamburg—independence, public transit, and a strong cultural scene—then explains how a failed visa extension sent her back to Germany before she found a way to return and planned to study at PSU. She ultimately studied international business management in Breda, Netherlands, while returning to Portland each summer after meeting her future husband through her host family. Now a mom of three girls (including twins), she discusses language at home, travel back to Europe, differences between Germany and the U.S. around structure, hierarchy, and family support, and her upcoming jewelry brand -https://www.baubledots.com/

In this episode of Coming to America, the host talks with Esraa Alkhateeb, an immigrant from Amman, Jordan, who moved to the U.S. three years ago and studies biochemistry and molecular biology at Lewis & Clark College. Esraa shares what it was like growing up in Jordan, a safe country amid regional conflict, and how financial constraints led her to seek scholarships. At 16, she left home to attend a United World Colleges campus in Mostar, Bosnia, completing the IB program and gaining an international community and a new learning style beyond memorization. She then came to the U.S. on the Shelby Davis Scholarship, choosing Lewis & Clark for its small size and access to research. Esraa reflects on cultural differences in relationships, loneliness abroad, and what she loves about Portland—nature, diversity, and great food—then encourages young people to pursue opportunities and ignore “you can’t” answers.

Kjell van Zoen, use they/he pronouns, from the Netherlands and England, came here in 2004. For money, Kjell work as an organizational development and change management coach, and has passion for making and playing music.

GEOFF CRAIGHEAD is, in every sense, a global citizen. Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, he studied at the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University, while also playing Australian rules football with the South Melbourne Football Club. His early career carried him to North Australia, where he worked among indigenous communities, and later to Hong Kong, where he lived alongside former triad members and recovering heroin addicts, while serving in the Hong Kong & Kowloon Wharf Police.

Geoff eventually settled in the United States with his wife, Sarah, and went on to build a distinguished professional career. He directed field training for Allied Universal, North America’s largest security contractor; served as president of ASIS International, the world’s foremost organization for security management professionals; authored authoritative reference works on skyscraper security and the 19th-century gold rush; and addressed audiences worldwide as a professional speaker.

https://www.geoffcraighead.com/

Atousa Gorg, P.E. (she/her) is a Resident Engineer for consultant projects in ODOT - Oregon Department of Transportation. In her time at ODOT, Gorg's project management portfolio includes the Engineering Delivery of Interstate Bridge Replacement, I-5 Rose Quarter, I-205 Toll Project and Regional Mobility Pricing Project.

Gorg has a Master's of Civil and Environmental Engineering from Portland State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Oregon. She is a multilingual Civil Engineer who immigrated to the US from the Middle East to practice her core values of freedom and equity. She serves as a board member, volunteer, and/or ambassador with several international and local nonprofit organizations, including WTS Portland which focuses on promoting the advancement of women in the transportation industry. In 2024, Gorg received the WTS Portland Member of Year Award and was a past recipient of the International Leadership Award for leading the Community Action Project.

• David Hurtado was born and raised in Bogota, growing up during turbulent times in Colombian history.
• He moved to the US in 2008 for graduate studies in public health at Harvard University.
• He lived in the Boston, MA area until 2015, when he then moved to Portland, where he works as an associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University, researching occupational stress and workplace health and safety.
• He is married to a Colombian educator, and they have two kids born in Portland in 2018 and 2022.
• His immigrant story involves science, academia, and rock music.

Eleazar Ruiz is a Dominican-born, award-winning brand strategist, creative director, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience across in-house design teams, agencies, and innovative startups. His expertise bridges brand strategy, branding, user experience design and social impact, culminating in the successful launch of brands that tell powerful, culturally relevant stories.

Ruiz is the founder of Odd Notion, a studio focused on meaningful, purpose-driven brand development. His approach centers on strategic clarity and visual storytelling, guiding organizations from concept formation to confident, distinguished brand identities. Under his leadership, Odd Notion has grown into a creative hub known for its empathetic and principled design ethos, serving start-ups, established companies, and nonprofits alike.

Throughout his career, Eleazar has collaborated with major global clients—including Nike, The Oregonian, Lyft, Microsoft, and Xbox—as well as dozens of emerging ventures, applying both creative intuition and business acumen.

In addition to leading creative projects, Ruiz is active in promoting community-driven design and championing the role of design equity in brand building. His work regularly explores themes of identity, culture, and positive social impact, reflecting his belief that design is a transformative force for good.

Ruiz has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including Webby Awards, Anthem Awards, and recognition from Indie Agency for his outstanding contributions to the design field. His thoughtful, innovative approach has been celebrated in leading creative publications and recognized for elevating brand experiences with both artistic distinction and strategic vision. He continues to be sought after as a thought leader for his principled methodology and commitment to advancing design that matters.

Whether launching new ventures or guiding established brands, Eleazar Ruiz brings clarity, empathy, and outstanding craftsmanship to every brand journey—making him a valued partner for any organization seeking to stand out and connect meaningfully with its audience.
OddNotion.com