Jennifer Yruegas
Welcome to the digital home of Jennifer Yruegas, a distinguished leader in business and law with a rich history of accomplishments across various industries. This platform showcases Jennifer Yruegas’s commitment to driving innovation and excellence in her roles as an educator, attorney, and business strategist. Beyond her extensive professional achievements, Jennifer is dedicated to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs, supporting community initiatives, and fostering the growth of the next generation of leaders. With her broad expertise and forward-thinking approach, Jennifer Yruegas of Pacific University College of Business offers valuable insights and guidance to those navigating the complexities of business, law, and leadership.
About Jennifer Yruegas
Jennifer Yruegas is a multifaceted leader whose journey encompasses diverse roles in law, business, education, and community service. Currently serving as the Dean of the College of Business and General Counsel at Pacific University, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience that blends her extensive background in law, human resources, business strategy, and community involvement.
Jennifer Yruegas’s academic journey began at Pacific University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Literature with a minor in Chemistry. She then pursued her passion for law at Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, quickly becoming a licensed patent attorney. This foundational experience was the start of a career that would see her traverse globe as well as multiple industries, from tech to sportswear, and culminate in her current role as a leader in business education.
As a registered patent attorney, Jennifer’s legal career took flight at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, where she became the first Latinx person to join the law firm. Her talent and tenacity soon led her to an in-house position as General Counsel at InFocus Corporation, where she supported over 1,200 employees across three continents. Jennifer Yruegas of Pacific University College of Business played a pivotal role in strategic acquisitions. They formed a joint venture in China between InFocus and TCL, the world’s largest TV manufacturer. Her success in this role paved the way for her to become the CEO of Motif, a multimillion-dollar Motorola and InFocus licensing entity, demonstrating her exceptional leadership and business acumen.
Jennifer’s legal expertise was further honed during her tenure at Nike as Assistant General Counsel for the Nike Affiliates, where she provided legal and HR services to renowned brands such as Bauer, Cole Haan, Converse, Hurley, Starter, and Umbro. Her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes in the corporate world was matched by her human resources skills, which she later applied in her role as General Counsel, Vice President of HR, and Corporate Secretary for Viewpoint, Inc. Here, she not only led legal operations but also managed HR functions for a company with over 800 employees across five countries. One of her most notable achievements at Viewpoint was successfully negotiating the company’s sale to Bain Capital L.P., marking a significant milestone in her career.
In addition to her corporate roles, Jennifer Yruegas founded her own full-service legal consulting firm, JY Consultants, where she provided strategic legal and business services to start-ups and mid-sized companies. Through JY Consultants, she acted as contract general counsel, VP of business development, and business strategist for clients such as KEEN Footwear, Sol Republic, Csquire, and WildFang Co., showcasing her adaptability and expertise in supporting high-growth businesses.
Jennifer Yruegas has always been deeply committed to education and mentorship. As a tenured faculty member at Pacific University, she teaches law, human resouces and organizational development courses to both undergraduate and MBA students, sharing her real-world experience with future business leaders. She has also served as a guest faculty member at Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, teaching International Intellectual Property Law and Advanced Business Principles. Jennifer’s dedication to mentoring students, especially women entrepreneurs, reflects her passion for empowering others and giving back to her community.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jennifer Yruegas has made significant contributions to her community. She served as a Board Member for the Children’s Cancer Association and as Vice Chair of the Society of Science and the Public, a Washington D.C. foundation that promotes the advancement of science education. Jennifer’s passion for supporting youth is evident in her founding of “Santos,” a nonprofit organization that initially provided soccer opportunities for disadvantaged youth and has since expanded to offer tutoring and mentoring services throughout Washington County. Additionally, she established “YES” (Youth Exploring Science), a foundation dedicated to hands-on science experiments in classrooms, which raised over a million dollars to bring the Intel Science and Engineering Fair to Oregon.
Jennifer’s leadership and service extend to public health, as evidenced by her organization of over 15 COVID-19 vaccination clinics in 2021, providing more than 10,000 shots to some of Washington County’s most vulnerable populations. Her commitment to making a positive impact in her community is a testament to her values of empathy, dedication, and service.
Throughout her career, Jennifer Yruegas of Pacific University College of Business has received numerous accolades for her achievements. She was named a 2021 League of Minority Voters Liberty and Hope award winner, a 2021 Portland Business Association Top Female Executive, and a 2020 Daily Journal of Commerce Women of Vision. In 2017, she received the prestigious Joyce Harpole Award from Northwestern School of Law, and in 2009, she was recognized as one of the top 10 Hispanic attorneys in the United States by the Hispanic National Bar Association. Jennifer’s list of honors also includes being named a Portland Business Journal’s Forty Under Forty winner in 2004.
Jennifer Yruegas’s journey into law was inspired by a deeply personal experience involving her family’s exposure to hazardous chemicals while working for a farmer in eastern Oregon. Jennifer Yruegas of Pacific University College of Business understands that this incident sparked her desire to pursue a legal career and to advocate for those who may not have the knowledge or resources to protect their rights. Her drive to understand the law and use it to serve others has been a defining aspect of her career.
Today, Jennifer Yruegas continues to inspire others through her leadership, mentorship, and dedication to community service. Her journey from a young student at Pacific University to a trailblazing attorney, business leader, and educator is a testament to her resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Thank you for visiting the online portfolio of Jennifer Yruegas, a distinguished leader in business, law, and education with a remarkable career that spans various industries, including technology, sportswear, and academia. Jennifer’s journey showcases her exceptional expertise as an attorney, entrepreneur, and educator, as well as her role as a mentor to aspiring professionals in her field. Beyond her achievements in corporate leadership and legal consulting, Jennifer Yruegas is deeply committed to enriching her community and empowering others to reach their potential. As a dedicated mentor, advocate, and supporter of educational growth, she leverages her extensive experience to drive positive change, guide emerging leaders, and contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic business environment. Jennifer’s approach seamlessly blends her broad professional skills with a genuine passion for mentoring and fostering development, aiming to leave a lasting impact that benefits both individual learners and the wider community.