thesis company portland

Employee-led. Portland-focused. Human-centered.

Thesis foundation is an advised fund of the oregon community foundation..

We support charitable, non-profit organizations that are registered as a 501(c)(3) with tax-exempt status from the IRS and are located within one of the four surrounding counties of the Portland metro area; Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Clark County in SW Washington.

Ready to maximize your organization's impact? Grant applications for 2024 will open soon!

What’s our mission?

We seek to close the equity gap in the greater Portland metro area by supporting organizations that engage in issues of racial equity and contribute to underserved communities through educational and digital programming. Led by employees, Thesis Foundation serves communities that are at the heart of our people and our city.

How have we served our community?

Since its inception in 2019, the Thesis Foundation has granted over $145,000 to organizations we believe in here in Portland, Oregon. Here’s a full list of the 29 inspiring nonprofits our foundation has supported so far:

Is your organization next?

If the descriptions above sound like your nonprofit, it just may be! Grant cycles for Thesis Foundation occur twice a year, once in spring and once in fall.  We encourage you to read our full guidelines before applying below to ensure it’s a match—but we look forward to reviewing your application if it is.

Still have questions?

Experience you can trust 

At Thesis, we understand the frustrations of an old SIS system. Why? Because we’ve been there. Our team has years of experience working in higher education around the world, and we’re excited to help others transition to a streamlined student journey.  

We offer a highly focused and standardized approach to solving your core student administration issues. Building upon our legacy of SIS products ( CAMS , QL and EMS ), we’re proud to offer two modern, cloud-based solutions. With Thesis Student Management and Elements , we help universities deploy a predictable SaaS student system engine that cooperates with existing campus systems and, ultimately, powers change. Join us to unlock the potential of your higher ed intuition to provide streamlined student journeys.

Collaboration - Together we achieve more.

At THESIS, every member of our team is essential to our success. All voices are heard and valued.

Authenticity - Be you.

At THESIS we encourage everyone to embrace their true self because all are accepted here.

Quality - Elevating standards, exceeding expectations.

THESIS strives to continuously improve everything that we do.

Customer Value Focused - Your success is our priority.

At THESIS we are dedicated to continuously enhancing our client satisfaction and building strong customer relationships.

Honesty & Integrity - We take the right path.

THESIS makes a commitment to truth and trust, operating in an open and straightforward manner.

Who We Serve

We specialize in small to medium higher education institutions in Canada, the U.K. and U.S.. Those who are seeking a modern, cloud-based student journey. Tell us about your students and systems, and we’ll help you discover the Thesis solution that’s right for you.

We are extremely proud of our Thesis team. With deep and broad educational experience around the world, we understand the intricacies of regional, statutory and regulatory mandates. As a trusted partner, we put that depth of knowledge to work for our customers and their students.

Join Our Team

If you’re got a passion for improving the logistics of higher education, and a drive to make it happen, explore our careers page to see our current openings. We’re always looking for authentic, honest people to join our team.

Our Culture

Our employees are our driving force and they make a profound, direct impact on igniting the change needed to create a world-class SIS' of the future. Our team comprises passionate industry experts. We deeply care about what we do every day because we recognize the immense significance of our mission. Our commitment is unwavering, and we are dedicated to shaping a future where higher education institutions thrive and students excel.

Our Mission

We make the mission critical processes at colleges and universities easy, intuitive, and effective.

To make the higher education experience frictionless for faculty, administration and students and empower our clients to proclaim, “I love my Student Information System”.

We’re here for the conversation.

Submit the form below OR email us at [email protected] .

What brings you here today?

We’ll review and reply shortly..

Find us, physically.

2375 nw savier st. portland, or 97210, find us, virtually., find us, in the news..

15 Tone-Setting Creative & Design Agencies in Portland

To make marketing effective, it must be captivating.

There are multiple channels to put to use when building up a brand today, from traditional methods like print and television advertising to the digital world of search marketing , social media marketing and more. 

The one thing these marketing methods have in common is that in order to strike a chord and become memorable to audiences, creative campaign execution is a necessity. This requires the careful collaboration of writers, designers, strategists, technology experts and many others working together to ensure brand activations are released into the world flawlessly. 

When it comes to creative and design work that stops people in their tracks, it's best to turn to the experts. These are 15 creative and design agencies in Portland to count on when it's time to make a brand shine.

Creative & Design Agencies In Portland To Know

Rain the growth agency.

• SET Creative

Swift Agency

• Wieden+Kennedy

Sparkloft Media

Founded: 2005

What they do: Sparkloft Media thinks social first, leveraging the power of highly integrated social media platforms to create campaigns that reach audiences effectively. Along with community management, influencer programs and monitoring services, Sparkloft Media is also well-versed in creative development with capabilities including branding, campaign development, video, photography and animation.

Clients include: ATL Airport District, Super Bowl LIII, South African Tourism and Blossom Brothers.

Thesis Agency

Founded: 2002

What they do: While Thesis first began laying its roots in email marketing, the agency has evolved to offer so much more since opening its doors in 2002. Thesis offers a range of technology, strategy and creative services, including digital product design, copywriting, identity creation, digital design, motion graphics and more. These services provide brands with an outlet for unleashing their most forward-thinking ideas into the world. 

Clients include: Intel , Adobe , Taco Bell, GQ, Dollar Shave Club , Aramark and Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

Founded: 2012

What they do: Dotdotdash is an innovation agency that blends physical and digital marketing capabilities with the thinking of a creative agency and production shop. Taking projects from the discovery stage through execution, dotdotdash offers a range of creative services that connect brands and people through unforgettable shared experiences.

Clients include: The North Face , Adweek and PSFK.

Founded: 2015

What they do: Eris Creative offers a potent mixture of storytelling, branding and engagement services dedicated to growing brands and creating a stronger connection with consumers. Copywriting, email marketing, social media, branding, web/print design, photography and additional capabilities are available to bring exciting campaigns to life and get the message to the right audience.

Clients include: Wild Mike’s Ultimate Pizza, DC Builders and Apex Outdoor Lighting.

Harlo Agency

Founded: 2004

What they do: Harlo Interactive  is a digitally driven design agency dedicated to focusing on a project's goals, requirements and challenges to develop solutions. The agency’s line of services include content strategy development, website design, logo design, brand development, website development and more, partnering with local and national brands to create exceptional work for a wide range of audiences.

Clients include: Disney , Baskin Robbins, Portland Timbers, National Geographic, Audi and Twilio.

Founded: 2011

What they do: INDUSTRY describes itself as a creative consultancy — a combination of the best parts of ad agencies, strategy think tanks, boutique design shops, entertainment houses and experimental groups. The team strategizes on product design, campaign development and experiential activations, defining brand opportunities to allow organizations to shift their culture and provide customers with meaningful results. 

Clients include: Nike and Converse.

Manifesto Agency

What they do: A brand declaration agency, Manifesto takes brand beliefs and turns them into authentic behavior through culturally disruptive ideas. The agency delivers branding, creative strategy, employee engagement, branded content and experiential solutions dedicated to identifying and promoting brand uniquenesses, creating stronger connections that have lasting impact.

Clients include: Arby’s, Delta, Samuel Adams, Amazon and GE Healthcare.

Opus Creative

Founded: 1994

What they do: Opus Creative ’s three pillars to creating meaningful campaigns incorporate practical strategy, meaningful decision making and reciprocal relationships to find solutions that connect with audiences. From branding and design to video creation and responsive digital development, Opus Creative utilizes its clients authentic voice to develop campaigns that resonate across industries.

Clients include: Dell , HP , Intel , Autodesk and Clear Creek.

What they do: Outlier is a video-first content studio dedicated to conceiving, planning and executing campaigns that put connection at the forefront. The studio offers several packages dedicated to providing unforgettable visual solutions, including social media, human resources, website and campaign video, as well as graphics, animation and branding.

Clients include: Adidas, Puppet , KinderCare, MarketCraft and Louis Pain.

Founded: 1998

What they do: Rain the Growth Agency has been providing its direct-to-consumer clients with marketing services that lead to transformational growth for over 20 years. A proven methodology to scaling DTC businesses sits at the core of the agency’s strategy, with solutions integrating creative, media and analytics capabilities to deliver robust and captivating campaigns.  

Clients include: SoFi , 1-800-Contacts, Schick, 23andMe and Mercari .

Set Creative

Founded: 2009

What they do: SET Creative partners with leading brands and organizations to deliver creative, branding and strategy solutions to resolve some of the biggest challenges its clients face. Engagement, brand launch, brand strategy, event management and additional services incorporate a wide range of creative capabilities to properly execute on a brand’s vision and connect with new audiences.

Clients include: Lego, The Wall Street Journal, Vans, Google and Verizon.

Founded: 2006

What they do: Swift Agency is a creative agency formed to discover solutions to challenges brands face when creating for social media. The agency creates holistic campaigns attuned to the distinct voices of its clients, mixing visual, strategic and engaging capabilities to break through the noise and allow their clients to reach consumers at the right moment.

Clients include: Google , Adidas, Blue Apron , Gatorade, Starbucks and YouTube .

Veracity Marketing

Founded: 2014

What they do: Veracity Marketing partners with local and national organizations to offer public relations, social media, search marketing, media buying and creative marketing solutions that grow audiences across a range of industries. From print and traditional media to social media, email and digital marketing solutions, Veracity Marketing fully recognizes brand challenges and strategizes accordingly before executing. Additionally, the agency offers empowerment and retainment services to be there when clients need it the most.

Clients include: Columbia Steel, KR Capital, FIRST and Oregon Sports Authority.

Wieden + Kennedy

Founded: 1982

What they do: Wieden+Kennedy is a global advertising leader with offices across continents dedicated to helping enterprise brands capture the attention of audiences on a large scale. The agency is home to a hub of creative talent where a multitude of capabilities are utilized to build campaigns that defy traditional advertising capabilities and captivate audiences worldwide.

Clients include: TurboTax, Uber , KFC, Crocs, Nike and Sprite.

Ziba Design

Founded: 1984

What they do: Ziba Design is committed to helping its clients establish stronger connections with their customers by challenging them to think consumer-first. Working with brands across the food and beverage, financial services, wellness, and retail industries, Ziba Design utilizes brand experience, brand strategy and product innovation services to deliver solutions that build stronger brands.

Clients include: Adidas, Reebok, Everbank, Heinz, Dreamworks and Best Buy.

All images via social media and Shutterstock

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Embezzlement case against top executive at Portland ad firm dissolves due to dearth of public defenders

Oregon’s ongoing public-defense crisis has ended the embezzlement case against a Portland advertising executive.

After three failed attempts over four months to find a court-appointed attorney for Isaac Lee Morris, a Multnomah County Circuit judge dismissed all charges Thursday against the former chief product officer for Thesis, a digital marketing and ad agency based in Portland.

Multnomah County judges dismiss a handful of criminal cases each week because it’s unconstitutional to prosecute someone who can’t afford and isn’t provided legal representation. Most such defendants are accused of relatively small-dollar crimes.

Morris, however, faced a 35-count criminal indictment accusing him of aggravated identity theft, first-degree theft, computer crime and fraudulent use of a credit card.

A separate civil lawsuit filed by Thesis accused Morris, 36, of bilking $815,000 from the company in 2020 and 2021 and spending the money on cameras, clothing, musical instruments, electronics, exercise machines and “many other items.”

“Morris used techniques of deception like returning some legitimately purchased items for credit and then using the credit for Morris’ personal, unauthorized purchases,” the lawsuit claimed.

Thesis dropped the civil lawsuit in December 2022 without a settlement, but left the door open to refile the litigation later.

The criminal indictment filed last November doesn’t specify the upper bounds of the amount Morris is accused of stealing; instead it specifies a minimum of at least $100,000.

Liz Merah, a spokesperson for the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, said prosecutors objected to the dismissal of the case and plan to restart the process of filing an indictment “in the near future.”

“Having to bring cases back to grand jury is manifestly unfair to victims — both because justice is delayed and because they have to go through the grand jury process again,” Merah said in a statement. “We certainly hope that the court will appoint counsel if/when we get to arraignment.”

Some 2,500 people in Oregon currently lack representation in an active criminal case, according to state figures, including 100 people who are behind bars. A recent report concluded the state needs to hire about 500 more public defenders to dig out from the backlog, at a cost of roughly $230 million a year.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Public Defender, the nonprofit that provides the bulk of the legal representation for Portland’s indigent defendants , said judges prioritize appointing attorneys to cases involving violent crimes and those where the defendant remains in custody.

Morris, who is out of custody, didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Formerly known as eROI, Thesis said it had 340 employees in 2022 and lists Adobe, Taco Bell and the Oregon College Savings Fund as recent clients. Thesis CEO Keely York declined to comment.

—Zane Sparling covers breaking news and courts for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-319-7083, [email protected] or @pdxzane .

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