A writer, public speaker, historian and professional communicator, Sig finds, researches and tells compelling true stories of courage, hope and purpose.
A native of Portland, Oregon, he began his career working in broadcast and print journalism at media outlets in Oregon, New Mexico, Minnesota and Atlanta, Georgia and as a freelance newspaper and magazine writer. Returning to the Rose City, he helped launch the annual Oregon International Airshow, founded a successful fine art marketing and publishing business and edited a regional magazine for Hispanic professionals. Later he worked as public relations manager for Latin Media Northwest and partnered with a Los Angeles production company as historian and consultant on multicultural documentary films including The Forgotten Eagles, narrated by Edward James Olmos.
Sig owns Presentations That Inspire, a writing, speaking event and consulting business. Known for meticulous research, writing and his popular public presentations, he works with businesses, museums, nonprofits, cultural centers, libraries, artists and other writers on various projects.
His written features and essays have appeared in 1889 Washington Magazine; Portland Monthly Magazine; Buckhead Atlanta; Aviation History Magazine; Bulletin of the American Historical Collection; Latino Perspective; Pacific Magazine; World War II Quarterly and many other publications and websites. He is a member of the Author’s Guild, Society of Professional Journalists and Willamette Writers. He recently worked with the Guild, lobbying congressional staff and writing editorials in support of the CASE Act that created a copyright small claims court for content creators.
Sig is currently writing a comprehensive book on the groundbreaking alliance between Mexico and the United States formed during the Second World War and a biography of Claire Phillips, a legendary American actress, spy, activist and Medal of Freedom recipient.
Sig holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Pacific University and served as president of its Alumni Board. He also has a post-baccalaureate degree in Latin American Studies from Portland State University, specializing in Mexico and former sister colony, the Philippines. He is fluent in Spanish, conversational in Tagalog and culturally competent.
A leader dedicated to community and public service, Sig has served as an elected city councilor, county advisory board member and on non-profit boards including the Public Affairs Forum, Simon Benson Scholarship Fund, Centro Cultural and the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce. He received an Encore Fellowship from Social Venture Partners, a worldwide philanthropic network, to work with Habitat for Humanity.
Sig can be contacted through his website: www.SigUnander.com, Facebook and Twitter.
