Full Schedule

Exciting updates are on the way! This agenda is just the beginning—check back often as we continue to add dynamic sessions, expert speakers, and engaging content.

All Days
Tue, Nov 4
Wed, Nov 5
Thu, Nov 6

Full Schedule

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Tuesday, November 4, 2025
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM PT
Tabletop Set up

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM PT

Tabletop Set Up

Room: Rotunda

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM PT
Business Services P2P

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM PT

Business Services P2P

Room: Venice 3

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM PT
Equal Opportunity Meeting

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM PT

Equal Opportunity Meeting

Room: Venice 4

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT
Registration Open

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT

Registration Open

Room: Rotunda

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT
Welcome Reception

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM PT

Welcome Reception

Room: Rotunda

Wednesday, November 5, 2025
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT
Registration Open

7:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT

Registration Open

Room: Rotunda

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM PT
Breakfast

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM PT

Breakfast

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Sponsored By

8:30 AM - 8:40 AM PT
WWA Welcome

8:30 AM - 8:40 AM PT

WWA Welcome

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Chair: William Westmoreland – Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council

8:30 AM - 3:45 PM PT
All Day Coffee Break

8:30 AM - 3:45 PM PT

All Day Coffee Break

Room: Rotunda

Sponsored By

8:40 AM - 9:30 AM PT
Opening Keynote: The Anchor Principle: Leading with Stability, Purpose & Enduring Impact

8:40 AM - 9:30 AM PT

Opening Keynote: The Anchor Principle: Leading with Stability, Purpose & Enduring Impact

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Keynote Speaker: Steve Pemberton

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM PT
Break

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM PT

Break

Room: Rotunda

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PT
Concurrent Sessions

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PT

Apprentice Utilization: Supporting Private Industry's Workforce Development Investment

Room: Venice 4

Presenter: Matt Chapman – Ironworkers Local 14 Apprenticeship

Presenter: Erin Frasier (she/her/hers) – WA State Building and Construction Trades Council

Presenter: Lowell Glodowski – Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1

Presenter: Todd Mitchell – WA State Building and Construction Trades Council

Presenter: Mark Krewedl – MacDonald-Miller

Strengthening Training PathwaysLabor Market Information and IntelligencePrinciples of Communication

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PT

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, Improving Access Through Collaboration

Room: Pavilion C

Presenter: Jessica Brasher – Career Path Services/Olympic WDC Assistant EO Officer

Presenter: Jessica Clayton, MSW – Spokane Workforce Council

Presenter: Teresa Eckstein – Employment Security Department

Presenter: Travis Piatz – South Central Workforce

Presenter: Gabby Torres – Benton Franklin WDC

Expanding Workforce AccessCustomer Service MethodologyDiversity in Workforce Development

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PT

Meeting Big Needs with Big Solutions: Pierce County Labor and the Machinists Institute Are Investing in Childcare for Trades Workers & Apprenticeships for Childcare Workers

Room: Venice 2

Presenter: Ryan Davis – Machinists Institute

Presenter: Marie Keller – The Imagine Institute

Presenter: Nathe Lawver (he/him/his) – Pierce County Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Presenter: Chelsea Mason-Placek (she/her/hers) – WA State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Partnerships & System IntegrationCustomer Service MethodologyPrinciples of Communication

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PT

New Industry Horizons: Building Effective Labor Management Training Programs in the Hospitality and Grocery Industries

Room: Pavilion F

Presenter: Amy Persell, M.S. in Management, Organizational Leadership (she/her/hers) – The Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program

Presenter: Evan Woods, M.A. in Economics – WeTrain Washington

Strengthening Training PathwaysLabor Market Information and IntelligencePrinciples of Communication

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PT

The Partnership Affect - Where Demand Meets Strategy

Room: Venice 1

Presenter: Jami Armstrong (she/her/hers) – WorkForce Central

Presenter: Danielle Thompson (she/her/hers) – WorkForce Central

Sector Strategies and Engaging BusinessesLabor Market Information and IntelligenceWorkforce Development Structure, Policies and Programs

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM PT

What is a WorkSource Vocational Services Specialist and What Exactly Are They Doing Here?

Room: Venice 3

Presenter: Michelle L. Bishop-Gardner (she/her/hers) – WA Dept of Labor and Industries

Presenter: Gillian J. H Fox – WA Dept of Labor and Industries

Presenter: Ellen L. Nagourney, ABVE-D, CDMS, ACRE – WA Dept of Labor and Industries

Partnerships & System IntegrationCustomer Service MethodologyDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentLabor Market Information and Intelligence

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM PT
Break

11:00 AM - 11:15 AM PT

Break

Room: Rotunda

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PT
Concurrent Sessions

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PT

Aligning Strategies: Responding to Evolving Federal Workforce Legislation

Room: Pavilion F

Presenter: John Flanagan – Grant Associates

Partnerships & System IntegrationCustomer Service MethodologyWorkforce Development Structure, Policies and Programs

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PT

Childcare Strategies to Improve Employee Recruitment, Retention, and Productivity

Room: Venice 3

Presenter: Marie Keller – The Imagine Institute

Expanding Workforce AccessCustomer Service MethodologyPrinciples of Communication

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PT

Demand-Driven by Design: Structuring Workforce Partnerships That Work

Room: Venice 1

Presenter: Jermane Easterlin, MBA – WorkForce Central

Sector Strategies and Engaging BusinessesLabor Market Information and IntelligencePrinciples of Communication

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PT

More Than a Message: How Strategic Communications Can Influence Policy, Build Trust, and Expand Access

Room: Venice 4

Presenter: Kelli Martinelli (she/her/hers) – SkillSource

Presenter: Lisa Romine (she/her/hers) – SkillSource

Expanding Workforce AccessCustomer Service MethodologyPrinciples of Communication

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM PT

Strategic Implementation of Earn While You Learn Initiatives

Room: Venice 2

Presenter: Christian Reed (he/him/his) – WorkForce Central

Strengthening Training PathwaysLabor Market Information and IntelligencePrinciples of Communication

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM PT
Lunch & Learn: The Toolbelt Generation — Reaching Gen Z in the Skilled Trades

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM PT

Lunch & Learn: The Toolbelt Generation — Reaching Gen Z in the Skilled Trades

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Moderator: JJ Owen – Skilled Careers Coalition

Panelist: Hannah Hailoufi – SkillsUSA

Panelist: Eddy Lopez – @EZ_Home

Panelist: Karmen Warner – SkillsUSA

1:30 PM - 1:45 PM PT
Break

1:30 PM - 1:45 PM PT

Break

Room: Rotunda

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM PT
Concurrent Sessions

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM PT

Aligning for Impact: The Story Behind Our WorkSource Collaboration

Room: Venice 2

Presenter: Tiffany Alviso (she/her/hers) – Career Team

Presenter: Andy Dwonch (he/him/his) – Career Path Services / Dignified Workday

Presenter: Marnie Farness (she/her/hers) – Workforce Southwest Washington

Presenter: Darcy Hoffman – Workforce Southwest Washington

Presenter: Heather Leach – Equus Workforce Solutions

Presenter: Joe Vansyckle – Employment Security Department

Partnerships & System IntegrationPrinciples of CommunicationWorkforce Development Structure, Policies and Programs

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM PT

Chismecito Y Cafecito: Speaking the Language of Microbusinesses to Build Demand-Driven Workforce Solutions

Room: Venice 1

Presenter: Susy Moran (she/her/hers) – South Central Workforce

Sector Strategies and Engaging BusinessesCustomer Service MethodologyDiversity in Workforce Development

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM PT

Embracing Technology-Customer Centered Design Solutions Leveraging a Learning Management System to Deliver Workshops to Job Seekers and Businesses

Room: Venice 3

Presenter: Sondra Barrington (she/her/hers) – Talent Solutions by WorkSource Spokane

Presenter: Tony Parks – WorkSource Spokane

Presenter: Kevin Williams, CWDP (he/him/his) – Spokane Workforce Council

Expanding Workforce AccessDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM PT

In Us, Not On Us - Developing Sustainable Culture and Becoming Agents of Change

Room: Pavilion C

Presenter: Christian Paige

Customer Service Methodology

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM PT

Opportunity Begins Here: Community Engaged in Workforce

Room: Venice 4

Presenter: Jeff Bowe – Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council

Presenter: Kayl Flint (she/her/hers) – Equus Workforce Solutions

Presenter: Matt Hanusa – Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council

Presenter: Sam Zipper, CDWP (they/them/theirs) – Equus Workforce Solutions

Sector Strategies and Engaging BusinessesCustomer Service MethodologyPrinciples of Communication

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM PT

Shifting Focus: Coaching Techniques for Expanding Access and Sustaining Well-being

Room: Pavilion F

Presenter: Tiffany Grimes, MiM, PCC (she/her/hers) – Empower Coaching and Training

Expanding Workforce AccessCustomer Service MethodologyPrinciples of Communication

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM PT
Break

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM PT

Break

Room: Rotunda

3:00 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Panel Discussion - Navigating Uncertainty: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future of Economic Mobility Systems

3:00 PM - 4:15 PM PT

Panel Discussion - Navigating Uncertainty: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Future of Economic Mobility Systems

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Moderator: Shellie Willis – WorkForce Central

Panelist: Heather Hudson – Office of Governor Bob Ferguson

Panelist: Megan Matthews – Office of Equity

Panelist: Rep. Suzanne Schmidt – 4th Legislative District

Principles of CommunicationWorkforce Development Structure, Policies and Programs

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM PT
Reception

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM PT

Reception

Room: Rotunda

Thursday, November 6, 2025
7:30 AM - 1:30 PM PT
Registration Open

7:30 AM - 1:30 PM PT

Registration Open

Room: Rotunda

7:45 AM - 8:45 AM PT
Breakfast

7:45 AM - 8:45 AM PT

Breakfast

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

8:45 AM - 9:15 AM PT
Awards & Day Two Kick-off

8:45 AM - 9:15 AM PT

Awards & Day Two Kick-off

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Emcee: Tyler Monk – The Underdog Mentality

8:45 AM - 12:30 PM PT
All Day Coffee Break

8:45 AM - 12:30 PM PT

All Day Coffee Break

Room: Rotunda

Sponsored By

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM PT
Break

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM PT

Break

Room: Rotunda

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT
Concurrent Sessions

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Breaking Barriers: Cross-Regional Strategies to Engage Diverse Communities in Behavioral Health Career Pathways

Room: Venice 1

Presenter: Hannah Borenstein (she/her/hers) – DHM Research

Presenter: Todd Jensen (he/him/his) – Washington State Health Care Authority

Presenter: Megan Kaye Marti (she/her/hers) – Quinn Thomas

Presenter: Sarah Ninivaggi (she/her/hers) – Quinn Thomas

Presenter: Erika Saracco (she/her/hers) – Colorwheel Digital

Strengthening Training PathwaysCustomer Service MethodologyPrinciples of Communication

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Expanding Workforce Access: Population-Specific Service Delivery Models

Room: Venice 4

Presenter: Oleksandr Burlakov – Career TEAM

Presenter: Marianna Mieloian – Career Team

Expanding Workforce AccessCustomer Service MethodologyDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Flipping the Script: How Reverse Job Fairs Connect Career and Technical Education Students and Employers

Room: Venice 2

Presenter: Yanira Cisneros (she/her/hers) – Yakima County Development Association

Panelist: Travis Piatz – South Central Workforce

Panelist: Darren Maxfield – Swan Graphics

Panelist: Clements See – Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center

Panelist: Bonnie Smith – Yakima Valley Technical Skills Center

Partnerships & System IntegrationDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

From Abundance to Resilience: Equity Doesn’t Pause in Workforce Development

Room: Venice 3

Presenter: Maliek Martin (he/him/his) – Spokane Workforce Council

Presenter: Heather Woodruff, CWDP, CBEP – Career Path Services

Sector Strategies and Engaging BusinessesDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentWorkforce Development Structure, Policies and Programs

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Guided Career Pathways: Infusing Career Readiness into the Student Experience

Room: Pavilion F

Presenter: Rhianna Johnson, M.S. (she/her/hers) – Clark College

Presenter: Stephanie Leeper (she/her/hers) – Clark College

Partnerships & System IntegrationDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PT

Say What They Hear: A Language Guide for Employer Engagement

Room: Pavilion C

Presenter: Mayra Eaton-Garcia, BS in Project Management (she/her/hers) – SkillSource

Presenter: Susy Moran (she/her/hers) – South Central Workforce

Sector Strategies and Engaging BusinessesLabor Market Information and IntelligencePrinciples of Communication

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM PT
Break

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM PT

Break

Room: Rotunda

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Concurrent Sessions

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Braiding Apprentice Support Services

Room: Venice 3

Presenter: Karen Dove – ANEW

Presenter: Mary Fosse – WA State Legislature

Presenter: Erin Frasier (she/her/hers) – WA State Building and Construction Trades Council

Presenter: Nicole Miller – WA State Building and Construction Trades Council

Presenter: Megan Pearson (she/her/hers) – BuildUp

Strengthening Training PathwaysDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Creative Work, Real Jobs: Elevating Creatives in the Workforce Conversation

Room: Venice 4

Presenter: Darlene Mortel Edouard (she/her/hers) – BRIC Foundation

Presenter: Shannon Roach Halberstadt (she/her/hers) – WA Department of Commerce

Presenter: Audra Laymon (she/her/hers) – Washington Filmworks

Sector Strategies and Engaging BusinessesLabor Market Information and IntelligencePrinciples of Communication

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Leveled Up Reentry Services: Creating a 'New Move' for Pierce County Justice Impacted Individuals

Room: Venice 2

Presenter: Tay Booker (she/her/hers) – Leveled Up Reentry

Presenter: David R. Faro, MPA, CGSP – National Restaurant Association

Partnerships & System IntegrationDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Leveraging Partnerships with Labor and Labor-Management Committees During Layoffs: Recent Success Stories

Room: Pavilion C

Presenter: Jessie A. Cardwell (she/her/hers) – Benton-Franklin Workforce Development Council

Presenter: Armando Flores (he/him/his) – South Central Workforce Council

Presenter: Emmanuel Flores (he/him/his) – WA State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Presenter: Darcy Hoffman – Workforce Southwest Washington

Presenter: Donna Mack (she/her/hers) – Employment Security Department

Presenter: Chelsea Mason-Placek (she/her/hers) – WA State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Presenter: Michael Pichler (he/him/his) – Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Partnerships & System IntegrationCustomer Service MethodologyLabor Market Information and IntelligencePrinciples of Communication

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Making Workforce Services Accessible

Room: Pavilion F

Presenter: William O. Kinyon, National Certification in Employment Services, LUMA Institute Certified Human Centered Design Instructor, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (he/him/his) – Employment Security Department

Presenter: Cheri Willoughby, ESD Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism, SL1, Team Lead (she/her/hers) – Employment Security Department

Expanding Workforce AccessCustomer Service MethodologyDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Rebuilding Futures: Navigating Employment with a Criminal Background

Room: Venice 1

Presenter: Louis Ihrig (he/him/his) – Employment Security Department

Presenter: Angie Jenkerson (she/her/hers) – Employment Security Department

Presenter: Dash Wood (he/him/his) – Employment Security Department

Expanding Workforce AccessCustomer Service MethodologyDiversity in Workforce DevelopmentPrinciples of Communication

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM PT
Closing Keynote: Principles for Hope, Resilience and Community

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM PT

Closing Keynote: Principles for Hope, Resilience and Community

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Keynote Speaker: Christian Paige

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PT
Lunch & Conference Closing

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PT

Lunch & Conference Closing

Room: Pavilion AGDBE

Emcee: Tyler Monk – The Underdog Mentality

Chair: Lisa Romine (she/her/hers) – SkillSource