Policy Matters Summit: Building Washington's Talent Advantage
Washington's future competitiveness depends on its ability to develop, attract, retain, and adapt talent. Yet leaders often lack a shared definition of success or agreement on how it should be measured.
On November 17th, the Technology Alliance will convene business, education, policy, and civic leaders for the 2026 Policy Matters Summit to explore one central question:
How should Washington define, measure, and build its talent advantage?
The day will move from shared understanding, to evidence, to policy choices. Together, participants will examine what winning looks like for Washington, what the data tells us about the state's progress, and which decisions will shape our ability to compete in the decade ahead.
Through conversations on outcomes, accountability, economic mobility, talent development, and long-term prosperity, the summit will challenge attendees to think beyond programs and investments and focus instead on the results Washington hopes to achieve.
Who Should Attend
Policy Matters is designed for leaders shaping Washington's future, including:
Business and industry executives
Legislators and policy leaders
Higher education and K–12 leaders
Workforce and economic development leaders
Together, these voices will explore what it takes to build a stronger talent advantage and a more competitive Washington.
Full agenda and speaker bios at Policy Matters 2026: Building Washington's Talent Advantage — Technology Alliance
AGENDA:
8:30 AM | Breakfast & Networking
9:00 AM | Welcome & Framing
9:15 AM | Workforce 101: What Do We Mean by a Skilled & Adaptable Workforce?
Moderator:
Sam Swindell, Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education, Washington State University
Panel:
Arif Gursel, Managing Director, 8genC
Coleman Bryant, M.S. in Technology Innovation Candidate, UW Global Innovation Exchange
Devin Johnson, Senior Manager, AI Enablement & Workforce Strategy, Nordstrom
10:00 AM | Panel 1: What Does Winning Look Like?
Moderator:
Jolenta Coleman-Bush, Director, Microsoft Philanthropies
Panel:
Rob Ogburn, Executive Director, Business and Community Services, Central Washington University
Amelia Ransom, Former VP of Smartsheet
Rachel Smith, President, Washington Roundtable
10:45 AM | Break
11:00 AM | Panel 2: What Does the Evidence Tell Us?
Presentation: Dr. Danielle Fumia, Senior Research Scientist, Education Research and Data Center
Moderator:
Dr. Sue Kane, CEO, NCW Tech Alliance
Panel:
Katie Condit, CEO, Workforce Central
Dr. Jenee Myers Twitchell, CEO, Washington STEM
Dr. Daniel Oliver, Director of Research, Washington Student Achievement Council
12:00 PM | Lunch & Networking
1:00 PM | Panel 3: What Would It Take to Grow Our Own?
Moderator:
Rovy Branon, Vice Provost for Continuum College, University of Washington
Panel:
Nate Humphrey, Executive Director, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Seth Jacobsen, Director, Technical Training, Aviation Technical Services
Kate McAteer, Senior Associate Vice President and Vice Provost, Washington State University Tri-Cities
Dave Thurman, Dean and CEO, Northeastern University Seattle
1:45 PM | Panel 4: What Choices Are We Avoiding?
Moderator:
Dr. Tafona Ervin, CEO, EdCollaborative
Panel:
Joe Nguyen, CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Sen. T'wina Nobles, 28th Legislative District
Dr. Bish Paul, Former State Policy & Advocacy Lead, Gates Foundation
Rep. Alex Ybarra, 13th Legislative District
2:45 PM | Looking Ahead: Building Washington's Talent Advantage
3:00 PM | Adjourn