A collaborative 3-part series exploring Washington’s evolving talent landscape.
The Talent Exchange is a new series uniting HR leaders, early talent recruiters, and postsecondary partners to explore the breadth of talent pathways across Washington. Through lunch sessions and a culminating summit, the series surfaces data, insights, and perspectives to help employers connect more effectively, and engage with students and graduates statewide.
Each session will offer a different lens — from workforce trends to cross-sector dialogue — creating space for shared learning and relationship-building that may lead to more inclusive and connected hiring practices across the state.
The Talent Exchange: What the Numbers Say
Date: September 9, 2025 Location: McKinsey & Co Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The first event in The Talent Exchange series sets the stage with a clear-eyed look at Washington’s talent pipeline. This session brings HR leaders, recruiters, educators, and policymakers together to explore statewide data on skills, strengths, and gaps.
Through a featured data presentation and interactive discussion, participants will gain a grounded understanding of where Washington’s workforce stands today—and what those trends mean for employers, postsecondary institutions, and the state’s economic future.
Agenda
11:30am to 11:55am – Lunch and Networking
11:55am to 12:30 pm – Presentation
12:30 pm to 1 pm - Audience Q&A
Speakers
Jake Bryant, McKinsey
The Talent Exchange: The Future of the First Hire
October 31st 2025 | Rainier Tower | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Building on insights from the first Talent Exchange session “What the Numbers Say”, this event shifts the focus to the starting point of the workforce pipeline: early-career roles. Economic shifts, recent layoffs, and the rise of generative AI have reshaped how employers think about entry-level hiring—and what it takes to prepare the next generation of talent.
Through a panel discussion and interactive dialogue, participants will explore how companies are adapting, what barriers prevent more inclusive early-career hiring, and how education and training systems can better align with employer needs. Together, we’ll examine what “entry-level” really means today—and what it will mean in the years ahead.
Agenda
11:30am to 11:55am – Lunch and Networking
11:55am to 12:30 pm – Panel
12:30 pm to 1 pm - Audience Q&A
The Talent Exchange Summit: From Insight to Impact
February 3rd 2026 | Northeastern University | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The culminating summit brings together employers, educators, and policymakers to turn insights into action. This full-day program focuses on translating lessons from the series into concrete strategies.
Participants will leave with clear calls to action to build inclusive, connected, and future-ready talent pathways across Washington.