TechAlliance Policy Matters Summit 2026

Building Washington’s Talent Advantage

How should Washington define, measure, and build its talent advantage? Join business, civic, education, and policy leaders for a day focused on outcomes, evidence, and the choices ahead.

Register now
DateTuesday, November 17, 2026
Time8:30 am to 3:00 pmBreakfast from 8:30, program at 9:00
LocationK&L Gates925 4th Ave., Suite 2900, Seattle, WA 98104

Washington’s ability to compete depends on how well it develops, attracts, retains, and adapts talent.

Yet the conversation usually centers on programs and spending rather than results. This year’s Summit moves from shared understanding, to evidence, to policy choices, organized around three questions.

  1. What does winning look like?

    How should Washington define success, and how would we know if we were achieving it?

  2. What does the evidence tell us?

    What do outcomes actually show, and where are assumptions outrunning the data?

  3. What choices are we avoiding?

    Which policy, investment, and accountability decisions will determine whether Washington succeeds?

Agenda

A full day of keynotes and panels, with breakfast and lunch left open for conversation.

  1. Breakfast and networking

  2. Welcome and Framing: How Would We Know If Washington Is Winning?

    • Laura Ruderman, CEO, Technology Alliance
    Opening remarks

  3. Workforce 101: What Do We Mean by a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce?

    A shared foundation before the policy conversation begins. Questions welcome.

    • Moderator Sam Swindell, Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education, Washington State University
    • Arif Gursel, Managing Director, 8genC
    • Devin Johnson, Senior Manager, AI Enablement & Workforce Strategy, Nordstrom
    Presentation and conversation

  4. What Does Winning Look Like?

    • Moderator Jolenta Coleman-Bush, Director, Microsoft Philanthropies
    • Rob Ogburn, Executive Director, Business and Community Services, Central Washington University
    • Amelia Ransom
    • Rachel Smith, President, Washington Roundtable
    Executive panel

  5. Break

  6. What Does the Evidence Tell Us?

    • Moderator Dr. Sue Kane, CEO, NCW Tech Alliance
    • Katie Condit, CEO, WorkForce Central
    • Dr. Jenee Myers Twitchell, CEO, Washington STEM
    • Dr. Daniel Oliver, Director of Research, Washington Student Achievement Council
    Presentation and fireside

  7. Networking lunch

  8. What Would It Take to Grow Our Own?

    • Moderator Rovy Branon, Vice Provost for Continuum College, University of Washington
    • 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
    Panel

  9. What Choices Are We Avoiding?

    • Moderator Dr. Tafona Ervin, CEO, EdCollaborative
    • Joe Nguyen, CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
    • Sen. T’wina Nobles, 28th Legislative District
    • Dr. Bish Paul
    • Rep. Alex Ybarra, 13th Legislative District
    Policy panel

  10. Looking Ahead: Building Washington's Talent Advantage

    • Laura Ruderman, CEO, Technology Alliance
    Closing conversation

  11. Adjourn

Agenda subject to change.

Speakers

Confirmed speakers are listed in the agenda above, and full bios are coming soon. The program brings together:

  • Business and civic leaders
  • State legislators and policymakers
  • Researchers and data experts
  • Educators and employers building new pathways

Why attend

For legislators, employers, educators, investors, and anyone invested in Washington’s future as a hub of the innovation economy.

  • Start from shared groundBuild a common understanding of what a skilled and adaptable workforce means, and where Washington stands today.
  • Focus on outcomesLook past program counts and spending to what’s actually working for workers and employers.
  • Shape the policy conversationWeigh in on the decisions that will determine whether Washington grows its own talent.
  • Connect across sectorsMeet the business, education, and government leaders working on these questions.

Sponsors

Thank you to the organizations making this year’s Summit possible.

Platinum sponsor

  • Microsoft

Premier sponsors

  • University of Washington
  • Washington State University

Principal sponsors

  • K&L Gates
  • Northeastern University Seattle
  • Slalom
  • T-Mobile

Breakfast and snack sponsor

  • Helion

Become a sponsor

Policy Matters brings together cross-sector leaders from across Washington state to make connections, build bridges, and expand knowledge, all focused on strengthening the state’s innovation economy.

  • Lunch

  • Premier

  • Reception

  • Principal

Join us on November 17

Register now
K&L Gates 925 4th Ave., Suite 2900
Seattle, WA 98104
8:30 am to 3:00 pm