May 2025 – In May, community leaders, service providers, educators, and changemakers gathered in Wenatchee and Okanogan for two regional Workforce Collaboration Summits. These gatherings were a reminder of what’s possible when we lead with connection, curiosity, and shared purpose.
Hosted at Wenatchee Valley College on May 9, the Chelan-Douglas Workforce Collaboration Summit welcomed attendees with coffee and donuts, and opening remarks from Alan Walker (Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council) and Dr. Faimous Harrison (WVC President). Keynote speaker Stu Freed challenged us to care for our teams by first tending to the foundational needs that support them. Attendees called the opening and closing sessions “relatable and useful” and praised both Stu Freed and Hana Butler for setting a thoughtful and energizing tone.
The day unfolded through three rounds of breakout sessions, each offering a lens into collaborative solutions across healthcare, transit, education, housing, justice, and workforce development. Presenters represented a strong network of local and state partners, including Molina, Planned Parenthood, Dept Of Corrections, NCW Tech Alliance, Catholic Charities, DVR, and many others.
A standout moment came during the lunch hour, when several customers and program participants took the mic. Their stories, shared by Roger Skjelstad, Sarai Roldan, Dugan Crowell, Karyna Bukovtsova, and Liz Drath were heartfelt and powerful. Feedback highlighted how these moments grounded the day in lived experience: “powerful,” “real,” and “a reflection of systems working in collaboration.”
The day closed with Hana Butler’s reflection on collaboration as our superpower. It was a fitting end to a full, energizing day.
On May 13, the Summit series continued at the Okanogan Fairgrounds in a more informal setting. Susan Adams (SkillSource Managing Director) opened the day and Todd Wurl (Employment Security Dept) provided closing remarks. The summit included sessions from partners from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, OIC of Washington, WorkSource Okanogan County, Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare, the Economic Alliance, Molina Healthcare, and several community-based organizations.
Presentations highlighted community needs and innovations in behavioral health, youth empowerment, reentry services, public assistance, and economic development. A mid-day taco lunch brought everyone together for casual conversation and a moment to connect outside the agenda.
One of the defining features of the Okanogan event shared by attendees was the tone, which was trusted, open, and grounded. The setting allowed space for collaboration that felt both strategic and personal. The overwhelming takeaway was a sense of shared investment, authenticity, and momentum.
This year’s Workforce Collaboration Summit series continues on August 1 at Big Bend Community College where partners from Grant and Adams Counties will come together to share insights, deepen partnerships, and shape the future of workforce development in the region. Register here for the GA Workforce Collaboration Summit.
See more photos below and in our photo galleries for the Chelan-Douglas Summit and Okanogan Summit.
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