Join us at the South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus for an incredible day of inspiration and networking! This in-person event is designed to empower and uplift women in business. Connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights from successful entrepreneurs, and discover new strategies to take your business to the next level.
Nominate your favorite women-owned small business in Washington before March 15th! NOW CLOSED
Originally from Battle Ground, WA, Vanessa is a U.S. Army Human Resource Specialist at Joint Base Lewis-McCord. She is also a senior at American Military University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in Marketing. She’ll use her $19,000+ in scholarships awarded in 2023 to complete a master’s degree in business administration and become a Management and Program Analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
As a woman with a disability (she wears a permanent hearing aid), her community service initiative is titled “Beauty and Beyond: What is your Beautiful?” and is targeted to eradicate the beauty standards in today’s society. Her mission is to empower young women and men to focus on being self-confident through skill-building, goal setting, motivation, and kindness. She has partnered with Girls Inc., Dress for Success Seattle, and speaks in various school districts. Vanessa is the first active duty military member to also serve as Miss Washington.
Stacey McQuade-Eger, J.D. is an enrolled tribal member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe of the Flathead Reservation located in western Montana. She has worked for her Tribe for many years as a legal representative as well as serving in Executive Management for different tribal ventures. She has also represented Tribes and Native American initiatives at the local, state and federal level, advocating for increased awareness and representation of Indigenous People. Stacey has volunteered her time and resources in support of tribal youth related initiatives and serving on panel discussions on economic development, energy development, and Indian Law and its century’s long impact and how that translates to present day for Indigenous People.
Vendors and Silent Auction open
Ashley Whitley & Michael Cade
Dr. Jen Thomas
Stacey McQuade Eger, J.D.
Makayla Roberson, Lorelei Felchlin, Tierra Bonds, Cathy Visser, Annie Evans
Panel Host: Heidi McCutcheon
Melanie Montgomery
Melanie Norton
Vendors, silent auction, & networking open
Attendee Giveaways
Tammy Birklid
Vanessa Munson, Miss Washington
Jaya Mallik - "Theory to Practice: Integrating DEI for Business Success"
Kate Isler - "Next Level E-Commerce"
Tiffany Scroggs - "Government Contracting 101"
Michelle Pope & Ashley Whitley
Photos with Miss WA, Vendors, Close of Silent Auction
Continental breakfast provided
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development
Melanie Montgomery
Melanie M. Norton
TBD
Program Director of Washington Apex Accelerator
WMarketplace
Recognition of Outstanding Women in Business
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