Ashley Whitley

Program Manager

Ashley oversees the WCWB program daily operations, grant management, program design and offers, social media, branding & design coaching. Ashley is from the greater Seattle area and wife of active-duty Airman currently stationed at JBLM. She has been in various director and business development roles with a Masters that emphasizes on business development and management in the healthcare and behavioral health field. She has started three businesses herself and assists in helping her husband run his own IT Company currently. She is dedicated to providing as much guidance as possible to women who are hesitating to start their own businesses. She hopes to inspire and empower women everywhere so they can be motivated and confident in all they setout to do.

Yesi Lee

Training and Resource Coordinator

For the past seven years, Yesi has been devoted to client-facing positions that allowed her to interact with people from all walks of life. With a passion for helping others, her main focus is customer service that maximizes on efficiency and empathy to provide each client with a positive experience. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest Yesi has a love for the outdoors, reading, and the wonderful community she’s surrounded by. She believes that diversity and inclusion are key and looks forward to connecting businesses with the tools they need for success.

Contact Yesi at ylee@thurstonedc.com.

EDC & CB&I Leads

Michael Cade

Executive Director, Thurston Economic Development Center

Michael Cade is known in Thurston County and beyond for his inclusive leadership style and track record of success in tackling community and economic development initiatives for the South Sound. For the past 15+ years with Michael at the helm, the EDC has retained local businesses and attracted new investment to Thurston County, while ensuring emerging businesses have access to the resources they need to succeed. Michael drives a robust resource portfolio that includes government contracting support, energy efficiency assistance, business counseling and manufacturing assistance.

Sean Moore

Director, Center for Business & Innovation

Sean brings nearly a decade of teaching experience, business management and upper-management skills to our business enterprise instruction.