May 22, 2025 @ The Great wolf Lodge
early registration now open!

Presented by the Washington Center for Women in Business & Thurston Economic Development Council

2025 INSPIRE Keynote Speaker

Stacey Crnich

CEO Goodroots Northwest

Harnessing 20 years of consumer expertise to bridge the gap between market needs and innovative solutions. Supply chain and marketing strategist with a passion for rural economic development. Spearheading the development of the GoodRoots Locker Network, a groundbreaking system that provides 24/7 access to fresh, locally produced foods through climate controlled lockers.

2025 INSPIRE Special Speakers

Ashley Whitley, Organizer
MC & Program Manager of the Washington Center for Women in Business
Brigitte O'Michaels
Owner & Public Speaker
Cecelia Loveless
Executive Director of MultiCare Capital Pacific Region
Cher Hobbick
Chef/Owner of Bite Me Catering & Altitude 15
Christie Seligman LMHC
Provider, Owner of Ash & Birch Counseling
Hermona Girmay
Current Miss Washington, Education Equality Advocate
Isabelle Pinass
CEO of Titm'ine Visionary Partners
Janie Sacco
SBA, Seattle District Office
Karen Hall
Director of Housing, South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity
Kate Isler
Co-Founder/CEO of the WMarketplace
Kymberlie Fleming
Owner of Redwood Doulas
Michael Cade, Host
Executive Director at Thurston Economic Development Council
Michelle Pope
Director of the Lacey MakerSpace
Sandra Pearce RDN, CD
Owner of Rooted Nutrition
Sandy Dupleich
The Entrepreneur's Source, Career Ownership Coach
Sara Weelborg DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC
Provider/Owner of Mindset Tacoma
Shenika Williams MSN, ARNP, FNP-C
Medical Director, Integrated Family Medicine & Aesthetic Wellness
Tammy Birklid
President/Owner of Merit Construction Northwest

2025 INSPIRE Conference Agenda Complete!

7:30 am - 8:30 am

Registration & Networking

Breakfast, name tags & gift bags, vendors & exhibitors, pictures

8:30 am - 9:00 am

Welcome Address by WCWB and Thurston EDC

Ashley Whitley & Michael Cade

9:00 am - 9:30 am

INSPIRE Opening Speech: "Gurl Fix Your Crown - Unleash Your Inner Warrior"

Brigitte O'Michaels, Entrepreneur & Coach
Explore the empowering pillars of money mindset and magnetic connections. Ignite your entrepreneurial spirit, transform your relationship with abundance and cultivate authentic connections that drive your business success. Stand tall as a confident leader in your industry!

9:30 am - 9:45 am

15 Minute Transition

Networking

9:45 am - 10:30 am

Business Knowledge Breakouts (3)

"Funding Your Business Needs with SBA Programs"
- Breakout led by Janie Sacco

"Mise en Place - Tales of a Chef in Business"
- Breakout led by Chef Cher Hobbick

"Accelerate in E-Commerce"
- Breakout led by Kate Isler

10:30 am - 10:45 am

15 Minute Transition

Networking

10:45 am - 11:15 am

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Stacey Crnich, CEO GoodRoots Northwest

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

"Visionaries Unveiled" - Featured New Businesses (6)

6 highlighted new businesses in Washington state

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Lunch / Small Business Awards

Michelle Pope, 3 Small Businesses (winners coming soon...)

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Women's Healthcare Panel Discussion

Cecelia Loveless, Sara Weelborg, Kymberlie Fleming, Sandra Pearce, Shenika Williams, & Christie Seligman (see credentials below...)

2:00 pm - 2:15 pm

15 Minute Transition

Networking

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm

Career Development Breakouts (3)

"Take Charge of Your Future: Explore Entrepreneurial Career Options!"
- Breakout led by Sandy Dupleich

"Financial Wellbeing & Relationship with Money"
- Breakout led by Karen Hall

"The Power of Community Development"
- Breakout led by Isabelle Pinass

3:00 pm - 3:15 pm

15 Minute Transition

Networking

3:15 pm - 3:40 pm

Special Guest, Miss Washington & Main Giveaway

Hermona Girmay

3:40 pm - 4:10 pm

INSPIRE Closing Speech - "You Are Built for Growth"

Tammy Birklid, President / CEO of Merit Contruction Northwest
Everyday is an opportunity to improve, both professionally and personally. Being open to feedback, embracing challenges and honest work on our skills WILL result in growth!

4:10 pm - 4:30 pm

Honorable Mentions & Closeout

Ashley Whitley

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Last Chance Networking

Exhibitor / Vendors

Thank You to Our Current 2025 Sponsors
Sponsor this Event!

INSPIRE 2025 Woman Owned Vendors

Congratulations to the Winners of INSPIRE 2024 Small Business Awards!
2025 Applications open soon...

Innovation Award

Anna Sun & Amy Yan, Nowadays

Leadership Award

Shatara Mason, The Archetype Foundation

Communiy Impact Award

Lia Kleiner & Christina Turner, Critical Time Intervention

WCWB Partners and State Entrepreneurial Resources!

Lacey MakerSpace

St. Martin's University

Visit their Website!

U.S. Small Business Administration

Seattle SBA District Office

Visit their Website!

Government Contracting

AKA: Procurement Technical Assistance Program

Visit their Website!

INSPIRE 2024 Conference Agenda

8:00 am

Registration and Networking

Continental breakfast provided

8:30 am

Opening Ceremony

8:45 am

Public Speaker, Chameleon O'Clock LLC (Dr. Jen Thomas)

9:15 am

Keynote Speaker, Stacey McQuade-Eger, J.D.

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development

9:45 am

Panel Discussion – 5 Local Small Businesses

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 am

Business Expert, Native Action Network

Melanie Montgomery

11:30 am

SBA Loan Programs, Deputy District Director of U.S. Small Business

Melanie M. Norton

12:00 pm

Networking Lunch

1:00 pm

Keynote Speaker, Miss WA, Vanessa Munson

1:30 pm

Business Expert

TBD

2:00 pm

Business Expert, Tiffany Scroggs

Program Director of Washington Apex Accelerator

2:45 pm

E-Commerce Expert, Kate Isler

WMarketplace

3:15 pm

Award Ceremony

Recognition of Outstanding Women in Business

4:00 pm

Cocktail Hour & Networking

Register Today!

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The INSPIRE Women's Business Conference, proudly hosted by the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB), is a dynamic event tailored for women-identifying business owners and leaders across Washington state. This conference is a powerful platform for fostering connections, expanding professional networks, and providing actionable insights to help women grow their businesses.