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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.
Contact Ashley at awhitley@thurstonedc.com
Yesi serves as the central coordinator within the Center for Business & Innovation (CB&I) and the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB), efficiently directing individuals to the resources and support they need. Her expertise in developing processes, optimizing workflows, and improving systems enhances organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
For over a decade, Yesi has excelled in roles that prioritize interaction with diverse groups of people. She is passionate about intercultural communication and is dedicated to increasing her awareness of interpersonal dynamics. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she enjoys the outdoors, reading, and the vibrant community she calls home. She firmly believes in the importance of diversity, equity, & inclusion, striving to create an environment where everyone can thrive. Yesi is committed to equipping small businesses with innovative strategies and tools that drive success and foster sustainable growth.
Contact Yesi at ylee@thurstonedc.com.
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.
Before joining the WCWB as a Business Coach, and growing into Director for the Center for Business & Innovation Sean spent seven years teaching a wide variety of management and marketing courses at the collegiate level. Additionally, Sean has nine years of retail management experience and has spent a total of eighteen years working in the retail sector with specialized experience in the action sports and outdoor industries. Five years of his experience was working in a world class customer service environment.
In his various retail positions Sean gained proficiency in social media marketing, integrated marketing, visual merchandising and inventory control. In 2012 he completed a Ph.D. in Organizational Change and Development at Southern Cross University. He conducted research in relation to environmentally responsible organizations, knowledge management and environmental performance.
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