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Creation of the Strategic Workforce Development Coalition

In April 2024, the Olympic Workforce Development Council approved the formation of the Strategic Workforce Development Coalition as part of its four-year strategic goals and objectives.

The Coalition is committed to:

Engaging businesses to identify workforce needs, gather local economic insights, and promote industry best practices.

Partnering with education and training providers to align workforce development efforts with local labor market demands.

Identifying and addressing barriers that prevent individuals from achieving and sustaining economic self-sufficiency.

First Initiative: Business Resource Toolkit

The Coalition’s first major initiative was the development of a Business Resource Toolkit—a centralized hub designed to support local employers. This dynamic resource includes:

  • Job description builders
  • Connections to education and training providers
  • Links to the region’s three county economic development alliances
  • And much more to help businesses grow and thrive

Coalition Events


EMPOWERING EMPLOYERS 

May 7, 2025 10AM - 12:30PM

Bay Club, Port Ludlow

Hiring the New Generation: Empower Your Workforce Attract and Retain Entry-Level Talent with Resilience Training,Communication Strategies, and Workforce Development

Guest Speakers

      • Elaine Turso - Social Media & Technology
        Kristal Thomas - Resilient Leadership & Stress Management
        Lucretia Robertson - Oh the Workplaces You'll Go: Bridging a Multigenerational Workforce

Link to Flyer: Empowering Employers

Register at https://www.cognitoforms.com/KitsapCounty1/EmployerEmpowermentRegistration



​CHRO Molly Propst.
Molly Propst


COUNCIL MEMBERS

Alex Lewis, North Olympic Healthcare Network

Chuck Moe, NW Laborers

Cordi Fitzpatrick, Security Services NW

Danny Steiger, Lumber Trades, Inc. 

Gina Lindal, Dept. of Social & Health Services

Jeff Allen, Olympic Educational Service District #114

Jessica Bar, Employment Security Department

Marilyn Hoppen, Kitsap Bank

Megan Mason-Todd, Skookum

Monica Blackwood, West Sound Workforce

Nicole Brickman, YMCA

Michael Refuerzo, Booz Allen

 

CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS

Danessa Gray, Olympic College

Deanna Kennedy, Western Washington

Ezekiel Hill, Dept. of Social & Health Services

Kristal Thomas, Express Employment Professionals

Marty Reep, Navy Lab Keyport

Mike Robinson, Employment Security Dept.

Wendy Fox, Olympic College


Coalition Meetings
Meetings occur bi-montly on the 3rd Friday of the month from 9-10:30
Attend via in-person or online 
(see packet details for location or Microsoft Teams Link)


​2025 Packets
​2024 Packets
​February 21 - Virtual
​April 12
​April 18 - Hybrid (Sequim)
​June 21
​June 20
​August 16
​August 15
​October 18
​October 17​
​December 20

Public Comment
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Members of the public wishing to comment during designated public comment periods may do so through the following options. Each member of the public is limited to three minutes of Internet, call-in, or written comments. At the discretion of the Chair, a public comment that is overly repetitive or inappropriate (vulgar, disruptive, etc.) will be ended.
Internet Users: Please click on the raise hand feature in Teams. The sound will be unmuted, and the Internet participant should announce their name. The participant will be called upon to speak at the designated time.
Call-In Users: Callers will be unmuted one at a time and asked whether the caller wishes to offer public comment. The last four digits of the call-in number will be announced, and call-in participants should announce their first and last name before speaking.
Written Comments: Written comments will be read during the public comment period if submitted via online form: OWDC Public Comment by 12:00 p.m. the day before the meeting. Comments read are limited to three minutes. To ensure written public comments are read at the proper meeting, a written statement should include: the date of the meeting the written comments are intended for; participant's first and last name; and agenda item and/or subject the written comments refer to.