Partnership Conference 1

Partnership Conference

/ Partnership Conference
Partnership Conference 2

Friday, September 12, 2025

8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Clover Park Technical College
McGavick Conference Center
4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW
Lakewood, WA 98499

Join us at the WorkSource Pierce Partnership Conference

Welcome back!

We’re excited to welcome you back for a day of learning, connection, and collaboration. Together, we play a vital role in helping families and communities rise out of poverty, and that work starts with strong, informed partnerships.

Through shared learning and community-driven insights, we’ll explore how to strengthen service delivery across programs and systems. Expect a full day of knowledge-building, reflection, and forward-thinking conversations as we hear from communities of practice and dive into the pressing topics that shape our collective work. Let’s come together to grow our understanding and expand our impact.

Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Who should attend?

You and any staff in your organization that provides workforce services. This conference is an official TRAINING DAY. We will prepare our customers to expect limited-service delivery on this day so all who wish to attend are able to participate. This is an exclusive event for WorkSource Pierce partners only. This event is not open to the public.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Don’t miss out on this important day of connection and learning with your peers! Register today!

Event Schedule
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Event Schedule

8:30 – 9:00 am

Check-In

9:00 – 11:30 am

General Session: How to Partner Pilot

This four-part session explores how strong, intentional partnerships can spark innovation and turn new ideas into action. Through empathy, trust, shared goals, and evolving service strategies, participants will gain practical tools to co-create and pilot impactful collaborations.

Part 1: Introduction (9:00 – 9:15 am)

Kick off the session with a welcome and an overview of the journey ahead—centered on building partnerships that inspire innovation and action.

 

Part 2: Empathy and Grounding (9:15 – 9:45 am)

Explore how empathy creates the foundation for meaningful partnerships, fostering connection, understanding, and shared purpose.

Led by Alyssa Simmons, Executive Director at Career TEAM, and Tricia Speid, Chief Executive Director at Palmers Scholars

 

Part 3: How to Partner (9:45 – 10:30 am)

Learn practical strategies for building trust, staying accountable, identifying support, and aligning around shared goals to strengthen collaboration.

Led by Cristeen Crouchet, Director of Workforce Development at Clover Park Technical College, Kelli Johnston, Director of Workforce Education at Tacoma Community College, Josh Rodero, Supervisor, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, and Susan Cable, Director at Pierce College

 

Part 4: Evolution of Service (10:30 – 11:20 am)

Reimagine how you serve by defining current needs, discovering new approaches, and designing service strategies that grow with your partnerships.

Led by Christian Reed, Talent Pipeline Manager at WorkForce Central, Sandra Calvillo, One-Stop Operator at WorkSource Pierce, and Shellie Willis, Chief Collective Impact Officer at WorkForce Central

11:30 – 1:00 pm

Lunch Break

1:15 – 2:30 pm

2:45 – 4:00 pm

Community Practice Sessions

There will be two rounds of community practice sessions.

Supporting Immigrant & Refugee Populations

Main Ballroom

Alyssa Simmons, Executive Director, Career TEAM

Financial Coaching and Education

Blue Room

Presenters

Young Adult Support: Strategic Implementation of Earn While You Learn Initiatives

Gold Room

Christian Reed, Talent Pipeline Manager, WorkForce Central Business Solutions
Brooke Summerlin, Director of Enrollment and Placement, Palmer Scholars
Kella Steele, Work Experience Coordinator, Career TEAM

4:15 – 4:45 pm

Closing Session: Reflecting Forward

Wrap up the day by revisiting key takeaways and shared insights from each session. This session will highlight the broader work happening across Pierce County and how collective impact can amplify our efforts. Participants are invited to share reflections, ask questions, and contribute ideas as we look ahead to continued collaboration.