Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to an Exciting Future

As 2025 is fast approaching, we've taken time to reflect on significant moments for Impact Washington and the manufacturing landscape as a whole. 2024 was a significant year for us, marked by community outreach events, local partnerships, workshops and trainings, and much more. 

Throughout the year, we remained focused on our commitment to Washington manufacturers, reaffirming this dedication through our core values, mission, and vision. 

The year started off with a big change for Impact Washington. Our previous Center Director, Deloit R. Wolfe Jr., retired after years of dedicated service to Impact Washington. His leadership, commitment, and vision were instrumental in advancing our mission to help Washington State manufacturers. We thank him for his tireless contributions and wish him the very best in his retirement. 

Kelley Sowards stepped into this role and is now our President & Center Director. She brings over 15 years of manufacturing experience, was a client of Impact Washington, has served on Impact Washington's Board of Directors for seven years and was most recently, our Account Executive for North Puget Sound. We have had an exciting year under her leadership. 

In February, we also gained some wonderful additions to our Business Development team: Dave Green and Shawn Babauta.

Finding Washington Manufacturers Made Easy

You may have also noticed an exciting update to our Made in Washington website directory. In October, we launched a complete redesign of our directory, with the goal of improving its functionality and overall user experience. This update is a significant step forward in our efforts to strengthen the network for Washington’s manufacturing community, and improving the visibility of local manufacturers. 

At Impact Washington, we are proud to leverage the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN) program. The program offers supply chain mapping capabilities, supplier scouting and matching services and scouting opportunities for domestic suppliers, and collaborates with OEMs and small to medium-sized manufacturers. Together, these efforts ensure that the manufacturers listed in the directory can reach broader markets, fill supply chain gaps and build resilience in an ever-changing economic landscape.

Impact Washington Trainings & Workshops

Impact Washington hosted a total of 22 workshops and trainings this year, most of those offered at no-cost compliments of the Small Manufacturers Growth Grant. This grant supports and assists small, underserved manufacturing companies across Washington State in achieving their goals and overcoming challenges. Over two years, leveraging the Small Manufacturers Growth Grant, we have served over 100 manufacturers with less than 20 employees. 

Our Lean 101 Workshops primarily focused on how to eliminate waste and increase efficiency for local manufacturers. It was a great opportunity for manufacturers to connect and network with peers. 

We hosted two Preventative Controls for Animal Food Course Training in partnership with Washington State Department of Agriculture. The training covered the participant Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) certificate fee, writing and updating an animal food safety plan and standardized curriculum recognized by the FDA. 

Strengthening our Team, Strategy & Collaboration

Impact Washington has never experienced as diverse and energized staff and board working together as we have today. This year, we held three staff trainings, with a focus on strengthening our relationships and continuing our strategic work. Our leadership team held a strategy planning retreat where we practiced what we advocate and completed our business evaluation that highlighted our top opportunities, developed and confirmed strategies to deploy in 2025.

We are also deeply grateful for our vibrant ecosystem of partners, collaborators, and our Resource Partners. Our partners play an essential role in helping us fulfill our mission, sharing their expertise and insights to drive meaningful change for Washington State manufacturers. 

Community engagement is at the heart of what we do, as it fosters innovation and strengthens the network of support that enables us to make a lasting impact. We would like to express gratitude to our partners, and highlight some of the key events we participated in this year.

Community Engagement & Events

PNAA 2024

Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) brings together aerospace professionals.

• We support the Advance Conference every year and look forward to our collaboration on the the upcoming workshops for the Advance 2025.
• At the PNAA Women in Aerospace, our very own Kelley Sowards was on the leadership panel that focused on professional advancement in aerospace. 

Supply Chain Opportunities Conference

In April, Impact Washington's Supply Chain Program Manager, Anibeth Ruiz, presented the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)’s SCOIN at the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC) Supply Chain Opportunities Conference.  

I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference & Expo 

In May, Impact Washington hosted the second Leadership Accelerator Forum in partnership with NIMA, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and TechHelp - Idaho Manufacturing Specialists at the I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference. 

Seattle Good Gala

In May, we supported the Seattle Good Gala hosted by Seattle Good Business Network, and celebrated the local businesses and their commitment to sustainability and community impact.

Meeting with Western Node MEPS

In July, we had the opportunity to meet with other MEPS located in the Western U.S. We connected with leaders from Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah to share best practices, discuss challenges, and collaborate on strategies to support the growth of manufacturing in the region. 

AWB's 2024 Bus Tour for Manufacturing Month

Every fall, the Association of Washington Businesses (AWB) hits the road with their bus tour to highlight the importance of manufacturing to Washington's economy, as part of Manufacturing Month. Impact Washington provided significant financial support to sponsor this bus tour, as well as coordinating tour stops with our clients and nominating them for awards. The tour visited shop floors across the state, showcasing diverse industries—from mint flavoring and agriculture to metal fabrication and pharmaceuticals. Read more about Impact Washington and the AWB Bus Tour.

At the AWB Evening of Excellence, Nick Wilkes, our Director of Business Development, presented the Operational Excellence award to Honeywell of Spokane Valley, for commitment to lean manufacturing and continuous improvement. 

FIFA World Cup

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup headed to Seattle, Kelley Sowards shared insights with the Workforce Training & Education Coordinating Board on how small businesses and manufacturers can benefit sustainably from the influx of tourists and strengthen the supply chain to maximize opportunities. 

We collaborated with our ecosystem partners on several other events, including the WEDA Summer Conference, Thurston EDC Regional Economic Forecast and Innovation Expo, Skills Inc. AIP Golf Fundraiser, AFA Aerospace Summit, Northwest Aerospace News Magazine Manufacturing Suppliers Expo, Pierce County Community Navigator Program Thriving Together, and Workforce Central Green Jobs and Pathways Summit.

Staying True to Washington Manufacturers in 2025 and Beyond

As we reflect on all the changes 2024 has brought, we are also reminded of the constants. Our commitment to helping manufacturers excel in every facet of business remains true and strong. Whether through one on one training with local manufacturers, hosting workshops or fostering collaboration among partnerships, we are committed to supporting the growth and success of manufacturers across Washington state.

As we head into 2025, we are excited to continue this important work, building on the foundation we've established and embracing new opportunities to make an even greater impact.