Strong leadership and inclusive culture are the cornerstones of thriving organizations—but where do you begin? This interactive workshop is designed for teams ready to take the first steps in developing both leadership capacity and a workplace where everyone feels they belong. Participants will assess their current organizational landscape, explore strategies for fostering equity and inclusion, and learn how to align leadership development with real-world capacity and culture goals. Through guided reflection, practical tools, and actionable planning, you’ll leave with a personalized roadmap to grow leaders who lead with purpose, empathy, and impact.  

About the Speakers:
Chief Thomas Huntington has worked in the Fire and EMS industry for over 30 years, including 10 years as the Fire Chief for the City of Richland. He is an Executive Fire Officer Program graduate from the National Fire Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire Services Administration. His career path has included operations, training, hiring and promotional process development and administration, officer development, fleet management, project management, as well as adjunct and guest instruction in various college and university settings. In addition to being the Fire Chief, he served as Interim Assistant City Manager for the City of Richland in 2021. His passion is investing in people to prepare the next generation of leaders.

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Cheri Montee is an accomplished Human Resources Director at Columbia Ability Alliance and an active member of Columbia Basin SHRM. She holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University, which complements her extensive experience leading HR initiatives across agriculture, general industry, and the nonprofit sector.

Cheri brings a proven track record in people management, with specialized expertise in staffing, retention, project management, and leadership development. Known for her strategic mindset and commitment to excellence, she champions the belief that a strong, positive workplace culture is the cornerstone of organizational success. Whether partnering with executive leadership or advocating for employees, Cheri consistently delivers impactful, results-driven solutions that support growth and engagement across all levels of an organization.

Join business advisor Teri Wagner (CPA) and HR strategist Reanette Etzler (PHR, CLRM) for an intensive session that transforms how leaders use AI for both strategic business decisions and enhanced employee experience. This practical workshop combines financial and operational decision-making with people-focused leadership strategies.

In the first half, Teri will demonstrate how to use AI as your strategic thought-partner—clarifying complex decisions, challenging assumptions, and accelerating problem-solving without needing technical expertise. You'll learn the four key roles AI can play: Interviewer, Challenger, Brainstorm Partner, and Scenario Tester.
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Reanette will then show how AI can revolutionize your approach to employee development and team management. Discover practical tools for performance analytics, personalized coaching platforms, skill-gap identification, and workflow optimization that free up your time for meaningful employee interactions.
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You'll walk away with:

• Ready-to-use AI prompts for strategic and operational challenges
• Hands-on experience with AI tools for employee experience enhancement
• Implementation strategies that don't require technical skills
• Practical exercises you can apply immediately

Perfect for business leaders who want to leverage AI's power across both business strategy and team development—because great leadership happens at the intersection of smart decisions and engaged people.

About the Speakers:
With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources, Reanette Etzler specializes in executive leadership development and organizational transformation. With both public and private sector experience, she understands the complexities of government and corporate worlds. Her approach is deeply insightful and tailored to the unique challenges faced by top-level executives in today's dynamic corporate landscape.

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Teri Wagner is a strategic business advisor and CPA with over 30 years of experience helping business owners grow, simplify, and transition their companies. As the founder of Wagner Business Consulting, she works primarily with family-owned and privately held businesses generating $1M–$20M in revenue by guiding owners through key decisions that impact both their business and personal wealth. 

Teri is known for her practical, no-fluff approach to financial and operational strategy. She blends deep financial insight with real-world business experience, helping owners move from feeling stuck to making smarter, faster decisions with clarity and confidence. 
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In her recent work, Teri is excited about incorporating AI tools into her advisory process — not as a replacement for human judgment, but as a powerful thought partner. Her goal is to simplify AI for business leaders and show how it can support better strategy, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. 

In this breakout session, participants will learn resources and effective skills that will help them recognize and manage anxiety in the workplace. Participants will feel more confident in their professional environment, as well as more prepared to overcome the challenges that the workplace may bring.

About the Speakers:
Jan McDonald's prior experience as a CEO makes her an excellent match for the leadership, vision and strategic planning required for the companies and individuals she trains and coaches. Jan is a results-oriented, yet compassionate leader. She is proficient at identifying organizational needs, and has the desire to build business relationships and possesses the ability to lead others. Jan’s leadership experience and success in achieving organizational goals and objectives has consistently taken those she serves to the next level.

She also currently serves on the President’s Advisory Council for the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team of coaches. In 2018, Jan joined John Maxwell and 250 of the team coaches at the invitation of the President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solis, to conduct a leadership educational project known as Transformación Costa Rica. The slogan for that movement is Transformation Is In Me, because it resides in each one of us. We all have the ability to change and improve. When we change our world changes, too.

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Greg Kettner is on a mission to help 1 million people WorkHappy.

The WorkHappy Framework has been developed from lessons learned during his 27-year sales and leadership career with such organizations as Nike, SAP, the National Hockey League, Business Objects, and BuildDirect.

Greg is a world-class connector who has had beers with Wayne Gretzky, shared the stage with Robin Williams, and almost knocked over Queen Elizabeth.

Companies such as Coca-Cola, RE/MAX, Ford, SYSPRO, and Kapersky now use the WorkHappy framework and have reduced stress, increased productivity, and have more well-being conversations.

Let’s be real - leadership isn't all sunshine and spreadsheets. It’s deadlines, curveballs, difficult conversations, and the occasional urge to scream into a pillow. This session is for leaders who want to show up strong—even when things get chaotic. With practical tools, humor, and zero fluff, you'll learn how to lead with clarity, resilience, and confidence… without losing your cool (or your mind).

In this session, you’ll learn how to:

• Stay grounded and emotionally steady when everything around you feels like a whirlwind.
  
• Lead and inspire your team even during tough transitions, high-stress seasons, or unexpected challenges.
  
• Set boundaries, manage pressure, and model composure—without losing your spark (or your sanity).
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​Come ready to laugh, learn, and leave with tools you can use immediately to lead with impact and grace under pressure.

About the Speaker:
With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources, Laura Flores brings a rare mix of real-world expertise, contagious energy, and powerful insights to every room she walks into. Whether she’s leading a corporate training or lighting up the stage at a conference, Laura knows how to turn complex topics into clear, actionable strategies—with a whole lot of heart and a little sass.

Laura doesn’t just talk about leadership and culture—she lives it. She currently serves as a City Councilmember in Grandview, WA, is a Trustee for Yakima Valley College, and lends her voice and leadership to multiple nonprofit boards. She’s been featured in the Tri-Cities Journal of Business, spoken on local and national stages like the Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference, Inspire HER Conference in Vancouver, Dentsply Sirona Global Conference in Las Vegas, and even rocked the mic as emcee for the EmpowerHER Summit.

Her passion? Helping individuals, teams, and organizations ignite their potential, embrace growth, and show up as their boldest, most confident selves. Through customized training, speaking, consulting, and coaching, Laura delivers powerful results that stick—with just the right blend of strategy, soul, and a spark of fun.

Join us for an engaging and practical breakout session designed to transform how you give and receive feedback. Whether you're a team leader, educator, or collaborator, this session will equip you with the tools to foster growth, accountability, and trust through effective feedback. Learn how to turn awkward conversations into opportunities for connection and improvement—because feedback isn’t just a skill, it’s a superpower.

About the Speaker:
Originally from Chicago, Paul Casey has been a professional speaker for over 28 years—delivering 100 presentations last year alone. He equips and coaches leaders and teams to spark breakthrough success, bringing energy, clarity, and actionable insight to every engagement.

Paul has spoken for a wide range of organizations, including Arby’s, McDonald’s, Subway, Papa John’s, Lamb Weston, the Department of Energy, DSHS, and the Association of Washington Cities. Among the 80 leaders he coaches annually, 25 of them serve in leadership roles at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Paul holds a master’s degree in education and has served as an educator, administrator, and Chief Operating Officer in five nonprofit organizations. With over 3,800 coaching hours under his belt, he is an ACC-certified coach with the International Coaching Federation, a Master Trainer, and a member of the National Speakers Association. In recognition of his entrepreneurial impact, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year in the Tri-Cities in 2021.

Through his company, Growing Forward Services, Paul partners with corporate and individual clients to help them transform their vision, habits, and lives. His mission is lived out through multiple platforms: daily inspirational messages on local radio, contributions to the Tri-Cities Journal of Business, and consistent thought leadership on social media.

Paul has inspired thousands through:

• Soft-skills seminars
• Team-building offsite retreats
• Group and executive coaching
• Keynote speaking engagements

He is the author of five books:

• The Static Cling Principle (habits and mindsets)
• Maximizing Every Minute (time management)
• Leading the Team You’ve Always Wanted
• Leading with Super-Vision
• Leading through the Dark Waters of Conflict

Paul has lived in the Tri-Cities, WA, for over 27 years. He is married to “Lovely Laura,” and they have two young adult children—each named after state capitals. Their family also includes a playful Lhasa Apso named Gizmo and a Shitzu named Nugget. When he's not working, Paul enjoys golfi ng, hiking, reading (more than 40 books a year), and indulging in orange slices.

The workplace has changed—and so must leadership. Brett Spooner discusses how modern leaders can stay adaptable, authentic, and forward-thinking in a world where agility and emotional intelligence matter as much as expertise. This session blends legal, tech, and entrepreneurial perspectives in a world rapidly evolving because of AI. 

Session Objectives:

• Examine the traits of modern leaders and what employees want from leadership today
• Understand how to lead through uncertainty, change, and generational shifts
• Learn strategies for vision casting that engage teams and spark innovation
• Explore how legal and ethical frameworks play a role in shaping workplace culture

About the Speaker:
Brett Spooner is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Partner of Gravis Law, PLLC, a national law firm with headquarters in Richland, Washington. On a day-to-day basis, Brett runs Gravis Law and dedicates much of his free time to the growth and expansion of small businesses and the entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout our communities. As an angel investor, tech enthusiast, and serial entrepreneur, he merges his skills and interests to improve rural midmarket economic challenges and to solve access-to-law problems.

In addition to Gravis Law, Brett is currently the Founder and CEO of Clever Case, LLC, a software service company that develops legal case management software, and Founder/Board Chair of a co-working space called Fuse, SPC, a business and community accelerator with an investment fund arm. Brett also serves on numerous community and private boards, including chamber/community organization and higher education boards/ sub committees, as well as Gesa Credit Union, Brandcraft, Inc., Fuse SPC, Fuse Fund, and State of Motion Board of Directors. He also teaches business and law at Launch University, Fuse, and Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Brett entered the legal industry to help small businesses and facilitate innovation and growth of technology and science. He is passionate about the intersection of business and local community and creating a meaningful impact on society (leave it better than you found it). As a practitioner, his primary focus is on serving business clients, but he also extends his expertise to aid those business owners seeking business succession and estate planning services.

Brett’s proudest professional accomplishment so far has been—legal industry disruption—building Gravis Law from the ground up while leveraging his technology and business experience to evolve the legal industry. He is also excited about the economic impact of entrepreneurial programs in our communities, such as Fuse’s Launch program which drive advancement and create jobs.

When he is away from the office, Brett enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, gardening, hunting, golfing, mountain biking, gaming, and writing science fiction.

In our fast-paced and interconnected world, the success of any organization hinges on the strength and productivity of its teams. High-performing teams are not merely a result of chance or luck; they are cultivated by fostering an environment built on transparency and trust. But all too often individuals and organizations have a mantra that trust must be earned. What if we shifted our mindset and chose to lead by trusting? 

University of Tennessee supply chain professor Kate Vitasek has been researching the power of choosing to lead with transparency and trust for over 20 years. She has been featured as an international authority for how to build better business relationships on CNN International, NPR, Bloomberg, and Fox Business News. 
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Join Kate in her evocative and edutaining Power of T keynote speech as she shares profound insights from her groundbreaking research. Kate’s inspiring and interactive presentation will help you challenge traditional notions and demonstrate how viewing transparency and trust through a new lens can unleash the full potential of teams. 

About the speaker:
​Kate Vitasek is an international authority on building and sustaining highly collaborative business relationships. Named one of the “Fabulous 50+1” most influential people impacting global commerce by World Trade Magazine, her work has been featured on CNN International, Bloomberg, NPR, Fox Business News, and Forbes.

A Distinguished Fellow at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business, Vitasek is best known for her award-winning research on the Vested® business model, adopted by organizations like bp, Intel, EY, and the Canadian government to foster win-win partnerships.
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She is the author of eight books and over 400 articles in outlets such as Harvard Business Review, The Economist, Fast Company, and Chief Executive Magazine. Vitasek has been inducted into both the Sourcing Industry Group and IAOP Hall of Fame and is a Fellow of World Commerce & Contracting. Her background spans the buy side (Microsoft), sell side (Stream International), and consulting (Accenture).