SPEAKERS

“I can honestly say that this camp has been life-changing. I have never been more motivated to do well and more excited about college and my future.”

– Clara, Shorewood High School

Speaker Series & Camp Speaker Library

Below you will find the webinar videos for our PEMCO Fall & Spring 2020 Speaker Series along with some of our 2021 Speakers from WBW Virtual camps.  These videos are free to download and use for personal use and in the classroom or student clubs such as DECA or FBLA.

We welcome feedback on future topics you would like to learn about. Please email us at [email protected] if you have suggestions.

Dr. Steven McKinnon – 2021 Business 101 – Lesson # 1

Dr. Steven McKinnon teaches 3 sessions at the 2021 WBW Summer Session. Lesson # 1 is Business 101.

Dr. Steven McKinnon is a professor at Renton Technical College (RTC). He has facilitated business classes at RTC for the past two years. Dr. McKinnon started his higher education career at Fayetteville Technical Community College as the Chair of the business department. Preceding his higher education career, Dr. McKinnon spent fifteen-plus years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. There he gained an extensive amount of hands-on leadership and management experience with roles in general management, district management, and regional training management. Dr. McKinnon can often be found speaking at DECA Leadership Conferences, during WBW programs, and at the Black Male Summit at Highline College. He is currently getting to live out his life-long dream lakeside in Kirkland, Washington. His interests are education (life-long learning), jazz, and learning to play chess.

Clark Roberts – 2021 WBW Kick-Off Speaker

Clark Robert, Ultimate Vision, opens WBW Virtual Camp in August with a message of resilience!

Are You Living A Life of Significance? Allow Ultimate Vision to give you tools to do just that! Clark Roberts is the Executive Director and founder of Ultimate Vision. Ultimate Vision “Inspiring Others to See in New Ways” is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that teaches people of all ages that life does not stop when adversity occurs. It is not a matter of if, but when, life is going to happen. At age 24 Clark lost his sight to Retinitis Pigmentosa. He discovered that when life hits, you have to learn how to embrace the challenge, find your potential and live life to its fullest!

 

Steph Nitsch – 2021 Camp Guest Speaker

Two-time UW admission reject, Freelance Writer in the mountain sports industry, and co-owner of Pallas Snowboards, Stephanie Nitsch talks about Failing Forward.  

Stephanie Nitsch is the co-founder of Pallas Snowboards and a marketing genius with a way with words. Pallas Snowboards is an independent women’s snowboard and splitboard manufacturer, founded in 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah. They exist somewhere between tradition and innovation—rooted in the purity of snowboarding but driven by the unpredictability of winter…and our own imagination. They are forging into new areas of women’s snowboarding, building an inclusive place for all genders to join the hunt for a creative life that isn’t defined by boundaries.

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union – 2021 Financial Literacy

Join Randy Arrald, Danielle Defreese, Chris Kaya, and the WBW students as they play the AK USA Federal Credit Union,  Financial Literacy Game Show at a virtual camp. 

Alaska USA Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with $10 billion in assets and more than 675,000 members worldwide. The credit union operates more than 90 branches and service facilities in Alaska, Arizona, California, and Washington State. 

Dr. Steven McKinnon – 2021  Teamwork- Lesson # 2

Dr. Steven McKinnon teaches 3 sessions at the 2021 WBW Summer Session. Lesson # 2 is on Teamwork.

Dr. Steven McKinnon is a professor at Renton Technical College (RTC). He has facilitated business classes at RTC for the past two years. Dr. McKinnon started his higher education career at Fayetteville Technical Community College as the Chair of the business department. Preceding his higher education career, Dr. McKinnon spent fifteen-plus years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. There he gained an extensive amount of hands-on leadership and management experience with roles in general management, district management, and regional training management. Dr. McKinnon can often be found speaking at DECA Leadership Conferences, during WBW programs, and at the Black Male Summit at Highline College. He is currently getting to live out his life-long dream lakeside in Kirkland, Washington. His interests are education (life-long learning), jazz, and learning to play chess.

Matt Crevin – 2021 WBW Kick-off Speaker

Matt Crevin of TalkShop opens camp giving the students the tools for Effective Communication. 

Matt says the most important piece of his background is that he is a dedicated father to two boys, supporting them as they become young men. They are his “case studies” in what this generation really needs in order to communicate effectively and thrive in the variety of relationships life will offer. He founded his career consulting business (Voice of the Box), which specialized in how effective communication can positively impact a job seeker’s networking and branding as part of a job search.

Matt has delivered guest lectures at colleges and universities across the country, hosted his own radio show as well as written a book, “Get in the Game.”  He has spent 8 years as a youth sports coach and also has a “hobby” as a long-tenured NFL stadium announcer. He continues to leverage the practical experiences I have gained to deliver relevant and impactful information that empowers students to communicate more effectively in all phases of their lives. 

Bilal Said – 2021 Camp Guest Speaker 

What are colleges looking for in your application? 

Bilal Said joined us from Crimson Education. Crimson Education’s mission is to remove barriers of geography and legacy and see all students reach their greatest potential thanks to the dedication of their personalized Crimson Teams. Bilal’s dual degrees in both Marketing and Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin have allowed him to combine those two skills and passions in a career dedicated to helping students around the world. He has taught ESL in small towns and villages in South-East Asia and in the Middle East. He also had a wider impact by reaching out to thousands of students through big and established educational institutes around the globe. He has worked in large metropolitan cities such as Dubai, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Austin where the reach to students is limitless. Aside from education, he has a deep interest in health and wellness and acquired multiple certificates and licenses in personal training and sports sciences. Helping people is something that is intertwined with his personal happiness and sense of fulfillment.

 

Zenovia Harris – 2021 WBW Closing Speaker

Zenovia Harris, Kent Chamber of Commerce CEO on Overcoming Adversity – People on the Rise!

Zenovia Harris is an accomplished author, fierce and innovative leader, and a powerhouse speaker with a heart for youth! Zenovia was recently appointed as the Chief Executive Officer for the Kent Chamber of Commerce, becoming the first African American CEO to lead the chamber in its 70+years.  Zenovia is a certified diversity professional who serves as the President of the Washington Diversity Council Advisory Board. In the last decade, Zenovia has worked in higher education, sales, and marketing and has owned her own businesses. Zenovia knows how diversity and inclusion can impact an organization’s bottom line and culture. Zenovia was recently awarded the “Diversity Spirit Achievement Award” from City Career Fair productions for her active support of Diversity in the community and workplace. Zenovia is a dynamic leader who is fearless and full of fresh ideas. Zenovia is known for her tenacity and ability to create thriving work cultures that are inclusive, innovative, and results-driven.

 

Dr. Steven McKinnon – 2021  Leadership – Lesson # 3

Dr. Steven McKinnon teaches 3 sessions at the 2021 WBW Summer Session. Lesson # 3 is on Leadership.

Dr. Steven McKinnon is a professor at Renton Technical College (RTC). He has facilitated business classes at RTC for the past two years. Dr. McKinnon started his higher education career at Fayetteville Technical Community College as the Chair of the business department. Preceding his higher education career, Dr. McKinnon spent fifteen-plus years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. There he gained an extensive amount of hands-on leadership and management experience with roles in general management, district management, and regional training management. Dr. McKinnon can often be found speaking at DECA Leadership Conferences, during WBW programs, and at the Black Male Summit at Highline College. He is currently getting to live out his life-long dream lakeside in Kirkland, Washington. His interests are education (life-long learning), jazz, and learning to play chess.

BECU – 2021 Financial Literacy 

Join Ruth Kaneko, T.J. Peguero, and the students of WBW as they navigate the BECU Financial Literacy game in virtual BECU town and learn financial literacy in a fun interactive environment.

About BECU In 1935, 18 Boeing employees came together to establish a credit union. After decades of growth and membership, the credit union is now open to the public and referred to as BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union). BECU is a member-owned credit union, with the goal to serve its communities by empowering people through financial education, affordable financial services, and products that prioritize financial health.

 

Ian Farrell – 2021 Kick-off Speaker 

Ian Farrell, City Council member and Mayor of Raymond, Washington opens camp with a message of taking opportunities.

Ian Farrell has been an active supporter of WBW for nearly 15 years. Ian has been involved in each iteration of the Willapa Harbor Business Week Program, an in-school program for the Raymond, South Bend, and Willapa Valley schools, now in its 14th year. Ian started as a company advisor and over the years has been a judge, Chair of the Week, leader of the local steering group/task force, and now a member of the WBW’s board of directors. Ian has seen the impact the program has on students as well as the community as a whole, and he is happy that the program has become cemented into the culture of the school districts and students throughout Washington State.

 

Kacye Wood – Career Exploration Speaker Series

Kacye Wood – ER, Critical Care Nurse Harborview

Considering a career in Emergency Medicine?  Calling aspiring nurses, doctors, paramedics, and firefighters.  Learn what it takes to be on the front lines.

 

 

Carmen Goers – Career Exploration Speaker Series

Carmen Goers – Vice President at Heritage Bank.

Are you a wizard with numbers, relationship building, and have an eye for detail? Learn about the many careers you will find in the banking industry.

 

Jim Berrios – Career Exploration Speaker Series

Owner of Golden Steer Steak n’ Rib House

Thinking about a profession in the culinary arts, hospitality industry or becoming an entrepreneur? Career opportunities are endless in the restaurant industry.

Mac Johnston – Career Exploration Speaker Series

Microsoft

Curious about what it is like to work at this tech giant? Mac is the Principal Group Program Manager of the Release Services team at Microsoft. He will share his insight and years of experience working for Microsoft.

Zan Truluck – Career Exploration Speaker Series

The Boeing Company

At this aerospace giant, career possibilities are endless. From STEM careers to public relations, government affairs and everything in between, the possibilities are vast!

Theresa Francomacaro

Why Story Works

Be it your first job interview, college application, or even just meeting new friends, make sure you can tell your best story! Investing in yourself is the competitive advantage you need for future success.

Cynthia Seidel – What are colleges looking for post COVID? 

On Course College Consulting

Back by popular demand. Cynthia will engage us on the college application process. This session is a can’t miss for our high school students looking to continue their educational path after graduation.

Spring 2020 Speaker Series

Cynthia Seidel – Preparing for your College Application

OnCourse College Consulting

Considering and preparing for college is one of your most important decisions. Navigating this during COVID-19 brings a whole new set of challenges. Learn strategies for college planning during these times, find resources and ask Cynthia the questions that matter to you.

Spring 2020 Speaker Series

Jedidiah Collins – Financial Literacy

Former NFL player

Money Management During Uncertainty. As the economy changes and jobs are impacted, managing money smartly is more important than ever. Jed knows this better than most as he found himself ill-equipped for his financial future when his NFL career ended. Learn the tricks & techniques he uses now to emerge successful when facing fiscal challenges.

Spring 2020 Speaker Series

Travis Daigle

Adapt and Overcome

As a child, Travis endured abuse at the hands of a family friend. As he grew older, he struggled with obesity and endured years of teasing and bullying. Hear about his transformative journey as he charted his own course to finding his true passion. Travis will share his message about character, growth and building the life you choose.

Spring 2020 Speaker Series

Gayle Johnson

Emotional Intelligence

Ms. Johnson is the founder of EVOLVE Life Coaching.She helps companies and governmental organizations maximize employee effectiveness through emotional intelligence leadership training and coaching. Gayle is a Seattle native. She graduated from Roosevelt High School, attended the legendary Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, and then transferred to the University of Washington, where she received a B.A. Degree in Political Science.

Spring 2020 Speaker Series

Brenda Morris

Strategic Executive | Board Advisor – Duluth Trading Company, Boot Barn, Xponential Fitness, Asarasi Water and CSuite Financial Partners

What does it mean to be a leader in your community and how can you harness the power of service while expanding your professional network. Brenda is an experienced and strategic director, with a unique combination of credentials and skills including her CPA, CMA, CGMA and MBA. She has highly effective people and team building skills: collaborating, creating and implementing innovative strategic solutions to drive growth and brand performance. Brenda will share how her deep commitment to working relationships built on trust, integrity, fun and collaboration increase organizational effectiveness and success. Learn about being a transformational leader, using outstanding communication and presentation skills as you design your best life!

Spring 2020 Speaker Series

Dave Versteeg

International Business with Starbucks

Dave is the Chief Financial Officer, International and Channel Development for Starbucks. He has a long and distinguished career at Starbucks and has a plethora of overseas experience including positions as CFO of Starbucks Japan, VP of Finance of Global Store Development & Starbucks Reserve Roastery and the Director of Finance for the China & Asia-Pacific Region.