May 28, 2026 @ SPSCC, Lacey campus

Presented by the Washington Center for Women in Business & Thurston Economic Development Council

Sneak Peak: 2026 Keynote Speaker

Jess Caldwell

CEO of WildKind Outdoors & Wildkind Academy

2026 Award winner of National Small Business Week at the annual Washington State Small Business Awards Gala held in Seattle.

Jess Caldwell is the founder and lead instructor of Wildkind Outdoors, where she specializes in wilderness survival training, outdoor education, and immersive rewilding retreats. With a background in holistic health and mindfulness, she integrates nature-based practices to help individuals build resilience and navigate modern challenges with greater clarity and confidence. She also founded Wildkind Academy, a nonprofit leadership program that empowers teens and young adults through transformational, nature-centered experiences. Jess brings deep, hands-on expertise from advanced wilderness immersions, where she developed essential survival skills and a strong connection to the natural world—fueling her mission to guide others toward personal growth, self-reliance, and meaningful engagement with nature.

Previous 2025 INSPIRE Speakers

Carrie Whisler, Co-MC
SVP Chief Credit Officer, OlyFed
Heidi McCutcheon, Co-MC
Thurston EDC Deputy Director
Hermona Girmay
Current Miss Washington, Education Equality Advocate
Isabelle Pinass
CEO of Titm'ine Visionary Partners
Karen Hall
Director of Housing, South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity
Sandy Dupleich
The Entrepreneur's Source, Career Ownership Coach

Thank You to Previous 2025 Sponsors!

Congratulations to the Winners of INSPIRE 2025 Small Business Awards!

Innovation Award

Tina Le, Zeal Care Co

Leadership Award

Jessica Clark, Ashlyn Jamyson Salon

Communiy Impact Award

Lauryn Clark - Doula Lo, Lo Holistics

WCWB Partners and State Entrepreneurial Resources!

Lacey MakerSpace

St. Martin's University

Visit their Website!

U.S. Small Business Administration

Seattle SBA District Office

Visit their Website!

Government Contracting

AKA: Procurement Technical Assistance Program

Visit their Website!

INSPIRE 2024 Conference Agenda

8:00 am

Registration and Networking

Continental breakfast provided

8:30 am

Opening Ceremony

8:45 am

Public Speaker, Chameleon O'Clock LLC (Dr. Jen Thomas)

9:15 am

Keynote Speaker, Stacey McQuade-Eger, J.D.

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development

9:45 am

Panel Discussion – 5 Local Small Businesses

10:45 AM

Break

11:00 am

Business Expert, Native Action Network

Melanie Montgomery

11:30 am

SBA Loan Programs, Deputy District Director of U.S. Small Business

Melanie M. Norton

12:00 pm

Networking Lunch

1:00 pm

Keynote Speaker, Miss WA, Vanessa Munson

1:30 pm

Business Expert

TBD

2:00 pm

Business Expert, Tiffany Scroggs

Program Director of Washington Apex Accelerator

2:45 pm

E-Commerce Expert, Kate Isler

WMarketplace

3:15 pm

Award Ceremony

Recognition of Outstanding Women in Business

4:00 pm

Cocktail Hour & Networking

Register Today!

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The INSPIRE Women's Business Conference, proudly hosted by the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB), is a dynamic event tailored for women-identifying business owners and leaders across Washington state. This conference is a powerful platform for fostering connections, expanding professional networks, and providing actionable insights to help women grow their businesses.