Thurston Economic Development Council Events

Saturday November 8 9:00am - Sunday November 9 12:00pm PST

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

Make: Stained Glass Two Day Class, Fall Edition

Learn to create a beautiful hanging suncatcher using traditional stained glass techniques. In this hands-on class, you'll master the fundamentals of cutting, grinding, and soldering glass pieces together while exploring whether this medium aligns with your creative inte......More

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

Sunday November 9 2:00pm - 4:00pm PST

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

Make: Luminary Globe Lanterns

An introduction to decorating Luminary, 101. Use tissue paper, pens, mulberry paper and fairy lights to make a lantern. Come enjoy this two-hour class. Personalize and learn how to decorate and design your very own globe lantern. Use different types of papers and techni......More

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

Friday November 14 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST

Webinar

Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship Speaker Series | The Hidden Cost of Sustainability Work

What happens when your work to support a better world leaves you struggling to support yourself? In this candid and inspiring talk, visual designer and sustainable entrepreneur Amy Dritz shares her journey launching a green tech startup designed to help companies move beyond compliance and create a culture of sustainability. What began as a mission to support sustainability professionals and drive change led to a breaking point and a hard truth: unless sustainability is led from the top and embedded into the business model, it often remains an underfunded add-on with limited impact. Drawing from over 100 interviews with sustainability professionals and her own lived experiences, Amy offers a behind-the-scenes look at the systemic barriers that stall progress—and the emotional toll they take on those working to change the system. A personal story of burnout and growth, this talk invites conversation about how we can sustain both our work and ourselves as leaders and changemakers. Recommended ResourcesChief Sustainability Officers are Burning Out (Eco-Business) Why read this? A look at why even top leaders in sustainability are struggling under unrealistic expectations and limited resources.How to Manage Burnout in High-Stakes Sustainability Careers (CSR Jobs)Why read this? Practical strategies for recognizing, addressing, and preventing burnout in mission-driven careers.Overcoming the Hurdles to Integrating Sustainability into Business Strategy (Deloitte)Why read this? Insights into why sustainability must be embedded into core business strategy—and how to make that happen.Speaker Bio: Amy DritzAmy Dritz is a visual designer, systems thinker, and sustainability strategist with over a decade of experience advancing sustainable change. Most recently, she co-founded a healthcare sustainability platform, where she led user research, design, and strategy. Her background includes founding a boutique design agency and consulting with mission-driven organizations to strengthen sustainability communications and reduce environmental impact. She has served on nonprofit boards as well as her city’s environmental commission. Amy holds a Master’s in Sustainable Design from MCAD. A recent transplant from Minnesota, she has fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest and can often be found hiking in the forest, photographing nature, or nerding out over native plants. When: November 14, 2025Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pmRegister HereFor more information, contact: Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Transformational Change (CELTC) 360.867.6827

Webinar

Saturday November 15 10:00am - 11:30am PST

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

Intro to Tool Sharpening

Tool Sharpening Basics: Knives and ScissorsKeep your tools sharp and ready to use! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of sharpening a pair of scissors or a non-serrated knife using professional equipment, including the Tormek T-4 sharpening system. Wh......More

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

Saturday November 15 1:00pm - 5:00pm PST

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

MAKE: Jewelry - Silver and Pearls

Time to pull together those last minute gifts that you create yourself. Pearls of any kind are unique in their ability to carry an outfit from day to night. A cascade of pearls is an elegant staple for any fine jewelry collection. For minimalist allure, or for making a ......More

Lacey MakerSpace, 16 Baran Drive SE, Lacey, WA, 98503, United States

Friday November 21 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST

Webinar

Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship Speaker Series | Food Justice in Urban Areas

This lecture examines systemic inequalities that limit urban communities—especially low-income and marginalized groups—from accessing healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food. It discusses how historical policies, economic disinvestment, and racial segregation shaped today’s food deserts and health disparities. It highlights how grassroots movements, community gardens, local food cooperatives, and policy reform can foster equity and food sovereignty. Ultimately, the talk advocates for shifting from charity-based approaches to structural change, affirming that every resident deserves nourishing food and the right to shape their local food systems. Recommended ResourcesBooks Food Justice – Robert Gottlieb & Anupama JoshiFreedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement – Monica M. WhiteThe Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience and Farming – Natasha BowensBuilding Community Food Webs – Ken MeterFeeding the City: Work and Food Culture of the Mumbai Dabbawalas – Sara RoncagliaAcademic Articles & Journals Food Apartheid: The Root of the Problem is Racism – Leah Penniman, YES! MagazineUnequal Access to Food: The Challenge of Food Deserts in American Cities – Journal of Urban AffairsCultivating Food Justice: Race, Class, and Sustainability – Edited by Alison Hope Alkon & Julian AgyemanGrowing Food and Justice for All: Diversity, Food Justice, and Community Engagement – Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community DevelopmentReports & Toolkits Healthy Food Policy Project – Center for Agriculture & Food SystemsThe Grocery Gap: Who Has Access to Healthy Food and Why It Matters – PolicyLink & The Food TrustFrom the Ground Up: Inspiring Community-Based Food Justice Projects – FoodShare TorontoSpeaker Bio: Ahndrea L. Blue (Esquire – President & CEO)Ahndrea is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Making A Difference Foundation (MADF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she established in 2003. Prior to forming MADF, she served as Washington State’s Governor’s Executive Policy Advisor and Legal Counsel, served as Chief Operating Officer at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and worked as an attorney at Lee, Smart, Cook, Martin & Patterson in Seattle. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies and Society & Justice and a Juris Doctor (J.D.), both from the University of Washington. Ahndrea has received numerous professional and scholastic honors, including: Thomas Nevelle Pro Bono AwardDerrick Bell Academic Achievement AwardEarl Warren Legal Academic Achievement ScholarshipNational Black Philanthropist of the Year (2008)Ford Freedom’s Sisters Civil Rights Award (2012)Jefferson “Public Service” Award (2011)Many others themadf.orgShe has also held leadership and affiliate roles with organizations such as: Washington Food CoalitionFood Lifeline CoalitionNew FuturesWashington State Bar Association (diversity committee)NAACP Seattle BranchUrban League of Metropolitan Seattle...among many others themadf.orgAhndrea’s purpose is deeply rooted in her faith and passion for service: “Her purpose in life is to make a difference in the lives of others. She credits her faith in God, and her loving and supporting family and friends for her success” When: November 21, 2025Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pmRegister HereFor more information, contact: Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Transformational Change (CELTC) 360.867.6827

Webinar

Wednesday December 3 through December 5

Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, 20500 Old Highway 99 Southwest, Centralia, WA, 98531, United States

Regional Economic Forecast & Innovation EXPO

The Regional Economic Forecast & Innovation Expo is presented in partnership with the five economic development organizations of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Region: Greater Grays Harbor Inc.Economic Alliance of Lewis CountyMason County Economic Development CouncilPac......More

Great Wolf Lodge Water Park, 20500 Old Highway 99 Southwest, Centralia, WA, 98531, United States

Wednesday December 3 9:00am - 10:00am PST

Webinar

Intro to Business Live Webinar

Start your entrepreneurial journey with confidence! This no-cost course offers the essentials you need to launch a successful business. You’ll learn key elements of business success, the basics of business planning, and how startups can obtain capital. Whether you have ......More

Webinar

Friday December 5 1:00pm - 2:00pm PST

Webinar

Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship Speaker Series | Protecting Your Business and Your People: Continuity Planning for Natural Disasters

“Business Continuity for Natural Disasters” is a practical and engaging session designed to help organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. Led by Jackie LaVerne, the session covers essential steps of continuity planning, including: Identifying critical functionsPreparing employeesEstablishing communication strategiesPracticing response drillsUsing real-world examples like Hurricane Maria, the presentation emphasizes resilience, employee support, and community collaboration. Attendees leave with actionable tools, local and national resources, and a renewed commitment to safeguarding their operations and people. Recommended ResourcesBooks Business Continuity and Risk Management: Essentials of Organizational Resilience – Kurt J. Engemann & Douglas M. HendersonThe Disaster Recovery Handbook: A Step-by-Step Plan to Ensure Business Continuity and Protect Vital Operations, Facilities, and Assets – Michael Wallace & Lawrence WebberEmergency Management for Business and Industry: A Guide to Developing a Disaster Recovery Plan – Thomas E. DrabekToolkits & Guides FEMA Continuity Resource ToolkitReady.gov Business Continuity Planning GuideWashington State SBDC Disaster Assistance ToolkitThurston County Emergency Management Plans Speaker Bio: Jacqueline Elizabeth LaVerneJackie LaVerne is the Emergency Management Program Specialist at The Evergreen State College, where she leads campus-wide emergency preparedness efforts and manages the CERT program. With over 30 years of experience in emergency management, including military service and specialized training in Homeland Security Emergency Management, Jackie brings deep expertise in disaster recovery, hazard mitigation, and public safety education. She is a certified trainer in: First Aid/CPR+AEDStop the BleedOpioid Overdose PreventionJackie actively supports regional preparedness through her work with EMGWA, WASEMA, and the Washington State Disaster Reserves, and is passionate about building resilient communities through inclusive, hands-on training and collaborative planning. When: December 5, 2025Time: 1:00 - 2:00 pmRegister HereFor more information, contact: Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Transformational Change (CELTC) 360.867.6827

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Make: Stained Glass Two Day Class, Fall Edition

Make: Luminary Globe Lanterns

Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship Speaker Series | The Hidden Cost of Sustainability Work

Intro to Tool Sharpening

MAKE: Jewelry - Silver and Pearls

Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship Speaker Series | Food Justice in Urban Areas

Regional Economic Forecast & Innovation EXPO

Intro to Business Live Webinar

Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship Speaker Series | Protecting Your Business and Your People: Continuity Planning for Natural Disasters

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Pelham Jewish Center

Thurston Economic Development Council

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