by Sarah Brede
EWI of Spokane Chapter President
We’re in the dregs of winter, friends, but I can feel the promise of spring just around the corner. And if January’s meeting was any indication, we’re building some serious momentum to carry us through these last cold weeks!
Committee Participation: You Are Amazing
I want to take a moment to celebrate something remarkable: many of you are serving on more than one committee. When we talk about “Connection Over Transaction” and being an organization led by and for its membership, this is exactly what we mean. Your willingness to roll up your sleeves and contribute in multiple ways is a testament to your commitment to EWI and to each other. Thank you.
Strategic Planning Committee: Join Us!
Speaking of committees, we’re officially forming our Strategic Planning Committee this month, and we need 2-4 volunteers to round out the team. We especially need at least one newer member to bring fresh perspectives to our long-term vision. If you’re interested in shaping the future of our Chapter, please reach out to me. This is a great opportunity to contribute at a strategic level.
January Meeting Reflection
How fun was our self-defense presentation?! I loved how practical and usable the techniques were, no ninja moves required, and everyone left in one piece. We learned about the six vulnerable target areas (I wish I could remember the exact term our instructor used!) and got to practice on each other, which was equal parts awkward and hilarious. But here’s what I appreciated most: it was empowering without being intimidating. We walked away with tools we can actually use if we ever need them.
Looking Ahead: February Meeting
Our February meeting will be a lunch gathering at the Women’s Club of Spokane, and we’ll hear from Stephanie High, M.A., Technology Advisor and Co-founder of KaizenCX. If you’re anything like me, you dabble with AI in your work setting and maybe a little in your personal life, but it just feels… so big. It’s hard to wrap my brain around the fact that this technology is going to completely change the landscape before my child is grown.
Experts agree that AI is set to transform the world, not in some distant future, but in the next five to 10 years. That’s both exciting and honestly pretty intimidating. So, the best we can do is try to be as educated as possible about what’s coming. Stephanie works at the intersection of technology and human behavior, which makes her the perfect person to help us navigate this. Her background in technology, psychology, and human-centered design means she understands not just what AI can do, but how it impacts us as people and organizations. This presentation is a chance for us to get informed together about something that feels both familiar and utterly overwhelming.
Gratitude
Finally, I want to express my deep gratitude for this board and for each of you. I’ve watched members of this organization show up for each other during incredibly difficult circumstances, and it moves me every time. This is what “Stronger Together” looks like in practice. Your resilience, your compassion, and your commitment to one another reinforce my own dedication to service and remind me why this work matters.
Here’s to February, to spring on the horizon, and to the connections we’re building together.
With gratitude,
Sarah
President, EWI of Spokane
EWI: Where diverse businesses come together for Connections, Careers, and Community.