For All of Us
“Our member and sponsor commitments to our mission inspire and motivate us to make an ever bigger impact in the year to come. WTIA is here to help, and there’s a lot of work still to do.”
At WTIA, we are grateful for our nearly 1,000 tech company members; more than 120 WTIA board and committee volunteers, more than 60 full-time staff, part-time staff and interns; plus a dozen or so dedicated contract partners. It is an honor and a privilege to work with each of you to build a strong, sustainable tech sector in a thriving community.
For millions of Americans and countless more around the world, 2020 delivered enormous suffering from the social, economic, and health upheaval driven by the pandemic. In March, we were nervous but determined to survive and thrive through the pandemic and to help our partners and members thrive too. With hard work and some good luck, WTIA grew and provided even more support to our members and to the communities in which we operate.
Thanks to the members and sponsors that support WTIA, more than 16,000 people continue to benefit from high-quality healthcare and retirement benefits. More than 1,000 women, BIPOC, and veterans have gained access to careers in tech. Federal and state legislators are eager to work with the tech sector to build better public policies. Nearly 70 companies, including some very large corporations, have joined forces to dismantle racism in their organizations. And nearly 500 startups have received support in raising capital and launching their products.
The health, fiscal, emotional, and societal challenges are hardly over. The pandemic rages on, and the impact is far from fully measured. Our member and sponsor commitments to our mission inspire and motivate us to make an ever bigger impact in the year to come. WTIA is here to help, and there’s a lot of work still to do.
In the year ahead, WTIA is building a DEI office to guide members that aim to eliminate racism in their organizations and communities. WTIA members will have new opportunities to convene and engage around topics relevant to them, including CISO panels, fireside chats with founders of startup unicorns, and more. We aim to deliver greater value to current members, while expanding our reach to support more tech companies in Washington State.
Thank you for your effort, your tenacity, and your generosity.
Michael Schutzler
President and CEO
To build a strong, sustainable technology sector in a thriving community.
2020 Total Budget
$19.5M
2020 Expense Breakdown
70+
companies signed
The Anti-Racism in Tech Pact
in 2020
1,100
startup companies surveyed to assess where public & private institutions can support the startup job and economic growth engine
200+
laptops were provided to students in the region and over $27,000 was raised to refurbish them
Anti-Racism in Tech Pact
The tech sector creates millions of high-wage, meaningful jobs across the country. Still, more than 2 million jobs remain unfilled, even though there are many qualified candidates available from underrepresented groups, including people of color, veterans and women. We believe there is a better way, and thus, the Anti-Racism in Tech Pact was born.
The Pact aims to dismantle systemic racism in the tech industry by 2025. More than 70 companies signed the Pact in 2020, signaling their commitment to transform industry recruiting and hiring practices, eradicate racial bias in the workplace, and make sure organizational structures mirror the demographics of the locations in which they operate — including the board of directors, management and all employees.
In response to the overwhelming interest from small and large companies, WTIA hired a Chief Diversity Officer in 2020 to build and deploy a DEI Office to serve member companies as a partner and resource on the journey to dismantle systemic racism in their organizations.
Tech Sector Response to COVID-19
The tech sector’s resilience is remarkable, and nowhere is this more evident than in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies large and small have faced the challenge head-on, supporting our community and using ingenuity to problem solve and alleviate the impact of COVID-19. WTIA provided guidance to member company leadership throughout March and April and compiled a list of tech companies that created initiatives to alleviate the impact of COVID-19. We also surveyed hundreds of startups to assess where public and private institutions can support the startup job and economic growth engine.
Campaign to Fund Education Equity
WTIA, tech industry nonprofit sea.citi, and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce joined forces in the fall, asking member companies and their employees to donate computers — and the money needed to refurbish them — to bridge the digital divide for thousands of K-12 students from low-income neighborhoods in South King County. The campaign provided students in the region with more than 200 laptops and raised over $27,000 to refurbish them. Amazon was a sponsor, and community partners InterConnection and Youth Development Executives of King County helped to collect, refurbish, and distribute the donated machines.
One of the most important parts of the WTIA community is just that — our community. We work to support and delight our members with programs and services that strengthen businesses, solve problems, remove roadblocks, and most importantly, grow and bolster the technology community in Washington State. Through events, industry-specific resources, peer groups, and benefit programs, WTIA leverages the collective power of our members to help our community thrive.
224
New members
1,066
Total members
4M
Members’ employment
1,733
Co-Founders
Our business faced multiple challenges during the early days of the pandemic, including renewing our
D&O when our previous policy expired. Thomas and the WTIA team were able to quickly learn about our business and obtain favorable coverage, allowing management to focus on other critical areas and providing our board with peace of mind.Ben Sternberg, CFO, Fexy Media
Apprenti offers a powerful approach to help fill the talent gap through the time-tested model of registered apprenticeship. In 2020, Apprenti helped launch the tech careers of 307 apprentices, training them for roles with retained wages up to $150,000. Since 2016, Apprenti has placed more than 1000 apprentices at 59 employers in 12 states, including Washington.
307
apprentices placed in nine states
24%
were unemployed prior to the program
of placements are women, veterans, or persons of color
$110,000
the average salary apprentices earn upon graduation in Washington state. Nationally, the average salary earned during apprenticeship is $79,000
of apprentices who completed their apprenticeship were retained by their companies as full-time employees
168%
increase in income among apprentices in Washington as a result of their apprenticeship. Nationally, income increased by 97.5%
WTIA uses the group buying power of our member companies to offer benefit and insurance solutions for tech employers.
In 2020, we expanded our 401(k) Multiple Employer Program (MEP) nationally, grew our business insurance practice by 100%, and provided home and auto insurance advisory services to more than 100 customers. Our health program continues to help small firms provide affordable, high-quality healthcare, serving more than 7,000 employees at 425 member companies.
500
companies in WTIA healthcare, 401(k), and/or business
insurance programs
16,000
employees and family
members covered
150
Benefit Distribution Partners making our programs easily accessible
As the state industry association representing our technology sector, WTIA plays a critical role in policy conversations across Washington state and at the federal level. WTIA works closely with our members, community partners, and policymakers to advance solutions to pressing challenges for the technology sector — with a focus on a range of topics, including workforce development, higher education and STEM programs, and the tax and regulatory landscapes.
This year, we also engaged on a range of critical policy issues impacting the tech sector, highlighted below:
WTIA worked across the policy ecosystem to relay the priorities and concerns of our members to policymakers on topics ranging from data privacy to tech apprenticeships.
WTIA engaged directly with policymakers on key legislation impacting the tech sector. For example, representatives from WTIA testified in the Senate and the House of Representatives on the Washington Privacy Act to relay our members’ views on the legislation.
In advance of the Seattle City Council elections, WTIA convened candidates for an open discussion on their policy priorities and visions for the technology sector.
With the launch of the Anti-Racism in Tech Pact and creation of a Chief Diversity Officer role, WTIA is now well positioned to enhance its leadership on key diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
A WTIA-led effort created a blockchain public-private legislative working group that will explore both commercial applications and how blockchain can enhance and support government services.
Recognizing the critical importance of policy advocacy for our members, WTIA took steps to enhance the organization’s engagement in public policy by recruiting and hiring a new Vice President for Government Affairs in October 2020.
Webinars
WTIA webinars covered a wide range of topics and convened subject matter experts to provide our members and the broader tech community with useful and timely information. Webinars were hosted multiple times a month for various business units and had varying audience makeups depending on the topic being discussed.
ION Online Workshops
WTIA workshops were more intimate events limited to 8-12 attendees. Held quarterly, these workshops were designed to further progress attendees’ soft skills such as active listening, practicing empathy in the workplace, and asking questions.
Virtual Private Dinner
WTIA pivoted our in-person private dinners to accommodate our new virtual world. Private dinners were designed for business executives and limited to 10-12 attendees to ensure quality conversations among our guests. Each event centered around the common interests and expertise of our guests, and the conversation was designed to foster an engaging and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. Meals were provided by local restaurants and sent to guests’ homes.
Virtual Career Fair
WTIA hosted our first career fair in 2020. The event was held online in a virtual exhibition hall, and job seekers had the opportunity to visit virtual booths and talk with company representatives live via video, text, and phone. We hosted 10 companies and more than 150 job seekers.
Blockchain UNconference
Blockchain UNconference was a participant-driven conference focused on discussion, ideation, and problem solving. During this half-day conference, guests had the opportunity to hear from blockchain industry leaders, convene and brainstorm with fellow participants, and provide solutions to challenges posed throughout the day.
FullConTech: Tech Innovation 2020
Our traditional FullConTech was re-imagined as a virtual, half-day conference. This collaborative and highly interactive virtual conference brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to develop new ways to foster sustainable growth for the tech sector and the Snohomish County community – with a clear focus on exchanging ideas and taking action.This conference encouraged participants from different backgrounds to challenge traditional ways of thinking and collaborate across industry, non-profit, and government to solve problems and make a meaningful impact.
Kraig Baker
Partner, DWT
Greg Beams
Independent CPA
Bradd Busic
Chief Technology Officer, MultiCare
Jennifer Carlson
Co-Founder, Executive Director,
WTIA Workforce Institute & Apprenti
John Cofano
CEO, Goodwell Technologies, Inc.
Gena Cook
Founder, Navigating Cancer
Dave Cotter
CPO, Leafly
Kha Dang
GC, Drift
Todd Enos
CFO, Allied Investors
Leslie Fainzaig
CEO, FFA
Michelle Ferris
Director of Finance,
AllStar Directories
Kristen Forecki
Vice President, Convoy
Ben Golden
GC
Kristen Hamilton
Co-Founder, Koru
Don Heisler
Audit Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Brian Hilgendorf
CFO, Optio3
Mike Horwitz
VP Engineering, Comcast Technology Solutions
Len Jordan
Managing Director, Madrona Venture Group
Shannon Jurdana
CEO, Vimly
Colleen Kerr
VP, WSU
Ed Lazowska
Bill & Melinda Gates Chair, UW CSE
Rebecca Lovell
Executive Director, Create33
Steven Maheshwary
Governor’s Sector Lead, Information & Communication Technology, Washington State Department of Commerce
Randa Minkarah
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Transform, Inc.
Mike Monroe
President, HRBI
Amy Morrison
President, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Derrick Morton
CEO, Flowplay
James Newell
Partner, Voyager
Dave Parker
CEO, Six Month Startup
Gina Phillips
Former Global VP, WeWork
Irene Plenefisch
Director of Government Affairs, Microsoft
Seth Rapkin
SVP, Morgan Stanley/Pike Place Partners
Heather Redman
Co-Founder, Flying Fish VC
Margaret Rojas
Assistant Director, North Sound Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization
Laura Ruderman
CEO, Technologies Alliance
Scott Ruthfield
CEO, Rooster Park
Elizabeth Scallon
Head of WW Labs NW, WeWork
Michael Schutzler
CEO, WTIA
Craig Sherman
Partner, WSGR
Ben Straughn
Partner, Perkins Coie
Shannon Swift
Founder/CEO, Swift HR Solutions
Robert te Winkel
CFO, WTIA
Dan Waggoner
Partner, DWT
Joseph Williams
Seattle Director, PNNL
Gilbert Wootton
Managing Partner, Accenture
Arry Yu
Chair, WTIA Cascadia Blockchain Council
