In ‘Around The Table,’ we highlight member news and share information on industry trends. This week, we shine the spotlight on Cowles Company, Microsoft, McKinstry, Starbucks, and 16 Roundtable organizations who supported the “No Child Sleeps Outside” campaign.
Spokane Executives Leading Statewide Business Associations in 2018
A recent article in Spokane’s Journal of Business highlights two local leaders, Betsy Cowles of Cowles Company and Michael Senske of Pearson Packaging Systems. Each has been named to lead a major statewide business association in 2018. Cowles is serving as chair of the Roundtable. Senske is chair of the Association of Washington Business. In the article Cowles said, “I think it’s a great example that there’s high-level talent in Spokane and it’s pretty cool that we have two of the large statewide organizations chaired by (Spokane community members).” We couldn’t agree more. Read the full article here.
“No Child Sleeps Outside” Campaign Raises Over $2 Million
Businesses and individuals across King County came together again this past holiday season in support of the annual No Child Sleeps Outside campaign that addresses the crisis of hundreds of families and children sleeping outside in King County. With contributions from more than 50 businesses, foundations, and organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, Mary’s Place – the region’s largest family emergency shelter provider – raised $2,174,740 in 45 days, exceeding the campaign goal of $1.5 million. Mary’s Place held an event on January 11 to thank supporters and sponsors, including many Roundtable member companies: Boeing, Comcast, Holland America Line, KeyBank, Laird Norton, Lease Crutcher Lewis, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Nordstrom, Sabey Corporation, Seattle Mariners, Starbucks, Vulcan, Washington Federal Bank, Wells Fargo, and Weyerhaeuser. Learn more here.
Starbucks and GIX Win Innovation Awards
In its second annual Innovation Awards, the Puget Sound Business Journal recognized Starbucks and Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) as two of 11 companies that are “changing the business landscape in the Puget Sound region and beyond.” Starbucks was recognized for advancement in its mobile payments platform which has “garnered acclaim throughout the technology industry and changed the way we take our coffee.” GIX, the result of a partnership between Tsinghua University in Beijing and the University of Washington, had early support from Microsoft. The Bellevue-based incubator is seeking to develop leaders in innovation to solve global challenges. See all the Innovation Award winners here.
McKinstry Honors Legacy of MLK Through Service
To honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, McKinstry highlighted some of the ways its employees serve their communities across the country. In Spokane, for example, McKinstry volunteers packed meal kits for students who need extra food over the weekend and donated winter boots for youth in need. In Seattle, team members prepped food donations for distribution to local food banks, shelters, and meal programs. Learn more by following McKinstry on Twitter.