President & CEO, Dick’s Drive-In
Closing Keynote

Jasmine Donovan, President and CEO, Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants

Jasmine Donovan is the President and CEO of Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants. As a granddaughter of one of the founders and namesake, Dick Spady, she has worked for the business off and on since she was 16 years old and started working full-time on the executive team in 2013. Jasmine stepped into the role of President when her father, Jim Spady, retired in late March 2019. Jasmine is on the Board of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Rainier Club and Evergreen Operating Company. Jasmine was recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal as a Woman of Influence in 2019.

Jasmine graduated from Hillsdale College with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Chemistry in 2006. She joined the Navy after college and was assigned as an instructor at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, SC. During her service she was the Command Public Affairs Officer, earned her master training specialist certification, and was the Division Director of the enlisted physics teaching division. While in Charleston, Jasmine earned her Masters in Business with an emphasis in Finance at Charleston Southern University.

Jasmine currently resides in North Seattle with her husband and two sons.

Opening Speaker
The Ground Has Shifted

Maddy Thomspon was appointed acting executive director of the Workforce Board in January 2026 by Gov. Bob Ferguson. She has served in leading policy roles in Washington’s executive and legislative branches over 25 years.

Maddy leads the charge to work with business, labor and government leaders to meet Washington’s workforce needs. She ensures research informs policy development and program improvements, and advocates for changes to better meet the needs of Washington’s employers, students and workers.

Maddy recently served as the Workforce Board’s director of policy, strategy and research. She previously advised the office of former Gov. Jay Inslee as a senior policy advisor, focused on education policy and budget priorities. This involved collaboration with elected officials and education partners across Washington to improve educational outcomes for Washington youth and adults. Maddy led the charge to transform state financial aid to an entitlement program, the Washington College Grant. This program is now known as the most equitable and most generous program in the country. She advocated for change in the state K-12 education funding formula to ensure more adults were hired in schools to provide mental health and other supports for youth. Maddy served as an Education Commissioner representing Washington, on the national bipartisan organization, the Education Commission of the States. She also worked as a research analyst for the Washington House of Representatives and led policy and government relations at the Washington Student Achievement Council.

She has also advanced numerous initiatives to increase the racial and ethnic diversity of the educator workforce and representation on education boards and commissions.

In higher education, Maddy facilitated the development of state higher education goals and strategic plans, and she conducted research and developed programs that help returning adults to gain postsecondary credentials such as I-BEST and applied baccalaureate degrees.

In her various roles she has been a regular speaker at national forums including the National Governors Association, the Education Commission of the States, and international forums such as Pacific Northwest Economic Region summits. Maddy is a former educator and attained her master’s degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College after moving to the United States from Australia.

Apart from individual enrichment, Maddy believes that education is the foundation for a prosperous community and a strong democracy. In 2024, Maddy received the PTA award for education advocacy.

Moderator
The Employer Who Stopped Waiting

Christina Riley is the Founder of Christina Riley Consulting, LLC. A journey-level construction craft laborer by trade, Christina has built her career by connecting education, workforce development, labor, Tribal communities, and industry to create meaningful career pathways.

She specializes in apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program development, workforce strategy, facilitation, project management, labor relations, and Tribal engagement. Throughout her career, Christina has led initiatives that expand access to registered apprenticeships, develop industry-driven training programs, facilitate strategic planning for organizations across the Pacific Northwest, and strengthen partnerships between employers, labor organizations, workforce boards, educational institutions, and Tribal Nations.

Christina serves as Treasurer of the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council Board of Directors, helping guide regional workforce investment strategies and strengthen connections between education, industry, and economic development. As Chair of the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council's Tribal Relations Committee, she is passionate about creating opportunities that help individuals discover rewarding careers while supporting employers in building a skilled workforce.

Facilitator
The Work May Not Be What You Think

Kat Santana is the Founder and Primary Consultant of The Katalyst Tapestry, a Washington-based consulting firm focused on workforce strategy, systems change, and building stronger connections across industry, education, community, and workforce systems.

With more than 20 years of experience in workforce and economic development, Kat has worked across industry, government, education, labor, nonprofits, and community organizations. Her work throughout the region has included employer and sector engagement, career-connected learning and work-based learning, workforce program development, and building cross-sector partnerships designed to create more accessible pathways to economic opportunity.

Kat is known as a connector and facilitator who is willing to ask the questions that don't always get asked — and to make room for voices that aren't always represented in the conversation. Her approach centers both the realities employers are navigating and the lived experiences of workers and job seekers, with the goal of moving people beyond conversation toward practical, lasting change.