The Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the first annual East Pierce County Leadership Luncheon!

A signature event that celebrates the power of leadership and collaboration in our beloved East Pierce County.

Join us for an inspiring afternoon that brings together business owners, civic leaders, educators, and nonprofit professionals from across the region. This event is designed to celebrate local leadership, spark innovation, and strengthen the deep roots that connect our community.

Scroll below to view the 2026 East Pierce County Leadership nominees/winners, featured speakers, and photo gallery!

 

Signature Event Details

  • Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026

  • Time: 12:00PM - 2:00PM

  • Location & Venue Sponsor: Pierce College Puyallup | 1601 39th Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98374
    College Center Building
    Multipurpose Room B (lower level)
    Parking lot A (overflow parking lot B & C

  • Speakers:

    • Dr. Donna Van Natten, Professional Speaker, Author, Trainer, and President & CEO

    • Jermane Easterlin, Workforce Development Practitioner and AI Educator

 

Event Highlights:

  • Keynote Presentation: Leadership Through Body Language
    Discover how nonverbal communication shapes trust, influence, and presence. Our expert keynote speaker will share practical insights on how leaders can use body language to inspire confidence and connection in every interaction.

  • Interactive AI Activities
    Experience firsthand how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we lead and work. These engaging demonstrations will highlight how technology can enhance decision-making, communication, and organizational growth.

  • East Pierce County Leader Awards
    Celebrate excellence in leadership as we honor outstanding individuals and organizations who are making significant contributions to our community. These awards recognize those who lead with integrity, vision, and a deep commitment to the well-being of East Pierce County.

Presenting the 2026 Nominees/Winners!

Trailblazer in Leadership - Honors a leader who has demonstrated bold vision, taken risks, and pioneered new paths for their business or community. This person challenges the status quo, embraces innovation, and inspires others to think bigger.

  • Brandon Simmons, Skoolie Foundation

  • Shawn Manley, Puyallup Food Bank & PFB Thrift

  • Karissa Thompson, Red Canoe Credit Union

  • Krista Linden, Step by Step & Farm 12

Rooted in Community - Recognizes a leader deeply committed to strengthening East Pierce County through civic engagement, philanthropy, and collaborative partnerships. This honoree consistently gives back, uplifts others, and models what it means to be community minded.​​

  • Kathy Hayden, Former Mayor of Sumner

  • Brian Williams, See Ya Later Foundation

  • Councilmember Lauren Adler, City of Puyallup

  • Vanessa Barr, Accessibath

Innovator in Action - Celebrates a leader who has leveraged creativity, technology, or new strategies to solve problems, enhance customer experiences, or grow their organization in impactful ways. This award highlights tangible results and forward-thinking leadership.​

  • Dennis Folk, Terrafin Real Estate

  • Luke Moyer, Moyer Production Company

  • Zach Rine, Goods Automotive

 
 

2026 Featured Speakers

Tracey Pidge

Meet our talented Emcee

Tracey Pidge is a seasoned executive leader with more than 30 years of experience in business development, operations, and community-centered leadership across corporate, nonprofit, and real estate sectors. She currently serves as Vice President of Business Development and Regional Sales Manager for Coleman Worldwide Moving, where she leads multi-state sales teams generating more than $20 million in annual revenue and partners with corporations to design employee relocation programs that support workforce recruitment, mobility, and retention.

Dr. Donna Van Natten

Founder, President, & CEO, Dr. Donna Van Natten synthesizes her education, knowledge, and expertise into high-octane, interactive, and fun body language and communication programs that provide new insights and tools about human behaviors for all professions, ages, and stages of life.

Check out her video, Meet the Body Language Dr. (Jan 2, 2017)

Jermane Easterlin

Jermane Easterlin is a workforce development practitioner and AI educator based in Pierce County, Washington. He holds an MBA and a dual B.A. in Business Management and Computer Science (from Whitworth University), grounding his work in both organizational strategy and technical fluency. Guided by the conviction that “Momentum doesn’t happen by chance; it happens by choice,” he equips leaders to turn obstacles into opportunities through AI-powered strategy, systems thinking, and a people-first approach.

 
 

Venue Sponsor

 

Event Sponsors

 
 
 

View the 2026 photo gallery