Media

Media Coverage

A bullet train to B.C.? Here’s why it’s worth considering

Seattle Times, November 17, 2023

“Imagine zipping from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., in under an hour. No flight is necessary — your ride is a 250-mph train. In 2023 America, that vision sounds far-fetched or, at best, far off. Yet in the face of relentless growth in the Pacific Northwest, rail remains an option worth careful consideration. Clogged roadways and congested skies are prolonging commutes and delaying travel. It will only get worse. Three million more people are expected to move to Greater Seattle, Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., in the next 30 years, according to a report released earlier this year by the Washington State Department of Transportation. There are already more than 9 million combined in those metropolitan areas now…”

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By thinking beyond borders, Northwest leaders craft an innovative approach to climate change

Seattle Times (Sponsored Content from Cascadia Innovation Corridor), December 5, 2022

“As fires, floods and other natural disasters increasingly impact the Pacific Northwest, one thing has become clear: Climate change doesn’t know borders. When wildfires broke out in October of 2022, plumes of smoke settled over the entire Pacific Northwest and plunged air quality to the worst levels in the world. When a record-setting heat dome settled over the region in June of 2021, it sent thermostats soaring everywhere from Portland to Vancouver, B.C. And when floods ravaged the landscape in November of 2021, they washed out homes in both British Columbia and Washington state…”

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Microsoft President Brad Smith is leading the vision of a connected Cascadia

Vancouver Tech Journal, October 25, 2022

“‘If there’s one thing that doesn’t respect the border, it’s carbon,’ Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, tells me from across the boardroom table.
It’s mid-September, and the air is thick with smoke. Summer came late this year to the Pacific Northwest – a rainy spring lingered long into June – but a month-and-a-half of drought left forests tinder-dry…”

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The first sustainable mega-region? Former Gov. Chris Gregoire on Cascadia’s climate quest

Geekwire, September 17, 2022

“The Cascadia 2050 Vision conference was led by former Washington state governor Chris Gregoire, the CEO of Challenge Seattle and the co-chair of the steering committee for the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, a cross-border initiative that brings together leaders from Washington state, Oregon and British Columbia…”

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“Bill Gates encouraged by U.S. climate initiative as ‘mega-region’ grapples with long-term challenges”

Geekwire, September 13, 2022

“Wildfire smoke was hanging over the U.S.-Canada border in the distance as regional leaders from both countries arrived here Monday, an appropriately ominous backdrop for a conference on climate change. But the opening session of the Cascadia Vision 2050 conference began with a small ray of hope from Bill Gates. The Microsoft co-founder expressed optimism about momentum on two fronts…”

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Life sciences leaders see big opportunity for more collaboration across Seattle and Vancouver

Geekwire, September 17, 2022

“D’Avignon and his fellow co-chair of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, are pushing for more of that type of exchange. They believe there are unexplored opportunities for scientific researchers and biotechnology companies to collaborate more along the Cascadia corridor and ultimately build out a life sciences cluster across the Pacific Northwest mega-region. We’re trying to build a connected ecosystem of labs, companies, and governments,” D’Avignon told GeekWire, comparing the potential in life sciences to the already-flourishing technology ecosystems between Seattle and Vancouver…”

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Rapid rail for Cascadia? B.C., Washington and Oregon sign pact on high-speed transportation

Geekwire, November 16, 2021

“Washington, Oregon and British Columbia agreed to work together to bring bullet trains or other forms of ultra-high-speed ground transportation to connect the major population centers of the Cascadia region. Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) announced at the Cascadia Innovation Corridor conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday afternoon, the U.S. states and Canadian province will form a joint policy committee to coordinate their planning and seek funding for the long-discussed initiative…”

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Longterm vision for Seattle-Portland-Vancouver mega-region will require a ‘consensus on growth’

Geekwire, October 13, 2020

“Traffic as congested as Los Angeles? Housing as unaffordable as the Bay Area or New York? Climate emissions falling well short of Paris Agreement targets? Those are the dire predictions of a recent report issued by the Microsoft-backed Cascadia Innovation Corridor on the current trajectory of our mega-region that stretches from Portland through Seattle north to Vancouver, B.C.…”

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Microsoft to host Seattle summit on high-speed rail connecting Pacific Northwest cities

Geekwire, October 22, 2019

“High-speed rail in the Pacific Northwest has long been a dream of Microsoft and the tech giant is accelerating efforts to make that dream a reality. Next month, Microsoft will host government, transportation, and business leaders at the Cascadia Rail Summit, an event in Seattle dedicated to connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver B.C. via a high-speed train. The proposed rail line would make it possible to travel from Seattle to Vancouver in under an hour. Its proponents say that would turn “Cascadia” — named for the mountain range that spans the region — into an innovation hub akin to Silicon Valley…”

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Washington state and B.C. launch Joint Clean Grid Initiative to align renewable energy transition

Geekwire, October 3, 2019

“Washington state and British Columbia are partnering to share resources and work together as each government pursues ambitious clean energy goals. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and British Columbia Premier John Horgan announced the new Joint Clean Grid Initiative on stage at the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference in Seattle on Thursday…”

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BC a key part of Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference in Seattle

Daily Hive, October 3, 2019

“Business, academic, non-profit, and government leaders from BC, Washington state, and Oregon are convening in Seattle today, at the fourth annual Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference to discuss a 2035 vision for life in the Cascadia region. According to organizers, this year’s conference will both “highlight and solicit feedback” on the new strategies underway for the region to come together, maximize shared competitive advantages, and elevate its global economic position…”

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High-speed rail vision expands Cascadia Corridor options

Seattle Times (Sponsored Content from Cascadia Innovation Corridor), October 1, 2019

“Things move quickly in the Cascadia region — as long as you aren’t in a car trying to get somewhere. Seattle-area drivers lost 138 hours during peak commuting times in 2018, according to an annual report released by INRIX, a traffic data firm. Portland and Vancouver faced similar gridlocks, as drivers lost 116 and 102 hours respectively in 2018…”

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Opinion: The Pacific Northwest thrives with collaboration

Puget Sound Business Journal, September 27, 2019

“Former Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Greg D’Avignon, CEO of the Business Council of British Columbia, know the importance of working together in helping the Pacific Northwest thrive…”

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Greg D’Avignon and Christine Gregoire: We are poised to invent tomorrow together

Vancouver Sun, September 26, 2019

“Over the last decade we have experienced unrivalled economic growth, in part because we are a leader in technology, academic research, life sciences and more. However, with this success have come real challenges like homelessness, transportation congestion and a shrinking supply of affordable housing. Four years ago a set of forward-thinking leaders recognized that these challenges aren’t just Washington state’s or Oregon’s or B.C.’s Rather, they belong to all of us…”

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Microsoft joins with Pacific NW medical research institutions on data discovery platform

GeekWire, July 12, 2019

“Microsoft is teaming up with leading medical research organizations to create a shared network of research data in the Pacific Northwest. Dubbed the Cascadia Data Discovery Initiative (CDDI), the goal of the collaboration is simple: make it easier to find and share medical data. For example, researchers at one of the institutions should be able to easily locate relevant data at other organizations without violating privacy laws or licensing agreements…”

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New WeWork program provides free access to 20+ Seattle-Vancouver-Portland offices for ‘Cascadia innovation Corridor’ proponents

GeekWire, October 10, 2018

“WeWork is giving free access to the co-working giant’s more than 20 Seattle, Portland and Vancouver B.C. offices for select businesses and organizations that aim to further ties between regions in the so-called ‘Cascadia Innovation Corridor.” Under the new “Cascadia Passport” program, WeWork will grant a limited number of passports to local leaders — such as elected officials, economic development organizations, universities entrepreneurs and more — to distribute to local businesses, foreign delegations or others interested in strengthening bonds in the region. WeWork is also offering the option to directly apply for a Cascadia Passport…”

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Cascadia Innovation Corridor: From vision to reality

Seattle Times, October 8, 2018

“Two years ago, leaders in Washington state and British Columbia got together to talk about a big idea. Actually, a lot of big ideas. At the 2016 Emerging Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, U.S. and Canadian business and government leaders discussed how collaborating across the U.S.-Canada border could enrich the whole region, by expanding trade, and forging collaboration in technology, research, transportation and education…”

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Microsoft, Oregon, and B.C. kick in $750K for new study of high-speed rail in the Pacific Northwest

GeekWire, July 26, 2018

“The effort to build a high-speed rail connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C. just got a fresh cash infusion. Microsoft, the Province of British Columbia, and the Oregon Department of Transportation are putting $750,000 in new funding toward a deeper study of the business opportunity the project presents. The rail line under consideration would connect Seattle to Vancouver in under an hour. The new funding is on top of $750,000 contributed by Washington state earlier this year, bringing the total funding for the new study to $1.5 million…”

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Businesses see opportunities in new Seattle to Vancouver seaplane service

Seattle Times, May 25, 2018

“Seattle and its neighbor to the North, Vancouver, draw many comparisons: both are beautiful coastal cities known for their outdoorsy, laid-back vibes — but a new seaplane service connecting the cities daily has businesses in both cities thinking about other similarities, too. ‘Both cities are about innovation and startups and moving fast,’ says Heather Redman, board chair of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and co-founder of Flying Fish Partners. ‘We have so many similarities, in terms of our young, highly educated, highly entrepreneurial residents and we both just have a tremendous amount of energy and creativity’…”

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With seaplane service, even the flight is part of the adventure

Seattle Times, April 30, 2018

“Two years ago, leaders in Washington state and British Columbia got together to talk about a big idea. Actually, a lot of big ideas. At the 2016 Emerging Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, U.S. and Canadian business and government leaders discussed how collaborating across the U.S.-Canada border could enrich the whole region, by expanding trade, and forging collaboration in technology, research, transportation and education…”

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What is the Cascadia Innovation Corridor?

Seattle Times, September 12, 2017

“The Cascadia region is more than geography. Cascadia is the strong and enduring ties between two remarkable countries, and between a forward-looking state and province with shared values, connected economies and a beautiful natural landscape that knows no boundaries. We are stronger when we collaborate. It’s why Washington state and British Columbia joined together to form the Cascadia Innovation Corridor last year, and it’s an honor to welcome our friends from British Columbia to the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference this fall in Seattle…”

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On both sides of the border, the future is Cascadia

Seattle Times, September 12, 2017

“Despite being separated by an international border, there’s a great deal more that unites the 140-mile stretch from Vancouver to Seattle than divides it. The Pacific Northwest shares a deep sense of place, an identity shaped by the mountains and sea, and – increasingly – an understanding that the key to our future is technology. Tech is among the fastest-growing industries in British Columbia, which has the most robust economy in Canada. B.C. recently eclipsed 100,000 tech jobs in the province, a milestone that even a few years ago would have seemed improbable. Most importantly, the region is turning decisively away from an unsustainable economy built on resource extraction – mining, logging and fishing – to one built around the longest-lasting and most renewable of all resources, human ingenuity…”

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Microsoft backs Seattle-Vancouver high-speed rail study as Cascadia conference aims to deepen ties between regions

GeekWire, September 12, 2017

“Pacific Northwest business and political leaders on both sides of the Canadian border announced today a series of agreements to strengthen relationships between Seattle, Portland, Vancouver B.C. and the surrounding areas. The new partnerships, made ahead of the second Cascadia Innovation Corridor conference in Seattle this week, focus on technology, economic development, education and transportation. Government officials, universities, companies and research institutions are participating in the effort, which is meant to bring together the regions that have a lot in common but are separated by an international border…”

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Live from the Cascadia conference: U.S. and Canadian civic and tech leaders look to forge new regional connections

GeekWire, September 12, 2017

“The second Cascadia Innovation Corridor conference kicks off in Seattle today, where tech luminaries are teaming up with elected officials to deepen ties between Seattle, Portland, Vancouver B.C. and other surrounding areas in a variety of ways. The inaugural Cascadia conference last year in Vancouver looked at how Seattle and Vancouver could work together to become an innovation hub through sessions on government leadership, education, transportation and investment. This year the scope is broader, including Oregon and representatives of other Northwest institutions. Microsoft has been a driving force in the cooperation between the regions, as well as the Cascadia conference, after opening a big development office in Vancouver last year…”

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Cascadia Corridor fosters innovative partnerships

Seattle Times, September 11, 2017

“At last fall’s inaugural Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, held in Vancouver, the Boston Consulting Group released a study highlighting how major city-regions around the world are becoming centers of innovation and economic growth. Think Singapore, San Francisco, London. The shared strengths and opportunities in Seattle and Vancouver offer a unique opportunity to collaborate and raise the region’s profile as an innovation hub…”

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Microsoft President Brad Smith on why life sciences should buy into the ‘Cascadia Innovation Corridor’

GeekWire, May 23, 2017

“A life sciences conference isn’t the first place you’d expect to find Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith. But that’s precisely where he was Tuesday morning, and he had an important message for the life sciences industry: if it wants to scale up, it should look to our neighbors to the north. Speaking at Life Science Innovation Northwest in downtown Seattle, Smith reiterated the points of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor initiative, a push for greater collaboration between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., which are less than 150 miles apart…”

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GeekWire Radio: Seattle and Vancouver tech leaders unite, a report from TechCrunch Disrupt, and more

GeekWire, September 16, 2016

“This week on the GeekWire radio show and podcast: Can Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., team up to create a “Cascadia Innovation Corridor” that strengthens the larger region as a technology center? That’s the aim of a conference next week in Vancouver, with big names from both sides of the border, including tech innovators Bill Gates and Satya Nadella. We discuss the potential for this idea, as well as some challenges, on this week’s news roundup. We also examine a new app battling homelessness in Seattle…”

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Press Releases

2022 Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference Spotlights Sustainability and Climate Action

Cascadia Innovation Corridor, September 12, 2022

“Today, US and Canadian leaders in business, government, education, non-profits, academia, and industry will convene at the 6th annual Cascadia Innovation Corridor (CIC) Conference to discuss a shared vision for sustainability and climate action. In 2020, the CIC outlined a vision to become the world’s first sustainable mega-region. As the region increasingly experiences wildfires, flooding, record heat, drought, and water shortages, this year’s event will spotlight strategies to accelerate action towards a net-zero future…”

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Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference Returns with Focus on Open Borders, Sustainability

Cascadia Innovation Corridor, November 16, 2021

“Today, leaders from both sides of the US-Canadian border are announcing key steps forward to promote business expansion, academic collaboration, and environmental sustainability in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. The announcements are part of the 5th annual Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference, which returned after disruption in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. After more than a year of border restrictions, the 2021 conference provides an opportunity to have a constructive cross-border dialogue on how the Cascadia region can sustain an open border and promote a robust shared economy…”

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Cascadia Innovation Corridor-based alliance transforming cancer care through research powered by technology and data science

Cascadia Innovation Corridor, November 13, 2020

“The Cascadia Innovation Corridor congratulates the Cascadia Data Alliance on advancing important research to improve cancer outcomes through $1.2 million in new funding and credits for Microsoft Azure’s cloud computing service awarded to cross-institutional research teams. The collaborations among leading Cascadia health researchers will use the power of technology and data science to transform cancer care globally through the launch of three research pilots…”

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“Cascadia Vision 2050” offers path to sustainable growth in the Cascadia Mega-Region

Cascadia Innovation Corridor, September 21, 2020

“The Cascadia Innovation Corridor has released the Cascadia Vision 2050 report offering recommendations on how the mega-region can serve as a global model for sustainable growth.With new analysis from Boston Consulting Group, the report examines challenges faced by today’s high-growth mega-regions associated with maximizing opportunity while managing environmental impact, the availability of affordable housing and congestion. Cascadia Vision 2050 proposes a bold approach to sustainable growth by building hub cities on underdeveloped lands and connecting them to the larger centers via high-speed transit…”

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“Cascadia Vision 2050” offers path to sustainable growth in the Cascadia Mega-Region

Cascadia Innovation Corridor, September 21, 2020

“The Cascadia Innovation Corridor has released the Cascadia Vision 2050 report offering recommendations on how the mega-region can serve as a global model for sustainable growth.With new analysis from Boston Consulting Group, the report examines challenges faced by today’s high-growth mega-regions associated with maximizing opportunity while managing environmental impact, the availability of affordable housing and congestion. Cascadia Vision 2050 proposes a bold approach to sustainable growth by building hub cities on underdeveloped lands and connecting them to the larger centers via high-speed transit…”

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Cascadia Innovation Corridor Launches Virtual Forum Series Focused on Cross-Border Collaboration and Economic Recovery

Cascadia Innovation Corridor, September 14, 2020

“Business, academic, public health and non-profit leaders from British Columbia, Washington state and Oregon will convene for the first of four virtual forums hosted by the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, designed to help the region manage the health and economic impacts of COVID-19…”

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New Daily Seaplane Service to Connect Vancouver and Seattle

Harbour Air and Kenmore Air, April 5, 2018

“Harbour Air and Kenmore Air and announced a new seaplane service today between downtown Vancouver and downtown Seattle beginning on April 26, 2018. The new route will help connect the two cities and bolster greater opportunities to collaborate in the Cascadia region for business, research and tourism.‘We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Kenmore Air to launch this new international route that will enable people to fly between downtown Vancouver and downtown Seattle in one hour,’ said Randy Wright, President of Harbour Air Seaplanes. ‘This daily service will connect the Cascadia Corridor and be an important
service for business and tourism’…”

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New Regional Effort Aims to Establish Cascadia Innovation Corridor

Cascadia Innovation Corridor, September 20, 2016

“The creation of a new global hub for innovation and economic development is the focus of a conference being held today in Vancouver. The Emerging Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference brings together business and government leaders to explore the potential for joint partnerships in education, transportation, university research, human capital and other areas. The conference is jointly hosted by the Business Council of British Columbia, the Washington Roundtable and Microsoft Corp…”

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Chris Gregoire, CEO, Challenge Seattle
Chris Gregoire
CIC Co-Chair

Christine Gregoire is the CEO of Challenge Seattle, which is an alliance of CEOs from 22 of the region’s largest organizations who work together to tackle some of our most pressing civic challenges, such as homelessness and racial equity. As CEO of Challenge Seattle, Chris serves as the Washington co-chair for the Cascadia Innovation Corridor.

Previously, Chris served for two terms as Governor of the State of Washington with a $32B biennial budget and over 60,000 employees. In her first term as Governor, she created the Department of Early Learning and led on reforms to the K-12 system and investment in higher education.  Chris led the state in a historical investment in infrastructure including the building of the largest floating bridge in the world and the largest transportation tunnel to open up Seattle’s waterfront.  She addressed the water wars in the state and established the Puget Sound initiative to restore one of the nation’s major estuaries.  She led an historic number of trade missions, reformed the foster care system to protect children, and was among the first to lead in health care reform. During her second term, Chris led the state in major reforms, management, and budgeting to position the state as one of the most financially secure to come out of the “Great Recession”.

Prior to becoming Governor, Chris served for three terms as Attorney General for the State and prior to becoming Attorney General, Chris served four years as the Director of the State Department of Ecology.

In addition to being CEO of Challenge Seattle, Chris is a former chair of the Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and former Member of the National Bipartisan Governor’s Council.

Gail Murphy, Ph.D., VP Research & Innovation, UBC
Shwetak Patel, Ph.D., WRF Endowed Professor, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, UW
Irem Tumer, Ph.D., Vice President for Research at Oregon State University
David Hoff, Senior Vice President, Government Relations and Community Investment, Ledcor
Paula Hammond, Senior Vice President, National Transportation Market Leader, WSP
Rickey Y. Yada, Ph.D., Academic Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC
Rickey Y. Yada, Ph.D., Academic Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC
Molly Jones, Vice President, Government Affairs, Payactiv
Pamela Saunders, Director of Communications & Engagement, Microsoft Vancouver
Laurie Trautman, Ph.D., Director, Border Policy Research Institute, WWU
Matt Morrison, CEO, Pacific Northwest Economic Region
Tom Roemer, Ed.D., Principal, Tioga Communications Inc.
Sonya Doucette, Ph.D., Professor, Bellevue College; Climate Justice Faculty Development Lead
Angela Becker-Dippman, Director, Energy & Environment Directorate’s Program Development Office, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Andrew Hoan, President & CEO, Portland Metro Chamber
Bill Tam, Co-Founder, Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster​
Ken Macartney, Executive Director, International Relations, Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat (IGRS) Office of the Premier, Government of British Columbia
Steve Mullin, President, Washington Roundtable
Rachel Smith, President & CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Kris Peters, Chairman, Squaxin Island Tribe
Ian Campbell, Hereditary Chief, Squamish Nation
Mike Fong, Director, Washington State Department of Commerce
Staci Simonich, Ph.D., Dean and Reub Long Professor, College of Agricultural Sciences, OSU Director, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station
Laura Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council of British Columbia
Dave Robertson, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Port of Portland Co-Chair, PPP for Climate
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