Rare Leader Takes Reins as COO of Washington Technology Industry Association: Advancing the Tech Sector in State’s Economy

Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) recently announced the appointment of Kelly Fukai as its chief operating officer. Fukai, who previously held the position of WTIA vice president of government and community affairs, will now be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit member trade association. According to a news release, Schutzler praised Fukai as a rare leader with extensive experience in various industries and as an expert in government relations and stakeholder partnerships.

During her time at WTIA, Fukai has been instrumental in advancing programs such as SeaCiti, which aims to strengthen the Puget Sound region’s technology workforce through inclusive civic engagement and expanding startup programs across the state. Prior to her role at WTIA, Fukai held positions such as manager of public and external affairs at the Spokane International Airport and Western region government affairs manager at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. Fukai is a CPA with a Master of Business Administration and bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University.

Fukai expressed her pride in being a part of WTIA’s team and outlined her plans to further the organization’s efforts in highlighting the importance of the technology sector to the state’s economy. She aims to achieve this by promoting equitable growth of the statewide workforce, expanding the startup ecosystem, and advocating for inclusive and innovative policies. A report released by WTIA last year stated that the information and communication technology sector directly employed 360,900 people in Washington state in 2022, contributing to nearly 1.5 million jobs when considering indirect positions.