New WTIA COO Advances Equitable Growth in Washington’s Technology Sector

Kelly Fukai has been appointed as the chief operating officer of the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), reporting to CEO Michael Schutzler. Prior to her new role, Fukai held the position of WTIA vice president of government and community affairs. 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.

Fukai has a strong background in various industries and is an expert in government relations and stakeholder partnerships. Before joining WTIA, she 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. She holds a CPA with a Master of Business Administration and bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University.

As COO, Fukai 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.

Fukai expressed her pride in being a part of WTIA’s team and said that she looks forward to continuing to work with its members to drive innovation and growth within Washington’s technology industry.