Author: Susannah Malarkey

Susannah Malarkey is the Executive Director of the Technology Alliance (TA), a statewide organization of leaders from technology businesses and research institutions dedicated to Washington's long-term economic success. Through programs, events, data analysis, and policy activities, the TA advances excellence in education, research, and entrepreneurship to support the growth of high-impact industries; the creation of high-wage jobs; and economic prosperity for the entire state. She has been the Executive Director of the Technology Alliance since its inception in 1996, and oversees all TA projects and programs. She co-founded the Alliance of Angels in 1997 and oversaw the program until it was spun out by the TA in 2012. She also founded the Innovation Showcase in 2009 and co-founded the Our Schools Coalition in 2010. Current signature TA programs include the monthly Science and Technology Discovery series; the annual State of Technology Luncheon; and the biennial Technology Institute. The TA’s newest effort is the Ada Developers Academy, an innovative and intensive software training program for women launched in the fall of 2013. Malarkey currently serves on the board of the Washington Technology Industry Association, on the Steering Committee for the Our Schools Coalition, on the advisory board for University of Washington’s Clean Energy Institute, and is a member of Women in Venture.

Improve Education with Great Expectations for All Students

If I could change one thing about our K-12 education system, it would be to end the curse of low expectations in Washington’s public schools. Numerous studies have shown that teacher and principal expectations have a profound effect on school culture and student performance. A student treated as if she or he can accomplish anything … Continue reading “Improve Education with Great Expectations for All Students”

Diverse Software Developer Talent—A Gift That Keeps on Giving

Here’s a fresh take on the spirit of giving: Ten Washington technology companies have agreed to “pay it forward” by supporting Seattle’s first not-for-profit coding academy focused on preparing women who show technical aptitude, but have little or no technical experience, to become software developers. During the Technology Alliance’s early days in the mid-1990s, Washington … Continue reading “Diverse Software Developer Talent—A Gift That Keeps on Giving”

It’s Fashionable to Be Early, and Other Startup Lessons from the Innovation Showcase

The point at which an exciting research project is poised to become the next great product or service can be fraught with peril. So, what’s an innovator to do? Make connections, seek advice, build a team of advisors and investors who can help navigate that rocky road and bridge the gap between research and results. … Continue reading “It’s Fashionable to Be Early, and Other Startup Lessons from the Innovation Showcase”

Four Things Michigan Can Do to Reinvigorate its Economy (And One Thing to Avoid)

The interesting thing about Michigan is that as a state it has already implemented many forward-thinking economic development strategies and policies. Michigan has been much more innovative than Washington state has been in this respect. Washington’s success has frankly been in spite of, rather than because of, state policy much of the time. We in … Continue reading “Four Things Michigan Can Do to Reinvigorate its Economy (And One Thing to Avoid)”

It’s Time for Washington to Commit to a 21st Century Education System for the 21st Century Economy

Every second year, the Technology Alliance gathers policymakers and leaders from the innovation community at a retreat designed to explore issues affecting Washington’s technology sector and to map out strategies to increase our state’s long-term competitiveness. We organize the retreat around what we call the “three drivers” of a vibrant innovation economy: excellent K-12 and … Continue reading “It’s Time for Washington to Commit to a 21st Century Education System for the 21st Century Economy”

Higher Education, the Driver of Our State’s Economy, Must Avoid the Budget Axe

Even with the economic downturn, plenty of Seattle area technology companies are going to be hiring new, highly skilled workers in 2009. These are high-paying jobs; the average annual salary plus benefits per worker in Washington’s technology-based industries is more than twice the state average. Too bad more of those jobs won’t be going to … Continue reading “Higher Education, the Driver of Our State’s Economy, Must Avoid the Budget Axe”