Our Team

Jennifer English
Program Director
jennifere@tacomachamber.org

Jennifer is a passionate advocate for Tacoma’s creative economy, leveraging her deep community roots and personal experience as a 2014 graduate of the Spaceworks Incubator to empower artists and entrepreneurs. In her role at Spaceworks, she drives the vibrant Artscapes program, curating a talented roster of artists and facilitating dynamic public art installations, from the iconic Woolworth Windows to large-scale murals, that inject cultural vibrancy into the city’s landscape. While the Incubator program seeks new funding, Jennifer continues to provide vital technical support and coaching to its extensive alumni network, fostering resilience and long-term growth.

Kirsten Kreis
Incubator Coordinator
kirstenk@tacomachamber.org

Kirsten Kreis, Spaceworks Incubator Instructor for 2024, has been working with entrepreneurs throughout Pierce County since 2022 as Pacific Lutheran University’s Director of Business Outreach at the PLU School of Business. As a life-long learner, entrepreneur, and Spaceworks alumni (2018), Kirsten started her small business in Tacoma’s busy 6^th Ave Business District; (Re)style Clothing Company was a second-hand upscale fashion-based business that promoted sustainable fashion. Despite tremendous growth, over several years, COVID created changes in the market and consumer purchasing patterns that were unsurmountable for many small businesses, including (Re)style.

Kirsten understands the challenging journey of the entrepreneur and enjoys fostering a more connected entrepreneurial ecosystem that provides direct access to business resources including relevant coaching at whatever stage a business is in. The majority of Kirsten’s work has been focused around community outreach and human services, with 15+ years’ experience with grant administration. Working alongside multiple cities, resident groups, for-profit businesses and non-profit agencies in Pierce/King counties, demonstrating a commitment to collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kirsten embodies the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, finding creativity and inspiration in the great outdoors as a PNW outdoor enthusiast. Other areas of interest include civic engagement, globetrotting, remodeling historic homes, and sustainable living.

Co-Chair, Rebecca Solverson
Public Art Program Manager – City of Tacoma

Rebecca Solverson manages the City of Tacoma’s Public Art Program, where she oversees public art projects for the city and outside partners, including Metro Parks Tacoma. Prior to starting this role in 2015, she managed public art projects across the state for ArtsWA, and was the first staff of Spaceworks Tacoma. Rebecca is also a founding member of the Tacoma Tool Library. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Bard College. Rebecca was born, raised, and still lives in Tacoma. She loves working with artists and community on creative placemaking and place keeping projects throughout the city.

Co-Chair, Ryan Spence
Director – Manufacturing Industrial Council

Ryan Spence is an entrepreneur, designer, and product developer based in Tacoma, Washington. He serves as Director of the Manufacturing Industrial Council for the South Sound, where he supports business growth, community development, and entrepreneurship. Ryan helped establish the Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator, an economic development initiative of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber in partnership with Clover Park Technical College. He has also been a longtime supporter of Spaceworks, contributing since 2012, and where he currently serves as Co-Chair on the Spaceworks Steering Committee.

JD Elquist
Retail Advocate – Downtown Tacoma Partnership

JD is a creative entrepreneur with many years experience owning and operating businesses in Downtown Tacoma. An accomplished event visionary, marketer, and promoter with a portfolio that includes fashion shows, pop-up markets, and networking events. Out-of-the-box thinker, passionate about cultivating relationships and building community through thoughtful leadership and team collaboration.

Umi Wagoner
Advocate and Business Owner

Umi Wagoner graduated from Henry Foss High School and was accepted to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2006. He went to school and worked full-time at the Beverly Center as assistant manager before being recruited by The Hundreds is Huge Inc.

After graduating he moved home to Washington and worked in Ballard at the high-end boutique Blackbird Ballard as a lead sales associate. One year later he was offered the Store Manager position at The Hundreds is Huge Inc. 
flagship location and moved back to Los Angeles.

After spending the end of 2013 building a business plan with business partner Perris Wright he moved back to Tacoma in 2014 to open ETCTACOMA. He has since spent his time participating and advocating for the art community in Tacoma. Through works with public organizations and hosting art shows at eTcTacoma he has also built community within Tacoma’s art realm. 

Amy Lewis
Fine Artist

Amy Lewis is a visual artist, born and raised in hilltop Tacoma. She paints snapshots of ordinary life glamorized. Her representational watercolor and oil paintings, rich in color and detail, draw attention to the things we take for granted. By pairing everyday subjects with rich backgrounds she draws attention to the importance of our everyday silly little joys. Lewis is a self taught artist who paints to cultivate joy and an appreciation for the beauty that is all around us.

Shannon Halberstadt
Creative Economy Sector Lead, WA State Dept. of Commerce

As Creative Economy Sector Lead, Shannon cultivates partnerships and policy to grow creative businesses and jobs in Washington State. Shannon brings decades of experience supporting Washington State’s creative workers and creative businesses, including leadership roles with Artist Trust, Spokane Arts, The Recording Academy (GRAMMY’s), and The Vera Project. She’s sat on numerous Boards and Commissions such as Whipsmart!, Inspire Washington, Seattle Music Commission, and Seattle Center Advisory Commission. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find Shannon traveling, swimming, hiking, hunting down the best restaurants, or enjoying live music and cultural events.