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The Spokane Workforce Council is proud to welcome Christine Smith, PHR, to our Board of Directors. Christine brings a powerful combination of corporate HR leadership, regional employer advocacy, and a deep commitment to workforce development that makes her an invaluable addition to our team.

A Leader Rooted in Workforce and People Strategy

Christine currently serves as Director of Human Resources at Hotstart, a Spokane-based global manufacturer of industrial thermal management systems serving the power generation, transportation, marine, and industrial markets. In this role, she leads the company’s full human resources strategy, spanning talent development, employee relations, organizational culture, and regulatory compliance, supporting a workforce built on innovation and growth.

Her career reflects more than just HR expertise. Christine has spent years building high-performing teams and creating workplace environments where both employees and organizations can thrive. Her background in manufacturing and technical industries gives her a firsthand understanding of the workforce challenges employers face in today’s competitive labor market.

Credentialed, Committed, and Continuously Growing

Christine holds a BA in Applied Psychology from Eastern Washington University and is a certified human resources professional through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She also pursues ongoing professional education in HR leadership, workforce strategy, and employment law, demonstrating a commitment to staying at the forefront of her field.

Her SHRM certification is more than a credential. It reflects a dedication to best practices, ethical leadership, and continuous improvement in how organizations attract, develop, and retain talent.

A Voice for Employers Across Washington State

Beyond her corporate role, Christine has been an active force in regional employer leadership and public policy. She has served on the Board of Directors for Associated Industries, a Washington-based employer advocacy organization, and held the role of Board Chair, where she helped guide the organization’s efforts to support employers and strengthen the economic and business climate across the state.

This experience gives Christine a unique policy lens, one that understands the real pressures employers face and the systems and partnerships needed to address them.

Why Her Voice Matters on Our Board

Workforce development is most effective when it is shaped by people who understand both sides of the equation, the needs of job seekers and the realities of employers. Christine brings exactly that perspective. Her work at the intersection of HR leadership, employer advocacy, and community partnership aligns directly with the Spokane Workforce Council’s mission to build a stronger workforce and economy for Spokane County.

Her community leadership focuses on strengthening the connections between employers, workforce organizations, and the broader business community, which is precisely the kind of bridge-building our regional workforce system needs.

We are proud to have Christine’s voice, experience, and leadership guiding our work.

Spokane Workforce Council
140 S. Arthur St. Suite 300A
marketing@spokaneworkforce.org