Leadership changes at SP3NW

We wish to share a few updates regarding personnel changes at SP3NW.

Earlier this month, Associate Director Dr. Michaele Armstrong (pictured at right) was named Executive Director of Evergreen Biosciences Innovation Cluster. Armstrong is the co-founder of Washington State University Spokane’s SP3NW and has served partners and members since 2020, mentoring startup entrepreneurs and supporting ecosystem and economic development efforts across the region. Armstrong will transition to her new position effective May 15.

During her time at SP3NW, Armstrong developed The Flexible Infrastructure for Resilient Entrepreneurship (FIRE) program, an initiative funded by The Economic Development Agency (EDA) SPRINT grant. Armstrong was also instrumental in securing funding for a wet lab space in partnership with the Health Sciences and Services Authority (HSSA), a move to better support the region’s health sciences research capacity.

In her new role, Armstrong will continue to work closely with WSU and life science ecosystem partners to increase opportunities for economic development, including enhancing talent connections to industry partners, increasing awareness about regional supply chain partners, and making the region a magnet for life science entrepreneurs.

SP3NW’s Director, April Needham (pictured at left), will also transition from her role at SP3NW effective June 30. Needham has been recognized as a leader in the Inland Northwest innovation ecosystem through her efforts in supporting regional economic development through entrepreneurship over the past nine years.

She is excited to devote more time to developing her startup, a studio focused on AI technologies, Pangeon, which she co-founded with Graham Morehead in 2023. Additionally, Needham will continue to advise entrepreneurs on their ventures and communities on ecosystem development through her consulting firm, Bloom Consulting.

Arriving at WSU in 2020, Needham initially provided one-on-one technical assistance to entrepreneurs across all stages of the startup lifecycle from Main Street businesses to technology-led entrepreneurs through WSU’s Center for Innovation and went on to lead WSU’s business incubator, SP3NW, supporting early-stage technology-led member companies after the merger of the two programs.

Collectively, both Armstrong and Needham have supported more than 300 start-ups over the past four years as well as have secured nearly $2.1 million in philanthropic and grant funds to expand SP3NW’s resources and services for entrepreneurs. Their significant contributions to Eastern Washington’s continued economic growth are numerous and far-reaching.

You may reach out to April Needham regarding questions at april.needham@wsu.edu until June 30. Inquiries may also be directed to Craig Parks, Associate Vice President for WSU Health Sciences at parkscd@wsu.edu. Additional details regarding operations, programs, and activities will be communicated in the coming weeks.