Straight Talk

Who has the best chances of making it to the general elections and White House? Weigh in with your thoughts or listen to our panel of pundits share theirs.

Legal privacy protections for email and other cloud-stored data are weak—and could get weaker. Fundamentally, this is a legal and policy issue—not a technical matter--yet it has dire business implications. 

In a September 2015 U.S. Court of Appeals hearing, Microsoft challenged the U.S.’s request for private data held in Ireland because the U.S. government asserted its right and that of other nations to access data beyond national borders.

The growing threat of privacy and confidentiality intrusions not only erodes trust in technology, but as people lose confidence in their right to privacy it will also impact small and medium businesses who provide cloud computing solutions to clients. Further, as other nations begin to build their own cloud solutions because ours cannot be trusted to protect their citizens' privacy, American companies operating at the global scale will suffer catastrophic results.

The Law Enforcement Access to Data Stored Abroad Act—or LEADS—will help restore trust in tech by ensuring that digital communications and data receive the same privacy protections as paper letters and documents. It will: (1) Require a court-approved search warrant similar to laws governing access to physical documents; (2) Establish fair rules for government to access data stored abroad—protecting Americans’ privacy and setting a model for other nations; and (3) Strengthen international cooperation—through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with other nations.

Join a discussion about what you can do NOW to save U.S. innovation, and why time is of the essence.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) has a complicated history on Bainbridge Island. There are frequent power outages and a need for more infrastructure, but push back from a community with an interest in reducing its carbon footprint, concern about aesthetics, and a new desire via the Island Power initiative to own and control its own nonprofit electric utility.

Andy Wappler is vice president of Corporate Affairs for Puget Sound Energy, and leads groups that are charged with coordinating customer/community outreach and enhancing data capability. He is also chairman and president of Puget Sound Energy Foundation, dedicated to promoting safety and emergency preparedness within PSE’s service territory.

Join a conversation about PSE's history with the island, plans for the future, and what's being done to prevent the number of outages.

Girls Can Do (GCD) provides positive role models who are everyday yet extraordinary women talking about choices, determination, hardships, failure, resilience, and success. The Girls Can Do event series started with a single speaker and a small idea in January 2014. Since then, it has quickly grown into a movement with a big vision and big plans to match. Its mission is to inspire a generation of possibility thinkers, and to encourage young women to have big dreams and pursue them. After all, what you want to do in life is always your best option, and anything is possible if you expect it. GCD hosts events around the country and the world, at low to no cost for young women and girls. These events are special days where girls come to engage, connect, and share experiences with amazing women speakers who are pursuing their dreams. They also partner with local organizations focused on girls programming to provide “next steps” for newly inspired Possibility Thinkers.

Ashby Fiser of Bainbridge Island is an Outreach Focus volunteer for GCD, and a UX Researcher and Designer in her professional life. Join us as we discuss GCD, empowerment, and women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

Should it come down in South Carolina? Has the recent vote gone too far? Are there costs to censoring history, or was this long overdue? Does it represent heritage, or hate?Join the conversation.

Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) is being funded and built in collaboration with Microsoft. It will pair UW students with international students to form teams. Those teams will work to solve real problems for real partner businesses. Microsoft, which has provided $40 million in initial funding, will be the first lead partner. Join us as we talk about this new game-changing international tech institute in Bellevue which will redefine the region.

Bainbridge Island citizens have the opportunity to own and control its own nonprofit electric utility, as do more than 50 other Washington communities. Consumer owned utilities, from the City of Blaine to Seattle City Light, provide lower cost, cleaner and more reliable power than Puget Sound Energy (PSE).

In 2008, Jefferson County (Port Townsend) voted to give electric authority to their public utility district, Jefferson PUD, and buy out PSE.  Today they have their own 100% carbon-free, locally controlled, nonprofit power system.

Is it possible on Bainbridge Island?What are the pros and cons?How much will it cost?Who will run it?What about hydropower and droughts?Why not partner with PSE's Green Power initiative?

Join us as we answer these questions and more with Jane Lindley and Steve Johnson of Island Power.

What are some of the programmes, initiatives, and opportunities to prepare our children for the future workforce - or help existing workers and retiring veterans to reinvent themselves and prepare for another career? Join us as we explore and discuss what's available and on the horizon.

We've had some doozies in the headlines. Join us as we deliver a fast-paced, informed discussion of the top news.

We're bombarded with books, articles, conferences, quotes, consultants, and workshops about leadership: what it is, what it isn't, and ways to become better and stronger when inspiring our teams.

What does leadership mean to you?What tools and best practices have you deemed successful - or not - in developing your skillset and success?Is there such a thing as bad leadership, and what does it look like?What lessons have you learned on your path of growth and discovery?

Join us in a live interactive exchange on this much discussed issue as we explore these questions - and more. We want to hear from you!