Meet the Team
Mitch Koonz
Communications Lead, NW Tech Bridge Partnership, in partnership with the Clallam Economic Development Council
Advisory Board
Advisors At-Large
Advisory Board Alumni
- Michele Bianchi, Michele Bianchi Communication Design
Served 2025 – 2026 - Enrique Godreau III
Founding Advisor, served 2024 – 2026 - Katie Hoffman, Phaidra
Founding Advisor, served 2024 – 2025
Alanna Imbach
A proud ‘boomerang Kitsapian’, Alanna Imbach is a champion for innovation, entrepreneurship and community building, known for founding Vibe Coworks, Kitsap’s largest shared workspace and coworking community.
In recognition of the need for a distinct body to support the long-term growth of new business venture growth and development throughout the region, Matchstick Lab was born out of Vibe Coworks under Alanna’s leadership, becoming its own fiscally-sponsored 501c3 entity through the Kitsap Community Foundation in 2024.
With a robust background in public information and international development, Alanna worked previously at the UN Refugee Agency, UN World Food Programme, and other high-impact global organizations. Alanna speaks Spanish, French and Swiss German. She is a graduate of Leadership Kitsap (’17), and served previously on the Board of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance (KEDA).
Education
Candidate for Masters of Science in Organization Development, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Bachelors of Science in Economics, Montana State University; Bachelors of Arts in Political Science, Montana State University.
Carol Kowalski, CAP
As a community banking and nonprofit leader, Carol Kowalski is passionate about building innovative partnerships that strengthen local economies and expand opportunities across the Pacific Northwest. She joined the Matchstick Lab Advisory Team in 2025.
Carol brings over two decades of experience spanning community development, philanthropy, and strategic business engagement. As Vice President of Business, Community & Government Relations at Kitsap Bank, she has led initiatives that connect small businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders to drive regional growth. She also serves on multiple nonprofit boards, where her focus includes governance, fundraising strategy, and building sustainable endowments.
A graduate of Washington State University, Carol also holds the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation from the American College of Financial Services. She has been recognized with numerous awards for her leadership and community impact.
Carol resides in Manchester, WA, where she enjoys exploring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest with her family.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Washington State University. Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy, American College of Financial Services.
Mitch Koonz
Mitch Koonz is a communications and marketing professional specializing in digital strategy and economic development. As Communication Manager for the Clallam EDC, he leads communications for several Washington-based programs, overseeing digital marketing, content strategy, website development, public outreach, and business support initiatives. Passionate about fostering local business growth, Mitch also serves as President of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Mitch graduated from Sequim High School and Peninsula College simultaneously before earning his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Washington University. He spent five years working in Spokane before returning to the Olympic Peninsula to be closer to home. Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding, hiking, biking, and surfing across Washington’s scenic outdoors.
Education
Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and in Business Administration, Eastern Washington University.
Nick Johnson
Nick resides in Bremerton.
Education
Stacy Luckensmeyer
Stacy Luckensmeyer knows the pain, the excitement, the drive, the terror, and the rewards of being an entrepreneur. She has loved it and cursed it through seven of her own businesses and has worked with well over a thousand other entrepreneurs to help them survive the charms and challenges of running a growing company. She has been a prime mover in multiple economic development projects in Washington, bringing her business mind and determination to the work of establishing and growing a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Stacy is an EOS Implementer by day, helping owners and their leadership teams get more of what they really want from their businesses. By night, with wild abandon and 100% commitment, she sleeps.
Stacy resides in Poulsbo.
Education
First and foremost, the School of Hard Knocks, which means more to her than both her undergrad degrees and her MBA.
Troy Niehaus
Troy Niehaus is a Principal and Wealth Advisor with Bernstein Private Wealth Management, advising ultrahigh-net-worth individuals on investment management and wealth planning. With 25 years of business experience, including roles in intellectual property, a tech start-up owner, president of a hardware manufacturer, and General Manager of a software business, Troy particularly enjoys working with entrepreneurs.
A retired US Air Force officer and former special agent, Troy also led felony investigations and counterespionage operations. Troy is active in the community and is a member of the Development Committee for the Bainbridge Community Foundation. Troy joined Matchstick Lab’s founding Advisory Team in 2024.
Troy lived in Kingston before moving to Bainbridge Island in 2002.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Russian area studies from the US Air Force Academy. Master of Science in Management from the University of Colorado at Denver.
Whitney Tatum
Whitney Tatum is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs, supporting Matchstick Lab in initiatives like Firebrand and Entrepreneurs Anonymous—spaces designed to help business owners navigate challenges, find clarity, and grow in community. She believes in the power of connection and shared experience to build stronger, more resilient businesses.
With a background that spans corporate roles, international development, and small business ownership, Whitney brings a grounded, real-world perspective to her work. After years of working and living across the U.S. and Latin America, she moved to Washington in 2022 to deepen her support for local entrepreneurs. She also founded MOXIE Entrepreneurial Support Services, which helps businesses get organized through clear, streamlined operations and documentation.
Her work is grounded in the belief that entrepreneurs deserve clarity, community, and support—and that business should enhance life, not consume it.
Whitney resides in Silverdale, WA
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a focus on Entrepreneurship, from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management.