2025 Washington Economics Symposium

Hosted July 29, 2025 | University of Washington – Seattle

The 2025 Washington Economics Symposium was a resounding success—bringing together over 100 educators, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders for a full day of learning, collaboration, and shared commitment to improving economic and financial education in Washington State.

Co-hosted by the Center for Economic and Financial Education (CEFE) at Western Washington University, the Washington Council for Economic and Financial Education (WACEFE), and the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP) the event offered a unique opportunity to bridge classroom practice with policy priorities and industry insights. Held at UW’s Anthony’s Forum in Dempsey Hall, the symposium featured a carefully curated agenda designed to provide both practical tools for educators and strategic conversation for decision-makers.

A Dynamic Day of Learning and Collaboration

Attendees participated in two targeted learning tracks—one for K–12 educators and another for business, government, and policy professionals. From youth gambling policy and financial behavior to cryptocurrency, investing, and innovative teaching strategies, the day covered some of the most pressing and timely topics in economic education.

Highlights included:

• Opening keynote by Dr. Christopher Sands (Johns Hopkins University) on US–Canada trade and regional economic uncertainty
• Policy-focused conversation with Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti and Rep. Chris Stearns on financial education and youth protection
• A featured research session led by CEFE Director Dr. Adam Wright, presenting statewide findings on what works in high school financial education
• An economic outlook briefing from Dr. Dave Reich, Washington’s Chief Economist, who broke down current trends in consumer behavior, employment, and inflation
• Hands-on classroom sessions on teaching investing, market behavior, risk, and decision-making
• A Seattle Tech Week panel exploring how digital tools, stablecoins, and emerging tech are shaping the future of teaching financial education
• 6.5 STEM-aligned clock hours for educators, including immediately usable classroom-ready activities and resources

Throughout the day, attendees made meaningful connections and exchanged ideas on how to strengthen financial literacy efforts across Washington—from curriculum alignment to graduation requirements to digital innovation.

The symposium would not have been possible without the collaboration of our dedicated presenters, sponsors, and community partners, and we’re deeply grateful for the ongoing commitment to building a financially capable Washington.

Whether you're a returning participant or new to our work, we invite you to explore the tools and insights shared during the event:

👉 Download Presentation Slides and Classroom Resources

👉 Access the Agenda and Speaker Information

👉 Review the Report on Financial Education Course Formats in Washington State 

For questions or follow-up, please reach out to us at burtonk5@wwu.edu.

We’re proud to support Washington educators and leaders who are shaping the next generation of financially informed citizens—and we hope to see you at future events!