SWACH hosts inaugural SW WA Power Building Conference

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health (SWACH) is proud to have successfully hosted the first-ever SW WA Power Building Conference, held at the historic Heathman Lodge in Vancouver. With over 120 attendees from across Washington, the conference was a day dedicated to exploring how collective impact can drive equity and systemic change.

The conference, which took place on September 26, featured a series of educational sessions led by experts in their fields. Attendees gained valuable insights into strategies for addressing the challenges facing communities today.

SWACH Executive Director Nichole Peppers gives remarks.

During the conference’s opening, SWACH Executive Director Nichole Peppers emphasized the importance of power building in amplifying community voices. “Power building and collective impact allow us to meet the needs of our communities by providing vital support to those who need it most,” said Peppers. “It involves capacity building, community engagement, leadership development, advocacy, policy work, and coalition building—all working together to uplift communities and drive meaningful change. It’s about creating space for communities to lead the changes they want to see.”

A compelling keynote was delivered by Paul Lindberg, a Collective Impact Health Specialist, who set the stage for in-depth presentations by Lauren Henrickson and Charlene McGee. Following their talks, SWACH’s Sarah Dryfoos moderated an insightful Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the speakers.

Power Building Conference Q&A session.

After a networking lunch, participants dove into specialized breakout sessions that focused on critical areas such as Rural Health, Community Health Workers, Policy & Advocacy, Native & Tribal Health, and Behavioral Health. These tracks offered attendees the opportunity to explore specific topics in greater depth, fostering collaboration and idea-sharing across different fields.

This successful first conference reflects SWACH's ongoing commitment to building a healthier, more equitable community by bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and driving action toward systemic change.