Monica Blackwood’s Mission to Bridge Kitsap’s Workforce Gaps
By QUINN PROPST
Ward Media Staff Reporter
In Kitsap County’s evolving business landscape, Monica Blackwood is known as a connector, a strategist, and a steady advocate for people. As President and CEO of West Sound Workforce, she has built her career on bridging the gap between employers looking for talent and job seekers searching for opportunity.
Her story is one of local roots, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to the region she calls home.
Local Roots, Strategic Vision
Raised in Indianola, Monica grew up surrounded by the natural beauty and close-knit communities of the North Kitsap area.
“I’m a local girl from birth,” she said. That sense of belonging has never left her, and it continues to inform her leadership today.
Her early career began in communications and marketing before broadening into business. But what drew her most was strategy—the challenge of connecting the dots and creating order from complexity.
“I’m intrigued not just by strategy, but by the how,” she said. “When you have pieces to a puzzle and you have a strategy, put that puzzle together, how it just kind of begins to blend and flow. That’s where I feel like business strategy and our workforce are the puzzle pieces. We can put the whole picture together of successful business, successful people, and successful communities if we’ve got the right strategy and can put people in the right spots where they thrive.”
West Sound Workforce: A Community Anchor
Founded in 1998 by Julie Tappero, West Sound Workforce has grown into a respected regional staffing and recruiting firm. When Blackwood took the helm, she brought both her business acumen and her people-first philosophy to the company’s mission.
“Our focus is to help individuals find employment and help companies find their employee match,” she said. “We’re kind of like professional matchmakers for careers and jobs. Our main focus is geographic—we work here, live here, and are part of the community in West Sound. We want individuals in the West Sound area—Pierce, Kitsap, Jefferson, and a bit of King County—to find success in their employment ventures.”
That local emphasis sets the company apart. Unlike national staffing firms, West Sound Workforce is locally owned and operated, giving Blackwood and her team the flexibility to respond quickly to both employer and job seeker needs.
“We don’t have to get approval from somewhere else to do things,” she said. “We can meet companies and job seekers where they’re at and find creative solutions.”
What Sets Them Apart
Blackwood points to her team’s depth of expertise as one of the firm’s strongest assets.
“Members of our team have all had expertise in HR, holistically,” she said. “We understand what life is like in HR.”
Her own experience and leadership roles also bring value. Blackwood serves on regional and statewide commissions and participates in organizations shaping workforce policy. That knowledge is easily accessible to clients.
“Folks can call me up or see me at events and ask questions,” she said. “There’s direct access to me as the company owner, and I can help lay things out.”
For many employers, that access is a game-changer.
“Employers come to us because they’ve had trouble filling a role,” she said. “We’re able to give them insight and information that will help in their recruiting efforts, and we partner with them to find the right person. Sometimes, we just provide advice—they don’t even use our recruitment services, but we’re a partner for them.”
For job seekers, the difference is equally meaningful. In an era dominated by impersonal online portals, West Sound Workforce provides a human connection.
“There’s still that black box theory out there—their resume goes in and they never hear anything,” she said. “We have lines into HR departments and can get feedback, or find jobs that haven’t even been advertised yet. We’re additional eyes and ears for them.”
Partnerships with Purpose
Blackwood’s commitment extends well beyond business transactions. West Sound Workforce partners with WorkSource, Olympic College, and other organizations to support job seekers of all backgrounds, including those who are justice-involved or have differing abilities.
“We’re always looking for opportunities and ways to partner with individuals who have differing abilities, whether invisible or physical,” Blackwood said. “I have a certificate in employing all abilities in the workplace, and we’ve worked with organizations like Holly Ridge and Easter Seals. It’s about engaging all aspects of the communities we serve.”
Kitsap’s Workforce Challenges
Kitsap County and the broader West Sound region face a unique set of workforce hurdles. Transportation is often at the top of the list.
“One thing is transportation and getting more accessibility on bus lines,” she said.
But deeper than logistics, she believes workforce development hinges on communication and flexibility.
“A job seeker might say they need a flexible schedule, and the employer thinks that means something huge, but maybe it’s just coming in 15 minutes later to drop off kids,” she said. “If both sides are curious and ask questions, they can find solutions.”
She is equally candid about the hidden costs of isolation in today’s workplaces.
“Isolation is a huge thing we need to start looking at. It’s not just about remote work—hybrid can be isolating too,” she said. “We need to ask new questions about how to support our workforce, not just the same ones we’ve been asking for years.”
The Future of Work
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is reshaping the workplace. Blackwood is realistic but optimistic.
“For the better part of 20 years, there’s been a workforce shortage,” she said. “Companies have figured out how to get work done with fewer employees, and technology is evolving. But it’s not going to displace us as humans. We just need to think about it differently and be curious about how to apply technology and AI.”
She emphasizes that durable skills—communication, adaptability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence—will always be in demand.
“You can teach the technical skills, but knowing how someone will act in front of a client or troubleshoot in a crisis is invaluable,” she said.
The leaders of the future, she believes, will be those who can manage teams with empathy and insight.
“You’ll always need people who can manage a team, understand how each person functions best, and set them up for success,” she said. “That’s something machines can’t do.”
A Philosophy of Curiosity and Collaboration
Blackwood’s leadership style is rooted in honesty, trust, and above all, curiosity.
“Relationship-based efforts and collaboration are key,” she said. “Curiosity is my word—I love it. It’s a great way to approach things, especially if you disagree with someone. Come at it from the viewpoint of curiosity.”
That mindset also informs her advice to job seekers.
“Network, network, network, and always stay curious,” she said.
A Vision for Kitsap’s Economic Health
For Blackwood, workforce development is inseparable from Kitsap’s long-term economic health.
“Without a workforce that is focused, forward-thinking, and willing, we’re not able to attract or retain companies,” she said. “Eventually, that would lead to an exodus, and we wouldn’t be vibrant. Our partnership with the Navy is unique, but we need to keep our workforce up to speed to maintain that.”
West Sound Workforce works to strengthen the talent pipeline by connecting with schools, training programs, and community organizations.
“We do a lot of work with WorkSource, other agencies, and organizations focused on second-chance hiring,” she said. “We’re always looking for ways to engage all aspects of our community.”
Finding Joy in the Work
What motivates Blackwood after years in the field? For her, it comes down to people.
“It’s moments like watching someone get excited because they can finally express themselves, or hearing from leaders we’ve placed who are thriving,” she said. “I want to see Kitsap thrive—not just my business, but all the businesses around me, including my competitors. That means the people within us are successful, and our community is successful.”
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