Brian Woline, Finance Director for Harbor Transit, shared about his experience with his Leadership Connect 2025-2026 cohort.
Hi, my name is Brian Woline. I am the finance director at Harbor Transit, and I want to take a few minutes to tell you about my experience with Leadership Connect.
When I began Leadership Connect, I expected professional networking and professional development. I thought I would meet people, learn about local organizations, and gain a better understanding of the Tri-Cities area. Something that I did not expect was how meaningful the experience would become.
Leadership Connect opened my eyes to how deeply interconnected our community really is. Throughout our journey, we learned about a wide range of topics. I list them here to show the breadth of the experience. We explored education, housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, nonprofits, public safety, local government, and economic development. We learned that these are not separate conversations. They’re all interconnected in a way I overlooked before.
In my finance role at Harbor Transit, I now think more intentionally about how funding decisions fit into that bigger picture. Transit connects people to jobs, schools, services, healthcare, and opportunity, and those connections matter. More broadly, our work helps connect people with the services and opportunities they need while working to reduce transportation limitations in our community.
Leadership Connect strengthened the way I think about leadership, stewardship, and the role Harbor Transit plays in the broader community. I’m now more intentional about incorporating collaboration, inclusive planning, and community impact into decision-making process. This perspective is especially valuable in a finance role, where good financial leadership is not only about numbers, it is about stewardship, priorities, and making decisions that support the organization’s mission.
For an employer, the return is a more effective leader who brings back a broader understanding of how their organization fits into the region, a leader who has a deeper awareness of how their department affects other parts of the business, and a leader with enhanced decision-making skills that translate into better business outcomes.
Leadership Connect challenged me to lead with more purpose, stronger awareness, and a deeper commitment to the place we all call home. I would encourage others to apply, but also to dedicate the time. The value comes from being present, listening, asking questions, and allowing the experience to shape the way you think.
