You Belong!
Check out this WIN BRG-produced video that raises awareness about Washington State as an employer of choice for immigrant communities, showcases the diversity of the state workforce, and promotes the State as a welcoming environment where immigrants can feel valued and appreciated.
Elections for Chair and Vice-Chair were recently held, and the results are in. Please welcome our returning chair and two new co-vice chairs!
Chairperson – Christina Pourarien
Christina (she/her) is an Information Technology Services Division Executive Operations Manager for the Employment Security Department (ESD).
After graduating from Central Washington University, she began her state service career in 1999 at the Washington State Lottery. She has worked at General Administration (currently known as Department of Enterprise Services), Department of Retirement Systems, The Evergreen State College, Department of Social Health and Services, Department of Licensing, and Labor & Industries before joining ESD in January of 2022. She currently serves as the chair for the Washington Immigrant Network (WIN) Business Resource Group, previous co-chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Employee Resource Group at L&I, and previous co-chair of Family of Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians, and Asians (FOPINHA) ERG at ESD.
Christina was born in Great Falls, Montana, moved to South Korea with her family when she was six months old, and returned to the United States as a young child in the early 1980s. Her father proudly served in the US Air Force and her mother is originally from Korea. She attended public school in the North Thurston School District in Lacey, Washington. She had the privilege to be the first in her family to receive a formal college education from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
She and her husband Cody have a teenage daughter, Sima.
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Co-Vice Chair – Roy Salonga (WSDOT)
My name is Roy Salonga. I was born and raised in the Philippines. My family and I migrated to Vancouver, Washington in July of 2008. I remember my very first job couple of months later, I was cleaning floors, urinals at an assisted living facility. I was exposed to working in a restaurant business as a dishwasher and prep cook as well as working in a production facility. Don’t get me wrong. The jobs I was exposed to were blessings to me and taught me how to be humble.
A few years later, in 2012, I decided to go back to college. I went to Washington State University with a concentration in Human Resource Management. In May of 2014, I graduated with my bachelor’s degree. On the same year, I became a US Citizen. For my personal leisure, I like to weightlift, watch anime, and spend time with my fiancée and our son.
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Co-Vice Chair - Rokaih Vansot (WSDOT)
We will share more information about Rokaih soon. Thank you Christina, Roy, and Rokaih for taking on these important roles for the Washington Immigrant Network!
Introducing the new WIN BRG Logo
The WIN leadership team is proud to announce our new logo following a survey to our members to vote for their favorite tag line to add to our WIN Log. The tag line winner – You Belong Here.
Thank you for submitting your tag lines and voting. We are truly a place where everyone belongs.
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WIN Lunch & Learn –
The Teachers in Our Lives
FOLLOW -UP!
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Click here for survey resultsOn May 23rd, Lily Woo and Christal Lee led a guided conversation about the challenges children from immigrant backgrounds face growing up in a household of parents and elders unfamiliar with the American school system.
Christal conducted a survey of immigrant students about their experiences and the fascinating results are available at the link below.
UPDATED LINK!
June 27th, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
In recognition of June as Immigrant Heritage Month, Washington Immigrant Network is hosting a celebration highlighting the stories of our immigrant state employees, allies, and community partners. While some of these stories may share sadness, suffering, fear, and frustration, they will also provide insight into the bravery, ingenuity, caring, and love of immigrants and people who have been displaced from their countries. This celebration will also include fun activities and networking opportunities.
For more information about the Annual Celebration, check out the WIN Events web page.
Please take the survey to let us know if you will be attending in-person or virtually.
Speaker Call to Action!
The Interagency Committee of State Employed Women (ICSEW) is looking for speakers for our 2023 Professional Development Conference. The conference takes place via Zoom Oct 3-4.
The conference theme is:
ICSEW is looking for dynamic speakers who can present on topics related to current and historical social inequities, their intersectionalities, and action steps we can all take to remove barriers.
Interested?
Please submit your interest by June 16, 2023.
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Do you have a story to share?
You can submit your immigrant story by visiting:
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RAIN June Membership Celebration
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REMINDER: RAIN is meeting on Friday, June 16, instead of Thursday.
RAIN will meet using our regular General Membership meeting Zoom link. We will be celebrating Pride by breaking out into affinity group rooms, followed by the RAIN variety/talent show!
RAIN Variety Show
- Do you have a hidden talent? Be ready to show off your skills!
- Your talent can be anything!
- Cartwheel, singing, poem, magic card trick, tried and true party trick? Whatever your heart desires, but come prepared! We are going to call on you!
Email RAIN@ofm.wa.gov if you need to be added to our meeting distribution list
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Washington’s Native Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Islander Business Resource Group will be hosting its first mentorship meeting July 26 from 1-2:30 pm.
WIN is a proud partner with HAPPEN to stand up a Mentoring Program. We encourage WIN mentors and mentors to support HAPPEN by attending their upcoming kickoff event.
This mentorship program aims to foster connections between ANHPI individuals and allies within the community, facilitating discussions on growth opportunities, professional development, and beyond. It operates as a semi-structured, cohort-style program, offering mentors and mentees access to resources and the freedom to tailor the program to meet their specific needs.
Why Do You Need a Mentor?
Research says a good mentor inspires, motivates, stretches, connects, and helps develop your Emotional Intelligence. They also open your mind to your potential and opportunities. A good mentor can also provide a safe space to learn, experiment, and ask questions. The Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group Mentoring Program's goal is to retain and support immigrant state employees in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive and advance their careers, as well as recruit new employees from the immigrant community. The program establishes and facilitates direct, trusting relationships between volunteer mentors and their assigned mentees.
How can I connect with a mentor? For current or prospective state employees, visit Meet our Mentors. We have mentors from several state agencies from various ethnic backgrounds with varied expertise and experiences, including multilingual. After reviewing the mentor's profiles, submit your mentoring request here.
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Questions about the Mentor Program? Please reach out to Christina Pourarien, Chair & Mentoring Program Administrator at Washington Immigrant Network, at win@ofm.wa.gov.
Career Opportunities
Working for Washington State is work that matters!
For a complete listing of Washington State career opportunities, go to:
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Get Involved with a BRG
 Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. All BRGs have a charter, mission, goals and bylaws and contribute to an overall statewide business strategy. BRG members bring their unique knowledge and perspectives, making them an asset to state business needs, such as recruitment and retention. (OFM.wa.gov/BRGs)
See Business Resource Group Events Calendar
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