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.
A Message from the Chair
We are so glad and thrill that you have joined the Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group!
I am honored and excited to serve as your current WIN BRG Chair. Since I started in the role in July 2022, I have felt overjoyed by the amazing WIN members who have shared their passion for improving our communities and creating a space where everyone feels they belong.
WIN is a place where our immigrant communities’ are shown to be courageous, hopeful, and resilient as we navigate making America our home. WIN provided me a safe space to feel I belonged and gave me a purpose. Each WIN member has shared their unconditional love, support, and care for each other by opening their hearts and ears, listening to understand instead of judging. I feel I belong to a wonderful and amazing BRG, and I no longer feel invisible.
WIN BRG also helped me prepare for my current leadership role at ESD and what it means to be a human-centric and inclusive leader that transforms teams and individuals with love, compassion, and empathy while respecting each individual’s unique skills and perspectives. As the WIN chairperson this year, I have renewed my commitment to all our WIN members and allies that “You Belong Here!” WIN will continue to provide support to our immigrant communities and build strong partnerships with other Business Resource Groups and across state agencies...
Click here to read more of Christina's message to the WIN BRG
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Photos from WIN’s 2023 Immigrant Heritage Month Celebration are available on the WIN website.
The annual event was held June 27, 2023 at the Labor and Industries Building in Tumwater, and we have posted lots of photos on the WIN website. Check it out!
Rokaih Vansot, co-Vice Chair
My name is Rokaih Vansot. I was born in Cambodia during the Khmer Rough Regime. In 1980, my parents fled their homeland and came to the United States in search of religious freedom and opportunities for their children. Their struggles have taught me that there are many opportunities in America and the importance of education and seeking knowledge. I am one of the first in my family to achieve a Bachelor’s Degree and to continue my higher education to pursue a Master’s Degree at The Evergreen State College.
Read more about Rokaih at WIN's Leadership web page.
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Nadine Nabass, Secretary
Hello! My name is Nadine Nabass, I currently work in operations at the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) and I was born and raised near Tacoma, Washington. Both of my parents immigrated to the United States in the 1980s—my mother is an Iraqi refugee and my father is a Jordanian immigrant. Alongside my role in operations at ESD, I spend a lot of my time volunteering to manage the ESD Mentorship Program, which I assisted develop, launch, and maintain to provide equitable access to professional development opportunities to all ESD employees. I am very passionate about mentorship and can credit many of my biggest accomplishments to the guidance of fantastic mentors that I have had along the way—especially as a child of immigrants, seeking mentorship has been and continues to be crucial to my growth professionally and personally!
Read more about Nadine at WIN's Leadership web page.
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Le (Ivy) Huynh, Treasurer
My name is Le (Ivy) Huynh. I’m currently a senior Budget Analyst at the Department of Enterprise Services (DES). I migrated to the US in 2004. I was also the third generation of immigrant in Vietnam as my grandparents also migrated to Vietnam from China and Cambodia during WW2. So life in US as an immigrant is not really new to me and I consider myself lucky as I can see and experience things under so many different perspectives.
Read more about Le at WIN's Leadership web page.
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WIN NEEDS YOU!
Seeking Volunteers
WIN is seeking volunteers to assist in the following subcommittees:
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Activities Sub-committee Lead
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Sequence of Events Coordination Sub-committee Lead
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Guest Speaker(s) Coordination Sub-committee Lead
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WIN Social Media Coordinator
WIN Advocacy Chair and Leads - The Advocacy Subcommittee is to advocate for Washington Immigrant Network members. WIN BRG is committed to participating in progressive conversations about immigrant communities and their importance to the state. The team advocates for policies, laws, and engage with legislators and other leaders on immigrant issues.
WIN Special Project Chair - The Special Project subcommittee is focused on special projects to help immigrant members and communities. This subcommittee also supports WIN’s goal to serve as a resource for state agencies in creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are seeking members to help us with this effort.
WIN Membership Outreach Chair - The Membership Outreach Subcommittee oversees and manages WIN BRG outreach efforts through various agencies and communities. The team is responsible for coordinating outreach events and oversees all immigrant and allies’ membership outreach and retention.
If you are interested in volunteering to serve on a subcommittee, please contact:
There are many opportunities to get involved in helping grow the Washington Immigrant Network. Please consider sharing your talents with the community. Thank you!
July 30 - International Day of Friendship
August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
August 12 – International Youth Day
August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
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Share Your Immigrant Story
We are collecting Immigrant Stories to highlight in our newsletter, social media, YouTube and website.
Please submit your short immigrant story by completing the form below or by video recording.
You can also send us an email at WIN@ofm.wa.gov
Thank you! We are looking forward to amplifying your story!
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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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WIN's Mentoring Program Now Accepting New Mentees & Mentors
Become a WIN Mentee
- Are you new to state service?
- Are you seeking guidance on how to manage your career goals?
- Do you need someone to talk to and share ideas with?
If yes, then WIN's Mentoring Program maybe a good resource for you. We have mentors from several state agencies from various ethnic backgrounds with varied expertise and experiences, including multilingual. You can view WIN's list of eligible mentors to see if there is someone whose career experience and background would be a good match. After reviewing the mentor's profiles, you can submit your mentoring request here. Questions about the Mentor Program?
Please reach out to Christina Pourarien, Chair & Mentoring Program Administrator at Washington Immigrant Network, at win@ofm.wa.gov.
Become a WIN Mentor
The WIN Mentoring Program supports 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 at large. Learn more about becoming a mentor at: WIN's Mentoring Program.
Office of Equity Presents: Real Talk!
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Register for Real Talk! 2023
The Office of Equity invites you to join us in 2023, beginning August 9, from 11:00 –12:00pm for our Real Talk! sessions and from 12:00–12:30 pm for our Post Talks, where we will have an interactive discussion on the Real Talk! Topic.
Centered in belonging, we will unpack truth, reconcile the past, learn from one another, connect, and together, experience healing from harm. We encourage you to lean in, be curious, and explore experiences different from your own.
This is the moment and place to have real talk to truly transform our agencies into places where real people experience equity, justice, and belonging every day, now and for generations to come.
Register for Real Talk and Post Talk 2023 Series
Subscribe to monthly Real Talk news
Watch the Real Talk Introduction for more background.
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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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