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.
Note from the Chair:
Sharing the 2022-2023 WIN Annual Report
Thank you, WIN members, for being wonderful collaborators, supporters, and friends. I am so proud to be a member of the WIN BRG and honored to have been trusted by you to lead WIN’s mission and purpose in expanding opportunities for immigrants who are current and future employees within Washington state government, as well as serving as a resource for all immigrants who are state employees, to connect and celebrate our diverse lived stories and our given names.
If you are curious or feel you could benefit from our BRG, are an immigrant or ally, have a parent who is an immigrant, or want to learn more about our immigrant communities in state government, we encourage you to join us. You belong!
Kathleen Quinene, WIN Mentoring Program Administrator
Buenas yan Hafa Adai! Greetings and hello! My name is Kathleen Quinene and I am currently the office manager for the Renton Community Services Office of WA State’s Department of Social and Health Services.
I am passionate about the role I play in the workforce and truly believe that authenticity, kindness, and compassion go a long way in a place of confusion and uncertainty.
While I have spent the last 21 years calling the Pacific Northwest home, my roots and culture come from the Island of Guam where I am a native daughter of the CHamoru people. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends for a quiet night in or searching for an adventure through our taste buds. I also enjoy reading and listening to all genres of music.
Hello! My name is Jean Paul (he/him) a Shared Power Consultant with the Washington State Office of Equity. I am a committed equity, diversity, and inclusion professional whose background extends to exposing marginalized youth to STEM careers, helping at risk fathers with child custody and achieving economic freedom. I was born in the beautiful island of Haiti, and immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager. I am a proud husband, father of two, community leader and Doggy Dad. In my spare time, you can find me playing with my children, tending to my garden, bird watching and taking long walks with my Dog Onyx.
Thank you! We are looking forward to amplifying your story!
Stella Chau
Stella Chau shared her immigrant story at the General Membership meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
As a first-generation immigrant from Hong Kong, she shared her journey visiting America and shared her journey working at the Department of Revenue of over 26 years. She currently lives in Vancouver, WA.
WIN is seeking volunteers for our WIN Social Media Guru. This position will be in charge of posting updates and information on WIN’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts. If you are interested in volunteering for this position, please email:
WIN June 2024 Annual Event Planning Committee Lead and Volunteers
We are looking for members to help plan for the WIN June annual Immigrant Heritage Celebrations hybrid event. Please contact Christina Pourarien, WIN Chair at WIN@ofm.wa.gov if you would like more information or would like to volunteer as part of this special planning committee.
There are many opportunities to get involved in helping grow the Washington Immigrant Network. Please consider sharing your talents with the community. Thank you!
If you are interested in volunteering to serve on a subcommittee, please contact:
WIN would like to invite you to share with us the holidays and observance you celebrate in your culture. We want to showcase these significant celebrations on or website and social media. If you are interested in sharing your cultural celebrations with WIN, please email us at WIN@ofm.wa.gov
October Holidays and Observances:
October - Filipino History Month
October 5 – World Teachers' Day
October 9 - National Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 10 – World Mental Health Day
October 15-27 – Dashain
October 16 – World Food Day
October 24 – United Nations Day
October 29 – World Stroke Day
October 31-November 2 – Dias de los Muertos
October 31 – Samhain
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.
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.
ICSEW and the Washington State Business Resource Groups (BRG’s) are pleased to invite your participation in a State Book Club where we will read and discuss the book So You Want to Talk About Race by author Ijeoma Oluo.
The discussions start later this month:
Book Club Facilitation Training – October 16th at 11 AM
Discussion #1 – October 23rd at 1:30 PM
Discussion #2 – November 6th at 1:30 PM
Discussion #3 – November 20th at 1:30 PM
Discussion #4 – December 4th at 1:30 PM
Discussion #5 – December 18th at 1:30 PM
For more information about how to register for the book club, check out the WIN Events page at the following link:
Please feel free to share this information with those who may be interested in joining us in these discussions. You do not have to be a state employee or a member of ICSEW/ the BRG’s to join this book club!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Registration for the Office of Equity’s Annual Convening: We The People is now officially open! We have options for virtual and in-person attendance.
This event will be hosted at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center located at 1500 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA, on October 24th & 25th. We look forward to being in community with you.
Register for the Office of Equity's Annual Convening: We the People at the link below:
Inviting all WIN Mentors and Mentees to celebrate our journey together.
WIN is hosting a quarterly celebration with our current mentors and mentees. This is an opportunity for all state employees to learn more about the WIN Mentoring program about our mentors and mentees.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
General Membership Meeting (Zoom)
-
General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.
The Office of Equity invites you to join us in 2023, each month, 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.
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)
Support the professional development of immigrant state employees. Recommend strategies to advance recruitment, retention, career progression and leadership development. Educate state agencies on the experience, skills and knowledge of immigrants and the value of a diverse workforce.
WHAT WE DO:
Provide a support structure, educational resources and leadership assistance for immigrant state employees. Encourage immigrants to consider the state as an employer of choice through inter-agency and external outreach activities. Serve as a resource for the Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources division and state agencies in creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
