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.
Message from WIN's Co-Chairs -
Roy Salonga and Rokaih Vansot
Greetings! Happy September!
We want to share some highlights from WIN’s September 3rd General Membership Meeting:
Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)
Nathan Spiecker is a Bilingual Outreach Coordinator at DFI whose role is to promote financial well-being in the State of Washington, with a special focus on expanding DFI’s financial education offerings in Spanish. In his presentation, he shared what DFI does, including licensing and regulating financial service s providers as well as protecting and educating people in Washington State.
DFI: What do we do? License, Regulate, Protect, Educate. www.dfi.wa.gov
Mariel Amundsen from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) shared her Immigrant Story.
“Mabuhay! I’m Mariel Amundsen, currently serving as an Administrative Assistant at the Washington State Employment Security Department, specifically in the Employment Connections division. My educational journey led me to Southern New Hampshire University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a minor in Business Administration, focusing on HR Management.
Transitioning from the private sector, I joined ESD in May 2022, bringing my passion for service and support. Currently, I co-chair the FOPINHA (Family of Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian, and Asian) ESD Employee Resource Group, having previously served as Communication Liaison and Secretary since June 2022. I am currently serving as Secretary for WIN BRG.”
Don't forget to join us for the next General Membership meeting October 1st. Details below.
WIN General Membership Meeting (Zoom)
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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.
My name is Nadia Damchii (she/her) and I am excited to be part of WIN Advocacy Subcommittee. I have a diverse background working with various segments of international organizations and communities particularly through membership, donations, charities, and government fundraising for Red Cross projects. I previously worked at Deloitte Auditing, the Mongolian Political Party, and the Red Cross of Mongolia before I joined DSHS four years ago as a Management Analyst in Leased Facility Maintenance Operations in the Facilities, Finance, & Analytics Administration. Each position I’ve held has provided me with invaluable personal and professional growth. I am a life-long learner, enjoy self-study, and my journey is firmly guided by my faith.
Joanne Lee, Mentoring Program Administrator
Joanne Lee is a Deputy Assistant Director for the Equity & Employee Development Division at the State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services. Joanne is a 2023 Excellence in Washington State Government Leadership Award recipient.
She previously held the position of Learning Consultant, Principal for the City of Tacoma. In addition, she worked as a Leadership Development Learning Design and Delivery Professional for the State of Washington Department of Enterprise Services. With over 20 years of experience in various workforce development roles, Joanne has extensive expertise in developing, supporting, maintaining, and expanding professional technical education partnerships to meet industry needs through customized training programs.
Joanne has a wealth of experience working with diverse adult learners, providing training and support ranging from one-on-one consultations to large-scale workshops, seminars, and training sessions for various workforce populations. She has also served as a Chair at the Washington Immigrant Network (WIN), Leadership Development Lead for Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Empowerment Network (HAPPEN), and as a Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Seattle SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management).
Joanne earned her Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. She holds a Master of Arts in Instructional Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from California State University, San Bernardino. Alongside her passion for fostering relationships with community-based organizations, businesses, and industries, Joanne actively promotes partnerships for the workforce and continuing education. Currently, she is a member of the Business faculty at the Seattle Colleges. On a personal note, Joanne loves to travel with her family.
Christina Pourarien, Mentoring Program Administrator
Christina Pourarien (she/her) is an Information Technology Services Division Executive Operations Manager for the State of Washington 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 co-chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Employee Resource Group 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 privileged to be the first one 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.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 through October 15.
The Latino Leadership Network (LLN) business resource group invites you to participate in their Hispanic Heritage Month events:
In-Person Celebration at Millersylvania State Park on September 28:
LLN invites you to join their 3rd annual in-person celebration on September 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (1224 Tilley Rd. SW, Olympia, WA 98512).
The festival features musical performances by Correo Aereo, Mariachi Ayutla, and La Nueva Novedad, inspiring speakers, a free lunch of traditional foods, and activities that highlight our vibrant and diverse Latine heritage. BRG members and the general public are welcome to join this celebration of our Latine cultural heritage.
Juan Garza (he/him), M.Ed. is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®) and an Equity, Diversity, Access, and Inclusion Administrator with the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Social and Health Services. Juan is a second generation Mexican-American, originally from the Lower Yakima Valley, Central Washington and currently lives in Olympia.
Cecilia Zamprelli-Jones describes herself as a trans-racial adoptee from NYC. A Nuyorican BIPOC who was raised up in an Italian/Irish household. “I’ve always had a connection to music, the arts, and the art of hustling ;). I love connecting with people, hearing their stories, and being of service … it feeds my soul.”
Several state employees will share their personal intersection and identity. Please be aware that the stories and viewpoints belong exclusively to the participants of the panel and are not officially upheld or supported by the Latino Leadership Network or the State of Washington. The details of the accounts shared by panelists are extremely personal and may include language and descriptors that reflect passionate, emotional, and/or emboldened expressions that could be triggering for participants/viewers.
Herminia Esqueda is a Pro-Equity, Anti-Racism Strategic Initiatives Administrator for the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Herminia comes from a long lineage of Tejanos who migrated to Idaho every summer to work in the sugar beet fields and potato harvest. Herminia will share her story of growing up in her musical Tejano familia. She will share a brief history of Conjunto music, the role of the accordion, and her grandfather’s contributions to Tex-Mex musical history.
October 3 - Tips and Tricks to landing your next role-Understanding the state recruiting process.
Steve Camerer is a Talent Management Consultant for the Department of Labor and Industries. He has been in the recruiting field for the last 15 years, and prior to this, he taught courses in communication and ESL at various colleges across WA State. This presentation will take you through the state recruitment process and outline a timeline for hiring, so you can better know what to expect when applying to state jobs. In addition, we will offer you tips and best practices so that you have a better chance of standing out amongst the crowd. Among these, we will cover informational interviews, the STAR method of interviewing, and tips about tailoring your application materials.
October 10 - Spanglish in Government: Bridging Cultures and Enhancing Communication
Estefania Martinez Limo is an epidemiologist at the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health. Born in Peru, Estefania immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in the vibrant city of Chicago. This multicultural upbringing has profoundly shaped her professional focus and personal passions. In her presentation, Estefania explores the dynamic role of Spanglish, a blend of Spanish and English, within the context of government. She covers the cultural significance of Spanglish, its impact on government communication and services, and the integration of Spanglish in the workplace for government employees. The presentation addresses the benefits and challenges of using Spanglish, in the workplace. It includes engaging audience questions to foster discussion.
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, look for “Lunch and Learn with LLN” and “Understanding your loved one’s brain” activities in . Find them in the “Activities and Resources” area under featured activities. You can earn 50 SmartHealth points for each activity.
WIN is seeking a volunteer to take on the role of WIN's Website Coordinator.
The Website Coordinator is responsible for updating WIN’s website with content including uploading images and videos, posting WIN events, and sharing Immigrant Stories on our website. This role reports their efforts to the WIN leadership team.
Interested? Email WIN@ofm.wa.gov and provide the following details:
Your first and last name
Pronouns (optional)
Email address
Agency/Organization
Why you are interested in serving as the Website Coordinator.
WIN Mentoring Program
Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group Mentoring Program mentors are current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors are ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees.
The program’s goals are to facilitate a more culturally and ethnically diverse state workforce which, in turn, will allow us to serve our customers better, and 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.
Research shows that 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.
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?
Get support from a WIN mentor. Become a WIN mentee.
Start by meeting our mentors. Review their bios and see if there is someone you would feel comfortable connecting with.
Establish a formal mentoring relationship by completing our online Mentoring Request Form
Become a WIN Mentor
Mentors must be current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors must be ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees. Submit a Mentor Application Form if you are interested in being a WIN Mentor.
We are collecting Immigrant Stories to highlight in our newsletter, social media, YouTube and website. Fill out our online form to share your Immigrant Story with us and submit a release form.
SmartHealth users: Earn 50 points for sharing your story. Complete the “Immigrant Stories are American Stories” SmartHealth activity today.
Learn more about SmartHealth on HCA’s website and then visit SmartHealth to get started! See for help logging on.
Thank you! We are looking forward to amplifying your story!
SOVEREIGN stands for Supporting our Voices, Empowering Rights and Indigenous Governance. It is a new Business Resource Group launching October 15, 2024 at the Office of Equity Convening.
SOVEREIGN's mission is to empower American Indian and Alaska Native employees, partners, and allies within the Washington State government by providing resources, support, and advocacy.
You can be added to SOVEREIGN's distribution list by using the QR code above or emailing us at sovereign@ofm.wa.gov
SOVEREIGN's quarterly meeting is November 20th, 10am-12pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Immigrant Experience Survey Project
We need to hear your voice!
Nadia Damchii, Management Analyst from Department of Social Health and Services of Leased Facilities and Maintenance Operations is working on a project. Her project is about the immigrant experience in state government. She is conducting this survey to better understand the challenges and biases faced by immigrant state employees in the workplace.
Her goal is to help leaders understand challenges faced by the immigrant community as they attempt to secure stable state jobs and to identify effective ways to retain and promote them once they are hired.
If you are a first-or second- generation immigrant currently or previously employed in a state government job, kindly take a few minutes to complete this short survey (approximately 5-10 minutes). Participation in this survey is voluntary. Your input will be completely anonymous and is crucial to my project. Thank you for your valuable contribution.
The survey is open and will be closing on September 27, 2024.
September Global Holidays & Observances
September 1 - Father's Day in Australia
September 2 - Labor Day in the U.S.; Independence Day in Vietnam
September 5 - International Literacy Day
September 11 - Patriot Day in the U.S.
September 16 - Start of Chuseok in South Korea
September 17 - Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam
September 18 - End of Chuseok in South Korea
September 21 - Internation Day of Peace; Start of Oktoberfest in Germany
September 30 - International Translation Day
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for the 2024 APIC Democracy Summit!
The Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition of Washington is proud to host the 2024 APIC Democracy Summit on Friday, September 27th from 11am – 2pm at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall!
This is an event where ~2,000 participants will get to see the two gubernatorial candidates (Attorney General Bob Ferguson and former Congressman and King County Sheriff Dave Reichert) speak on issues.
While this event is hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition (APIC), EVERYONE is welcome to join us. We cordially invite you to register and share this with everyone you know - other community leaders and community organizations!
We’re excited to announce that the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) and our nonprofit partners will be hosting a Citizenship Application Workshop on Saturday, September 28th, 2024, at the Delridge Community Center in West Seattle. This free event aims to provide essential legal support to 130 legal permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. We’d love to have you join us!
Event Details:
Date: September 28, 2024
Location: Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Time: All-day event. 8:30 AM – 6:OO PM.
If you are eligible for citizenship and need help with the application process, we would like to encourage you to register for the workshop. Our team of experts will be on hand to help with screening, filling out forms, and answering any questions you may have. To register, please call (206) 623-2105 or fill out our Citizenship Clinic Registration Form.
Please invite family and friends who might benefit from the workshop or want to join us in supporting the event.
We are grateful for your support and would happily provide additional details about the workshop. If you have any questions, please email Javiera Wood at javiera.wood@seattle.gov. We’re looking forward to having you with us on September 28th!
2024 We the People Convening, Be Bold, Be Change – October 15-16 at Yakima Convention Center
This Washington State Office of Equity Convening is an exciting opportunity to support state agencies as they co-create with their internal team members, other state agencies, and Washington community members and organizations. Our event fosters sharing and creating innovative approaches around pro-equity and anti-racism (PEAR), Relational Partnerships, systems change in state government, and creating a Washington state that fosters belonging. There is much to be done to create an environment where everyone belongs, and that work requires courage. We’re challenging you - Be Bold. Be Change.
Serving Immigrants and Refugees Preventing Scams & Growing Financial Education
Join Department of Financial Institutions for co-learning between community, industry, and government
Register for our next free Zoom meeting - December 10, 2024 - 1:00-1:45pm
This event is for community leaders and service providers.
Center financial education around someone learning the US financial services industry.
Learn about financial education resources for recent immigrants and refugees.
Learn approaches that provide the right amount of information in the right way for people with different reading levels.
Center around safety for people with trauma exposure, high stress, and who are learning layers of information all at once.
Presented by Donna O’Connor (Financial Capability Program Manager and Financial Coach at Hopelink) and Nathan Spiecker (Bilingual Financial Education Outreach Coordinator Washington State Department of Financial Institutions).
Community Defined Priorities: Credit card education, avoiding financial scams, and financial education. Community Defined Success: Relationships between immigrant and refugee serving organizations, and Department of Financial Institutions.
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.
