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.
Light in the Storm
After the election and hearing the pain and angst of colleagues, Gina O'Neill, WIN's Career & Professional Development Co-Lead, was moved to write the following poem.
Light in the Storm
In the midst of swirling fog and storm,
Where uncertainty takes its form,
We stand as beacons, brave and bright,
Guiding each other with our light.
Through waves of doubt and gusts of fear,
We hold each other’s courage near,
A tapestry of strength we weave,
In every heart, we choose to believe.
Our bond, a fortress, firm and true,
Together, there's nothing we can't do,
Positivity our guiding star,
A light that shines from near to far.
In chaos, find the calm we seek,
In strength, lift up the voices weak,
With every step, and every stride,
We navigate the rising tide.
So, here's to us, amidst the fight,
Embracing hope, and holding tight,
For in this team, we find our grace,
A steadfast heart in every place.
Thank you, Gina, for these beautiful words and for encouraging all of us to be brave, be strong, be safe, and be the light in the storm!
Teddy Dianah Kemirembe represents WIN at Office of Equity Convening!
Did you attend this uplifting and energizing conference? The Washington State Office of Equity held the “Be Bold Be Change” Convening in Yakima, October 15th and 16th. The event fostered sharing and developing innovative approaches to creating a Washington state where everyone belongs.
Our own Co-Vice Chair Teddy Dianah Kemirembe had an opportunity to represent WIN at the event. Teddy, along with representatives from other BRGs, provided resource tables for the whole day on October 15th. Former WIN Chair Joanne Lee joined Teddy to help.
Teddy says she loved the theme “Be Bold Be Change.” The theme was empowering and energized her to connect with and learn from others about how we really are the ones who should be bold and be the change we want to see in our communities and workspaces.
Teddy encourages us all to reflect on how we envision ourselves as WIN members and to “be bold and be change.”
Teddy gives special thanks to:
Rokaih Vansot, WIN Co-Chair, for providing swag for the resource table
Joanne Lee, previous WIN Chair, for lending a hand to run the resource table
All those we connected with during this inspiring time
Welcome Our New Membership Outreach Chair
Sonal Bawne
Sonal Bawne is an authentic, passionate, and results-driven people leader with over 15 years of experience in program management and driving change in both the private and public sectors. Her journey is marked by transformative leadership and a relentless drive for excellence, deeply committed to fostering trust, collaboration, and psychological safety within her teams. Sonal drives results through the empowerment of people as unique individuals, removing roadblocks and achieving goals. She has a strong passion for developing people who want to be a part of and see themselves in the vision she creates.
In her current role as Enterprise Portfolio Manager, Sonal has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction and growth of the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) at the State of Washington. She has cultivated a vision of mature execution and a thriving culture within the organization, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety where team members feel valued and heard.
Sonal’s roots trace back to India, where she grew up before making her way to Seattle. She now resides in Bellevue, WA, with her husband and son. Outside of her professional endeavors, Sonal is also a certified yoga teacher, enjoys embracing the great outdoors during the summer, and indulging in home improvement projects during the winter.
Lorraine Lee Joins the WIN Membership Outreach Subcommittee
WIN founder Lorraine Lee is taking a break from retirement to join the Membership Outreach Subcommittee. This subcommitteeoversees and manages outreach efforts through various agencies and communities. It is responsible for coordinating outreach events and oversees all immigrant and allies' membership outreach and retention.
As a business resource group, WIN brings together state employees who are immigrants or grew up in an immigrant household because one of their parents was foreign-born. Courageous, hopeful, resilient – these are the strengths that immigrant state employees bring to their public service. Lorraine founded WIN in 2017 to honor and recognize these strengths and to provide a place for WIN members and their allies to connect, share, and thrive together.
Lorraine would love to hear from you and your ideas on how WIN can continue to grow and meet its mission through membership outreach and engagement with current members and allies. You may contact Lorraine directly at leelorraine87@gmail.com.
WIN General Membership Meeting (Zoom)
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NO DECEMBER MEETING. SEE YOU IN 2025!
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.
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.
Thank you! We are looking forward to amplifying your story!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Celebrate the New Year with WIN. Join us for a WIN Membership Networking New Year's Potluck! Bring your favorite dish and a friend! Office of Administrative Hearings, Large Hearing Room, 1st Floor, 2420 Bristol Ct. SW, Olympia, WA 98504, January 23, 2025, 11:00am to 1:00pm.
Please let us know if you will be attending the January 23, 2025, WIN Membership Networking potluck by responding to this survey.
The Office of Equity is excited to host another amazing webinar series as part of our Equity Learning Series. This series will feature speaker Jolene Jang who will create a collaborative environment to discuss Black and Asian Perspectives.
Join us for an impactful session where we kick off with a fireside chat with our Director Megan Matthews and Asian American Ambassador Jolene Jang as they lead a raw and unfiltered discussion on the current challenges facing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We'll explore the importance of solidarity, understanding, and mutual support between Black and Asian American communities. This meeting aims to model the openness and vulnerability we wish to see in our organization and beyond.
Topics:
Embracing Authenticity and Identity: Discover how your history, culture, and identity shape who you are and why bringing your whole self to the table is essential.
Leading with Vulnerability: Understand the power of vulnerability in leadership and how it fosters acceptance and unity among diverse groups.
Black and Asian Solidarity: Learn from historical examples of Black and Asian solidarity, exploring commonalities and shared struggles to build stronger alliances.
Seats are limited to 500 attendees so register today!
January 15, 2025 – 10am – 12pm: Fireside Chat with Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews and Speaker Jolene Jang
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.
