staff
Short Bios
What inspired you to work with PSLA? : Samuel Sim was connected to PSLA started with Lynn Nishimura, the past E.D. (of 10 years) while randomly walking connection. My heart is to serve people, but I just didn't know what I could do to help outside of my career in finance. After understanding PSLA's mission and how we serve, I found a place to call home to maintain and grow our support to the community.
Tell us about your previous community service and work experience: I’ve volunteered and served as a board member with the PSLA food bank. Involved with youth leadership, at colleges, high school, and churches. Leading the ASPIRE (Asian Pacific Islander Reaching for Excellence) at Chase Bank and in event coordination and served in Kiwanis (Federal Way).
Professionally, I spent the last 20 years in the financial industry, starting as a telemarketer for a mortgage company thinking I would be a millionaire and left college, then I became a loan officer at a young age but left sales to work on underwriting and focused on risk control until the crash in 2003 and then I was out of a job. An interesting fact that help my career was not being #1, its was another peer in the work place that saw my work ethic and stood up for me. I was a leader in 3 national banks, 2 community banks, while breaking through the banking ceiling by moving in the business and commercial banking.
Top mentored conversations
"In the beginning, it could be who you know, not what you know...But once you are in, it is not who you know, but it is who knows you and what do they know about you that could be holding you back."
"You get paid for what you do and know, later as you advance you get paid what you deal with and what you cultivate."
"Get to know like minded people, network with people outside of your generational gap."
What was your favorite subject in school? : I was into arts, P.E. and ASB and leadership in school.
What’s one thing you would change about Seattle? : The traffic! But to be honestly, I want Seattle to be a city that promotes Equality with a new standard of an Equitable approach.
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Dog
What’s your favorite color? And why? : I'm open to all colors, but I have many variations of a blue wardrobe.
What do you hope to learn or gain from working with PSLA? : Growing in philanthropy—to see more of true reality and experience the unknown. We can hear, learn, and see what is happening but never truly understand or be in the same shoes. A balance of knowledge, heart, and action.
What was your dream job as a kid? : A designer
What do you have to give / share with the PSLA community? : Leadership, time, heart, mind, management & financial experience
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
How many siblings do you have? : 1 Sister
How long have you lived in Seattle? : Grew up and Federal Way and have been in Tacoma since the 90's
Are you introverted or extroverted? How do you know? : Introvert living the life of an extrovert—But I display balance between each characteristic.
What type of role do you usually fill when working in a group or team setting? What role do you never play? : Any role. Never is a hard word—but I stray from bad leadership.
What other languages do you know how to speak? : Korean.
Tell us about your previous community service and work experience: I’ve volunteered and served as a board member with the PSLA food bank. Involved with youth leadership, at colleges, high school, and churches. Leading the ASPIRE (Asian Pacific Islander Reaching for Excellence) at Chase Bank and in event coordination and served in Kiwanis (Federal Way).
Professionally, I spent the last 20 years in the financial industry, starting as a telemarketer for a mortgage company thinking I would be a millionaire and left college, then I became a loan officer at a young age but left sales to work on underwriting and focused on risk control until the crash in 2003 and then I was out of a job. An interesting fact that help my career was not being #1, its was another peer in the work place that saw my work ethic and stood up for me. I was a leader in 3 national banks, 2 community banks, while breaking through the banking ceiling by moving in the business and commercial banking.
Top mentored conversations
"In the beginning, it could be who you know, not what you know...But once you are in, it is not who you know, but it is who knows you and what do they know about you that could be holding you back."
"You get paid for what you do and know, later as you advance you get paid what you deal with and what you cultivate."
"Get to know like minded people, network with people outside of your generational gap."
What was your favorite subject in school? : I was into arts, P.E. and ASB and leadership in school.
What’s one thing you would change about Seattle? : The traffic! But to be honestly, I want Seattle to be a city that promotes Equality with a new standard of an Equitable approach.
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Dog
What’s your favorite color? And why? : I'm open to all colors, but I have many variations of a blue wardrobe.
What do you hope to learn or gain from working with PSLA? : Growing in philanthropy—to see more of true reality and experience the unknown. We can hear, learn, and see what is happening but never truly understand or be in the same shoes. A balance of knowledge, heart, and action.
What was your dream job as a kid? : A designer
What do you have to give / share with the PSLA community? : Leadership, time, heart, mind, management & financial experience
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
How many siblings do you have? : 1 Sister
How long have you lived in Seattle? : Grew up and Federal Way and have been in Tacoma since the 90's
Are you introverted or extroverted? How do you know? : Introvert living the life of an extrovert—But I display balance between each characteristic.
What type of role do you usually fill when working in a group or team setting? What role do you never play? : Any role. Never is a hard word—but I stray from bad leadership.
What other languages do you know how to speak? : Korean.
What inspired you to work with PSLA? : Lauren Au-Yeung first came to PSLA for school credit. It was supposed to only be a 90 day volunteer contract but I kept coming back for a multitude of reasons. I loved the community and it's people. The volunteers became the friends I had a hard time making on the outside and the family that I needed since I was far from home. PSLA covered all my needs, mentally and emotionally. It became my social outlet and a way for me to give back to the community. It gave me my best friend and a "cure" for my depression. I couldn't be more thankful and happy that I found PSLA when I did. My great aunt unexpectedly passed away back in 2017. She was my 2nd grandma and It was a complete shock to my system. I lost a very important internship because I couldn't function properly. I had to take a break and that turned into a year and a half of my life I can't get back.
One day it just clicked and I didn't want to be in a dark place anymore. I went back to school and the rest is history. I am so much happier now and it's silly to think I owe that all to a food bank.
Tell us about your previous community service experiences : I've been volunteering to do community service since I was 8. It started when my mother's favorite client (Chester) from her bank was moved into hospice care. He fell in his home and hit his head in the bathtub. He couldn't move and it was 8 days till my mother went looking for him. He missed his weekly visit to the bank that he was making for the past 10 years. He had no family and if it wasn't for my mom, no one would have gone looking for him. Since he moved into that facility, we volunteered twice a week to spend time with him as well as the other residents. We helped out with movie night, trivia and bingo. We did this for 3 years till Chester passed away. My mom and Chester grew very close and it devastated her to the point where we had to take a different route to school to avoid passing the facility.
Other than this, every Christmas till I moved to Seattle, my mom and I delivered Gift baskets filled with essentials for children and babies to low income families in East Los Angeles. We also cooked large batches of soups and stews to bring for Christmas dinner to 3 local women & children shelters.
What is one thing you would change about Seattle? : I wish people in Seattle were more outgoing and willing to make friends outside of their circle. That's the one thing I miss about LA. Everyone wants to make friends with everybody. Just got to be picky and choose the right people. Up here, the Seattle freeze is real.
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Obviously I'm a dog person. I am absolutely obsessed with dogs. Rock fact, They’re just better than people.
What are your favorite colors? : My favorite colors are Mauve, Lavender, Teal and Mint. I don't know why I like these colors. They're all beautiful, calming and unique.
What was your dream job as a kid? : When I was in kindergarten, we had a "back to school night" all 40 kindergarteners went on stage and announced to our parents what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said ice cream truck. The parents started laughing, which in turn made me cry. I will ask my mom for the VHS one of these days. There was one kid who was obsessed with trains and had...worse aspirations...he wanted to be a hobo with a bag on a stick and travel the railways.
Who is a personal hero of yours? : My best friend is my hero. His name is Swen and we actually met here at PSLA. Yes, I know. It's weird for a 27 year old girl to be best friends with a 70 year old muppet but everything about us just clicks. We are obsessed with puppers and animals in general. We Love trying weird food and have terrible taste in jokes. He has been there for me unconditionally through my highs and lows. There is no way I can truly express or show him how much I appreciate having him in my life. He has made my life so much happier I can't imagine it without him.
Thanks, woman ❤
One day it just clicked and I didn't want to be in a dark place anymore. I went back to school and the rest is history. I am so much happier now and it's silly to think I owe that all to a food bank.
Tell us about your previous community service experiences : I've been volunteering to do community service since I was 8. It started when my mother's favorite client (Chester) from her bank was moved into hospice care. He fell in his home and hit his head in the bathtub. He couldn't move and it was 8 days till my mother went looking for him. He missed his weekly visit to the bank that he was making for the past 10 years. He had no family and if it wasn't for my mom, no one would have gone looking for him. Since he moved into that facility, we volunteered twice a week to spend time with him as well as the other residents. We helped out with movie night, trivia and bingo. We did this for 3 years till Chester passed away. My mom and Chester grew very close and it devastated her to the point where we had to take a different route to school to avoid passing the facility.
Other than this, every Christmas till I moved to Seattle, my mom and I delivered Gift baskets filled with essentials for children and babies to low income families in East Los Angeles. We also cooked large batches of soups and stews to bring for Christmas dinner to 3 local women & children shelters.
What is one thing you would change about Seattle? : I wish people in Seattle were more outgoing and willing to make friends outside of their circle. That's the one thing I miss about LA. Everyone wants to make friends with everybody. Just got to be picky and choose the right people. Up here, the Seattle freeze is real.
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Obviously I'm a dog person. I am absolutely obsessed with dogs. Rock fact, They’re just better than people.
What are your favorite colors? : My favorite colors are Mauve, Lavender, Teal and Mint. I don't know why I like these colors. They're all beautiful, calming and unique.
What was your dream job as a kid? : When I was in kindergarten, we had a "back to school night" all 40 kindergarteners went on stage and announced to our parents what we wanted to be when we grew up. I said ice cream truck. The parents started laughing, which in turn made me cry. I will ask my mom for the VHS one of these days. There was one kid who was obsessed with trains and had...worse aspirations...he wanted to be a hobo with a bag on a stick and travel the railways.
Who is a personal hero of yours? : My best friend is my hero. His name is Swen and we actually met here at PSLA. Yes, I know. It's weird for a 27 year old girl to be best friends with a 70 year old muppet but everything about us just clicks. We are obsessed with puppers and animals in general. We Love trying weird food and have terrible taste in jokes. He has been there for me unconditionally through my highs and lows. There is no way I can truly express or show him how much I appreciate having him in my life. He has made my life so much happier I can't imagine it without him.
Thanks, woman ❤
What inspired you to work with PSLA? : Brandon Kim wanted to join PSLA after volunteering and seeing first-hand PSLA's mission of serving people and how I could impact the organization with my experience
What other professional or volunteering experience do you have? : I have a background in accounting and have served in various accounting roles for the past 15 years; representing small businesses as they go through state and IRS auditing. I have also owned several small businesses where I focused on accounting as well as IT services. At PSLA I've taking on the prestigious task of organizing and streamlining the agencies processes and bringing timely functional solutions to their outdoor distribution operations
What items would you choose to bring if stranded on a deserted island? : Water, salt, and a knife
How many siblings do you have? : I have two brothers
What other languages do you speak? : Korean
What other professional or volunteering experience do you have? : I have a background in accounting and have served in various accounting roles for the past 15 years; representing small businesses as they go through state and IRS auditing. I have also owned several small businesses where I focused on accounting as well as IT services. At PSLA I've taking on the prestigious task of organizing and streamlining the agencies processes and bringing timely functional solutions to their outdoor distribution operations
What items would you choose to bring if stranded on a deserted island? : Water, salt, and a knife
How many siblings do you have? : I have two brothers
What other languages do you speak? : Korean
Syrel Baldonado was born and raised on the island of Guam and has recently moved out to Seattle, Washington. Coming from an island that is 30 miles long and 8 miles wide, Syrel has not experienced much when it comes to the states such as the different foods and cultures which has made him motivated to explore and learn. He comes from a previous job of bagging groceries and unloading it to people's cars which has helped build and improve his communication skills with others while also enjoying and sparking up the conversations he has with his customers. Being new to Seattle, he has become more shy and less outgoing but with his communication skills and with enough time and experience, Syrel will become more comfortable in his new environment and will learn more than he ever has on Guam.
Moving to Seattle looking for a new job, Syrel heard of PSLA through his family who has lived in Seattle for a while and is good friends with Samuel Sim. Syrel believed that the skills he learned as a grocery bagger can translate well with helping others in need and feeding it forward. Once he settled into his new environment, he began volunteering at PSLA and enjoyed the environment surrounding the food bank and found himself indulging more in helping others in need and enjoying the feeling of making a difference in his community.
As one of the most recent additions to the PSLA team, he has already been learning many skills and improving on the ones he already had.
Moving to Seattle looking for a new job, Syrel heard of PSLA through his family who has lived in Seattle for a while and is good friends with Samuel Sim. Syrel believed that the skills he learned as a grocery bagger can translate well with helping others in need and feeding it forward. Once he settled into his new environment, he began volunteering at PSLA and enjoyed the environment surrounding the food bank and found himself indulging more in helping others in need and enjoying the feeling of making a difference in his community.
As one of the most recent additions to the PSLA team, he has already been learning many skills and improving on the ones he already had.
Jeffrey Dunaway is one of the newest Americorps Members at The Food Bank @ PSLA. I have done everything from dishwashing, construction, retail, to my most recent career as a Mail Carrier with the United States Postal Service. Currently, I am serving with Americorps to re-new/ reset my professional goals in life. After graduating college with a B.A. Economics and minor in Spanish, I decided the financial world/ political world was not for me. So, I embarked on a different path in life through the USPS. While there, I gained very valuable experience about the community, logistics, and hard work. Unfortunately, during the latter part of the Pandemic, I sustained an injury leaving me unable to perform my duties. I was sad for a season. However, that season is over! I am a testament to if you just hang in there (in life, that is), you'll learn resiliency, perseverance, and endurance. I'm happy to be embarking on my new chapter as a student at the University of Washington studying Software Engineering utilizing Americorps as a "gap" year in my career until a tech company hires me! While as Food Coordinator with Americorps, I plan on creating an Overlay Map, updating the SalesForce Platform (a CRM PSLA uses), and continue to help those who come to PSLA in need. Moreover, I plan to increase awareness of PSLA "The Food Bank" in the local community, I plan to help create a steady supply of food/ goods, for when the people do come for food they'll have something to choose from!
On a different note, I love swimming, chess, and biking- although my handsome physique would otherwise disagree ;-) |
What led you to work at PSLA? Jus was referred to PSLA by my sister in law , and when I learned more about PSLA does for the community I wanted to be a part of that.
Tell us about your previous community service and work experience: Previously I worked as a caregiver at an assisted living facility assisting the elderly on a daily basis.
How long have you lived in Seattle? I lived in Seattle mostly all my life. At the age of 11 I moved to Georgia, then I came back to Seattle. I've been here since then.
What do you have to give / share with the PSLA community? I have some ideas that could help build PSLA . I think social media could help build PSLA like Facebook, Instagram, even Tiktok to spread how you're helping the community. Also, I love helping others and giving to those in need.
Are you a cat or a dog person? 'm a dog lover, I actually have an 8-month female Chihuahua named Koko.
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? The book I would recommend for everyone at PSLA is Four Agreements. I've learned that each of the agreements help me if I ever struggled with anything with my life. It really helps me be at ease, for example “Be impeccable with your words, be positive with everything you say and others “.
Do you have any weird talents? I don’t really have any weird talents, but to keep my one-year-old niece entertained I could do the Mickey Mouse Club Voice.
Tell us about your previous community service and work experience: Previously I worked as a caregiver at an assisted living facility assisting the elderly on a daily basis.
How long have you lived in Seattle? I lived in Seattle mostly all my life. At the age of 11 I moved to Georgia, then I came back to Seattle. I've been here since then.
What do you have to give / share with the PSLA community? I have some ideas that could help build PSLA . I think social media could help build PSLA like Facebook, Instagram, even Tiktok to spread how you're helping the community. Also, I love helping others and giving to those in need.
Are you a cat or a dog person? 'm a dog lover, I actually have an 8-month female Chihuahua named Koko.
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? The book I would recommend for everyone at PSLA is Four Agreements. I've learned that each of the agreements help me if I ever struggled with anything with my life. It really helps me be at ease, for example “Be impeccable with your words, be positive with everything you say and others “.
Do you have any weird talents? I don’t really have any weird talents, but to keep my one-year-old niece entertained I could do the Mickey Mouse Club Voice.
Volunteers
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What inspired you to work with PSLA? : I’ve done it before—it’s gratifying.
What kind of role do you usually fill when working in a group or a team setting? : Leader
What items would you choose to bring if stranded on a deserted island? : Food / books / tent/ matches
What other professional or work experience do you have? : Cook, painter, landscaper, demolition of homes, pressure washer, fence installer, drywall, dog trainer. I volunteered at the Las Vegas shelter, cooking for families.
What was your dream job as a kid? : Fast food
What do you have to give or share with PSLA’s volunteer and client communities? : Good personality—I’m a hard worker.
What was your favorite subject in school? : Math
What makes you unique? : Me being totally me & no one else
Who is a personal hero of yours? : No heroes
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : Machiavelli’s The Prince
What vacation is at the top of your list and why? : Patagonia because of the mountain weather.
When did you move to Seattle? : 1981
Are you an introverted or an extroverted person? : Both
What other languages do you speak? : None
What kind of role do you usually fill when working in a group or a team setting? : Leader
What items would you choose to bring if stranded on a deserted island? : Food / books / tent/ matches
What other professional or work experience do you have? : Cook, painter, landscaper, demolition of homes, pressure washer, fence installer, drywall, dog trainer. I volunteered at the Las Vegas shelter, cooking for families.
What was your dream job as a kid? : Fast food
What do you have to give or share with PSLA’s volunteer and client communities? : Good personality—I’m a hard worker.
What was your favorite subject in school? : Math
What makes you unique? : Me being totally me & no one else
Who is a personal hero of yours? : No heroes
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : Machiavelli’s The Prince
What vacation is at the top of your list and why? : Patagonia because of the mountain weather.
When did you move to Seattle? : 1981
Are you an introverted or an extroverted person? : Both
What other languages do you speak? : None
What inspired you to work with PSLA? Habitual, desired to serve community
What other community service experience do you have? : “Because He Lives Ministries”, Woonsocket, RI (USA) 1991-2002. “Evangel Pentecostal” Montreal, QC Canada 2002-2007. “Mustard Seed Ministries” Calgary, AB Canada 2007-2014. Calgary Drop-In Homeless Shelters, Calgary, AB Canada 2008-2014
What other professional or work experience do you have? : Agronomy, Farm Manager, Engineering Services manager, Trade Union Organization Training & Evaluation Organizing, Management, Communication
What do you hope to learn or gain from Volunteering with PSLA? : Help the community as needed
What was your dream job as a kid? What about now? : Self-Employment / Agriculture. For now, series when available
Who is a personal hero of yours? : My dad—delighted in community service, criminal civil laws
How many siblings do you have? : 14
Are you an introverted or an extroverted person? : Extroverted
What other languages do you know how to speak? : French, a little Mandarin, African Dialects / Languages
What other community service experience do you have? : “Because He Lives Ministries”, Woonsocket, RI (USA) 1991-2002. “Evangel Pentecostal” Montreal, QC Canada 2002-2007. “Mustard Seed Ministries” Calgary, AB Canada 2007-2014. Calgary Drop-In Homeless Shelters, Calgary, AB Canada 2008-2014
What other professional or work experience do you have? : Agronomy, Farm Manager, Engineering Services manager, Trade Union Organization Training & Evaluation Organizing, Management, Communication
What do you hope to learn or gain from Volunteering with PSLA? : Help the community as needed
What was your dream job as a kid? What about now? : Self-Employment / Agriculture. For now, series when available
Who is a personal hero of yours? : My dad—delighted in community service, criminal civil laws
How many siblings do you have? : 14
Are you an introverted or an extroverted person? : Extroverted
What other languages do you know how to speak? : French, a little Mandarin, African Dialects / Languages
What inspired you to volunteer with PSLA? : I like being around people and food. Also, I saw that PSLA was looking for more volunteers when the shut down started and I thought it would be a good way to sneak in some guilt-free in-person social interaction
What other professional experience do you have? : Once I had a job that included a lot of crawling around in caves looking for very small endangered cave bugs. To draw them out we’d set smelly traps with blue cheese and peanut butter. Sometimes the traps attracted porcupines, too. No jobs since then have involved porcupines but who knows what the future holds
What is one thing you would change about Seattle? : I would like Seattle to be affordable for everyone with less fancy nonsense, housing for everybody, and more community spaces like parks, community centers, meeting halls, and community gardens. A progressive tax system would be a good initial step in this direction. I’d also like the Sonics to come back- mostly so I can watch when the Spurs come to town
Are you a cat or dog person? : Plant person! But I appreciate cats for their boundaries and mystery and dogs for their joy and cuddliness
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : Felon by Reginald Dwayne Betts is a short book of poetry that I can’t recommend highly enough. The poet writes about his time in prison and how it continues to affect him, and he really pulls you right into these intense, specific feelings. It is haunting and powerful and also beautiful in the way he honors the lives of others he saw destroyed by this system. I’ve read a lot of non-fiction about hyperincarceration and prison abolition, but Betts’ books of poems communicate on a level that prose just can’t. Poetry used to intimidate me, but I started to really love it when I gave up on the idea that I needed to understand everything and allowed myself to just feel the mood the poet creates and appreciate the lines that do speak to me
What 3 items would you choose to bring if stranded on a deserted island? : My three items would all be dance moves: the Macarena (it goes to any song), the Tootsie Roll, and some New Orleans bounce in the style of Big Freedia the Queen Diva. You may ask why I would bring dance moves, but I think they’ll never run out or break like other items, dancing would be a good way to pass the time, and I have a hunch they would help me make friends with the local flora and fauna
What vacation is at the top of your list? And Why? : A few years down the road I'd love to do the whole live-in-a-van-and-explore-all-the-national-parks-for-a-year thing. I'd especially like to spend time in the parks in Alaska and include some Canadian and Mexican national parks as well. I'd also like to use it as an opportunity to visit friends in different parts of the country
Are you an introverted or extroverted person? How do you know? : I am a people-oriented introvert. I love people time, especially one-on-one or in small groups. But I also can’t function without a lot of regular alone time.
How many siblings do you have? : I have two “little” brothers. They are both about eight inches taller than me
What other professional experience do you have? : Once I had a job that included a lot of crawling around in caves looking for very small endangered cave bugs. To draw them out we’d set smelly traps with blue cheese and peanut butter. Sometimes the traps attracted porcupines, too. No jobs since then have involved porcupines but who knows what the future holds
What is one thing you would change about Seattle? : I would like Seattle to be affordable for everyone with less fancy nonsense, housing for everybody, and more community spaces like parks, community centers, meeting halls, and community gardens. A progressive tax system would be a good initial step in this direction. I’d also like the Sonics to come back- mostly so I can watch when the Spurs come to town
Are you a cat or dog person? : Plant person! But I appreciate cats for their boundaries and mystery and dogs for their joy and cuddliness
What is one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : Felon by Reginald Dwayne Betts is a short book of poetry that I can’t recommend highly enough. The poet writes about his time in prison and how it continues to affect him, and he really pulls you right into these intense, specific feelings. It is haunting and powerful and also beautiful in the way he honors the lives of others he saw destroyed by this system. I’ve read a lot of non-fiction about hyperincarceration and prison abolition, but Betts’ books of poems communicate on a level that prose just can’t. Poetry used to intimidate me, but I started to really love it when I gave up on the idea that I needed to understand everything and allowed myself to just feel the mood the poet creates and appreciate the lines that do speak to me
What 3 items would you choose to bring if stranded on a deserted island? : My three items would all be dance moves: the Macarena (it goes to any song), the Tootsie Roll, and some New Orleans bounce in the style of Big Freedia the Queen Diva. You may ask why I would bring dance moves, but I think they’ll never run out or break like other items, dancing would be a good way to pass the time, and I have a hunch they would help me make friends with the local flora and fauna
What vacation is at the top of your list? And Why? : A few years down the road I'd love to do the whole live-in-a-van-and-explore-all-the-national-parks-for-a-year thing. I'd especially like to spend time in the parks in Alaska and include some Canadian and Mexican national parks as well. I'd also like to use it as an opportunity to visit friends in different parts of the country
Are you an introverted or extroverted person? How do you know? : I am a people-oriented introvert. I love people time, especially one-on-one or in small groups. But I also can’t function without a lot of regular alone time.
How many siblings do you have? : I have two “little” brothers. They are both about eight inches taller than me
What inspired you to work with PSLA? : Penance for my younger years
What other professional or work experience do you have? : Elevator constructor
What was your favorite subject in school? : Lunch
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Both
What was your dream job as a kid? : To be retired
What do you have to give or share with PSLA’s volunteer and client communities? : My sense of humor
What makes you unique? : Nothing. Everything has been done
Who is a personal hero of yours? : Not prone to hero worship
How many siblings do you have? : None that I claim
When did you move to Seattle? : 1988
What other languages do you know how to speak? : English is the only foreign language I know
What other professional or work experience do you have? : Elevator constructor
What was your favorite subject in school? : Lunch
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Both
What was your dream job as a kid? : To be retired
What do you have to give or share with PSLA’s volunteer and client communities? : My sense of humor
What makes you unique? : Nothing. Everything has been done
Who is a personal hero of yours? : Not prone to hero worship
How many siblings do you have? : None that I claim
When did you move to Seattle? : 1988
What other languages do you know how to speak? : English is the only foreign language I know
What inspired you to volunteer with PSLA? : I want to give back to the community in which I live
Tell us about previous community service experience you have : I’ve volunteered as a caseworker for Habitat for Humanity
What professional work experience do you have? : 29 years as an Academic Advisor @ UW. Employment counselor. Resources @ Cornish College. Youth + employment counselor. Outreach worker for city of Eugene
What was your favorite subject in school? : Loved comparative religion courses + mythology courses
What is one thing you would change about Seattle? : Have better resources for homeless population
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Love both cats + dogs, although I’ve mainly had cats
What do you hope to learn from volunteering with PSLA? : More compassion + acceptance
What was your dream job as a kid? What is it now? : Wanted to be a foreign language interpreter. Now—retirement + to be independently wealthy
What do you have to give or share with PSLA’s volunteer and client communities? : Open attitude
What makes you unique? : World traveler
Who is a personal hero of yours? : Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Jane Goodall, David Attenborough
What’s one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : Not sure although the Count of Monte Cristo was one of my favorite books.
What vacation is at the top of your list? Why? : Maybe Egypt—for the pyramids, Jordan for Petra. Maybe return to Tanzania to Gombe National Park to see chimpanzees
How many siblings do you have? : Youngest of five with two remaining brothers
When did you move to Seattle? : 1984
Tell about your experience moving here : Attracted to beauty of Seattle + had friends here. Wanted to leave Eugene Oregon for a bigger city
Are you an introverted or an extroverted person? : Depends on the circumstances
What kind of role do you usually fill when working in a group or a team setting? : Team player
What role do you never play? : Don’t like being a “boss” although I have been in the past
What three items would you choose to bring if stranded on a desert island? : Endless fresh water supply, books + music
What other languages do you speak? : Speak a little French
Tell us about previous community service experience you have : I’ve volunteered as a caseworker for Habitat for Humanity
What professional work experience do you have? : 29 years as an Academic Advisor @ UW. Employment counselor. Resources @ Cornish College. Youth + employment counselor. Outreach worker for city of Eugene
What was your favorite subject in school? : Loved comparative religion courses + mythology courses
What is one thing you would change about Seattle? : Have better resources for homeless population
Are you a cat or a dog person? : Love both cats + dogs, although I’ve mainly had cats
What do you hope to learn from volunteering with PSLA? : More compassion + acceptance
What was your dream job as a kid? What is it now? : Wanted to be a foreign language interpreter. Now—retirement + to be independently wealthy
What do you have to give or share with PSLA’s volunteer and client communities? : Open attitude
What makes you unique? : World traveler
Who is a personal hero of yours? : Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Jane Goodall, David Attenborough
What’s one book you would recommend to everyone here at PSLA? : Not sure although the Count of Monte Cristo was one of my favorite books.
What vacation is at the top of your list? Why? : Maybe Egypt—for the pyramids, Jordan for Petra. Maybe return to Tanzania to Gombe National Park to see chimpanzees
How many siblings do you have? : Youngest of five with two remaining brothers
When did you move to Seattle? : 1984
Tell about your experience moving here : Attracted to beauty of Seattle + had friends here. Wanted to leave Eugene Oregon for a bigger city
Are you an introverted or an extroverted person? : Depends on the circumstances
What kind of role do you usually fill when working in a group or a team setting? : Team player
What role do you never play? : Don’t like being a “boss” although I have been in the past
What three items would you choose to bring if stranded on a desert island? : Endless fresh water supply, books + music
What other languages do you speak? : Speak a little French