Audrey Burrell is the Sales & Marketing Director for La Conner Channel Lodge & Country Inn two boutique hotels located in the heart of downtown La Conner. A major part of Audrey’s role is sharing the Skagit Valley and town of La Conner with travelers and groups looking to host a retreat, or weddings. She has a diverse background in marketing, social media, advertising, and of course being involved in her community. She is very curious about the world and loves adventure and experiences as she has traveled to 15 countries. Inspiring people to travel is so much fun!

Audrey also has a background in event planning as she worked in the floral industry for 14+ years designing and facilitating events. Her favorite part of an experience or event is the details. “The details are what people remember,” she says.

Currently she is also involved in the La Conner Chamber of Commerce, the 1st on First group of La Conner that has been started as an effort to keep businesses alive during the pandemic shut down. She has been involved in many other organizations. One that was very close to her heart was Ryther Child Center.

She moved to Bellingham almost 4 years ago from the Seattle area, but was born in Alaska and lived there 24 years. In her free time, you will find her on the water in a boat, hiking with her little fur-baby Frederick, in a yoga class or her garden! 

Treasurer Chair Role Responsibilities:
 
General

• Attends Monthly Advisory Board Meetings
• Attends WPN Breakfast Meetings; arranges substitute to cover duties when attendance is not possible
• Works with the Advisory Board to increase membership and attendance at WPN Breakfast meetings
• Renders all other duties coincident with the office of Treasurer.

Specific

• Manages all WPN monies:
  • Checking and Savings Account, Liquid CD, and cash box
• Updates Accounts Payable in QuickBooks
• Collects and provides receipts for all WPN dues and fees
• Prepares WPN Annual Budget; both Gala and WPN overall annual budget and submits to Board for review and vote
• Participates in Annual Board Meeting Retreat
• Completes and presents Year End Budget review at Board Retreat
• Contributes to and completes budget planning for Gala Events
• Maintains YTD Budget Variance Report - Actual to Budget
• Prepares and presents monthly financial report at Monthly Board Meetings
• Balances Monthly Bank Statement and reports reconciliation to Board at Monthly Board Meeting, or if Board meeting is prior to end of month, provides balance summary.
• Makes copies of the annual report available to members, on request.
• Files non-profit organization federal tax-exempt filings at the beginning of each year to the IRS. Files a 990-N e-Postcard online tax form for both the Women’s Professional Network (EIN 91-1157680) and WPN Foundation (EIN 47-2207751)
• Files Secretary of State annual reports by October 31st each year for Women’s Professional Network (UBI 601 420 499) and WPN Foundation (603 453 669)
• Collects mail from post office box once a month; processes payments and bills; forwards other mail as required.
• Manages registration table for each WPN breakfast meeting Manages registration table for each WPN breakfast meeting
  • Includes staffing table with self and/or volunteers
  • Sign in guests and gets business cards from each
  • Has cash box on hand (maintains $60 cash each month)
  • Collects and provides receipts (if requested) for all fees and dues collected
  • Deposits any cash or checks collected
• Ensures monthly financial review of P & L and Bank Balances is completed by Board Members at each Board Meeting
  

Brandi Braley is a mortgage loan advisor at Neighborhood Mortgage in Bellingham. She received her Associates Degree in Accounting from Portland Community College, and then went on the get her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with a concentration in Accounting from Portland State University. Brandi has worked in the accounting field for 15 years, with 11 of those years working at the Alpha Group in Bellingham. While with the Alpha Group, Brandi held numerous accounting positions including Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, and Sr. Financial Analyst. With her accounting background and her love for real estate, Brandi transitioned into becoming a Mortgage Loan Advisor in 2017.

Brandi spent 8 years moving around the country exploring the areas where she lived. With her love of the PNW and her desire to be closer to her family, Brandi moved back to Bellingham in 2004, where she enjoys getting out and exploring all that the area has to offer. When not in the office, you can find Brandi spending time with her family, traveling, or reading a good book.

Along with helping people purchase and refinance their homes, Brandi is also the Reverse Mortgage Specialist at Neighborhood Mortgage. This role gives her the opportunity to work with seniors in the community to help them stay in their homes that they love. Brandi feels that every moment is a chance to make a difference in someone’s life.

Membership Chair Role Responsibilities:

General ​

• Attends monthly Advisory Board Meetings.
• Attends WPN breakfast meetings; arranges substitute to cover duties when attendance is not possible.
• Works with the Advisory Board to increase membership and attendance at WPN Breakfast meetings.
• Renders all other duties coincident with the office of Membership Chair.

Specific​

• Generates membership leads and approaches them by email / phone inviting them to attend networking breakfast. The board is encouraged to provide leads for the membership chair.  
• Calls new members to welcome to WPN and explains all membership benefits.
• Using RSVP list, membership chair contacts guests to ask if they have any questions prior to the meeting. Follows up with them during / after the meeting to encourage them to join WPN.
• Calls members who have not yet renewed. If they are not renewing, membership chair finds out why and passes info onto the Board.
• Acts as a greeter and recruits other members to help greet new members and guests at breakfast meetings.  

Kathy has spent most of her career working for one of the top 10 Most Admired Companies in the World, learning leading edge sales, leadership, coaching and training practices. Since moving to Whatcom County, Kathy has started her own business as an Executive/Business Coach specializing in Sales, Leadership Development and Career Re-invention. She is passionate about helping business professionals reach their highest potential and achieve the success they deserve.

Kathy has expertise in all things sales from helping small business owners and entrepreneurs to major account sales strategies and negotiations as well as international sales and acumen, adding millions of dollars to a company's bottom line. As well, Kathy coaches new leaders to leapfrog the learning curve,
and can help in the development of high performing teams, employee engagement and retention. She is especially excited to help women jumpstart their career or tackle upward mobility issues.

Kathy has an MBA from Purdue as well as a Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching and is an Associate Certified Coach. She is active in the community, volunteers, is on several Boards and even tries to golf on occasion.

​Networking Chair Role Responsibilities:
 
General ​

• Attends monthly Advisory Board Meetings
• Attends WPN breakfast meetings; arranges substitute to cover duties when attendance is not possible.
• Works with the Advisory Board to increase membership and attendance at WPN Breakfast meetings.
• Responsible for acquiring and securing monthly Breakfast Sponsorships and Featured Members

Specific

• Reaches out to the community or WPN members to solicit breakfast sponsors and directs them morning of meeting
• Manages marketing table participation for Featured Members of the month:
• Takes reservations for marketing tables according to guidelines set forth by Advisory Board.
• Obtains 3 featured members per month, provides them with at the WPN website link to fill out their bio and photo, which must be provided to webmaster and publicity chair 30 days in advanced to allow time for featured member promotion and advertisement.  
• Follows up with phone calls and emails to confirm participation.
• Coordinates arrangement of marketing tables on first come, first served basis.
• Monitors appropriate use of marketing tables, according to guidelines set forth by Advisory Board
• Manages the WPN marketing/information table at WPN breakfast meeting. This includes having all WPN general information (brochures etc.) available.
• Manages featured member prize donations for each WPN breakfast meeting:
  • Solicits donations.
  • Provides box at Registration table to collect business cards for prize drawing
    

Crystal spent 17 years in the broadcast industry, after graduating from Western Washington University. She worked for KVOS TV-12 for 11 years as a morning news anchor and reporter, and then moved to Richmond, Virginia where she reported and produced for the CBS affiliate WTVR Newschannel 6. After returning to Bellingham she was the Circulation Marketing Manager for the Bellingham Herald and then transitioned to Cascade Radio Group as an Advertising Account Executive. Nevertheless, the draw of writing and reporting added with being a self-proclaimed "newsy” eventually drew her back to broadcasting and KGMI News, where she co-anchored the morning news and Community Connection for nearly 4 years.

With her knowledge of the area, Crystal has turned her focus toward the tech industry, working in business development for NW Technology in Ferndale. NWTS boasts a highly experienced team of engineers and technicians that provide network-consulting services, implementation and system integration, maintenance and network management services, date security and a hosted private data center.

Crystal is a Whatcom County native who is one of those annoying people who give you driving directions by what used to be located in the vicinity. Although she left the area multiple times, Bellingham has a way of drawing you back. Crystal loves the Pacific Northwest and believes it’s the best place in the world to raise a family.

Crystal has three amazing children, who she believes will help change the world. Although they believe, she is putting a lot of pressure on them! Her youngest is in his first year of college, so if you see that wild I’ve forgotten something look in her eyes, it’s because she is now officially an empty nester. Crystal and her husband of 32 years, along with a pride of cats and a crazy German Shepherd live on 5 acres in rural Whatcom County.

​Publicity Chair Role Responsibilities:
 
General ​

• Attends monthly Advisory Board Meetings
• Attends WPN breakfast meetings; arranges substitute to cover duties when attendance is not possible.
• Works with the Advisory Board to increase membership and attendance at WPN Breakfast meetings.
• Renders all other duties coincident with the office of Publicity Chair.

Specific

• Works with Speaker Chair and featured speaker obtaining the necessary content to showcase speaker’s presentation.  
• Presents event monthly publicity plan during board meetings and results from publicity campaigns.  
• Leads publicity efforts including WPN facebook page, event pages . Generates multiple posts to showcase featured speakers, breakfast sponsor, WPN news, invitations to join, featured members, member events, etc.
• Creates newsletter content. Minimum 2 newsletters per month to encourage event attendance.  Newsletters will include registration deadlines.  
• Identifies and works with local media outlets (e.g. university press, tech magazine, TV stations, radio, etc.) Creates additional exposure for WPN.  
• Takes photos during events to be uploaded on WPN facebook page and additional social media sites.  
• Oversees website and ensures that its content is current and in accordance with any changes or updates reached during board meetings.  
• Additional publicity efforts for Annual Gala & Raffle Dash:
  • Prepares publicity campaign specific to the Annual Gala & Raffle Dash.
  • Works with event beneficiary encouraging raffle prize donations and ticket purchase.  
  • Showcases raffle prizes and encourage donations.
  • Maintains record of sponsorship deliverables. Creates additional sponsor content when applicable.  

​With a strong passion to connect people and communities through the building of relationships Aubrey has weaved her magic to create, coordinate and manage events for over 19 years. Aubrey has hosted events for corporate meetings and workshops, weddings, concerts, fundraisers, Broadway musicals, baby showers, bridal showers, comedy nights, volunteer and donor appreciation gatherings, award presentations, school dances, movie screenings, film festival and much more.

Aubrey currently holds the Events Manager and Small Space Coordinator position at the Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham, Washington.  Aubrey also owns and operates her business, Elfen Design. This is another outlet that has allowed Aubrey the ability to share her fierce artist self with others by being a sought after costume designer and fabricator for film, print and theater, along with a freelance Event Manager/Coordinator/Decorator.

Aubrey comes to WPN with a very diverse array of professional experiences. Before Aubrey settled into her Events Manager career at MBT she had worked as the Inventory Control and Office Manager at a Fortune 500 company, Flowserve Corporation. She had worked for the Ferndale School District as a certified Para Educator for over 10 years before that, all the while running Elfen Design. Aubrey has also held other positions over her many years in the professional work world such as Executive Assistant, Commercial and Personal Line Insurance, Security services to name a few. All of these jobs have added to Aubrey’s ability to create any event for any type of client or crowd.

Aubrey is looking forward to being part of the WPN team and helping share its mission to support, empower, educate and advocate for the professional women and their communities.

​Event Chair Role Responsibilities:
 
General ​

• Attends Monthly Advisory Board Meetings
• Attends WPN breakfast meetings; arranges substitute to cover duties when attendance is not possible.
• Works with the Advisory Board to increase sponsors and attendance at WPN annual Gala.
• Renders all other duties coincident with the office of Gala Chair.

Specific

• Collaborate with Advisory Board regarding creation of the annual Gala budget
• Create Sponsorship levels to cover Gala budget
• Procure Gala Vendors; Emcee & Disc Jockey (music), Photographer, Florist, Printing & Ad Services. Work to have items provided through ‘in-kind’ donations whenever possible.
•  Solicit to membership (vote) or Board to decide by vote which Beneficiary to receive Gala proceeds.
• Coordinate with Gala Beneficiary to attend WPN meeting(s) prior to the Gala to promote their cause.
• Create Gala Theme (secure venue- submit to Gala Board for vote and procure contract.) Ensure deposit is delivered with help of Treasurer if required to hold venue and date.
• Working within budget, procure decorations and other items such as raffle or auction items in adv.
• Create sub-committees’ (as necessary) which may include: 
  o    Dessert Dash Coordinator - ensure desserts are delivered and set up table at event 
  o    Decoration Coordinator- set up/tear down & procure volunteers to help  
  o    Table Assembly Coordinator- raffle prize set up- number prizes/arrange tables.
  o    Event Coordinator - sell tickets at the door if available and procure volunteers to check in attendees’ (coordinates with Website Admin. to receive pre-paid list prior to event)
• Raffle Ticket Sales Coordinator
  o    Pre-package raffle tickets & procure volunteers (work with Treasurer to procure & learn how to work with squares prior to event)
• Coordinate with Publicity Chair to promote Annual Gala
  o    WPN & Chamber e-Blast’s, Community Calendars, non-profit publicity and press releases, social media
• Drive event excitement within membership (at monthly meeting & social media promotion)
• Verify licensing requirements to ensure raffle & event permits are delivered 3 months in advance
• Procure sponsorships and raffle prize donations (maintain & verify up to date donation list)
• Coordinate raffle donations –pick up /delivery prior to event
• Coordinate Gala promotional items: Sponsorship correspondence, posters, post cards, banners, signage at event, programs and invitations, order plaque/flowers for any special event recognition.
• Coordinate with Sponsor’s to ensure all acknowledgements are received for their $ level (Logo’s etc.)
• Coordinate Dessert Dash (with help of Advisory Board & Dessert Dash Coordinator)
• Promote & sell raffle sales prior to event (if applicable)- most should be done through website.
• Coordinate with Gala Beneficiary to procure their logo & event presentation/ video, etc.
• Meet with event venue to coordinate event details and verify menu
• Maintain running tally of income throughout the event (report to Emcee) in order to drive fundraising goals
• Send tax deductible receipts to sponsors and donations as required, and Thank You notes.
• Collaborate with Sub-Committee’s to verify final results of the event
• Number of attendees’, Total Ticket sales for event and raffle dash tickets, overall funds raised for beneficiary.
• Deliver event results via: report, back to the Advisory Board
• Coordinate with Advisory Board on delivery of funds to Gala Beneficiary (coordinate on date/time 
  o    to bring over “big check” and take photo opportunities. 

A proud Navy Veteran originally from southern Texas landed at Whidbey Island in 2012. She hit the ground running once she was officially out of the Navy, returning to school to complete her Master's Degree, and studying to become a Real Estate Broker. She did this, all while taking care of her three young special needs children.

She was motivated to get into Real Estate after purchasing her first home in Mount Vernon, Washington. She researched the field for countless hours and eventually decided that she wanted to help others through the processes. Not only that, she wanted to ensure she was giving her clients the best services possible.

In her first year as a Realtor, she successfully closed 14 transactions, which is a great accomplishment in such a competitive industry. Since then her number of clients has been growing exponentially. They’ve now grown to the point that Marla went back to school to get her Managing Brokers license, and started to build a team of agents that care about people as much as she does.

At the end of her first year in business, she was introduced to a program called the Homes for Heroes Foundation. This company worked with realtors NATIONWIDE to give back to those Heroes that often feel forgotten. She went through many interviews, rearranged her whole business plan, and fought incredibly hard to get the honor to be an affiliate for Homes for Heroes. With the program she gives 25% of her commission BACK to her clients that qualify, and an additional 5% to the nonprofit for grants and other charity they do.

Her determination to not only guide people through the real estate journey but enhance the community around her has led her to be one of the top 10 agents in Skagit County. She works diligently to help all her clients, and ensure that the other agents she works with provide the same quality of service. Marla & Company is so much more than just a Real Estate business; it’s a family.

General

•    Attends Monthly Advisory Board Meetings
•    Attends WPN breakfast meetings; arranges substitute to cover duties when attendance is not possible.
•    Works with the Advisory Board to increase sponsors and attendance at WPN Annual Gala and monthly breakfast meeting for Breakfast Sponsors.
•    Renders all other duties coincident with the office of Sponsorship Chair.
 
Specific

•    Work with Event Chair and Advisory Board to create Sponsorship levels to cover Annual Gala event budget and monthly breakfast meetings with Breakfast Sponsors.
•    Work with Event Chair to procure Gala Vendors; Emcee & Disc Jockey (music), Photographer, Florist, Printing & Ad Services. Work to have items provided through ‘in-kind’ donations whenever possible.
•    Coordinate with Publicity Chair to promote Annual Gala event and monthly breakfast meetings.
o    WPN & Chamber e-Blast’s, Community Calendars, non-profit publicity and press releases, social media
•    Work with Event Chair to procure sponsorships and raffle prize donations (maintain & verify up to date donation list)
•    Work with Event Chair to coordinate Gala promotional items: Sponsorship correspondence, posters, post cards, banners, signage at event, programs and invitations, order plaque/flowers for any special event recognition.
•    Coordinate with Sponsor’s to ensure all acknowledgements are received for their Sponsorship Level (company logo’s, etc.)
•    Work with Event Chair to coordinate Dessert Dash (with help of Advisory Board & Dessert Dash Coordinator)