Karyn has spent most of her career in sales, leadership, and supporting roles, with a passion for training, mentoring and helping others. With over 20 years of Executive and Professional Assistant experience, and a desire to live a life in health, Karyn works in the health supplement industry at Seeking Health, where she brings her years of expertise of Executive support to Dr. Lynch and team, and is proud to work for a company who is committed to educate and help you improve your health by changing and optimizing lives.

Karyn is also an Independent Business Owner of Girl on the Go, offering Professional & Personal Assistant services and Event Planning for business and personal needs, with a wide variety of skills and experience for exceptional support to help you and your business succeed, keep you organized, and bring your events to life and make memorable!

Karyn is passionate about helping children and families, being involved in the community, volunteering, and women empowering women for personal and professional growth and fulfillment. Karyn believes in "Love Big, Be Kind, and Have Grace”, and living this each day.

After moving to Bellingham in 2016, Karyn has played an active role in the local community with volunteering for various organizations and leadership opportunities including; Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellingham, The Arthritis Foundation, SheJumps, is active in coordinating and organizing outdoor activities with various groups she is involved with, as well as serving one year on the Women’s Professional Network Board as Secretary Chair.

Karyn is originally from "Big Sky Country” and is a small town girl from Montana, and has come to call Bellingham her other home. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and enjoys adventuring in the great outdoors and all that the PNW offers.

​President 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 President.

Advisory Board

• Prepares agenda for Monthly Advisory Board Meetings
• Prepares Monthly Advisory Board Meeting Agenda, Breakfast Meeting Agenda, Annual Retreat Advisory Board Meeting Agenda, and Power Point Presentation for Monthly WPN Breakfast Meetings and Annual Gala & Raffle Dash  
• Presides at Monthly Advisory Board Meetings and Annual Board Retreat
• Calls emergency Advisory Board meetings, as needed
• Meets with each Advisory Board Member during the third quarter of the fiscal year to discuss that member’s intent to continue or decline to serve on the Advisory Board
• Appoints Advisory Board Members with a majority vote of Advisory Board 

 Specific

• ​Governs WPN policies, programs, and activities
• Upholds WPN by-laws
• Acts as a signatory backup for the Treasurer to sign WPN checks.
• Has access to WPN financial accounts and use of WPN debit card limited to supplies related to WPN programs and activities and shall report such charges to Treasurer at following Board meeting.
• Has discretionary authority to expend up to $50 for and on behalf of WPN programs and activities
• Is designated, between regularly scheduled Advisory Board meetings, to make decisions regarding WPN policies, programs, or activities; and shall report such action(s) or event(s) at the next Advisory Board meeting
• Presides over WPN Breakfast Meetings
• Submits Monthly RSVP notification to Four Points by Sheraton including:
  • Headcount prior to breakfast meeting (increase number to allow for Advisory Board, Speaker and Attendees who have failed to make a reservation.)
• Confirms number of marketing tables needed (this info to be supplied to President by Networking Chair) 
• Informs Four Points by Sheraton of any changes including menu, table arrangements, meeting room requirements, etc.  
• Represents WPN in all contract negotiations with any venue or business establishment hosting WPN events, activities and programs;
  • Monthly WPN Breakfasts Meetings
  • Monthly use of venue conference room for WPN Board Meetings
  • Annual Gala & Raffle Dash
  • Annual Advisory Board Retreat
  • Venue for all Social/Membership Drive events
• ​Schedules meeting with venue selected to host Annual Gala & Raffle Dash, at least one month prior to event to discuss event layout, breakfast menu and other details regarding event
• Represents WPN in all contract negotiations, trade agreements and partnerships with third parties including event venues, service providers, etc.
• President shall report such negotiations at next board meeting.
• Manages and coordinates arrangements for Social/Membership Drives, including location, activities and catering.  
• Arranges up to four (4) Speakers for Annual Speakers Panel.
  • Event duties for President include:
    • ​Work with each panelist according to event topic.
    • Requests professional headshot/photo and biography for publicity purposes
    • Prepares questions for panelist and submits for their review and panel preparation
    • Prepares Speakers Panel Agenda  
• Invites dignitaries to Annual Gala & Raffle Dash
• Coordinates with fundraiser beneficiaries for the prompt delivery of funds.
  • Confirms funds availability with Treasurer and coordinates times and schedules with Board members for check presentation to beneficiary.
• Prepares Annual Gala Program and Event Agenda  
• Arranges and presides Annual Advisory Board Retreat ​
  

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.

​Secretary Chair Role Responsibilities: 

General Responsibilities

• Attends Monthly WPN Board Meetings
• Attends WPN Breakfast Meetings and Social Events
• Works with all Board Members to increase membership and attendance at WPN Breakfast meetings and social events
• Renders all other duties coincident with the office of Secretary

Specific Responsibilities

• Records Monthly Board Meeting and Annual Board Retreat Meeting Minutes
• Prepares and distributes meeting minutes and action items to all Board Members via Board e-mail distribution list within a timely manner proceeding monthly meetings.  
• Maintains, as part of the permanent records, in the Secretary’s Google Drive file:
  • ​Original Monthly Meeting Minutes
  • Copy of the Articles of Incorporation
  • Copy of current bylaws
  • Copy of the Secretary of State’s Annual Report
  • Copy of the of the IRS Letter of Determination
  • Electronic publication record WPN publications and correspondence on the WPN Google drive
    

Julia is our nurturing banker.  She is committed to her employees, her customers and our Bellingham community she grew up in. Julia has always been dedicated to personalized customer service, and consistently champions a message and philosophy; "Banking is a people business, we help people meet their financial goals, needs, and must be intentional of our actions, and considerate of how our interactions make our customers feel”!

Julia’s dedication to service is complimented by her depth of knowledge of her industry. She has 31 years’ experience in retail banking, branch management, internal branch operations, real estate lending and is a licensed Mortgage Loan Officer. She brings a broad background in developing, planning, and executing market driven sales, and remains committed to collaboration with her employees, customers and colleagues.

​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
  

As a long time business owner in Whatcom County, Karen was involved in the Commercial Fishing Industry, Auto Body Paint and Repair Field and Graphic Arts previous to becoming an Independent Business Owner with ACN. Currently she enjoys helping people get the best value on their essential services and while doing so feeding hungry kids in North America, as well a putting other business owners in a better position. Her passion, however, is showing people how they can fulfill their dreams and live the life they deserve.

Family is number one in her life.....she has two awesome kids and kid-in-laws, two amazing grandsons and their significant others, and loves spending time with them. Two must be her lucky number. Karen enjoys doing stained glass and is, along with many other Washingtonians, an avid 12th Man Fan.

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.  

​From humble beginnings to an international career, Sasha Steiner settled in Bellingham in late 2016 as the Director of Development for the College of Business & Economics at Western Washington University.

Growing up on the Washington peninsula, she recognized at a young age her interest in connecting and exploring the world we live in. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management from Portland State University and held her first professional job at the local Portland Children’s Museum in fundraising. Here she found a love for fundraising and philanthropy work for meaningful causes. Sasha was involved with several volunteer causes, one of which was working on helping international students navigate the University systems in Portland. She has a passion for travel and managed to enroll in the French public university, Universite de Lyon II and continue her education with a Master of Arts in Business Administration and Business Development in Lyon, France.

Her education and network led her to an amazing opportunity working as the Development personnel for the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris, where she resided for two years. During the 4 years in France, she learned the language, assimilated into the culture and grew a strong network. In 2013, Sasha made her way back to Portland where she worked as the Development Director for a small private college and specialized in speaker engagement, development and running conferences and continuing education events.

In 2016 she moved to Bellingham, a new city, and Western Washington University has become her new professional project. As the speaker chair, she looks to identify the needs, wishes and dialogues from the participants and match to her professional and personal network to create strong content for members and guests.

Speakers 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 Speakers Chair.

Specific

• ​Works with Advisory Board to define topics of interest and develops list of possible guest speakers.
  • List of guest speakers is presented during Board meeting.  
• Actively solicits speakers for the WPN Breakfast Meetings,
  • Contact potential guest speakers; determine if appropriate for WPN.
  • Guest speakers secured minimum of 3-6 months in advance.
• E-mail Speaker Form to guest speaker for completion to obtain biography, headshot, topic and outline of their speech for completion; form located in Google Drive in Speaker Chair folder.
  • Provide speaker information to Publicity Chair and introduce Publicity Chair to guest speaker.
• Send speaker information to Publicity Chair to be uploaded onto WPN website and promoted on all social media channels.  
• Advise guest speaker that members appreciate handouts, member interaction, and at least (3) three takeaways that the membership can utilize and apply in their business or personal life right away.  
• Provide guidelines that speaker must follow expectations and values of WPN; refrain from use of profanity, political/religious references, promote business, books, workshops etc., except for final 30 seconds at end of presentation or may utilize a space at the welcome table to promote their business.
• Confirm if speaker would like use of podium or has any accommodation requests and coordinate accordingly.
• Confirm if speaker has Power Point Presentation
  • Send to President for upload, and coordinate set-up as needed.
• Follow up to confirm speaker’s attendance two weeks prior to event and evening before.
• Ensure Speaker Evaluation Forms are available and passed out to all members prior to the breakfast meeting.
  • Speaker Evaluation Form located in Google Drive in Speaker Chair folder.
• Introduce speaker at WPN meeting and acts as timer during speaker’s presentation.
• Send thank you e-mail or card to guest speaker after breakfast meeting to show appreciation.
• Collect Speaker Evaluation Forms at conclusion of meeting and communicates feedback to guest speaker.
• Provides speaker’s evaluation from members at the next Board meeting. 

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.  

Krista Jones has 8 years Mortgage Lending experience and over 20 years’ overall in Retail Banking. Her approach with clients is to get to know them on a personal level and uncover their home ownership objectives. "Showing respect to my client means really listening to what is most important to them in order to offer the best solutions to what they are looking for. This develops trust, and in turn builds lasting relationships which is the foundation First Federal is built upon. I want to be your trusted Mortgage Advisor from your first home to your last home, and every step in between.”

Krista has served on several boards and organizations throughout the years, which include the SWAN (Skagit Women’s Alliance and Network) Rotary International, American Cancer Society and Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves on the WPN Board as Gala Chair.

Krista’s degree is in early childhood education. She is passionate about helping children and families’ reach their full potential. WPN’s commitment to the Lighthouse Mission Agape House for women and children, along with Lydia Place, cemented Krista’s desire to become a part of WPN. This commitment to serve the communities in which we live, is also in line with her company (First Federal's) mission.

Faith and family are very important to Krista. She is married to her best friend Brad, and they have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. Their family motto is "Happy, Happy, Happy”. Krista lives on a farm in rural Whatcom County and enjoys her various animals, gardening and hiking.

Gala 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.