???? (Un-chil-gi-sam | 運七技三) Part I

Today marks my 3rd year at Washington STEM.

The number 3 means “fortune” in Korean culture, and I thought it would be interesting to share the theme ???? (Unchilgisam | 運七技三) - a Korean idiom that describes 7 lucky moments and 3 efforts. This pretty much describes what I’ve been through over the past three years.

I’ll share 7 lucky moments in Part 1. In Part 2, I’ll share what I’ve been working on next week.

Lucky moment #1: Impact team!

• Jenee empowers me and lets me delegate and become the decision-maker as much as possible, allowing me to shift more towards serving at a strategic level rather than a tactical level.
• Mikel has niche subject matter expertise in Washington and can find insights around K-12, postsecondary education, and the labor market at a nonprofit/government partnership level.
• Rachel is the best person to work with when it comes to nonprofit data workflow, executing visions around community data engagement, and being a great listener.
• Chris A. has been with the team for the past five days, and he’s already shining at the organization. He’s trying to understand our business model, what we aim to accomplish in the next three years, and how he can contribute as a Community Partner Fellow.
• And I can't thank enough the contribution and community engagement expertise that Henedina T., Palmy C. S., Susan (Yang Hsun) Hou , and Zaina Ibrahim brought to this team when they were with us as fellows or interns.

Lucky moment #2: 100% Staff retention & 75% Fellow/Intern retention

• Data professionals in nonprofits, higher education, and government agencies are always pressured to serve multiple roles, which often leads to burnout. I’m glad that I’ve been able to protect our team’s scope and time/energy, allowing us to focus on being influential in what we’re best at, rather than just filling in gaps.

Lucky moment #3: Financial stability throughout COVID-19

• I still can’t believe I was hired in 2021, and we’ve actually grown our team, which is still expanding.
• Our revenue remains at the level we’ve expected. I understand we have some things to work on, such as more funders now gearing towards restricted funding/project-based funding rather than unrestricted funding.

Lucky moment #4: Buy-in from partners that data related activities are now fundamental and essential rather than "good-to-have"

• Whether I’m working with government partners, school district partners, community partners, or philanthropy partners, everyone agrees that our data work is considered essential, or even fundamental, to support and lead their efforts.
• Our team has had a unique window of opportunity over the past few years, and I don’t think this momentum will slow down in the near future.

Lucky moment #5: Expanding our portfolio from K-12/Postsecondary/Career Pathways to including Early Learning: Envisioning the true Cradle to Career system

• Many of my close friends and colleagues know that my previous role focused on early learning system building, coaching, and data visualization, specifically in early learning/government partner agency work.
• In 2019-20, when Soleil Boyd joined our team (and you’ll see why I’m mentioning her name below), there was a dire need for the organization to oversee the data body of work, including government partnership and data consultation. This became my lucky moment and perfect timing to join the Washington STEM crew in September 2021.

Lucky moment #6: Listening to what my wife suggested in June 2021 - I took a risk!

• As I was wrapping up my PhD work in June 2021, I had serious doubts about whether I would be successful in the academic world. I love academic system, I loved everything that I did, yet I don't think it was growing at a pace that I was hoping for at an exponential level - I kinda felt I outgrew my position faster than I thought.
• My wife saw me struggling through everything from my bachelor’s to my master’s to my PhD. She is the witness (not even my parents know this part) to my life values, the style that I like, and what motivates me both intrinsically and extrinsically.
• Despite my previous nonprofit experiences not being that great, she suggested that maybe it was time to make a change. I thought I would give it a shot - and here I am :)

Lucky moment #7: Last not but least, people in our organization

• As I transferred over from my previous role to Washington STEM, I was lucky enough to know the direction of Washington STEM as well as the people who are leading our initiatives.
• I can't thank enough Soleil Boyd, PhD to bring me in as a long-time colleague and friend. We've worked together since 2015 at University of Washington and it's a great story to share that Soleil used to be my former supervisor/dept. lead!
• Lynne Varner , our CEO, let me be myself and being transparent in what I do every single day.
• Yoko Shimomura , our COO, always listens to my suggestions when it comes to governance, system, and financial side of our organization and always value my input.
• Jill Nelson, SHRM-CP provides the most flexible/the best HR experience ever compared to any other positions that I've been involved in.
• Scott Dalessandro has that lingo that I connect with him at a strategic and tactical level that I always enjoy chatting about.
• Angie Mason-Smith leads and grows the career pathways portfolio better than anyone else in the state that makes our data work much better and fancier.
• Tana Peterman is the inspirational and compassionate senior program officer who knows exactly what educator needs and can translate those needs to any other audience especially to our government partners and funders.
• Shaterra Overton , no better words to share other than she always bring positivity to work and also serves as my Chief Travel Permission Officer :)
• Kate Schott , Katie, is the glue, the connector to everything we do! & my lunch buddy!
• Megan Madamba is the quiet yet lethal thinker, strategist, and executer in everything that we do.
• Megan Nadan is the unsung hero of everything relates to project management, event management, office operations, guest experiences, and graphic designing to make things smooth for our internal and external customer experience overall!
• Isabelle Haines known by the creative personnel in the organization but I'm more impressed with her willingness to learn and listen to things that she's also not involved/interested in and ask critical questions!
• Joanne Walby brings multiple options to the table when it comes to how to engage with our audience whether you have no communications related experiences or not.
• Jayme Shoun my best strategist and friend in talking everything about not just policy/advocacy partnership but life in general!
• Josh Apata knows better than anyone else if it comes to synthesizing ideas whether you have expertise or not, he can lead and support you in any means.
• Carrie Streepy cares, loves, and being thoughtful everyday whether you have a project working together or not she's always there for you.
• Laura Rose, CFRE, CAP? knows, does, and thinks in a way that no other people do in the organization when it comes to balanced/feasible approach in donor relationships, revenue growth, and sustainability in this organization.
• Tricia Pearson 's efficiency in connecting with people, storing and triangulating different story points are must skill sets to learn from her!
• Raeshawna Ware 's way of asking questions, suggesting different ideas always blows my mind despite she's been here less than a year!
• Ryan Beard and I can relate more stuff around soccer (i.e. Real Betis) than anyone else in the organization lol She is truly the gem for our org.
• Jasmin Randhawa is going to be the next super star in our policy world!
• Lenore S. will always help you through the reimbursement process as well as chatting about family life every single time when you see her!
• and last but not least, Blair Peterson, CPA thank you again for providing financial stability and direction to this organization - my favorite meeting in our organization (and I'm being serious) is the quarterly budget check-in.
• I am also looking forward to working with you all Dania N. C. & Susan Huynh !