OFFICERS
Without the dedication of a great team of volunteers, the activities and efforts of BEAN could not be possible. Below is just a little information about the team that runs the BEAN Seattle chapter.
KARIN ZABEL, Seattle Chapter President
Hi, I'm Karin Zabel, BEAN's Seattle Chapter President. I joined BEAN in 2005 after I moved to Seattle from Portland, OR. I wanted to become active in the community, meet some friends and make a "home" in Seattle. I have found that BEAN has done just that. One of my favorite activities in life is socializing: meeting new people, learning new things and supplying my endless curiosities about the world. Outside of socializing with "BEANsters", I enjoy traveling, running in races around the Puget Sound, watching movies, and spending time with family in my hometown of Olympia.
In my professional life, I'm a Marketing Consultant for Projectline Services, Inc. where I spend a majority of my time project managing short videos for Microsoft and producing podcasts about Projectline's employees and culture.
If you have any questions about Bean or would like to volunteer with our group, I would to hear from you. Email me at: karinz@beanonline.org
ANN VU, VP of Programming
I am one of those rare Seattle natives; I graduated from UW witha degree in Business Administration - Information Systems. I was an intern at Microsoft, returned there after graduation and have worked there ever since, first tackling Program Management and now as a Technical Product Manager in marketing. I have been in BEAN for a few years now and love sharing fun, social activities with you all so you can make lasting friendships. I love connecting with intelligent, passionate, creative people and sharing my secrets of Seattle so newcomers feel welcome to the city. If you seek advice on food or music - I'm your girl!
ELLEN K, VP of Operations
My name is Ellen and I am the VP of Operations for BEAN Seattle. I joined BEAN in 2008 after moving out to Seattle from Boulder, CO. BEAN has given me the opportunity to meet new people and to give back to the community.
Professionally, I fix and play with computers all day. Providing technical support to roughly over 600+ people at a civil engineering company.
I have a now 5 yr. old Golden Retriever, we love hiking and volunteering and making people smile. I love meeting new people so feel free to message me about anything even if it’s just questions about BEAN and wanting to know more about BEAN!
LEAH LOCKYER, VP of Service
Hey there! I’m Leah Lockyer, VP of Service for BEAN. Like most people, after moving to Seattle from the Portland area, I was looking for something more to do with my life, so I found BEAN and have never looked back. I love that I can always find something to do in a given week, whether it be volunteering (yes!), grabbing a drink or movie or networking with my fellow BEANsters.
Outside of BEAN, I oversee the search engine marketing team at All Star Directories, and before that I came from a traditional advertising agency background in both off and online media. When I’m not working, I love trying new restaurants, running and meeting new people. If you’re interested in learning more about Service, drop me a line.
ANGELA FISK, VP of Fundraising
Hello fellow BEANsters! My name is Angela and I'm the VP of Fundraising. This means that I oversee the TGAL (or Think Global, Act Local) and Scholarship programs for the Seattle chapter. If you would like any information on these programs, shoot an e-mail my way at angelaf@beanonline.org.
I've been living in the Seattle area for about 5 years now - on the east side for 2 and downtown for the past 3 - and I've grown to love this area. I moved here after finishing my BS in Industrial Engineering at Oregon State in 2004 and I've never looked back. I currently work at an internet security company downtown as a Project Manager/Manufacturing Engineer.
In my spare time, I enjoy running, participating in triathlons, reading, watching movies, rock climbing, socializing with friends, and of course, all things BEAN.
WIL WOODWARD, VP of Marketing
Hello, I am Wil Woodward, VP of Marketing for BEAN Seattle. Originally from South Carolina, I moved to Seattle in September of 2004 on the advice of one of my 4 sisters and have decided it was a great decision. I joined BEAN in order to meet new people and give back to the community.
In my professional life I work in sales for OMAC, a Medical Evaluation Company based in Seattle.
Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions or want to know more about BEAN!.
LISA RIVERA, VP of Membership and Seattle Social Director
Greetings! I'm Lisa Rivera, VP of Membership and Seattle Social Director.
Born and raised in Modesto, Calif., and a graduate of California State University, Chico, I came to Seattle right out of college to work for The Seattle Times. And say what you will about "sunny California," this gal is staying in Seattle. While life and all its happenings have taken me elsewhere, I've always come back to this inviting and amazing city.
With a degree in journalism, I've written and done PR work for local publications and organizations. But when I'm not on my computer (which is hardly ever), I like to spend time with my family, discover the wonderful wines of Washington state and explore everything Northwest.
I joined BEAN in early 2008 and since then have made some amazing friends and priceless memories. Now, as VP of Membership and Seattle Social Director, I hope I can help you do the same! Please let me know if you have any questions or if there's any way I can help make your experience with BEAN more complete. Can't wait to meet you at an event soon!
HOLLY WYRWICH, TGAL Events Officer
Hi, I'm Holly Wyrwich, co-director of BEAN's Think Global Act Local campaign. I joined BEAN for the networking but stayed for the great people and volunteering opportunities. I feel at home with TGAL, where I get to help plan and execute fun events that raise money for a good cause!
When I'm not volunteering with BEAN, you'll find me volunteering with Seattle Works, and that's about it for my free time. I work as a Microsoft vendor in Kirkland, and I head toward the beach whenever possible -- even if it's just Ballard or West Seattle for the day.
CHRIS BLOCZYNSKI, Interactive Marketing Director
Hi, I'm Chris Bloczynski, and I'm an Interactive Marketing co-director for BEAN. I joined this group in February of 2009. Since becoming a member, I've found so many of the BEANsters to be incredibly engaging and dynamic, so it wasn't very long before I was certain that I was going to stick around for a while!
Professionally, I'm the general manager for a small hotel in the University District, and I also produce a weekly podcast on marketing principles for entrepreneurs on the internet. When the opportunity arose to join the officers team here at BEAN, Interactive Marketing couldn't have been a better fit for me, and I leapt at the chance.
I'm responsible for promoting BEAN's awesome events over the internet, which means I'm also sort of indirectly responsible for attracting new members to the group! I like to think of myself as sort of an ambassador here. I do have a lot of friends in the BEAN group, but I'm always eager to make more... especially if it's your first time coming out to join us! Look me up and say hello. I'd love the chance to get to know you.
ANNA CHOI, Personal and Professional Development Director
I found BEAN in search of community and friends after being an exhausted start-up entrepreneur with no social life. Frankly, all my friends are over 40 entrepreneurs—and I’m ready to hang out with people my age! My passion is personal growth and will be sharing that through valuable BEAN programs.
I grew up in Georgia and eastern Washington in Richland, WA. Finally, I can call Puget Sound my home--I'm in love with the northwest mountains and water. I got married last fall at the Point Defiance Zoo and honeymooned in Tanzania, Africa. I graduated from the University of Washington in Art and Community, Environment and Planning. After living abroad in Rome, I realized art wasn't my passion and I started a financial planning practice straight out of college to learn sales and marketing. In 2 years, I became a district manager, had built up a base of 180 clients and had tripled my income but felt very empty inside. And while my clients had more money, they weren't necessarily happier. Money was just one piece of the picture.
So I started my own independent holistic wealth planning practice, scouring over 500 hours of personal development conferences, trainings, seminars in search of the perfect process to bring to clients. At last, I have found it and with a new business partner, we are out to strengthen families through sharing our Life and Cash Focus tools!! I want to bring this to BEAN as well.
Please feel free to email me at anna@insideoutinvesting for any program ideas you want to share.
BIANCA ABATE, Brand Director
Hi, my name is Bianca and as the Creative Design/Brand Director I manage BEAN’s promotional materials and brand… and anything else that needs a creative touch.
Why BEAN? I was initially drawn when I learned about TGAL's impact on our local/global communities and once I met the amazing members—I was hooked.
About me: I'm an adventure-seeking girl from San Antonio, Texas who loves snowboarding, hiking, traveling, painting and writing. I'm also brand strategy consultant at Parker LePla where I help organizations achieve their bigger visions through brand shifts. Other passions of mine include psychology, linguistics and China studies.
If you ever see me at an event, please come up and say hi. I love making new friends.
JINNIE NAMGUNG, College Relations Director
Hi, I am Jinnie and I am one of the College Relations Directors for BEAN Seattle.
For me, life is about people and to leave a positive impact in some way in someone’s life is a great gift. I think BEAN is a great group to be involved in if you want to give back to the community and meet great people while doing so.
Professionally, I am trying to make a career change into Marketing. I recently finished a Marketing program at University of Washington. I hope that combined with my experiences, it will help me take the next step in my career. After several years of working in different positions /fields, I found that I am happiest when I work closely with people, use creativity in my job and am challenged to learn new things and grow.
I try to channel that in my personal life, too. I love trying out new restaurants - so much that I keep a list in Excel. I love learning - up next is French 101 inspired by a recent trip there and hopefully a photography class, too. My biggest indulgence in life is traveling and learning about different cultures. I try to take advantage of our beautiful (often too short) summer by jogging and hiking. Most importantly, I love spending time with my family and friends.
ELLEN K, VP of Operations
My name is Ellen and I am the VP of Operations for BEAN Seattle. I joined BEAN in 2008 after moving out to Seattle from Boulder, CO. BEAN has given me the opportunity to meet new people and to give back to the community.
Professionally, I fix and play with computers all day. Providing technical support to roughly over 600+ people at a civil engineering company.
I have a now 5 yr. old Golden Retriever, we love hiking and volunteering and making people smile. I love meeting new people so feel free to message me about anything even if it’s just questions about BEAN and wanting to know more about BEAN!
