Current job: I’m the communications manager for the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council (www.swwdc.org). We’re a nonprofit and oversee workforce development activities in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties – helping companies find the right people to hire and helping job candidates get the skills they need to obtain a job. I handle the websites, media relations, special events and write and design marketing materials and newsletters. In my free time, I help small businesses with public relations projects and serve on the board of Leadership Clark County.
Proudest professional moment: I wrote a column for a chamber of commerce publication about the employment services offered by SWWDC’s partner, WorkSource. Someone read the article and contacted WorkSource for help filling an open position at their company; they wanted to hire a Veteran. WorkSource sent them a candidate for an interview and they hired him. My writing helped someone get a job! It’s a great feeling knowing what I do has a positive impact.
First job: Working in the kitchen at a senior living facility. It started as a summer job and they hired me to stay on when summer was over. I worked afternoons and weekends through high school and during my first two years of college.
Fun fact: I met my husband, Eric Swanson, in a public relations class in college. Our PR professor nudged us into our first date (the journalism department awards banquet). She still tells her students how she “made a match.”
Favorite spot on a Saturday night: At home with a good book.
Favorite movie: The Thomas Crown Affair and movies about cooking – there’s usually a good story with dialogue; two recent favorites are the “100 Foot Journey” and “Chef.”
Music of choice: Country, rock, mash-ups from the TV show Glee (they cover a lot of genres).
Favorite place to eat: Mio Sushi in Salmon Creek, Planet Thai and Jerusalem Café.
Motto/Inspirational quote: “There’s no time like the present.” I tell my husband, “why put off until tomorrow what you can do right now.” Unfortunately, he doesn’t share my enthusiasm when I’m moving furniture around our house at 10 o’clock at night.
