ATW - Seattle Chapter Leadership

The Seattle Chapter's executive leadership is a talented team of women with the skills, experience and passion to help grow the best non-profit alliance for women and men in technology.

Polly Hopkins –President
Karen Albrecht – Vice President
Mary Burton – Great Minds Director
Jeanne Cost – Marketing Director
Nancy McSharry Jensen – Outreach Director
Sonja Price – Programs Director
Lori Sledge –Professional Mentoring Director
Andrea Wagar – PR Director
Nibitu Yilma – Treasurer

	Karen Albrecht began her career in information technology at Bellevue Community College where she took an internship with Asymetrics, a Paul Allen company. There she worked in the MIT department where she developed networking and hardware-related skills. At the beginning of her senior year at the University of Washington, Karen began working at Microsoft as an entry-level Software Tester. Her career has continued to grow over the past 3 years and she is now a Software Developer in Test at Microsoft. Karen's pursuit of her interest in technology was inspired by other women who went before her. Their encouragement also ignited in her a passion to give back. Karen has been involved in the IGNITE program and the GREAT MINDS^TM program, and during the 2002-2003 school year, Karen chaired the Technology Advisory Committee with the Issaquah School Board, leading a project focused on updating the school's computer classes to reflect current practices in the industry. She looks foward to working with ATW to encourage other girls and women to pursue their dreams of a career in technology.

	Mary Burton is the Assistant Director of the Diversity in Technology Group at the Puget Sound Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology. She is responsible for the development and implementation of programs that aim to bridge the digital divide and create equal access for women andminorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, andmathematics. For the past 20 years, Mary has worked in a variety ofpositions in business as well as education. She was the business/education liaison for the High Tech Learning Centers, a consortium of technology centers in nine school districts, and she also worked as a high school career specialist. In addition, Mary worked in commercial real estate appraisals and was also an assistant buyer for a large retail chain. Mary has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Western Washington University and her Vocational Teaching Certification in Diversified Occupations and Work-Based Learning.

	Jeanne Cost has over 10 years experience managing technology projects, specializing in building web sites. Her experience includes working in the aerospace and wireless industries, as well as several dot-coms. Currently, Jeanne is a stay-at-home mom and part-time consultant. In addition, she manages the GreatMinds mentoring program for ATW, and serves as a mentor herself. Prior to joining the ATW board, she was involved with the WSA and ran the Internet Business Special Interest Group. Jeanne was raised in Oklahoma and has a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington and an MBA from Seattle University.

	Polly Hopkins has been involved in technology since her days as an editor at MacWorld magazine in the early 80's. Following that, she ran her own professional photo agency, working with national advertising agencies on campaigns for clients including Apple, Intel, and Adobe. She moved to Seattle in 1997 where she has worked with local start-ups as sales manager, resource manager, and senior salesperson. She is currently employed by Bellevue-based consulting firm Ascentium Corporation as Account Manager. Polly is active in various local networking groups and was a founding board member of an organization serving women in technology. Polly was born in Santa Monica, California, and holds a B.A. degree in Literature and Languages from Bennington College in Vermont.

	Nancy McSharry Jensen has 20 years experience in high tech, starting up new products, services and ventures in publishing, market research, and product marketing, planning and management. Most recently, she served as the group product manager for SharePoint Portal Server, Windows SharePoint Services, and Microsoft FrontPage at Microsoft Corporation. While at the company, she also worked on Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft BackOffice and Windows NT. Prior to that, she was director of PC Software research at International Data Corporation in Framingham, MA and Mountain View, CA. Jensen started her career as research editor at Electronic Business magazine in Newton, MA. She was born in Hanover, MA, holds a B.A. in English from Bates College in Lewiston, ME, a graduate certificate in Administration and Global Business Management from the University of Washington Business School, and is currently pursuing graduate studies in economics and management theory of new ventures.

	Sonja Price has wide-ranging experience in Product Design, Product Marketing, Electronic Media, and successfully launching several small businesses. Sonja is currently enrolled at the Leadership Institute of Seattle, and will graduate with a Masters in Applied Behavioral Science in Coaching and Consulting in Organizations. As an organizational change agent, Sonja’s hope is to create and support ecologically sustainable and life-enhancing business environments. Sonja is involved in numerous networking and mentoring organizations in the Seattle area. She is also in process of creating a feature length documentary focusing on social, cultural, and Spiritual evolutions in modern technological societies.

	Lori Sledge is a Certified Professional Coach, Facilitator and Consultant experienced in the areas of high technology management, leadership development and strategic planning. Throughout her career she has focused on the development and delivery of emerging technology products, services, and her own professional development to lead change. She has held corporate leadership positions in several leading technology companies, including AT&T Wireless, Digital Systems/ Lucent, Microsoft, State of Alaska as well as having started her own Executive Coaching practice. Lori is passionate about working with individuals who want to challenge themselves and achieve new results. She heads up the ATW Seattle chapter mentoring program and has been a mentor with GreatMinds. She maintains a strong presence in community service developing and delivering programs that promote personal and professional growth. Lori has a M.S. in Management Sciences, a B.S. in Computer Information Systems, Organizational and Project Management Certificates and received her coach designation from the International Coach Federation. She enjoys skiing, cycling or hitting the road for a travel adventure.

	Tara Vagen has over 19 years of experience in the technology industry. Her experiences with Price Waterhouse and IBM preceded an entrepreneurial stint co-owning a regional consulting and web services firm in Seattle. After acquisition, she now directs the Consulting Services organization for WRQ, a privately held software company in Seattle. She has extensive organization management and project management skills, as well as having participated in the workforce as a consultant, software developer, technical support resource, and sales resource. Tara is passionate about working with girls and women to advance their skills and opportunities in the technology field. She participates as a volunteer in the Kent School District, helping to improve learning at the school level, and is coordinating a professional mentoring program for women through the ATW Seattle chapter. Tara has a B.S. degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Tampa, and is a native of Atlanta, GA. She has resided in the Seattle area with her family since 1988.

	Andrea Wagar works for the Seattle and King County data group training and supporting staff on technical programs within King County of Public Health. She has also been instrumental in implementing a new program for King County Public Health, which is creating the new wave for electronic medical charting. Andrea is active in various local networking groups within the Seattle area. She is also involved in the University of Washington Alumnae Association, whose mission is to raise money to grant full ride scholarships to college students to help them pursue their career. This falls into Andrea’s passion to guide and help young men and women pursue higher education upon graduation and help them find their dream career. Andrea was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and graduated from the University of Washington with a double Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Political Science.

	Nibitu Yilma is currently a Business Analyst at major retailer. She operates as the liaison between Business and IT and represents the business side through out the development process. She is responsible for writing business requirements, participating in detail design, testing, implementation and training. Nibitu was born and raised in Ethiopia and attended high school and part of College in Moscow, Russia. She graduated with Computer Science Degree from Seattle University. Nibitu loves traveling, reading, hanging out with friends, and yoga.