Candidate: Jake Markow

Since I attended SeaCompression 2007, INW has fostered something in me that has touched, moved, and inspired me. The sense of community and giving that I experienced at SeaCompression was 1% of what I feel coming back from Critical Massive this week.

Art and community, and art IN the community are the things that make Seattle such a special place. Encouraging that and seeing it grow is one of the most important things to me.

And, of course, I bring with me the all-important pony vote!

In my professional life I am a project manager. I like to think of myself as a facilitator, problem solver, and mediation point for the people who depend on my department and myself. I feel strongly that people need to feel that they are being heard. It is always my hope to see conflicts resolved both before they become issues and with all parties feeling that they were at least able to speak their concerns and be heard.

In my personal life I have spent many years working with a variety of nonprofits. I have sat on two boards of directors for wildlife preservation and education groups, having done everything from digging trenches and welding, to teaching classes and handling/training lions and tigers, to writing business plans and filing for nonprofit status with the IRS (and I still have all of my fingers, nibbly IRS agents!). I'm highly familiar with the structure and duties of nonprofit boards and their organizations. Passion has most often been the driving force behind the work with the six nonprofits I have worked for in the last 13 years, and I put myself forward as a person who is passionate about both the community we form and getting the work done that allows it to flourish and grow.