#WhyWISEWednesday: We're thrilled to announce a new weekly series featuring voices from our WISE Seattle Community.
We're dedicated to championing change in our industry, cultivating an inclusive community, and providing support, resources, and networking to foster personal and professional growth.
In our first installment, we spotlight the women who started it all:
Chapter President - Lisa Bregman: Senior Director of Campaigns & Marketplace Success at Opendorse
'When I first moved here, I sought an outlet to meet new, like-minded people. I was on the WISE board in LA, and that's where I made some of my closest friends. So when I realized Seattle didn't have a chapter, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to both integrate myself into my new city and give back to other women in the industry.
I connected with Frances Traisman (Senior Vice President of Sales at Seattle Mariners), who had also expressed interest in starting a chapter. Somehow, from there, we recruited a handful of some of the most incredible women I've ever met to be part of our board!
We started with meetings every Friday morning in the Mariners offices, planning and trying to figure out what was needed to bring our vision to life. Simultaneously, we hosted our first event: a casual networking meet-up on the second Tuesday of March in 2019.
That began a tradition of monthly programming that's continued to this day!"
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Chapter Vice President At Large - Frances Traisman: Senior VicePresident, Sales Seattle Mariners BaseballClub
"I first learned about WISE during the WISE Executive Leadership Institute (WELI) at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business in 2018. There, I gained crucial business and leadership skills for the sports industry and formed close relationships with talented female executives nationwide and in Canada, many of whom were involved with WISE.
At the time, I had a successful career, a strong network, and a loving family. However, balancing it all was challenging, especially without seeing others like me. Having WISE as a resource with its peer network and career support would have eased my journey. Convinced of its potential to benefit women in sports in Seattle, I spoke with Kathy Francis, WISE's President and Board Chair, who connected me with Lisa Bregman. From there, we established the chapter."
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Chapter Vice President Partnerships - Gina Martinez Todd: Senior Director, Partnership Development Seattle Seahawks
"When asked to help launch a WISE chapter in Seattle, I enthusiastically said Yes! There are so many rockstar, female leaders here in Seattle and many of us did not have a resource like WISE as we navigated our career in the industry. To be part of an organization committed to the development of this community's future female leaders drives me and continues to be an honor."
We love that the Seattle Chapter was created out of a need for connection, growth, and the development of future female leaders, which we're still dedicated to today. Connect directly with Lisa, Frances, and Gina at our upcoming monthly chapter events!
Follow us on social to catch our next #WhyWISEWednesday next week!