a virtual conversationspecialolympicswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/... · great things our...

May 9 - June 6BreakfastwithChampions.org

A Virtual Conversation

WelcomeI know that for many of you the Breakfast with Champions is the sign that Spring is athand and you get to reconnect with the Special Olympics family to hear all about thegreat things our athletes are accomplishing with the support you provide. This year isobviously a different format, but the result is the same: Coming together (virtually thisyear!) to celebrate what CAN be! So whether this is an annual tradition for you and achance to reconnect with old friends who share your passion for Special Olympics, orthis is your first exposure to Special Olympics, thank you for joining us! While sports will always be our foundation and chief tool we use to build skills,confidence, and pride, we realize that we also must look at the whole athlete. Wehave learned over the past 50 years that access to healthcare and medicalprofessionals who will take the time to see them as individuals is lacking for ourathletes. Research tells us that our athletes die 16 years earlier than their non-disabled peers; NOT because of underlying health issues, but because they lack accessto healthcare professionals who can take the time to really understand what they arefeeling and experiencing medically. So we decided that our annual Breakfast with Champions would be a greatopportunity to explore the possibilities for improving Inclusive Health and healthcarefor everyone. We hope this series will help inform and motivate people to support ourefforts to address this situation through our health initiatives in Washington. Yourcontribution will help us continue the programs and events that provide training forhealthcare providers and for our athletes as they learn to self-advocate when theyneed medical or healthy lifestyle support. We hope you enjoy this series! We have brought together people from all aspects ofthis discussion to help us understand both how we got here, but more importantlyhow to make things better! Soak in the words and experiences of our athletes,advocates and innovators who are championing our work to improve inclusivehealthcare in Washington. Join me in contributing to a better world that will comewhen communities not only include, but embrace and value our athletes and lessonsthey have to teach us all. In community,Dave LenoxPresident & CEO | Special Olympics Washington

Welcome to the 2020 Breakfast with Champions Series!

BreakfastwithChampions.org

Matt is the proud father of a son with intellectual and physical disabilities.He is a true believer in the magic of Special Olympics and the socialinclusion it creates in our community. Working as a news anchor in some of the country's largest marketsincluding Seattle, Boston, Miami, and Baltimore, Matt developed anaudience engagement style all his own. He has a true passion for hosting fundraising events for nonprofitorganizations. Some of his other clients include Seattle Children’s Hospital,Woodland Park Zoo, The Museum of Flight, Mary’s Place, Camp Korey,EvergreenHealth Foundation, Northwest Kidney Centers, Boyer Children’sClinic, Cancer Pathways, Meany Center for the Performing Arts, Town HallSeattle, Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, Seattle Works, PROVAIL, LittleBit Therapeutic Riding Center, Wonderland Child and Family Services,Bridge Disability Ministries, and numerous local private schools and PTSAs. Matt’s a local guy. He grew up in the Seattle area, graduating fromSammamish High School in Bellevue and the University of Washington.

When we realized we wouldn't be able to come together in person for our annualBreakfast with Champions this year, Matt did not miss a beat. With his expertise andpassion, Matt quickly helped us transform this event into a meaningful virtualexperience -- ensuring our ability to bring this inspiring and important conversationdirectly to you. Matt, we are endlessly honored by your continued partnership andbelief in our mission. Thank you for standing with our athletes today and always. -The (Very Grateful) Team at Special Olympics Washington

Matt LorchNews Anchor/Reporter Q13 News, Seattle

About Our Emcee


Dave Lenox has been the President and CEO of Special Olympics Washington (SOWA)since August of 2014. Prior to joining SOWA, Lenox served as Vice President forLeadership Development and Education at Special Olympics Inc. in Washington, DC.Dave began his journey with Special Olympics as a games volunteer in 1976. Movingon to coaching and then becoming a local committee member, he began employmentwith Special Olympics in 1985 as Area Director for the Kansas City, Missouri area. In 1987, Lenox became Executive Director for Special Olympics West Virginia, and in1989, he became CEO for Special Olympics North Carolina. In 1997, Dave wasrecruited to join the Headquarters office of Special Olympics as Director of AthleteLeadership Programming. In 2003, he took oversight of the Sports Department aswell. In his role, he served as the key strategist in the effort to develop leadershipand education initiatives that support and advance the work of the Special OlympicsMovement. While at Special Olympics International, Dave supervised Family Support,Young Athletes, Athlete Leadership, Youth Activation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS)Fellowships, and volunteer/staff leadership development programming. “The most rewarding, and surprising, aspect of my work over the years has been theimpact of giving our athletes voice that allows them to advocate for themselves, andfor a better world for all of us. I have learned that there are two essential aspects ofadvocacy: an articulate voice to express both need and solutions; and an audiencethat is willing to seek and recognize wisdom from unconventional sources – like ourathletes. I believe that if we can work simultaneously to help them sharpen theirmessage AND teach ourselves to listen more respectfully and meaningfully, togetherwe WILL change the world.” He has a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Missouri State University anda Master of Science degree in Business Organization and Design from CapellaUniversity. Dave has two children. His son Maxwell is a 2016 graduate and formerCaptain of the Men’s Basketball team at the United States Military Academy at WestPoint; and his daughter Erin keeps him in check so he doesn’t embarrass her – further.

Dave LenoxPresident & CEO,Special Olympics Washington

About Our Panelists


Jiquanda NelsonEquity, Inclusion & Diversity andWorkforce Development Leader,Kaiser Permanente

In her role at Kaiser Permanente, Jiquanda Nelson leads efforts reducing social andhealth inequities and fostering a workplace of belonging where authenticity anddiversity is valued. She’s also responsible for programs providing healthcare careerexposure and opportunities, specifically for those who experience barriers toemployment. Recently, her team co-led a strategic effort to register and launch thefirst ever multi-employer, multilabor Healthcare Apprenticeship Consortium in thenation. Through the Consortium, the team created a Medical Assistant ApprenticeshipProgram where participants are earning and learning simultaneously. Jiquanda is a bonafide leader who’s passionate about connecting people withopportunities. In her professional experience, she’s coached executives on peoplestrategies connecting employees to business priorities and why their work—at alllevels—matters. As a community leader, she’s developed programs aimed atidentifying and developing diverse leadership, connecting graduates to leadershippositions in their local community. She also has 11 years of community organizingexperience, having led state-wide campaigns on issues of social justice, racism andpoverty. She currently serves as chair of the SEIU 1199NW Multi-Employer Trainingand Education Fund board of directors, a non-profit, labor-management partnershipestablished to develop a statewide program for addressing the workforce needs andsupporting the career, knowledge, and skill aspirations of healthcare workers. She’s also on the boards of King County’s African-American Health Board aimed atadvocating for and empowering the African-American community to assure healthequity and Seattle Jobs Initiative, creating opportunities for people to supportthemselves and their families through livingwage careers. In Pierce County, she’s onthe board of directors for College Success Foundation, widening access to college forstudents attending Tacoma schools. For the past four years, she’s served on the boardof directors for Parkside Sunday School, a ministry targeting at-risk youth in theChicagoland area providing a safe environment to mentor, support and empowerchildren to be productive citizens.


About Our Panelists

David O'Neal, MS, LMHC, MHPDirector, IDD Services at Sound

Born and raised in Bremerton, Crystal wears many hats at Special Olympics Washington: Athlete, Board Member, HealthMessenger, and Athlete Input Council Member. Her family lovingly calls her the “Energizer Bunny” given how busy she is. Crystal first got connected to Special Olympics thanks to her neighbor’s son who wasan athlete at the time; although she was too late to try out herself, Crystal gotto watch one of the practices and see what it was all about. She soon after joined thelocal basketball team and was hooked ever since. 14 years later, she competes on theBKATs team in track and field, golf, bocce, bowling, speed skating, and her favorite,figure skating. Two years ago, Crystal became a Health Messenger with Special Olympics so that shecould share her powerful health story and inspire those around her to take better careof their own health and wellness. The following year, she stepped further into herleadership by joining the Board of Directors. In her spare time, Crystal enjoystaking walks, crocheting while watching Netflix or Hulu, and reading…not thatshe has much time left after all of her incredible Special Olympics commitments!

Dave has been working with individuals with intellectual anddevelopmental disabilities for the last 30 years and still learnssomething new every day. He is currently a Clinical Directorfor the Strong Minds Program at Special Olympics, is theDirector of IDD Services at SOUND Health in Seattle, and is aProject Instructor and trainer nationally for The Center forSTART Services, out of the University of New HampshireInstitute on Disability.

Crystal WomackSpecial Olympics Washington Athlete,Board Member, Health Messenger, and Athlete Input Council Member


About Our Panelists

Born and raised in Sequim, Pam now livesin Othello with her husband, Jeff, and children Shannon, Jessy, Amanda, and Colton. When Colton was 5, he was first diagnosed with Intellectual Disabilities – and Pam has worked hard to make sure each of her kids had a loving, supportive upbringing with as many opportunities as possible. Since joining the Special Olympics family in 2013 (back when Colton first joined the Unified Basketball team at Othello High School) Pam has seen the transformativepower of our sports and programs and has become an inspiring advocate for inclusion ever since. In 2018, Pam and Colton even traveled with Dave Lenox to Washington, D.C. for theSpecial Olympics Hill Day! She was grateful for the chance to meet with lawmakers andshare her family’s powerful story about the importance of inclusive sports and healthprograms. Today, Colton is a 24-year-old star athlete who currently competes inbasketball, softball, bowling, and track and field. And a new title for his mom? CoachPam! That’s right, Pam coaches each of the four sports – something she says she neversaw herself doing before joining Special Olympics. In addition to coaching, Pam alsoserves on the Area Leadership Team in the North Central Area – first as a FamilySupport Coordinator, and now as an Athlete Input Council Facilitator and AthleteLeadership Coordinator. Pam is proud to share how Special Olympics changed her son's life, and hopes togive other people with ID the same chance through her leadership and advocacy.

Pam SchmidtSpecial Olympics Washington Parent & Coach in Othello

Colton competingin the Long Jump

basketballsuperstar

colton at a healthyathletes screening

About Our Panelists

$1,000

$500

$250

$100

$25

PROVIDES HEALTHY MEALS FOR 10 ATHLETESAT A 3-DAY STATE COMPETITION

PROVIDES ONE CHILD BETWEEN AGES 2 AND 7THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OURYOUNG ATHLETES PROGRAM FOR ONE YEAR

PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHYATHLETES SCREENING FOR ONE ATHLETE

PROVIDES ONE LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR 25ATHLETES, EMPOWERING ATHLETES TO BELEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY

PROVIDES TRAINING AND COMPETITION FORONE ATHLETE IN THEIR FAVORITE SPORT

YOUR GENEROSITY WILL TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF OUR INCREDIBLE ATHLETES

Thanks to our friends at Krusteaz, you'llreceive a ONE YEAR supply of their

amazing protein products as a specialthank you when you donate $500 or more!

Digital coupons will be sent in June

Below are a few examples of how your gift will make a big impact.


To our Board of Directors who make so much possible for more than 19,500 participantsacross the state: we are so grateful for your leadership, dedication, and vision!

Board of Directors

Kirby Winfield*Immediate Past Board ChairCEO, Ascend Solutions

Chris Morgan*Board Chair

Partner, National Telecom Sector LeaderGrant Thorton LLP

Rex CaldwellPolice Chief - Retired andLETR Advisory CommitteeMember

Kelly CampbellIncoming Board Chair

Special Olympics Washington Athlete &Athlete Input Council Member,

PCC Community Markets

Mike ColbreseExecutive Director,Washington InterscholasticActivities Association

Doug CusickPresident & CEO,TransformativeMed

John Hansell Lockhart, MDSeattle Children's

Erik MickelsSenior Vice President & CFO,Trilogy International Partners

Jim MoreheadMarket Executive, GlobalCommercial BankingBank of America

Barri Rind*Leadership DevelopmentConsultant

Michael Ronan*Partner/Principal - Human Capital,Ernst & Young

Dan ShermanPrincipal, St. MadeleineSophie School

Sheehan SullivanPartner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Quyen ThompsonRegional VP, Supply ChainOperations, Lineage Logistics

Ian WilsonVice President - Human Resources,Amazon

Crystal WomackSpecial Olympics WashingtonAthlete, Health Messenger, andAthlete Input Council Member

Jeromy LewisIndustrial Engineer Senior Lead,The Boeing Company

Wayne MilnerVice President,Washington Athletic Club

Shalom SuniulaManaging Director, AtavusPlayer, Seattle Seawolves Rugby

Jill AngeloFounder & CEO, Gennev

Terri ChudzikChief of Staff forEssential ProductsGroup (EPIC), Microsoft

Denny EliasonPartner, Alliances Northwest

Pam GreerGlobal Strategy, Insights& Analytics Executive

Renee McGahanBroker, Caliber Real Estate

*Executive Committee

Warren GoukCFO, LifeStance Health


We are proud to highlight our incredible staff and their tireless commitment to inclusion. We can't wait to see you all soon!

Staff

Jess AgiDirector of Development

Dave LenoxPresident & CEO

Mary DoSenior Vice President,Development & Communications

Victoria BolesDevelopment Coordinator

Sonya AtsangoDevelopment Manager

Donna LindsayDevelopment Manager, Grants,Foundations & Area Relations

Rachel HunterCorporate Relationship Manager

Ellie HardwickDirector of Development, Law Enforcement Torch Run

Jaymelina EsmeleDirector of Marketing &Communications

Molly AndersonFront Desk/Reception

Nicole BeckerSr. Manager, Sports & Competition, Northwest Region

John J. BorgognoniSenior Vice President, Sports & Programs

Madison GoverdeDirector of Area Services

Marisue HarvesSr. Administrative Coordinator -East

Launa HoyProcurement Manager

Andrew JonesHuman Resources Assistant, Office Administration

Morgan LarcheDirector, Unified Schools

Meryl NewmanSenior Vice President,Human Resources, Administration& House Raffle

Della NortonDirector of Health Programs

Grant OplandSr. Manager, Sports & Competition, East Region

Stephen OplandDirector, Sports & Competition

Alex RiderSr. Manager, Volunteers

Leah ShaffnerInitiatives Manager

Mark SinayDirector of Finance

Indu SreenivasanArea Services Coordinator - West

Alysanne StackArea Services Manager - West

Riley StocktonDirector of Coaches Education

Lauren TyndorfManager, Sports & Competition,Southwest Region

Rosanna RaeBookkeeper

Simon van GiesenFront Desk/Reception

Luke WallSr. Area Services Manager - East


Enormous thanks to our Breakfast with Champions sponsors for theircontinued support during this unprecedented time.

Your unwavering commitment to our mission is inspiring!

VIRTUAL EVENT SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsor

Athlete of the Year Award Sponsor

Community Champion of the Year Award Sponsor

Event Partner


YEAR-ROUND SPONSORSSpecial thanks to our partners who show up for our athletes in countless ways

throughout the year. Now more than ever, we're so grateful for your partnership.

We'd also like to thank our friends at the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust

for their inspiring commitment to inclusionand generous investment in our programs.


STAY HOME, STAY HEALTHY,AND STAY FIT THIS SPRING


Join us for ourfirst ever

Virtual Torch Run!Saturday, June 6

Learn More & Register:impact.sowa.org/2020VirtualTorchRun

We are the Torch Run...The Mighty, Mighty Torch Run...

Let me win.But if I cannot win,let me be bravein the attempt.

-Special Olympics Athlete Oath

To our game-changing community:

Thank you for taking part in our first ever VirtualBreakfast with Champions! During this uncertain time,

the value of your partnership has never been moreclear. Your continued support is transforming the lives

of more than 19,500 participants across our state.

We can't wait to get back out onto the field - and hope to see you soon!

In community,

The Staff, Board, and Athletes ofSpecial Olympics Washington

Special Olympics Washington

@SpecialOlympicsWashington

@SO_Washington

@Special-Olympics-Washington

SpecialOlympicsWashington.org(206) 362-4949

With 25 unique sports and game-changing inclusive healthprograms, we also have athlete input and leadership

councils, area leadership teams, games management teams,a statewide partnership with dedicated members of law

enforcement, and so much more.Thank you for being a vital part of this community.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-roundsports training and athletic competition in a variety of

Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectualdisabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop

physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy andparticipate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with theirfamilies, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Mission Statement

We are a catalyst for inclusion! Special Olympics Washingtonis the leader in sports, inclusive health, and community

building, empowering children and adults with intellectualdisabilities to be valued on and off the playing field.

Vision Statement

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