Before getting to our feature story of the week, GWPF wants to welcome you to the month of October. This month is significant for several reasons; it is the observance of Domestic Violence; Breast Cancer; Walk To End FGM; and Global Woman Awards.
Now for the feature story of the week:
The Board of Directors of Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) convened this past Saturday for their third quarter board meeting. During the meeting, the board members formally welcomed Jacqui Olkin as their newest member. The board members had spent the last three months in the required vetting process, prior to casting their votes two weeks ago. They elected Olkin after a unanimous vote. Jacqui had hit the ground without delay, when she joined three of her future fellow board members a week ago to lead their support group in a community outreach in the Tenleytown area of Washington, D.C.
If you are wondering who Jacqui Olkin is, GWPF is pleased to introduce her to you. She is a web consultant with more than 20 years of experience in communications and publishing. Through her consulting business, Olkin Communications, Jacqui has provided web design and business consulting services to associations and other not-for-profits, commercial businesses, and government agencies for the past eleven years. Jacqui is the recipient of an Emmy Award as project editor and co-author of the “Biography Project for Schools,” a multimedia educational project with A&E Networks. She has been the strategic lead on numerous award-winning websites. Jacqui’s articles on web-related topics have been published in Association Publishing magazine and various association newsletters; and she blogs on her own website. She has judged award competitions for association and education websites and print publications for several years. Olkin is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), User Experience Professionals Association, (UXPA), the Information Architecture Institute (IAI), and the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIST). Jacqui is currently spearheading the development of a values statement for the field of information architecture, to help guide ethical practice in the creation of digital products.
When asked why she is interested in serving as a board member of GWPF, Olkin told Global Woman Newsletter, “I am passionate about the welfare of girls and women in my community and society in general.” She continued, “I would like to lend my voice and skills to the cause of preventing FGM and providing physical and psychological aid to those who have suffered this horrific abuse.” When asked what prompted her passion, Jacqui said, “I became interested in working against FGM because many of my neighbors are from FGM practicing countries. I am worried that my son’s elementary school classmates are at risk of FGM, and I want to advocate for them and all girls who are at risk of FGM.” Olkin resides in Reston, Virginia with her family.
Jacqui Olkin received her Bachelors of Arts Degree with honors in English Literature and Creative Writing from Brown University. Prior to that, she graduated from South Lake High School in Fairfax County in Virginia. She later received her Masters of Arts Degree in English Literature from Boston University in Massachusetts. Jacqui is a member of the Association of Media & Publishing, and possesses the Silver Award from Washington EdPress for Poster Design. Prior to founding Olkin Communications Consulting, Jacqui was Editorial Associate at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in Reston, Virginia.
Global Woman Newsletter asked Jacqui how she feels GWPF will benefit from her involvement on their Board of Directors. “I have worked in nonprofit communications and publishing for my entire career (20+ years), first as an editor, then as a publications and special project manager, and now as a digital communications consultant and user researcher.” She continued, “I will be able to advise GWPF on digital communications, technology, messaging, content strategy, being audience-focused, and other aspects of communications.” Olkin said she has experienced facilitating collaborative projects and meetings, and feels she can bring this experience to the Board. She added, “Furthermore, I am experienced in managing technology and communications projects and have contacts in digital technology, video, and graphic design that may be of use. In my work, I write Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and assist clients with vendor selection. These skills may be useful to GWPF.”
Jacqui says she is an avid runner/jogger, and a huge fan of the Washington Nationals baseball team. Angela Peabody, who nominated Olkin as a candidate for the Board said, “Jacqui is a great welcomed addition to the Board of Directors and to the entire organization. We are delighted to have her with us. We are eager to begin working with her.”
With Jacqui’s skills and talents, it is undoubtful that she will be successful with Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation, and will blend in well with the rest of the board members. Welcome to the Board, Jacqui!
Comments and questions to info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or call (703) 832-2642
