Nona Mallicoat has served as the Strategic Operations Manager with the Employment Connections Division of the Washington Employment Security Department, for more than 12 years.
Nona was recently interviewed by Leah Wolfe of the Washington Chapter and here’s what she had to say about IAWP, her career and more.
How did you first got involved with IAWP?
- As a new employee to the agency, our Administrative Assistant, who was very active in IAWP, encouraged all new hires to join. Because of her encouragement, I joined, even though I wasn’t very active at that time.
What’s the best/worst thing to happen since you started working with IAWP?
- I was excited to have the opportunity to attend the International Conference in Ohio this past summer. I had never attended a large conference before and was blown away at the caliber of training available! Everyone should attend one at least once.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Most people who know me already know that I served over a decade in the United States Marine Corps. What people would be surprised to know is that I also spent over 20 years as an actor – stage, television, and a movie! I use both my Marine Corps Leadership skills and my acting skills every day.
What do you think will change about IAWP over the next five years?
- I think that more people will become aware of IAWP through the Professional Pathways program. It is my hope that at least some of those employees will see value in continuing with the educational offerings that IAWP does for their members.
What do you do when you aren’t working, volunteering?
I’m a single mom to an extremely active teenager. When I am not working at ESD or volunteering with the youth group I work with, I can usually be found at one of his sporting events. It’s wrestling season now, so every Saturday I can be found cheering he (and his team) on at a wrestling tournament across the Pacific Northwest. Go Wildcats!
Nona is an active volunteer with the Young Marines, an International youth program that strengthens the lives of America’s youth by teaching the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring our Veterans, good citizenship, community service, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle – www.youngmarines.com. She currently functions as the Training Officer for the local unit in Vancouver, Washington – Lewis & Clark Young Marines (www.LCYM.org), as well as serving as the Commander of the Northwest Regiment, over all of the Young Marine units in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
Thank you Nona and all your help to make the IAWP an even better association.
Thank you Kolleen Anderson, Cheryl Brown and Leah Wolfe for preparing and distributing this article. If know of someone who should be recognized in a Member Spotlight article, please contact IAWP.