There is something rather extraordinary about the people who find their way into our lives. Some arrive by circumstance, some by friendship, and some because, for reasons neither entirely understood, they decide that whatever ridiculous idea you’ve come up with is worth believing in, too.
A team is an interesting thing. It is not simply a collection of names, job titles, or people assigned responsibilities. It is a collection of personalities, histories, peculiarities, talents, and occasionally questionable decisions. It is the people who show up, the people who bring something different to the table, and the people who make the work feel a little less like work.
I wanted to introduce the people behind ours.
First, there’s me. Corinn.
Founder, social worker, writer, Taurus, and unapologetic Enneagram 4w3. I have a tendency to romanticize an experience and then write approximately 1,500 words about it. I am a social worker by profession, but a writer by nature. I believe in making things happen, asking uncomfortable questions, and occasionally making a much bigger production out of something than is probably necessary. I also have an exceptionally expensive appreciation for designer shoes, much to the financial dismay of absolutely nobody but myself. And if there is one thing you should know about me, it is that I am a Ballard snob. I have neighborhood loyalty and absolutely no intention of apologizing for it.
Then there’s Lily.
our co-founder and secretary. Lily loves pink so much that she committed to it permanently, including her hair. She has ten tattoos, an impressive pain tolerance, and spent three years living in Germany. She has a soft spot for animals, having grown up with five pets, and is a Pisces. There is something wonderful about having someone alongside you who brings a completely different personality and perspective to the table. Lily is one of those people whose individuality is impossible to miss.
Enrique.
our treasurer, also happens to be my dad. So, in the interest of transparency, I suppose I should disclose that I am very, very lowkey a tech-bro nepo baby. (Lowkey. Very lowkey.) He loves fishing, despite apparently having a complicated relationship with actually catching fish. He has visited every continent except Antarctica, lived in China, survived a bee attack, and, perhaps most impressively, once survived flying a snowmobile twenty feet off a cliff. Some people collect souvenirs. Enrique collects stories that sound like they should come with liability waivers. Beyond being my dad, he’s also someone who brings a lifetime of experience and a perspective I value. And yes, having your dad on your team comes with a few perks. I’ll leave the details to your imagination.
And then there’s Ava.
our social media manager. Ava has visited ten countries, is an Aries, and has a personality that is equal parts passion and determination. She enjoys drinking tea, watching birds, and going to bed before the rest of us have probably finished discussing what needs to be done. She volunteers with the Animal Rights Club at school and hopes to become a veterinarian. She brings a different generation’s perspective, creativity, and enthusiasm to the team. It is refreshing to work alongside someone who is already so curious about the world and what she might contribute to it.
Looking at these introductions, you might wonder what exactly we all have in common.
Honestly? Probably less than you would think.
We have different interests, different personalities, different experiences, and different ideas about the world. We have people who love pink, people who travel across continents, people who write essays about everything, people who survive snowmobile accidents, and people who would rather be watching birds. We are not particularly interested in being identical.
And perhaps that is the point.
I have always believed that meaningful work requires more than one perspective. It requires people who challenge one another, who bring their own experiences into the room, and who understand that there is no single way to make a difference. A good team does not need everyone to think alike.
It needs everyone to care enough to contribute something of their own.
I think we sometimes become so consumed with the things we are trying to accomplish that we forget to introduce the people accomplishing them.
We talk about goals, responsibilities, progress, and plans. We forget that behind every project are actual human beings with entire lives outside of the work.
So, consider this a small introduction.
We are a group of people who bring different things to the table, who have different stories to tell, and who are figuring things out as we go. We are imperfect, occasionally chaotic, and very much our own collection of personalities.
But we show up.
And I think there is something worth celebrating about that.
Because at the end of the day, the work matters. But so do the people doing it.
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