2023-04-18 City Council Special Packet1.
2.
3.
4.
Op E D
o Agenda
Edmonds City Council
tnl. }nyo SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
250 5TH AVE NORTH, EDMONDS, WA 98020
APRIL 18, 2023, 6:25 PM
PERSONS WISHING TO JOIN THIS MEETING VIRTUALLY IN LIEU OF IN -PERSON ATTENDANCE MAY
CLICK ON OR PASTE THE FOLLOWING ZOOM MEETING LINK INTO A WEB BROWSER USING A
COMPUTER OR SMART PHONE:
HTTPS://ZOOM. US/J/95798484261
BY PHONE: US: +1 253 215 8782 WEBINAR ID: 957 9848 4261
CALL TO ORDER
INTERVIEW CANDIDATE FOR APPOINTMENT TO A CITY BOARD/COMMISSION
1. Interview candidate for a Board/Commission (15 min)
CONVENE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION PER RCW
42.30.110(1)(1) (20 MIN.)
RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
ADJOURN
Edmonds City Council Agenda
April 18, 2023
Page 1
2.1
City Council Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 04/18/2023
Interview candidate for a Board/Commission
Staff Lead: Carolyn LaFave
Department: Mayor's Office
Preparer: Carolyn LaFave
Background/History
The Sister City Commission has 12 positions, four which are currently open. Samantha Hopper applied
for one of the open positions. Samantha met with one of the Commissioners to gain a better
understanding of the Commission and its responsibilities.
Staff Recommendation
Please interview Samantha Hopper for confirmation to the Sister City Commission.
Narrative
After review of Samantha's application, Mayor Nelson met with her to discuss her interest in joining the
Commission. Mayor Nelson feels Samantha has the right skill set, experience and education for
appointment to the Sister City Commission.
Attachments:
Hopper_ESCC_app_addendum
Packet Pg. 2
2.1.a
Edmonds
Citizen Board and Commission Application
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) NOTE: This form is a public record and may be subject to disclosure upon request
Edmonds Sister City Commission
(Board or Commission)
Name: Samantha Hopper
Address::
Edmonds, WA 98020
❑ate:12/29/2022
Day Phone:
Evening Phone:
Cell:
E-mail:
Occupational status and background: Employed; Sr. Manager, Emerging Talent Experience at Amazon. 8 years at Amazon (4 yrs
on developing student talent into future leaders including management of the corporate internship program, 4 years on int. expansion and
business operations). Former: 3 years Marketing Ops at Microsoft. Education: WSU International Business/ Spanish
Organizational affiliations: #BUILTBYGIRLS Mentor. Jatun Sacha non-profit volunteer in Ecuador. Order of Omega. WSU Athletics
Alumni Connection Program. Habitat for Huamnity Global Volunteer in Guatemala. Intemational Student Exchange Program Participant In
Spain. Alpha Omicron Pi.
Why are you seeking this appointment? See addendum.
What skills and knowledge do you have to meet the selection criteria? See addendum.
Please list any other Board, Commission, Committee, or official positions you currently hold with the City of Edmonds:,
N/A
Additional comments: Thank you for taking the time to consider this application. I hope I can make a positive impact on the
citizens of Emonds and Hekinan.
Please return this completed form to:
Edmonds City Hall
1215t' Avenue North
Edmonds, WA 98020
carolyn.lafaye@edmondswa.aoy
Phone: 425.771.0247 1 Fax: 425.771.0252
Samantha Hopper
Signature
Revised 4130114
Packet Pg. 3
2.1.a
Edmonds Sister City Commission Application — Samantha Hopper application addendum 12/29/2022
1. Why are you seeking this appointment?
I'm deeply passionate about cultural understanding and international travel; I'd like to share these passions with my fellow
citizens of Edmonds and Hekinan by giving back as a member of the Edmonds Sister City Commission. My love of travel
began when I was given the opportunity to visit Europe in high-school (in my small hometown of Prosser, WA) after
immense fundraising efforts with the school which enabled students from families like mine- who otherwise could not
afford such a trip — to travel and learn about other cultures and history. That trip initiated my lifelong passion for travel,
my appreciation for meeting people from all backgrounds, and my love for learning about and reflecting on different
cultures. These passions made me a more understanding citizen and a better businessperson. After studying international
business and Spanish at Washington State University, I have since visited 28 countries through educational exchange
programs, personal travel, volunteering, and business trips. Of my travels, Japan consistently stays at the top of my list for
places which left the biggest impression on me. Though I visited Tokyo and Sendai for only one week, Japan left a deep
impression on me from the collectivistic society, long-term orientation embedded in the culture, beautiful landscapes,
profound history, and the genuinely kind people. By contributing to the Edmonds Sister City Commission, I hope to enable
other students and adults to experience the type of life -changing travel I have had while bringing harmony between two
distant cultures with similar stunning waterfront communities that can learn from one another. Since moving to Edmonds
eight years ago to put down roots where my husband was born and raised, I have wanted to get involved in the local
community. I would love to help bring more awareness to the commission and opportunities to partner, as well as drive
inclusion and participation in other city committees.
2. What skills and knowledge do you have to meet the selection criteria?
There are three primary skills I will bring to the Edmonds Sister City Commission: 1) With an education and career in
international business, it is already part of my day-to-day to think through cultural differences and how to educate teams
on and integrate those differences in business (including work with Japan). I will bring those same skills — along with my
experiences after traveling to 28 countries — to the Edmonds Sister City Commission when planning cultural exchanges,
fundraising events, and when partnering with citizens of Hekinan routinely, 2) 1 have both been part of a student exchange
program myself (6 month exchange program at Universidad de Murcia, Spain), as well as managed cultural programming
and events for exchange students in the United States (as the Cultural Engagement Intern at the WSU International
Center). These experiences will be critical to supporting the Edmonds Sister City Commission and hosting exchange
programs with Hekinan. Finally, 3) I'm a passionate and experienced Sr. Manager/Program Manager at Amazon specifically
focused on student talent and development. As the leader of Amazon's corporate internship program which supported
over 15K interns in 2022, 1 am skilled at and thoroughly enjoy thinking through both strategic and tactical details of how
to make programming successful and how to support students in their growth and development.This may include
strategies and execution of events, sponsorships, and meeting milestones. I build project plans, create team goals, develop
operational milestones, and partner holistically with the entire team to complete tasks. I look forward to sharing these
skills and this knowledge with the Edmonds Sister City Commission.
Packet Pg. 4