Ailyn Castillo Office Administrator
Bachelor of Arts in Management
Master of Business Administration
Community Involvement: I volunteer at Centro de la Raza, which translates to the Center for all Races. They have several programs ranging from college prep programs to financial empowerment education for immigrant populations, etc. and host several events throughout the year working and celebrating with multicultural communities in the Seattle area. I also love working with kids, and I recently started volunteering with my church in Bellevue on Sundays.
Optimism is making the choice every day and in every moment to paint our life and our outcomes with color and promise instead of darkness and bleakness. It goes beyond what you might be handed in a given moment, and helps you see what is in your circle of control. I believe we influence our outcomes by changing the way we think about the things that lie in front of us – whether they be problems or blessings. Optimism fuels our creativity to better navigate our problems as much as it helps us develop the gratitude and humility to be good stewards of our blessings. It requires practice as we teach our minds what path to follow with intention.
What excites you about the future?
I’m excited to keep learning something new every day. It’s like every moment is a chance to unlock a new level, a new tool for my tool box, a new person that will join or shape my journey, or perhaps a new part of me I haven’t yet accessed or grown into.
What do you love about what you do?
I love being able to support everyone in different ways and be given the freedom to be creative. Every day looks a little different and allows me to access a dynamic set of skills, which honestly is a blessing because it keeps me on my toes in such a fulfilling way.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I don’t really know how to swim, but if there’s people I know and trust in the water, I have been known to jump off the dock (and immediately float back out, of course). That’s how we learn pretty much anything in life, so hopefully I’ll become a master soon enough!
At the end of your career, how do you want to be valued?
I want to be valued as someone who is humble, hard-working, and one anyone could count on to be there for them, both in their work and in lifting their spirits.
When you’re not working, I’ll find you…
Hanging out with my little rescue mutt Raya, hitting the gym, visiting with family in the San Diego area, and often during all these other things, keeping up with my almost three-year streak on Duolingo. I’m trying to become a French master.