Bertan A ygun

WORK.

I have been working at Microsoft more than 15 years now. My current position is principal software engineer on “Visual Studio” products. I’ve also volunteered at various levels with the IHCA over the years, including involvement on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC), Finance Committee and IHCA Board of Directors. Occasionally, I mentor college students studying computer science to answer their questions about the software industry.

FAMILY.

My wife, Sevgi, and I moved to Seattle after we graduated from University of Pennsylvania. We moved from Klahanie to the Ashland Park neighborhood in 2013. We have one son, Deniz (6), who goes to kindergarten at Grand Ridge Elementary. We love the central position of Ashland Park, where it’s walking distance to both school and the retail area.

BALANCE.

I count myself lucky being part of a team at work that understands parenthood and the need for flexibility, which was a great help with work/life balance. Since COVID, I also transitioned to working remotely full-time. Living within walking distance to Grand Ridge also means that I can participate in school activities during the day.

CHERISHED MEMORIES.

My favorite part of being a dad is seeing Deniz grow up and interact at a different level each passing year, especially since he is at the age where every year is very different.

FATHER’S DAY RECOLLECTIONS.

My favorite Father’s Day was last year. We were in Turkey visiting family, so we got to celebrate the day with all the dads in the family.

housedemocrats.wa.gov

WORK.

Lisa C allan

I was sworn into office as a Washington State Representative in January 2019. Prior to that, I served on the Issaquah School Board from 2013-2019. My favorite part of the job is helping people get what they need. This includes unemployment checks, childcare, affordable housing and healthcare, welcoming and safe schools, safe drinking water, resilient communities, safe roads, support for small business, and career and job access...the list goes on and on. These needs are different for each of us, and the challenges and barriers that get in the way can be very different as well. I love turning the tumblers until the pieces fall into place, and in the end, life is better for constituents, our communities, our schools, our businesses and Washingtonians across the state.

FAMILY.

I have one son who is a senior this year. Our family has lived in Issaquah Highlands since 2003. Our house is at the north end of the community, near Grand View Park.

BALANCE.

Clearly, during the pandemic, life was very different for all of us. And it reminded me how precious and fragile we all are. If I could, I would definitely slow the world down a pinch. It feels more important than ever to appreciate those around us. However, I know the tables are turning—my son’s schedule is just accelerating and he has little time to just hang. It's a bittersweet feeling as the time flies by way too fast.

CHERISHED MEMORIES.

I love watching this amazing human turn into such a wonderful person, especially those special moments when my son wants to talk about something that is on his mind.

MOTHER’S DAY RECOLLECTIONS.

When I think back on the 17 Mother’s Days I've had so far, it’s all about the giant hug, getting to say I love you and just getting to be part of this incredible being's life through his joys and tears, bumps and bruises, and adventures.