As a former US Navy linguist and coffee master at Starbucks/Siren Retail, I combine my enthusiasm for excellence and community as a User Experience Practitioner. With 10 years of experience as a learner and leader in my communities, I embrace the unknown with curiosity and an open mind. As a linguist, I become fluent in Iraqi Arabic in 63 weeks while studying at the Defensive Language Institute.As a barista starting out at a neighborhood Starbucks, I became a barista trainer, shift supervisor, Area Barista Champion, Coffee Master, and then moved to Seattle, WA as part of the team that opened up the first ever Starbucks Reserve Store and within a year became a trainer for both the barista and commessa teams as well as an operations lead for the entire store.I love being challenged by new opportunities and using my "trust the process" attitude to build up teams with a nurturing and motivational spirit.