MIHKAI WICKLINE
Assistant Teaching Professor (UW School of Nursing) & REST Volunteer
Mihkai spends Wednesdays with shelter guests, creating a safe and welcoming space by making and sharing lunch with them. She considers it an honor to spend time with the incredible guests, volunteers, and staff at REST, and it has become a meaningful part of her week.In addition to her time at REST, Mihkai serves as a nursing professor at the University of Washington.
As a woman community leader, how do you cultivate and maintain mentorship relationships with younger or emerging women leaders? What lessons or approaches are you passing on to ensure that leadership, empowerment, and inclusivity endure beyond your own tenure?
I am so grateful for the many mentors who have invested in me as a professional woman and continue to do so. In this phase of my life, I find myself receiving more from mentors than giving to mentees—but mentoring comes in waves. I have been privileged to mentor many younger women in professional roles, and once I am more settled in my new role, I look forward to mentoring others again.
Reflecting on the last year, what new quote, book, or piece of advice has most influenced you as a woman leader? Why did it resonate with you, and how have you applied it in your community work?
“When someone is drowning, that is not the time to teach them how to swim.” – Adele Faber
Sometimes, this quote helps me reflect on the people I serve or the students I teach. And sometimes, it reminds me to give myself grace.
This year, I’ve embraced a short and sweet teaching philosophy—"learner first, learning second." So when I came across this quote in January, it deeply resonated with me.
If you had to choose a single word that captures your current approach to leadership, what would it be and why?
Inclusion.
It is essential for people to know they belong in the spaces they inhabit. At UW, I want my students to feel a deep sense of belonging in the learning environment, and I strive to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity they bring to the classroom or clinic. At REST, I want each guest to feel welcomed and valued—to know they belong in our space and that we are truly glad they are here.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, which woman—past or present—continues to inspire your work as a community leader, and why?
I love women’s basketball, and I draw a lot of inspiration from the incredible women—past and present—who are committed to greatness in their sport and serve as strong role models for excellence and leadership.
I recently finished my Ph.D. and transitioned from being a clinical nurse and nursing leader in healthcare to full-time academia. This shift happened around the same time Sue Bird retired from the WNBA and began what she calls “her next good thing.” I feel like I’m now stepping into my next good thing—influencing the next generation of nurses.
Sue Bird has been an inspiration and a joy to watch. She is arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, known not only for her discipline but also for the grace she extends to herself. She once said, “Be nice to yourself. You miss a shot, it’s OK.”
I’m leaning into that. I will “miss shots” in my work, too—but I want to extend grace to myself, learn from it, and move forward without beating myself up.
What challenges and opportunities do you foresee for women leaders in your field or community over the next year, and how are you preparing to meet them? If you had to give one piece of advice to a woman stepping into a leadership role today, what would it be?
Let’s be resilient together! The current climate is tough and may get worse before it gets better. I want to support and be supported by other strong women. I’m grateful to know so many inspiring women and love drawing strength from those I encounter at work, at REST, and in my community.