Spotlight on Monique Dugaw

What do you consider to be your greatest on-the-job skill or asset?

I consider my ability to relate to people and develop meaningful relationships with others to be my greatest skill. The ability to form good relationships influences all other aspects of my work and has helped me to succeed in the most difficult of situations.

Single? Married? Kids? Pets?

I am single and currently don’t have any pets, but I would LOVE to get some animals very soon. I traveled too much in my previous job to have pets. I’m very close with my family, and they live in Olympia, so I see them pretty frequently.

What do you enjoy doing with your free time?

I love hiking, snowshoeing (in the winter) and exploring. I have hiked many of the Gorge trails in my free time. I love to be outside. I also love fitness and healthy cooking and like to experiment with new recipes.

If your coworkers wanted to surprise you with a little treat sometime, what should it be?

I really try to be healthy, but good chocolate is my weakness. Quality chocolate with peanut butter is even better!

What is something that no one would guess about you if they just met you?

I’m bionic…literally. I was in a car accident years ago which required lots of rods, pins and screws to put me back together. Metal detectors can be a nightmare!

If you had to choose to live without one of your five senses, which one would you give up and why?

Probably smell. Although it would be tough, I think that is the sense I would be most willing to give up. I would be devastated if I lost my sight.

If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, what would it be?

I love the show Mad Men and think that time period (1960’s) is so interesting. It was such a pivotal time in history with so much change, and I love the fashions.

If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be?

I would love to be a speed reader! That would be such a valuable skill, and I could learn so much and accomplish so much if I could read at lightning speed!

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?

I would love to fly. I have had dreams where I was flying above everything and it was incredible.

If you could speak another language, which would it be and why?

I would love to speak Italian because I am half Italian, and I think it is a beautiful language. Plus, I’d like to go there someday and speaking the language would come in handy.

If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future?

I would travel to the past because I think we can learn so much from the past and implement this knowledge to help dictate our future.

When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?

I take a walk. I love to stay active, and it clears my mind to get some fresh air.

What was your most interesting past job?

I used to be a television news anchor and reporter and had so many interesting encounters in this job. From covering murder stories to celebrity wedding trends…I covered it all.