Board of Directors

Nancy Scheyer, Chair

Hello, I’m Nancy. Throughout my adult life, I’ve worn many hats, from being a mom to a now 20-year-old college student, to practicing acupuncture & energy healing, and working full-time at Microsoft as a Program Manager. My guiding principles are engaging in activities that bring joy, following my intuition, and helping others—whether it’s solving business challenges or aiding in holistic healing.

I graduated from NIAOM (Northwest Institute of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine) in 2000 and became a Master Reiki energy healer in 2023. 

I focus on the positive, what works, and strive for solutions that benefit everyone. I’m honored to serve on the board of SIEAM, an institution that aligns with my core values.

When I’m not seeing patients or working at Microsoft, you can find me walking my two rescue dogs along Lake Washington or FaceTiming with my daughter—sometimes both at once!

Coco Marien, Secretary

Coco Marien, LAc, DAHM, received her Masters in Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine from the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine (SIEAM) in 2023 and her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in 2024. During her time as a student she worked within the SIEAM organization as a Patient Care Coordinator, tutor, and teaching assistant. She currently works as a full-time acupuncturist in downtown Seattle and joined the SIEAM Board of Directors in 2024. Prior to her pivot into the world of Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine, Coco worked in marketing and advertising and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at Colorado College in 2012.

When Coco isn't working with patients or otherwise geeking out on acupuncture theory, you can find her snuggling with her cat, doing crafts, exploring new restaurants with her husband, and of course, catching up on the latest TV. 

Marc Russell, Treasurer

Marc came to the board in 2018, seeking to apply his career in corporate and non-profit finance in a volunteer role for an organization that directly serves its community.

He served for two years as Treasurer, helping SIEAM navigate significant transitions, before being elected Board Chair. Having benefited personally from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and seeing the potential for SIEAM’s clinic model to provide effective, low-cost health care to under-served communities and unmatched instruction to SIEAM's students, Marc believes firmly in the mission of the organization. Outside of his professional and volunteer activities, Marc is a lover of the outdoors, and can be found out and about with his family biking, hiking, backpacking, or camping.

Charlie Cunniff

Charlie holds a BA in Energy & the Environment from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and a Masters of NonProfit Leadership from Seattle University.

Long involved in the Seattle community, he was the founding Executive Director of ECOSS, (Environmental Coalition of South Seattle), ran the City’s Seattle Climate Partnership and later helped launch the Seattle 2030 District. He forged organizations that addressed pollution prevention, contaminated site cleanup, energy conservation and the intersecting issues among the industrial, residential, environmental and governmental communities.

Retired for a few years he manages properties, builds gardens, travels, serves as a Board Member and God-Father.

His first acupuncture treatment was with Amy Chen in 1983; he even visited the original SIOM offices in the Green Lake neighborhood way back when and has been a recipient of wonderful care from dozens of practitioners around Seattle since then. 

A SIEAM Board Member since 2018, he brings perspectives to the Board from both his non-profit leadership and from having been a grateful patient at the SIEAM clinic for many years.

He is invested in helping the organization grow, thrive and serve the community and he takes joy in seeing students succeed and become doctors.

Vicky White

Hi I’m Vicky White, born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. I moved to Seattle after I started working at Boeing. I’ve been a life-long volunteer and have continued volunteering after I retired from Boeing.

Traveling is my happy space and I became a travel agent because of my love of travel. I like trying new foods from various countries, visiting world heritage sites, and trying new things like a hot air balloon ride in Turkey or Zip-lining in Jamaica, and visiting places in West Africa, like Ghana to learn about the colonial forced slave trade to the Americas.

I became a reflexologist because I was in search of relief for my inflamed ankle. In my search for answers, I started taking reflexology classes in Seattle and 2 years later I had completed the program and was licensed by the State of Washington in 2006. 

Recently, I started gardening during the COVID lock-down and now I’m a garden addict.

Mr. Kevin Baker

Mr. Kevin Baker, M.A., M.Ed., life journey has been devoted to supporting the realization of our best selves. Mr. Baker, Principal of Baker Consulting, a consulting firm that focuses Coaching and Equity in Culturally Engaged Leadership Development and Organizational Culture Change through team building and personal and professional development. Mr. Baker is a Seattle University Adjunct Professor in the Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) program, a Board member of nationally recognized Institute of Black World 21st Century, and Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine. Mr. Baker uses the READI2B (Race Equity, Accessibility, Difference, Inclusion, & Being) framework to explore how culture is and has impacted an organization and their staff’s ability to exercise both an internal and external strategy to improve the lives of their staff, customer, partners, students, and communities. Mr. Baker work includes policy and program development, learning series, workshops, and keynotes across many disciplines including facilitation, strategic planning, community wellness facilitation models, education, mental health, trauma-informed healing-centered principles, homelessness, power and privilege, and more all from a Depth Psychological perspective.