Board of Directors

Marc Russell, Chair

Marc came to the CIC 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 CIC and SIEAM navigate significant transitions, before being elected Board Chair. Having benefited personally from Traditional Chinese Medicine as taught at SIEAM, and seeing the potential for CIC'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.

Omar Hassan, Treasurer

Omar is the Chief Software Architect at Dignitas Technologies, LLC, where he develops systems used by the military for simulation, training, testing, and analysis.  He currently serves as the principal investigator on several research efforts related to warfighter training in the areas of cyberspace and electronic warfare. Omar has 25 years of experience in software development, focusing on modeling and simulation, system interoperability, distributed systems, and systems architecture.  He has extensive experience in object-oriented software analysis and design, open source technologies and methodologies, and collaborative software development.  Omar holds a B.S. and M.S. in engineering from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in engineering from Rutgers University.

Omar has served as a Director for SIEAM since 2019. Previously, he was the Chair of the Community Advisory Board for WMFE-FM, the National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate in Orlando, FL.  There, he focused on improving community interaction with the radio station as well as promoting diversity of station offerings to the area.  Originally from New Jersey, Omar has lived in Orlando for 25 years and enjoys the Florida weather with his husband, Steve, and their two dogs, Rocco and Gino.

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. 

Lee Hullender Rubin, DAoM, MS, LAc, FABORM

Dr. Lee Hullender Rubin is an internationally recognized, award-winning doctor of acupuncture and a leader in the field of integrative reproductive medicine. As the founder of Rosefinch Health, Dr. Lee blends compassionate care with over two decades of clinical experience specializing in fertility, IVF support, pelvic and vulvovaginal pain, and cancer-related support. She relishes the opportunity to work collaboratively with her patients and their care teams to provide individualized, evidence-informed care that affirms and empowers.

In addition to her work as a clinician, Dr. Lee is also an accomplished teacher and researcher of acupuncture and integrative East Asian Medicine,* having authored more than 30 publications during her career. She recently founded Rosefinch Academy, a continuing education hub for acupuncturists to learn how acupuncture and integrative medicine can support fertility.

When she’s not helping patients achieve their healthcare goals, Dr. Lee enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, traveling, learning, reading, caring for her small jungle of houseplants, and rediscovering the lost art of rest.  

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.

Nancy Scheyer

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!

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.