The Longer Table

In our second episode, we welcome Jean Thompson, owner and CEO of Seattle Chocolate Company, the woman-owned company behind Maeve and JCOCO, and a former Forest Ridge parent. Jean entered the chocolate business at a pivotal moment and has spent more than two decades making it her own—from reimagining the brand to exploring how the company can support the people who grow its cocoa. Together, we talk about unexpected beginnings, the courage to reinvent something familiar, and what chocolate has taught her about leadership, joy, and making room for the next generation.

Welcome to The Longer Table, a new Forest Ridge podcast hosted by Head of School Mary Rose Guerin. Each episode features a conversation with a woman whose work and experiences offer insight into leadership, creativity, service, and impact. We’ll hear from professionals across a range of fields about what has shaped their paths, and what we can learn from them as we help girls develop confidence and find their own direction.

Our first episode features Shaney Fink, Vice President for Athletics at Seattle University. A former collegiate and professional volleyball player, Shaney brings decades of experience in coaching, student support, and athletics leadership. From captaining the Golden Bears at the University of California, Berkeley, to leading Seattle University’s athletics program, she has remained committed to supporting student-athletes as whole people, both in competition and beyond.