Ira Amstadter (2000)Express Employment Professionals

Ira Amstadter is a 2000 Leadership Spokane graduate. He holds a BS in Animal Science/Animal Behavior from the University of Illinois and a MS degree in Adult Education from the University of Arizona, Tucson. He has owned Express Employment Professionals in Spokane with his wife, Susan, since 1994. He was a senior program officer for the World Wildlife Fund in Madagascar, worked for the Brookfield Zoo as an elephant trainer and spent four years with the Peace Corps in Africa. Ira and his wife created and administer the DaZelda Scholarship which is awarded every year to an incoming member of the Leadership Spokane program. Bearing his grandmother’s name, the scholarship honors her memory and her spirit of zest, vigor and a bold sense of community. Ira and his wife give back to this community by helping deliver leaders who will follow in their footsteps.

Eastern Washington University

Samantha Armstrong Ash is not only a dedicated educator and student affairs administrator, she's also a semi-pro at juggling her roles as the Dean of Students at Eastern Washington University and chief canine wrangler for three majestic Newfoundland dogs. Recently selected to serve on the Leadership Spokane Board and is excited to put her talents to work to help Leadership Spokane continue to thrive. With a passion for developing student leaders, Samantha has spent her career making sure that higher education is more than just a wild roller coaster ride for students. She's all about enhancing student success and embraces the opportunity to guide and empower students in navigating the university system while ensuring they grow as leaders and achieve their educational goals. As a lifelong learner, Samantha pursued and earned not one, not two, but four degrees. I mean, who needs a life when you can have a B.A. in Business Management, a B.A. in Secondary Education (History), an M.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education & Leadership? It's like she's collecting degrees the way some people collect Pokémon cards. In addition to serving as a college administrator, Samantha teaches leadership courses at Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University. When Samantha isn't busy cheering on, educating, and supporting students' or wrangling her furry friends, she loves traveling and indulging in some well-deserved laughter with her amazing partner – Mike Ash. Her go-to show for a good chuckle is "Ted Lasso." Who can resist the comedic genius of an American football coach turned British soccer manager?

Melissa Boland (2016)Northern Quest Resort & Casino

As a hospitality professional for over 30 years, she loves to serve others and ensure they have the best experiences possible. While working closely with the events team at Northern Quest, Melissa has the opportunity to ensure they anticipate all of the needs of their guests and create amazing experiences for every event. As the current President of EWI of Spokane and a board member for Leadership Spokane – she proudly serves this great community.

Adriane Borgias (1999)Fusion Environment & Energy, LLC

As Founder of Fusion2e, Adriane has provided consultation services to international institutions, regional organizations, small to mid-sized businesses, Tribal communities and neighborhood councils since 1998. Her recommendations are informed by 19 years of experience in the utility and natural gas industry, seven years of tribal environmental management, and more than 10 years as an independent advisor.

Wagstaff, Inc.

Heather is a resourceful and knowledgeable HR and business professional with over a decade of experience and expertise. She implements best practice solutions at Wagstaff, Inc. as the HR Manager. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from Eastern Washington University. After gaining real-world HR experience, she continued her formal education and graduated with her MBA from WGU. Beyond work, she and her husband, Marty, enjoy camping, white-water rafting, exploring new destinations, and spending quality time snuggling with their two dogs and two cats.

Gordon Budke (1983)Budke Consulting

Gordon is a retired partner from Coopers & Lybrand where he worked for 34 years and served as a managing partner for 17. Following retirement, Gordon formed Budke Consulting and provides assistance to small and growing companies. He serves as a member of the board of directors for Yokes Foods, on the Audit Committee and as Chair of the Compensation Committee. He also works with Banner Bank, where he is on the executive committee, risk committee and chair of the audit committee. He is a member of the Washington Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He continues his 30 years of service with Junior Achievement, serving on its Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho board. His extensive service at Eastern Washington University is now service on the EWU Foundation Board and as Chair of its Audit Committee. He and spouse Rhoda travel extensively seeking warmer climates in the winter.

Rebecca Bull Schaefer (2017)Gonzaga University

Dr. Rebecca A. Bull Schaefer is the MBA Programs Director and Associate Professor of Management at Gonzaga University’s School of Business Administration. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Bradley University and her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at Purdue University. Her professional experience is in direct sales, recruitment, and consulting. Rebecca’s research focuses on employee reactions to HR-related policies and how those reactions affect personal and professional decisions. Dr. Bull Schaefer currently teaches undergraduate and MBA classes in management, employment law, compensation, performance appraisal, team dynamics, emotional intelligence, and negotiations. She is the faculty advisor for the student chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) at Gonzaga, the Chair of the SBA’s HRM concentration advisory board, and a member of the Board of Trustees for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.

Nadine Burgess (2018)Spokane Gymnastics

Nadine has lived in Spokane since 2006 and now considers it her forever home. She loves the people, opportunity, outdoors and community of the Intermountain Northwest. She enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, literature, travel, field trips and “behind the scene” tours, critters large and small, and positively impacting the lives of children. Nadine started coaching gymnastics at 14 years old, and it remained her passion as a “fun, side gig” prior to becoming a manager, then owner of Spokane Gymnastics in 2010. Nadine is a proud Rotarian, and currently serves as a board member of Embrace Washington, Children FIRST and Greater Spokane Incorporated. Nadine is most famous for her “Handstands around the World!”

Kalispel Tribal Economic Authority

Leslie Bytnar is a lifelong resident of Spokane. She began her career working for a non-profit working in many different areas. Leslie now works for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and oversees all of their charitable giving as well as assists the General Manager of Public and Governmental Affairs. She loves getting to work with many different non-profits throughout Pend Oreille and Spokane Counties. Leslie married her husband Curtis in 2020 and now has two step-sons.

Chrissy Davis Jones (2015)Community Colleges of Spokane

Chrissy oversees programs/projects with students’ development while in college including peer services, placement and proctor testing services, academic early alert, new student orientation and counseling/advising. She also is involved with local, state and national professional organizations such as the State of Washington’s Advising and Counseling Council, NASPA and NACADA. She is a board member for the Inland Northwest Juneteenth Coalition, Leadership Development for Children of the Dream, as well as the African American Graduation Committee for the Spokane Area. She also is an active and passionate member of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and served over 12 years as a Big Sister in Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado and Texas.

Mike Diedesch (2017)Avista

Mike has been working as an Electrical Engineer at Avista since 2008. He grew up in the Spokane area and graduated from Washington State University.

Patrick DeVries (1987)DeVries Business Services

Since the 1980s, Patrick has nurtured his business and developed a great line of services that are growing by the day. With 40 employees and counting, DeVries Business Services is creating some good jobs and offers compensation and benefits that enable its employees to support their families. DeVries is prepared and certified to help with qualified staff and an array of tools to do the job.

Erick Fahsholtz (2015)Provisional Recruiting and Staffing

Erick has lived in Spokane for over 20 years and is a proud to call himself a “Spokanite!" Erick brings more than 25 years of financial recruiting to Provisional’s Accounting recruiting division. His recruiting expertise includes both public and private accounting industry searches. In addition to his recruiting role, Erick assists in client development and retention in the Eastern Washington and North Idaho areas. Previously, Erick had a colorful and exciting career in public accounting in Seattle and Boston. Erick holds a B.A. in Finance from the University of Washington and an M.B.A. in Accounting from Seattle University. Erick is also an inactive Certified Public Accountant and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional. Family and international travel are his two most cherished activities.

Jack Fallis (1997)Global Credit Union

John Finnegan (2012)Budinger & Associates, Inc.

John is CEO of Spokane-based geotechnical and environmental engineering company Budinger and Associates, Inc., with 30 employees, which is now in its 40th year. He married up and is the father of three wonderful children. John is licensed in four states and holds specialty registrations in geotech and hydrogeology. He has served on the Leadership Spokane Board. He was named Engineer of Merit in 2011 out of 600 members of the Inland Empire section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is also a private pilot and soccer referee.

Linda FinneyLeadership Spokane (Executive Director Emeritus)

Linda was Executive Director of Leadership Spokane from 1999 to 2014. She has been a contributing writer to Spokane Coeur d’Alene Magazine and Inland Business Catalyst Magazine for the past several years. Prior to moving to Spokane, Linda worked in Seattle for two nonprofits as Community Relations Director and Development Director and served on the staff of two business journals, The Journal of Contemporary Business and The Journal of Financial & Quantitative Analysis. Her volunteer work in Spokane has included the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, Spokane Arts Commission, St. John’s Cathedral Chapter, Cathedral and the Arts, Washington Nonprofits, Executive Alliance, Women Helping Women Board, judge for Chase Youth Commission, Executive Women International Scholarship, Washington Business Week, Invent Washington, Distinguished Young Women of Post Falls, and presenter/trainer for a variety of organizations.

Colleen Fox (2016)Chief Philanthropy Officer for Providence Health & Services

Prior to working for Providence Foundation, Colleen was the Director of Development and Communications for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest and also worked for Gonzaga University in Marketing and Recruiting. Colleen is a graduate of Gonzaga University and has earned a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Indiana. She is currently working on her Masters in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga. Colleen is happily married and the mother of twins, Jack and Hannah. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Chase Youth Foundation.

Brian Gregory (2016)Senior Non-Commissioned Officer for the Air National Guard

Brian is a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer for the Washington Air National Guard. During his 20 year military career he has worked as a cruise missile maintainer, electronics instructor, avionics technician, and nondestructive inspection technician. His current role involves inspecting critical aircraft structures for cracks and metal fatigue on the KC135 Stratotanker. Brian is a member of the “Top 3” board of directors, Vice President of Education for a local Toastmasters club, and President of his home owners association. Brian graduated with an MBA from the University of La Verne in California before moving to Spokane in 2005. He is also a green belt certified Lean facilitator, private pilot, and all around great guy!

Michaelle Guerrero (2020)COGNOSANTE MVH, LLC

Mimi Gustafson (2011)Eldorado Hospitality

Mimi has extensive experience in the hospitality industry, a career which has taken her from the Northeast to the Northwest. Most recently the Director of Resort Sales and Strategic Partnerships for Northern Quest Resort & Casino, she now works as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Eldorado Hospitality.

Carrie Hoag (2017)Exchange Publishing LLC

Carrie is employed at Exchange Publishing LLC. Carrie previously worked at Premera Blue Cross where she began her career as a Customer Service Representative before promoting to a Quality Auditor. She spent the last 6 years serving teams of 8-85 as a Team Leader, then Manager for National Accounts Customer Service. She and her husband also own C&S Construction, specializing in steel structures and pole buildings. A native to Spokane, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Whitworth in 2012 (GO PIRATES!). She is a 2017 Leadership Spokane graduate, as well as a Leadership Spokane Legacy Society member. Carrie is currently completing a certificate in Women’s Leadership from Gonzaga (GO ZAGS!). She is a dedicated community volunteer, and is a member of the West End ATV Club, as well as the Mineral County Historical Society.

Drew Hodgson (2014) Western Insurance Associates

Drew has lived in the great Spokane area for the past 18 years and is a 2006 graduate of Whitworth University majoring in Business Management with a minor in Leadership. He is involved in many local organizations including El Katif Shriners, Waverly Masonic Lodge, Chase Youth Commission Board and Washington Epsilon Housing Board. He is a graduate of Leadership Spokane and Leadership Coeur d’Alene. As a professional he has served on Allstate Insurance’s National Advisory Board, Mutual of Enumclaw Agent Advisory Board and Grange Insurance Advisory Board. In his role as Principal at Western Insurance Associates he enjoys watching his Team Members succeed and finding solutions for his clients risk management needs.