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.

Matt Hollon, MD MPH FACP (2015)Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
Physician, Multicare Health System

A graduate of Lewis and Clark High School, Matt left Spokane in 1985 to attend the University of Washington (UW) where he received his BS in Biology. He subsequently received his medical degree from UW School of Medicine (UWSOM) in 1994 and then completed residency in internal medicine in the UWSOM’s Boise Primary Care track. After residency training, he completed his Masters in Public Health then joined the Department of Medicine faculty at UWSOM in 1999 where he remained until June 2008. In 2008 he returned to Spokane, joining Providence Internal Medicine Residency Spokane where he was associate program director from 2013 to 2021. In 2013, he rejoined UWSOM in Spokane leading the faculty group teaching core clinical skills to UW medical students, who are now part of the UWSOM-Gonzaga Regional Health Partnership, where he is Clinical Professor of Medicine. He is past-president of the Spokane Society of Internal Medicine and the Spokane County Medical Society, has served on the regional leadership for the Society of General Internal Medicine, and is currently a Trustee of the Washington State Medical Association, Governor for the Washington Chapter of the American College of Physicians and a Primary Care Internal Medicine Specialist for Multicare Rockwood Clinic in Spokane.

Sandra Jarrard (2012)Spokane Public Schools

Sandra has lived in Spokane for the last 15 years, she and her family moved to the Inland Northwest for her husband to attend law school at Gonzaga University. She and her family fell in love with the Spokane region and decided to stay build their home here. She holds Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Washington, a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Eastern Washington University, and a Masters of Public Administration from Eastern Washington University. Sandra enjoys giving back to the community and has served on the Leadership Spokane Board, and currently serves on the Pride Schools Board of Directors, the College Success Foundation’s Regional Board, and the Eastern Washington College of Business Advisory Board. Sandra currently works for Spokane Public Schools as the Executive Director of Communications and Government Affairs. She was previously with the League of Education Voters and Greater Spokane Incorporated.

Fernando Jauretche (2023)Freeform

In 2018, after over 20 years of experience in the commercial interiors industry, Fernando acquired Contract Resource Group and moved with his wife and two daughters to Spokane. He rebranded the company to Freeform, modernizing the business into a design centric interior furnishings supplier. With a previous background of working at and with nonprofits, Fernando has sought to support the greater Spokane community as a businessowner. Freeform has donated to and furnished notable projects in the community, including Ronald McDonald House, Vanessa Behan, Joya, Maddie’s Place and more. After merging with Business Interiors of Idaho in 2022, Fernando and Freeform affirmed their commitment to local philanthropy, the environment, and employees by becoming Spokane’s 8th registered B Corp. When Fernando is not working, volunteering, or shuttling his daughters between club volleyball practice, he enjoys with his family the great outdoors that drew him to Spokane.

Kitara Johnson-Jones (2008)Excelsior Wellness

Kitara Johnson-Jones is a modern-day GRIOT and a dedicated community leader. She is a highly sought-after national speaker, trainer, executive organizational culture consultant, and experienced Chief People Officer. As a TEDx presenter, Army veteran, Air Mobility Command Civic Leader, and one of the Top 100 Chief Diversity Officers in the United States recognized by the National Diversity & Inclusion Council in 2021, Kitara's influence is far-reaching.

Kitara is the Publisher of COME-UNITY Solutions Magazine, a publication dedicated to fostering community-driven solutions and amplifying diverse voices in the Inland Northwest. Her expertise and insights have been featured in a Netflix documentary, on CNN, in Spokane's Journal of Business, and in Newsweek.

As a neurodiverse executive leader with ADHD, Kitara's life and work exemplify how neurodiversity can be a superpower. Kitara understands that people are hardwired to connect—both personally and professionally—and emphasizes that employee experience and engagement are crucial for a thriving workplace. Her work at Excelsior Wellness embodies these principles, creating environments where everyone feels they belong.

Doyle Kahabka (2016)DK Consulting & Construction, LLC

Doyle has lived in the greater Spokane area since the fall of 2013, when he and his family moved to the INW for a safer upbringing for his children. Doyle worked at McKinstry Co., LLC as the Design-Build project Executive as well as the Business Unit Manager for six years. Doyle is proudly serving as a board member to Leadership Spokane and the LOA Youth Ranch, and as well as chairing the Oaks Classic Christian Academy Building Committee.

Dalene Kersey Patterson (2009)Phenix Salon Suites, Owner/ Managing Partner
Legacy Group Keller Williams Realty, Realtor
Breakthrough Inc. Vice President.

Dalene Kersey-Patterson has lived in Spokane for over 26 years. She is a Managing Partner/Franchisee with Phenix Salon Suites. She is also a Realtor with The Legacy Group, at Keller Williams Realty. Prior to these careers, Dalene worked for the Spokane County Sheriff Department for 10 years. While with the Sheriffs Dept. Dalene served with the Honor Guard, and taught classes in the in-house academy. Dalene graduated from Leadership Spokane in 2009. She went on to serve on the Board of Directors, and served as the Board Chair in 2013-14. She continues to serve on the Board today. Dalene is also Vice President of Breakthrough Inc.
She is the proud mother of four children and had her first child at the age of 16. Dalene holds a very special and real understanding for what young girls go through when faced with a similar situation. She considers this one of her biggest successes and has raised her children to work hard, be good citizens, and always help others. Dalene knows, by experience, that balancing careers, family, and serving the community can be challenging, but she holds them with high importance, and knows the balancing act is always rewarding.

Lance Kissler (2014)Eastern Washington University

Lance is the Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing at Eastern Washington University. Previous employment included marketing roles at STCU and Pacific University, as well as adjunct teaching at EWU and Whitworth University. Lance earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic communications from EWU in 2004 and his master’s degree in communications from EWU in 2010. Currently, Lance serves as the vice chair of the City of Spokane Human Rights Commission, chair of the EWU College of Business and Public Administration advisory board, member of the EWU Diversity & Inclusivity advisory board. Past board experience includes INBA, Leadership Spokane, and Spokane PRSA.

Lindsey Larkin (2015)JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Nancy Ledeboer (2013)Nancy became the Executive Director of the Spokane County Library District in 2012. Under her leadership the Library District is transformed the services offered and helped to connect people to resources that transformed lives and built stronger communities. Today’s library is more than a place to borrow books, it is the hub in every community where people gather to learn and create knowledge. That can happen through books and digital resources or by connecting with community experts who are willing to share their knowledge. Nancy serves on the boards of KSPS Public Television, Spokane Valley Partners, Executive Women International – Spokane Chapter and the Spokane STEM Network. She is now retired.

Bart Logue (2018)City of Spokane Police Ombudsman

Bart W. Logue, Class of 2018, is the Police Ombudsman for the City of Spokane. He also currently serves as Vice Chair for both the Leadership Spokane Board and the Jonah Project. He previously retired from the United States Marine Corps after more than 25 years of active service. Career highlights include accreditation as a Military Diplomat to Amman, Jordan, and serving as a Provost Marshal (Chief of Police) for two bases in South Carolina.

Sarah Lynch (2020)Civil Air Patrol

Tracie Meidl (2017)Spokane Police Department

Tracie Meidl is a Captain for the Spokane Police Department. During her 25 year career, Tracie has been passionate about designing, facilitating, and implementing programs, ideas, and processes to create positive impact on officers and the citizens they serve. Tracie has worked in various capacities within the Spokane Police Department and currently serves as the Captain of the South Precinct. She is also a wife, mother to two teenage children, and believes that you should never stop learning and be willing to find common ground on which to build new perspectives.

Brandon Meiers (2016)City of Spokane

Jon Merck (2011)Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Jon is a financial professional who is currently employed by Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, in Spokane and has over six years of experience. Jon serves as a Financial Advisor and gives investment advice to clientele. As a Certified Financial Planner professional, Jon completes continuing education programs every year to maintain his certification status. He is also an active member of the Spokane Chapter of the Notre Dame Alumni Club, Rotary 21 and serves on the board for the Boys Scouts Inland Northwest Council.

Leadership Spokane

Elizabeth started her career in retail with Nordstrom. Over a 20 year span she held several positions, her favorite being the Store Information Manager. Her responsibilities included managing communications, customer service, store trainer and inventory control. In 2004 the Spokane Nordstrom had the least amount of shrinkage in the entire corporation, for that Elizabeth won the regional and corporate Store Information Manager of the year. From there she advanced her career as the Marketing Director of River Park Square for 10 years. She made her imprint in downtown Spokane by choosing the shopping centers Christmas décor and the iconic Christmas tree set and ornaments. She decided to change direction in her career and join the Greater Spokane Incorporated team as the Membership Engagement Manager where she maintained and increased partner relationships. GSI graciously sent Elizabeth through the Leadership Spokane program and she is a 2020 graduate. In 2022 she joined the Leadership Spokane team as the very first Development and Events Officer where she serves as a liaison between Leadership Spokane, donors and sponsors, and assists the Executive Director in establishing and implementing annual fundraising strategies and tactics. In addition, she is responsible for major events and engaging 1500+ alumni.

Cheryl-Anne Millsap (2008)Freelance writer and personal writing coach

Cheryl-Anne has an established career as a writer, photographer, newspaper editor, magazine editor, radio commentator and professional blogger. Her work has been quoted in the New York Times and featured on Away.com, TravelMamas.com, Forbes Luxury Travel and the Public Radio Exchange. Her Home Planet travel column runs weekly in a special publication of The Spokesman-Review. Her weekly public radio essays are aired across the Northwest and can be heard across the country. Travel features written by Cheryl-Anne have appeared in Alaska Airlines Magazine and she writes an international travel feature for Spokane Cd’A Woman magazine and the Travel Like a Pro business travel tips feature for Inland Northwest Business Catalyst magazine. She also writes the Treasure Hunting blog about antiques and collectibles for The Spokesman-Review, and a column by the same name for Spokane Cd’A Woman and Nostalgia magazines.

Brian NewberryGirl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho

Brian Newberry is the CEO of Girl Scouts, Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. His council serves an area comprised of 19 counties in central and eastern Washington, and 10 counties in northern Idaho for a total of 29 counties covering 65,000 square miles. We energetically serve approximately 3,300 girls in kindergarten through 12th grade with the help of 2,000 dedicated adult volunteers and an expert staff of 27. Prior to his CEO appointment, Brian led as Executive Director another outstanding leadership organization in the region, Leadership Spokane, founded in 1982. From 2012 to 2014, Colonel Brian M. Newberry was the Commander, 92d Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. He served 23 years in the military as an officer and pilot hailing originally from Colorado.

Pam Nichols (2010)Premera Blue Cross

Pam has lived in the Spokane area for 24 years. She was born and raised in Odessa, Washington. Spokane has always been the big city to her Eastern Washington small town roots. She is a mother of two beautiful girls and is proud to be a ‘Nana’ to one granddaughter. The 24 years’ service at Premera Blue Cross, has given her a unique perspective on the medical insurance industry and the health care challenges our communities face. As an Operations Claims Manager she gets the opportunity to develop and coach team leads that serve and equip Premera employees each day. As a graduate of Leadership Spokane (Class of 2010), she says, “The experience expanded my horizon beyond the doors of my own work environment. It also taught me how important access to education, employment, transportation, housing, food and heaLth care is to our community.” Today, the Servant Leadership characteristics are still important to her as they go hand in hand with Premera’s purpose and values. Pam also serves as President of the Board of Directors of Leadership Spokane.

Susan Nielsen (2012)Washington State Department of Commerce

Susan Joseph Nielsen, M.S., APR, is the Small Business Programs Manager for the Washington State Department of Commerce. She was previously the Regional Executive Director for the College Success Foundation - Spokane and Yakima. Susan has been with CSF since 2014 and was the first Regional ED for CSF’s eastern Washington region. As the Regional Executive Director for Spokane, she works with local school districts, college preparatory advisors, community leaders, collaborators, donors, and a Regional Board to inspire students to be college-and career-ready. Efforts are supported by the philanthropy of individuals and with partners in the business, education, government and nonprofit communities. A strong emphasis is placed in participating in collective impact strategies addressing the needs of first-generation college students, low-income, underserved, and foster youth.