Smith-Barbieri Fund Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to an incoming member of the adult Leadership Spokane program who demonstrates a passion for his/her community, who is making a lasting life transition and who has a desire to step up to leadership. The candidate must also have a demonstrated financial need that would make Leadership Spokane tuition a barrier to participation in the program.
“We understand how challenging it can be to make lasting life transitions without a community of support around you,” stated Sharon Smith and Don Barbieri. “We are working to eradicate the systemic causes that lead to hardships like domestic violence, substance abuse, unemployment and incarceration, but we know that these things still happen. For those times, we work to ensure our vulnerable citizens have access to tools and resources to achieve sustainable well-being and to make their voices heard in community decision making.”
“I have asked myself whether one has to have money or position or a life of advantages in order to be a leader,” remarked Linda Finney. “I think that people coming from challenging backgrounds have much to contribute to the leadership table. By funding an annual scholarship to Leadership Spokane, the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund is removing some of those barriers.” John Lemus, Community Relations Facilitator at Skils’Kin was the first individual to receive this scholarship at Commencement 2014.
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2021 - Lerria SchuhExecutive Director, Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund
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2020 - Angela ChapmanExecutive Administrative Assistant, Transitions
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2020 - Sarah LickfoldDevelopment Director, Transitions
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2018 - Heather CantamessaDirector of Family Impact, Children's Home Society of Washington
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2018 - Brooke Nicholson
Retention Specialist, Eastern Washington University
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2017 - Michelle Domries -
2016 - Megan Curran
Spokane Detox Center
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2016 - Marilyn NelsonProgram Director, Transitions Transitional Living Center/ EduCare
I am excited and honored to be the winner of the 2016 scholarship to Leadership Spokane. I am looking forward to developing new leadership skills and learning how I can use those skills to better serve the families in our programs and also to contribute to the success, prosperity, and opportunities in Spokane.
I am truly grateful to the Smith-Barbieri fund for this opportunity. It will be a long lasting investment as I look forward to using what I learn as a leader to serve both the programs I direct as well as the community of Spokane that is my home.
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2015 - John LemusCommunity Relations Facilitator, Skils’kin
Being in the Leadership Spokane Class of 2015 has completely changed me as a leader on so many levels. It has helped me to see the different perspectives and ideas of other amazing leaders within in our class, I’ve also learned to see outside of the disability community bubble and focus on the needs of the whole Spokane community.
I am incredibly grateful to the Smith-BarbIeri fund and Skils’kin for investing in me as a leader. I will return this investment by continuing to serve the Spokane community for years to come.
About the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund
The Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund aims to build upon our region’s strong foundation to ensure that those in need have every opportunity to succeed. With strong community partnerships, creativity and tenacity, we work to reduce poverty, broaden low-cost/affordable housing, foster a more dynamic constituency and spotlight our region.
If you are Interested in applying for this scholarship, please send and email to leadership@leadershipspokane.org
