Leadership Spokane

Discover Spokane with 509 Focus!

Expand your network, explore our region and connect with local leaders during this 2.5-day Leadership Spokane program.

📅 Oct. 22-24

👉 Register now: https://leadershipspokane.org/events/special-events/calendar.html/event-form/registration-form/114866/tickets

🌟 Spotlight: John Decker

We’re kicking off our first Spotlight feature with John Decker, president and general manager of Spokane Public Radio and a member of the Leadership Spokane Class of 2027!

Get to know John beyond the title:

🍣 Favorite local business: Sushi Blossom South Hill
🌽 First job: Detasseling corn
🏍️ Current hobby: Motorcycling and exploring more of the Inland Northwest
💬 Favorite saying: “As my grandma used to say it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick"
🤝 Community connection: Work events, Rotary and live music

Thanks for sharing, John! 👏

Thank you, Kaiser Aluminum, for the amazing tour of your facility! Our Class of 2027 students had a great time learning more about your operations and the work you do in our community. 🙌

Thank you to Amazon.com for being a GOAT-level sponsor! We appreciate your continued support of Leadership Spokane and your generous investment in our community.

Regional Economy Day is coming!

Help cheer on the Leadership Spokane Class of 2027 during their GooseChase scavenger hunt across Spokane County on Oct. 8! 📸

Volunteers can sign up for a two-hour shift:
• 8-10 a.m.
• 10 a.m.-noon

All Leadership Spokane alumni are welcome! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090845A8AE2BA3FB6-65616265-regional #/

Save the date! 📅

Join Leadership Spokane on Oct. 27 for a conversation with Vicky Dalton about elections, civic engagement and the importance of getting involved in our community.

Vicky will share what she’s learned through election-observer training, explain how elections are conducted and take questions from attendees.

REGISTER HERE: https://leadershipspokane.org/events/special-events/calendar.html/event/2026/10/27/alumni-presents-the-real-elections-of-spokane-facilitated-by-vicky-dalton-spokane-county-auditor/578453

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Coffee with a Leader! ☕️

A special thank you to Vanessa Waldref for joining us, sharing her experiences, and offering valuable leadership advice. We appreciate you taking the time to connect with our Leadership Spokane community!

Congratulations to Leadership Spokane Class of 2017 alumna Amanda Swan! ❤️👑

Amanda was recently honored with the Steve Salvatori Dream Builder Award at West Central Community Center’s Building Dreams Prom for her dedication to strengthening our community and creating brighter futures for local families.

Congratulations, Amanda! 🎉

Photo credit: Numerica Credit Union

🐐 Let’s get this GOAT started!

GOATs Gab has officially kicked off for the Class of 2027! No matter the format, our Leadership Spokane cohort always finds a way to connect, collaborate and build relationships.

Here’s a little sneak peek from this week! 👀