Staff

Meet the Team!

Our dedicated team works every day on behalf of our community and Board of Trustees to lead transformative business and community initiatives to build a robust regional economy.

Executive

Alisha Benson

Chief Executive Officer

Cathy Wells

Cathy Wells

Chief of Staff, Director of Administration

Communications & Marketing

Yolanda Pagaduan

Director of Communications & Marketing

Leona Perry

Events & Program Manager

Maria Vandervert

Communications & Marketing Manager

Economic Development

Gary Ballew

Gary Ballew

VP of Economic Development

Stacia Rassmusen

Stacia Rasmussen

Life Sciences Spokane Business Development Manager

Joey Gunning

Joey Gunning

Strategic Growth Manager

Aleesha Roedel

Government Contracting Assistance Specialist – APEX Accelerator

Shannon Farley

Shannon Farley

Government Contracting Assistant – APEX Accelerator Junior Counselor

Education & Talent

Erin Vincent

Erin Vincent

VP of Education & Talent, Spokane STEM Executive Director

Rebecca Clemens

Education & Talent Manager

Mac Chandler

Education and Talent Coordinator

Resource Development

Lisa Poplawski Lewis

VP of Development & Partnerships

Rachel Holland

Data & Resource Development Specialist

Debra Whitehead

Debra Whitehead

Business Development Manager

AgriBusiness

Melisa Paul

Director of Agribusiness & Ag Expo

Public Policy

Jake Mayson

Jake Mayson

Director of Public Policy

External Team Members

Jaye Hughes

Jaye Hughes

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Karen Cash

Karen Cash

Inclusive Business Strategist, Inclusive Development Council

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