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

Chief of Staff, Director of Administration

Finance & Administration

Don Hemmer

Director of Finance

Anita Medina

Accountant

Communications & Marketing

Yolanda Pagaduan

Director, Communications & Marketing

Leona Perry

Events & Program Manager

Maria Vandervert

Communications & Marketing Manager

Jaye Hughes

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Economic Development

Gary Ballew

VP, Economic Development

Stacia Rasmussen

Life Sciences Spokane Business Development Manager

Joey Gunning

Strategic Growth Manager

Aleesha Roedel

Government Contracting Assistance Specialist

Education & Talent

Matthew Himlie

Career Pathways Manager

Resource Development

Lisa Poplawski Lewis

VP of Development & Partnerships

Rachel Holland

Data & Resource Development Specialist

Debra Whitehead

Business Development Manager

AgriBusiness

Melisa Paul

Director, Agribusiness & Ag Expo

Public Policy

Jake Mayson

Director, Public Policy

Inclusive Development Council

Ben Krauss

Project Director

What We Do