Women in Leadership

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL PUBLISHER PAUL READ FOR MORE INFORMATION

Registration now open!

June 4, 2026
7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. (Doors open at 7 a.m.)
Spokane Convention Center | Centennial Ballroom

The Journal of Business will host its ninth annual Women in Leadership event to focus on a tremendous opportunity we have in our business community: striving to get more women in leadership positions.

Join us as we bring leading business women and men together for a discussion about what is and isn’t working when it comes to increasing women in corporate leadership, overcoming and eliminating gender obstacles, and shaping healthier business environments.

2026 SPEAKERS & PANELISTS

Heather Rosentrater CEO Avista Corp.	Cyndi Donahue Director of Leadership/Development Gonzaga University	Tom Simpson CEO Ignite
Lori Hunt Chief of Staff & Strategy Spokane Colleges	Darby McLean CEO Spiceology Inc.	Brian Newberry CEO Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington
Marty Dickinson Chief Marketing Officer STCU	Brynn McLennan CEO Slate Dental Inc.	Melissa Koontz Senior VP Alliant Employee Benefits

A Look at Last Year.

We again hosted an impactful community discussion about how to increase the number of women in corporate leadership, overcome gender obstacles, and shape healthier business environments. It was a great success and learning opportunity for everyone who attended. You won’t want to miss next year’s Women in Leadership event!

Stephy Nobles-Beans
life coach, speaker and author

Charlotte Nemec
CEO of Canopy Credit Union

Brooke Baker Spink
CEO of Baker Construction & Development

Stephaine Courtney
CEO of Shades of Motherhood Network

Cyndi Donahue
Director of Leadership Training & Development at Gonzaga University

Dale Silha
Senior Vice President of McKinstry

PHOTOS FROM OUR 2025 EVENT

EVENT SUPPLEMENT

Click here to read our Women in Leadership supplement in an easy to read flip book.

Presenting Sponsor:

Supporting Sponsor:

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In-Kind Sponsor:

2024 SPEAKERS & PANELISTS

Col. Angela M. O’Connell Vice Commander, 141^st Air Refueling Wing FAFB	Kitara Johnson Chief People Officer, Excelsior Wellness	Julie Kelsey Executive Leadership Development Coach and Gonzaga University Instructor
Mike Gribner Deputy Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation	Kaylie Lewis Branch Manager, Idaho Central Credit Union	Jennifer Lehn Retired Chief Operating Officer, Numerica Credit Union
Manny Hochheimer AVP Branch Performance, Idaho Central Credit Union	Morgan Marum Storytelling Coach & Consultant	Marty Dickinson Chief Marketing Officer, STCU