Elisabeth Hooker, marketing director for the Downtown Spokane Partnership and 39-year-old Rising Star, says she feels blessed to show up at work every day, doing what she loves in her hometown.

“I’m happy to be part of something larger than myself, and I hope my work helps spark joy for others along the way,” Hooker says.

Born and raised in Spokane, Hooker was a member of the first graduating class of Mount Spokane High School. She attended college at Washington State University, graduating with a degree in communications.

“It feels kind of funny to be considered a rising star, as I’m almost 40 and have been around for a few years,” she says.

Hooker started her career downtown at Spokane Teachers Credit Union, working with development outreach and community relations, helping to coordinate with the Downtown Spokane Partnership on events and activities.

“When I left the credit union, I was looking for something in my wheelhouse, which included a passion for events, community gathering, and relationship building,” she says. “A position opened at the DSP for a community relations coordinator, and I was ready and excited.”

Since her hiring in 2014, Hooker says she’s worked to help the nonprofit membership organization in its mission to enhance quality of life in the city’s core.

“The goal is to help the community to feel they’re investing in downtown as a place to live, work, and play,” she says.

In addition to representing the business community in the vision for downtown, Hooker says the organization’s major function is as the contract manager for the Downtown Spokane Parking and Business Improvement District.

“We’re kind of like a homeowners’ association for businesses and properties within an 80-square-block radius in downtown,” she explains. “So, part of what we do is contracting with the city on items that go beyond basic city services to create a vibrant downtown area.”

While her position as part of a government contract organization often involves challenges, Hooker says part of what she finds most rewarding is overcoming any obstacles she encounters in her path.

“Sometimes, it can be a trudge to get through, but if you’re able to step back and see the opportunities within the challenges, you come out stronger for it,” she says. “I love solving challenges, because they give me experience and tools I can use in the future.”

Mark Richard, DSP president and CEO, says Hooker incites collaboration without worrying about getting credit.

“She has a dynamic attitude that enables her to encourage her teammates and inspire us to also stay positive and focused,” he says. “Part of what makes her so successful is that she is serving a niche that she genuinely cares about: her city and her community.”

Hooker says 2020 has been a challenging year for the organization, as it worked to re-evaluate plans and projects due to the COVID-19-induced economic recession.

“I think we all had some amazing things planned for this year, so it’s been a bit of a shake-up,” she says. “It’s certainly changed how our downtown functions, but our focus now is on doing everything we can to help our local businesses stay afloat and move forward safely.”

In describing her leadership style, Hooker says she approaches her work with passion and understanding. Even so, she says she isn’t afraid to ask for help.

“You have to believe in what you’re doing, but also have a good understanding of how the work will benefit others,” she says. “You also need to realize that teamwork is a huge part of what makes things happen, so you have to be both willing to ask for help, as well as ready to offer help to others.”