As chief executive of Spokane Sports, Ashley Blake seeks to strengthen the community through the power of sports. 

Spokane Sports will be supporting 57 events in Spokane County in 2025, including 13 track-and-field meets, the USA Volleyball Pacific Northwest Qualifier, the USA Wrestling Women’s National Championship, and the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament. 

Most recently, under Blake’s leadership, Spokane and Gonzaga University were selected as a potential base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Blake says the recent modernization efforts have been instrumental in ensuring long-term sustainability. 

Education: Master’s degree in arts, sport, and athletic administration, Gonzaga University; bachelor of science in business administration, marketing, and management, Elmira College. 

If you could change anything about your industry, how would you change it? Sports tourism has become a powerhouse in driving local economies across the United States. It has been a catalyst for growth, job creation, and community engagement. However, as an industry, we have been reserved in sharing the impact and the stories that illustrate it. This narrative must change. By proactively promoting the positive effects and successes of sports tourism, we can enhance understanding and appreciation of its significant contributions to economic development and community cohesion.

What's the best piece of advice you've received? From my current Spokane Sports board chair Jeff Geldien, "keep the main thing the main thing." This serves as a constant reminder to prioritize what truly matters and stay focused on our core mission.

If you had to choose an alternative career path and money wasn't relevant, what would you do? Rally car driver, competing internationally.