Lisa Brown, an educator by trade, first entered politics in 1992 when she was elected to the state House of Representatives. In 2005, she became the senate’s first female democratic majority leader.

While leading the Washington state Department of Commerce remotely during the pandemic, Brown made the decision to run for mayor of Spokane.

Beyond politics, Brown spent over three decades teaching at Eastern Washington University. In addition, she taught at Gonzaga University in the organizational leadership program.

She's most proud of the civic work she’s accomplished with the University District, both as chancellor of Washington State University Spokane and as a U District board member. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, University of Illinois; master’s and Ph.D. in economics, University of Colorado, Boulder.

Who has been a significant influence in your life and career? Dr. Elson S. Floyd, Jr. 

What's the best piece of advice you've received? You can accomplish more in public policy if you're not concerned about who gets the credit for it.

What advice would you have for others looking to follow a career path similar to yours? Focus on the issues you care about, not the positions you want to attain.

Excluding the pandemic, what's the biggest business challenge you've overcome? Budget deficits at the state and local levels.

If you had one wish for Spokane, what would it be? If you had one wish for Spokane, what would it be? High-speed rail connection.