Vange Hochheimer serves as a professor of economics and finance at Whitworth University, where she teaches students to be critical thinkers, and as CEO and chief economist of Grand Fir Analytics, an independent research company she launched in 2020, where she provides research and data analytics for policymakers in Washington state and the Spokane area. 

As a professor, Hochheimer says she's energized when students grasp how abstract concepts can turn into tools to change the world. As a researcher, she's motivated to take complex data and turn it into insight for sound decision making. 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Binghamton University; master’s and Ph.D. in economics, Colorado State University.

Who do you turn to for professional inspiration or mentorship? For professional inspiration and mentorship, I turn to my sister who is a small business owner and my nana who raised me to be resilient and to believe in myself. I also turn to the many amazing women leaders in the Spokane community who inspire, sponsor, and mentor me.

What’s the best career advice you’ve received? Ignore the "noise" in the office and focus on the mission of the organization.

What would you tell others looking to follow a similar career path to yours? Engage in self reflection and figure out what you are passionate about and what your talents are. Then set your goals and do what it takes to get there. In my case, I wanted to solve complex problems. Knowing this, I challenged myself to go to graduate school and to dig into problem solving through my research, my role as a private sector economist, and board service.