Nonprofit leader Mable Dunbar says effective leadership starts with something simple: being willing to do the same work she asks of everyone else. 

When Becky Rempe arrived at the Barton English School at First Presbyterian Church of Spokane, the decades-old program consisted largely of one-on-one tutoring sessions. Today, the school is abuzz with conversations in multiple languages as immigrants, refugees, volunteers, and residents gather to learn and engage with each other and the community.

Hundreds of women have benefitted from a leadership program at Gonzaga University since its creation more than a decade ago.

True leaders support other leaders. Whether it is a peer, colleague, or friend in a leadership role, one of the most impactful contributions you can make as a leader is to offer your support. 

City of Spokane planning department officials are considering residential zoning changes to increase housing density as part of PlanSpokane 2046, the city's comprehensive growth strategy.

Missing middle housing — once a mere sliver of residential permits issued by the city of Spokane between 2020 and 2022 — surged to nearly 20% of all residential permitting in 2025.

Four generations of the Lawton family have maintained leadership of Lawton Printing Inc. and FILE-EZ Inc. — an accomplishment many family businesses can’t claim. Instrumental to that level of continuity has been Ray Lawton, 79, who, along with his late brother Gary Lawton, represents the third generation to lead both Spokane companies.

Retired certified public accountant and Spokane community leader Bill Simer says his life would have looked much different had he not happened to meet a young woman and her brother in Spokane more than 50 years ago.

Barry Baker, longtime head of prominent Spokane-based general contracting company Baker Construction & Development Inc., says he doesn’t need to go into the office every day, but now he’s having too much fun there to stay away for long.

Phyllis Campbell, 2026 Spokane Journal of Business Icon, led an accumulative 50-year career in banking, philanthropy, and board service across the Inland Northwest and western Washington.