by Sarah Brede
EWI of Spokane Chapter President
Dear EWI of Spokane Members,
Our anniversary meeting exceeded every expectation I had going in.
The turnout, the energy, the conversations that lingered well past the program, it was one of those nights that reminds you exactly why EWI matters. Seeing so many past presidents and member firm executives in the room alongside our current members felt like the whole story of this Chapter in one place. And Debra Raub set the tone beautifully; her message about listening to your gut, raising your hand, and making sure you have a seat at the table is exactly what EWI is here to help us practice.
Our panelists — Gwen Guenzel, Megan Schuyler Kennedy, and Jillian Robison — echoed that sentiment in their own words during “The EWI Effect.” What struck me most was how each of them pointed to early board service as a turning point. Getting involved, not waiting until they felt “ready,” and showing up for the work, that’s where the growth happened. They also spoke about the relationships built inside EWI: not just professional connections, but genuine friendships. The kind where you’d rather call your EWI colleague than a stranger, because the trust is already there. That’s Connection Over Transaction in action.
Which brings me to something I want to flag: our Nominating Committee is forming now and will be reaching out to members about board service for next year. Watch for that in the Connect. If you’ve been wondering whether this is your year to step up, it probably is.
As for me, I’m more than halfway through my presidency, and nights like our Chapter anniversary are why I signed up for this. I’m so grateful to be part of a group that shows up for each other the way this one does. We’re building something for the women who come after us, the same way someone built it for us. That legacy we talked about back in September—this is what it looks like in practice.
I’ve also been lucky enough to have some really wonderful one-on-one conversations with members lately. Every single one has been a reminder of why I love this group. The range of experiences, perspectives, and passions in this Chapter is something special. There truly aren’t enough hours to connect with everyone, but I’m trying, and I hope you are too. Nobody in EWI is going to turn you down. Reach out; you might be surprised how easy the conversation comes.
Looking ahead: our May meeting is the Scholarship Banquet, one of my favorite events of the year. Hearing from scholarship recipients about their goals and what they’ve already accomplished at this stage of their lives is always a breath of fresh air. It’s another pillar of EWI that I think gets at why we show up: we’re investing in something bigger than ourselves.
See you there.
With gratitude,
Sarah
President, EWI of Spokane
EWI: Where diverse businesses come together for Connections, Careers, and Community.