EWI of Spokane News

I’m writing this with a heavy heart. As many of you know firsthand, our community is in the middle of an unprecedented crisis. Fires have swept through Spokane, and so many of our members, friends, and neighbors are dealing with evacuations, uncertainty, and loss.

Honestly, this letter has been a hard one to write. Not because there is nothing to say, but because there is almost too much. Life feels hectic right now. I feel it in myself, and I feel it every time I stand up to speak at a chapter meeting and look out at a room full of women who I know are carrying just as much. Maybe more.

Our May Scholarship Banquet was everything I hoped it would be, and more. Hearing from the students, watching the joy on their faces, the tears that were shed, it was a deeply meaningful evening. I’m grateful to everyone who contributed, and especially to our Scholarship Committee for the care they put into making it happen.

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.

here’s a moment that keeps coming back to me from our March meeting at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

We were surrounded by art — real art, the kind that asks something of you — and Wes Jessup, the MAC’s Executive Director, was talking about why spaces like that matter. What they do for a community. What happens when people come together inside them. And I couldn’t help but think: this is exactly what we do. This is EWI.

This month, we’re building on momentum, on community, and on everything we’ve been working toward together.

We’re in the dregs of winter, friends, but I can feel the promise of spring just around the corner. And if January’s meeting was any indication, we’re building some serious momentum to carry us through these last cold weeks!

Now that we’re in 2026, I’ve been thinking a lot about endings and beginnings; not just about what we left behind, but what we accomplished along the way. It’s so easy to focus on what’s next without pausing to acknowledge how far we’ve come. So, before we dive deeper into the new year, I want to take a moment to celebrate.

What a powerful start to this chapter year. As I reflect on the incredible moments we’ve shared, from the inspiration of our Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting to the September chapter gathering, I’m reminded of why this organization matters so deeply.

What a powerful start to this chapter year. As I reflect on the incredible moments we’ve shared, from the inspiration of our Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting to the September chapter gathering, I’m reminded of why this organization matters so deeply.

What a powerful start to this chapter year. As I reflect on the incredible moments we’ve shared, from the inspiration of our Leadership Conference and Annual Meeting to the September chapter gathering, I’m reminded of why this organization matters so deeply.

As I sit down to write this final message, I find myself reflecting on the past year with a full heart. What a journey it has been of growth, of connection, and of showing up for one another in ways big and small.

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far! As we head into August, I want to take a moment to reflect on last month’s meeting at Manito Park. It was truly special to see so many of you, and even some of your families, in such a beautiful setting. It reminded me of the real, personal connections EWI fosters, not just in our careers, but in our lives.

Summer is finally here, and with it comes sunshine, road trips, barbecues, lake days, and a little bit of that magical slowdown we all secretly crave. This month’s EWI of Spokane meeting is all about Summer Fun and I can’t think of a better theme to embrace as we head into the heart of the season.

Last month, we had the absolute honor of presenting scholarships to some truly outstanding students during our annual Scholarship Banquet.

Spring has officially sprung, and so has our energy after an incredible April Anniversary Meeting! Can we just take a moment to give a standing ovation to the phenomenal Dr. Shari McMahan?  She didn’t just speak to us—she lit up the room with her wisdom, wit, and powerhouse presence. Shari reminded us what it means to lead with authenticity, grit, and heart, and maybe made us all want to add a few more sparkles to our professional toolkits!

April is a big month. Not just because it finally feels like spring is showing up (we hope), but because April 17th marks 46 years of EWI of Spokane—and coincidentally, my 39th trip around the sun. I’d say we’ve both aged pretty well!

Our last meeting at Sonderen Packaging was nothing short of inspiring! A huge thank you to Keva Sonderen for sharing her wisdom on building confidence and connection through the power of saying yes—and just as importantly, saying no, but thanks for asking.

February, a month that celebrates connection, leadership, and the strength of diverse voices, I want to take a moment to talk about something that fuels our success, inclusion.