FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Leadership Spokane Graduates 1000th Student
Spokane, Wash. – On June 7, when Dr. Terri Oskin (Columbia Medical Associates and
President of the Spokane County Medical Society), walked across the stage of Mukogawa Ft.
Wright Institute Commons, she became Leadership Spokane’s 1000th Graduate.
Marlene Feist, City of Spokane Director of Communication, Class of 2006, (and graduate #717)
presented a greeting from Mayor Condon.
“With the graduation of the Class of 2012, Leadership Spokane is 1000 strong. This is a real
milestone for us,” stated Linda Finney, Executive Director. “After nearly three decades of
leadership training in Spokane, over 1000 Leadership Spokane alumni are actively leading in
business, finance, government, education, medicine, the arts, and in non-profits, in our state,
around the nation and internationally.”
Spokane’s own Julia Sweeney, actress, comedian, and author, was the graduation speaker. It
was a doubly meaningful event for her niece Katie who graduated with the Youth Leadership
Spokane Class of 2012.
Every year, Leadership Spokane recognizes the achievements of area leaders with the Trustee
Leadership Awards. These awards recognize excellence in leadership, a significant and notable
contribution to the betterment of the community, a vision for the common good, and mentoring
new leaders. These individuals or organizations display creativity and personal courage as well
as a demonstrated ability to work and lead collaboratively.
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Dr. Joe Albert, Gonzaga University: the Community Trustee Leadership Award
Representative Kevin Parker, Washington State Legislature, Youth Leadership Spokane
Community Leadership Trustee Award
Sally’s House (Salvation Army): the Non-Profit Trustee Leadership Award
Stacey and Anne Cowles, Class of 1991, of The Spokesman-Review: Business Trustee
Leadership Award
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Kent Wales, Class of 2009, of Happy Laundry and Dry Cleaning: the Small Business
Trustee Leadership award
Three special awards were presented:
 Pam Tajima Praeger, Class of 1987, retired President of SFCC, received the
Distinguished Leadership Award which recognizes exceptional community leadership
program graduates. Recipients are men and women who have made significant and
notable contributions toward the betterment of their communities.
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Dale Stedman, retired from AAA and one of the founders of Leadership Spokane,
received the Board of Directors Spirit of Leadership Award. This special award,
presented only occasionally, recognizes visionary servant leadership that achieves
excellence in collaboration, demonstrates courage and persistence, and develops
opportunities that go unseen by most.
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Group Health Cooperative received the Silver Spirit of Leadership Award. This award
recognizes the investment in Leadership Spokane that companies have made by putting
25 or more employees through the program.
Rick Eichstaedt, Angel Troutt, Tracy Swank, and Randi Oien, members of the incoming Class of
2013 received the Northern Quest Resort & Casino and the Kalispel Tribe of Indians
Scholarship.
Bobbie Domonouski, Class of 2013, received the DaZelda Scholarship, presented by Susan and
Ira Amstadter, Class of 2000, Express Employment Professionals, in recognition of Ira’s
grandmother Zelda.
With this Graduation, Leadership Spokane kicks off the celebration of its 30th Anniversary.
“We’re expanding our programming for alumni and are enthusiastic about what this will mean
for these leaders and our community,” stated Linda Finney.
About Leadership Spokane: Leadership Spokane trains leaders for the Greater Spokane region,
with programs for adults and high school students. Graduates are leaders in business,
neighborhoods, the arts, politics, education and human services. Applications are available in
January each year and may be downloaded from the website at www.LeadershipSpokane.org
Contact: Emily Rice, Publications Intern, lsintern@leadershipspokane.org, 509.321.3645
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