Leadership Councils
Leadership Council members serve as ambassadors and advisors to Innovia Foundation throughout our 20-county region, and advocate for philanthropic investments in their local communities. Members are approved and appointed by the Innovia Foundation Board of Directors.
2023 Leadership Council New Member Applications are Open
Leadership Responsibilities
- Share knowledge of your community’s needs.
- Provide guidance to Innovia’s Community Grants Program on local grant priorities.
- Convene local leaders and community members in cooperation with Innovia staff, Board and Committee members.
- Advocate for philanthropy and assist in developing philanthropic funds.
- Meet with other Innovia Leadership Councils to foster regional understanding, discuss regional trends and issues, and report on strategic initiatives.
- Recommend future action by Innovia and the philanthropic community as a whole.
Member Qualifications
- Commitment to public service and charitable activities.
- Interest in promoting private philanthropy.
- Knowledge of the community, its nonprofit sector, and an understanding of community needs.
Time Commitment and Travel
Leadership Council members must be available to attend a minimum of two meetings per year. The spring meeting is generally a two-day Regional Leadership Meeting hosted in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene vicinity. Summer and fall meetings take place in the local Leadership Council regions. Terms are three years with a limit of two terms.
Most leadership council activities are conducted within a council member’s region with ongoing communication via email, phone, and mail. Innovia makes every attempt to focus a council member’s in-person involvement within their own community.
Read more about Innovia’s Annual Leadership Summit here.
Meet our Leadership Councils
Leadership Council Members
Region 1: Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties
- Steven Apple
- Gabriel Cruden
- Karen Giebel
- Debra Hansen
- Kevin Knight
- Michael Lithgow
- Katherine Meade
- Mary Rourke
- Colene Rubertt
- Mary Selecky
- Greg Sheffield
- Jenny Smith
- Denise Stewart
- Leslie Waters
Region 2: Spokane County
- Adam Brigham-Althoff
- Toby Broemmeling
- Sara Clements-Sampson
- David Condon
- Chad Dashiell
- Ronald Douglas
- Lars Gilberts
- Micki Harnois
- Kevin Jacka
- Kristine Meyer
- Gilbert Sandoval
- Gene Sementi
- Craig Soehren
- Larry Valadez
Region 3: Lincoln and Adams counties
- Shaun Cross
- Ian Eccles
- Scott Hutsell
- James Kowalkowski
- John Kragt
- Darren Mattozzi
- Richard Miller
- Kyle Niehenke
- Heather Slack
- Timothy Tipton
- Gretchen Youngren
Region 4: Whitman and Latah counties
- Francis Benjamin
- Jenny Ford
- Bobbi Hughes
- Glenn Johnson
- Paul Kimmell
- Alex McGregor
- Caroline Nilsson-Troy
- Nils Peterson
- Gina Taruscio
Region 5: Columbia and Garfield counties
- Ginny Butler
- Dan Butler
- Bette Lou Crothers
- Jennifer Dickinson
- Katherine Leid
- Sarah Meyers
- Jack Peasley
- Judith Pilcher
- Anne Walsh
- Rachel Herres
- Alicia Walker
Region 6: Asotin and Nez Perce counties
- Joanna Alford
- Emily Ashby
- Scott Corbitt
- Nikoli Greene
- Andy Hanson
- R. Kim Hartwig
- Suzanne Johnson
- Wanda Keefer
- Kristin Kemak
- Courtney Kramer
- Sarah Reaves
- John Rusche
- Mike Tatko
Region 7: Clearwater, Lewis and Idaho counties
- Joyce Dearstyne
- Jason Hunter
- Kirstin Jensen
- Barbara-Lee Jordan
- Dennis Kachelmier
- Arne Walker
- Rachel Young
Region 8: Benewah and Shoshone counties
- Alex Barta
- Jessie Caraway
- Marcy Hayman
- Sarah Murphy
- Ashlee Myles
- Paige Olsen
- Rhonda Seagraves
- Jennifer Stovern
- Ben Little
- Bridget Hojem
Region 9: Kootenai County
- Jody Azevedo
- Troy Braga
- Amy Evans
- Jim Faucher
- Luann Ganz
- Gynii Gilliam
- Maggie Lyons
- Nick Swayne
- Alivia Metts
- Jan Tymesen
Region 10: Bonner and Boundary counties
- Chris Bessler
- Philip Hough
- Carol Julian
- Kimberly Manning
- Andrea Marcoccio
- Julie Meyer
- Becca Orchard
- Dennis Weed
- Jim Zuberbuhler
More Information?
Leadership Council members are approved and appointed by the Innovia Foundation Board of Directors. If you are interested in learning more about serving on the Leadership Council in your region, please connect with our team.