Journal names its 25 People of Influence

(As reported in the Journal of Business by Erica Bullock)

The Journal of Business has selected 25 honorees for the 2026 People of Influence awards. Past and present University District board members in bold.

The honorees, in alphabetical order, are: 

• Jordan Allen, CEO, BuyWander Inc.
• Michaele Armstrong, executive director, Evergreen Bioscience Innovation Cluster.
• Jesse Bank, executive director, Northeast Public Development Authority.
• Chris Batten, principal, RenCorpRealty LLC.
• Lance Beck, president and CEO, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.
• Alisha Benson, CEO, Greater Spokane Incorporated.
• Kevin Brockbank, chancellor, Spokane Colleges.
• Emilie Cameron, president and CEO, Downtown Spokane Partnership.
• Gavin Cooley, director of strategic initiatives, Spokane Business Association.
• Cyndi Donahue, director of leadership training and development, Gonzaga University.
• Vange Hochheimer, professor, Whitworth University and CEO and chief economist, Grand Fir Analytics.
• Susan Horton, president and CEO, Wheatland Bank.
• Garrett Jones, director, Spokane Parks & Recreation.
• Shari McMahan, president, Eastern Washington University.
• Shelly O’Quinn, CEO, Innovia Foundation.
• Karl Otterstrom, CEO, Spokane Transit Authority.
• Katia Passerini, president, Gonzaga University.
• Christopher Preti, CEO, Jubilant HollisterStier LLC.
• Dan Roark, CEO, Gestalt.
• Tresa Schmautz, co-founder, Dignified Workday LLC.
• Dale Silha, senior vice president, Pacific Northwest region, McKinstry Co. LLC.
• Brittany Tyler, CEO, Four Roots LLC and director, Scale House Market.
• Chud Wendle, executive director, Hutton Settlement.
• Erin Williams-Hueter, executive director, Health Sciences & Services Authority of Spokane County.
• Adam Swinyard, superintendent, Spokane Public Schools.

To be recognized among the People of Influence, candidates must be decision makers in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area who are working to improve quality of life in the Inland Northwest. In addition to being thought leaders and industry innovators, honorees are people who give back, both in the business world and the community at large.

The 2026 People of Influence will be recognized during an in-person event on Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Spokane Convention Center. Tickets are currently on sale on the Journal's website.