EHF Board of Directors

Sharon has more than 40 years of experience in the health care field, serving in a variety of leadership roles primarily in the areas of marketing and advertising, business and strategic planning, communication, public relations, government relations and public policy. Most recently, she served as the Chief Marketing & Communication Officer for Providence St. Joseph Health’s Washington & Montana region; retiring in 2019. Prior to joining Providence, Sharon served twenty-three years with Group Health Northwest, the region’s largest Health Maintenance Organization (wholly owned by Group Health Cooperative) in a variety of leadership roles, including serving as president from 1998 – 2000. Sharon has been active in the region serving on numerous local and state boards including Greater Spokane, Inc, Downtown Spokane Partnership, and the Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges. She currently is the chair of the Better Health Together board of directors, and joined the Empire Health Foundation Board in 2020. Sharon is a Whitworth University alumnus, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental biology/health sciences, and is a graduate of the Leadership Spokane class of 1985.

Monica (Spokane Tribe/Paquachin Band) is Vice President and Partner of Sister Sky Inc., an SBA-certified 8(a), Native American, economically disadvantaged, woman-owned small business (EDWOSB) dedicated to delivering empowerment and enrichment services to Native American and disadvantaged communities through culturally-conscious training, technical assistance, event management and communications. Monica started her company in 1999 with her sister/business partner Marina TurningRobe. In 2012 the sisters launched the professional services division of the company, Sister Sky Inc. and began delivering training, technical assistance, research, evaluation and strategic planning services to federal clients including Indian Health Services, Administration for Native Americans, Department of Labor, USDA, SBA and National Science Foundation. As an entrepreneur with 20+ years-experience, Monica  has provided training and technical assistance to numerous tribes and tribal enterprises in the areas of work readiness, small business ownership, healthy lifestyle and effective management skills, and is skilled as a corporate monitor on federal contracts. Monica holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Washington, where she also completed the Minority Business Executive Program.

Rueben Mayes leverages his passion for people, leadership, and philanthropy to deliver the necessary resources in support of Seattle Children’s Hospital. His success as a college two-time consensus All-American, National College Hall of Fame Inductee, NFL Rookie of the Year and multi-year Pro Bowl selectee opens many doors and builds rapport beyond his 28-year leadership and fundraising career. He went on to earn an MBA in 2000. Rueben works closely with Seattle Children’s Hospital and Foundation staff, regional clinics, organization partners, donors, and volunteers to grow regional philanthropic/investment support for key priorities. Rueben is also an active member of the hospital’s regional partnerships team. He has been married for over 35 years to Marie Mayes (both WSU Alumni) and they have two sons, Logan, and Kellen. His hobbies and activities include gardening, cooking/baking, swimming, and snow skiing.  

Jenny is the Directory of Strategy and Community Engagement at Newport Hospital and Health Services in Newport, Wash. She is the public information officer and directs the Pend Oreille Health Coalition, a 70+ member organization dedicated to improving health in Pend Oreille County. In that role, she also serves as Collaborative Lead for Medicaid Transformation efforts with Better Health Together. She serves on the Pend Oreille County Economic Development Council Board of Directors and Chair for Family Crisis Network Board of Directors. Jenny moved to Newport in 2012 after living in Spokane since 1990. Previously, she taught College Prep courses with Community Colleges of Spokane and Communication courses as an adjunct instructor at Gonzaga University. Jenny’s first experience in healthcare fundraising started at Deaconess and Valley Hospital Foundations in the early 90s. Jenny’s education includes a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations (advertising minor) and a Master's  degree in Communication and Leadership Studies, both from Gonzaga University. Jenny is happily married with a beautifully-blended family that includes seven children and nine grandchildren.

Kim is Senior Vice President of Corporate & Community Relations at Numerica Credit Union. With 35 years of senior leadership experience spanning private, public, and non-profit sectors she has expertise in business development, economic development, community relations, project management, marketing, and communications. Past leadership roles include Partner - McKinstry; Executive VP of Marketing - Itron; Sr. Vice President - Avista Development and Economic Development Advisor - City of Spokane. A well-known “connector” and “go-to” collaborator in the Spokane area, she has played a critical leadership role in several major community/economic development efforts: Spokane’s University District & Davenport Arts & Entertainment District; while leading key catalyst projects in each district:  the SIERR @ McKinstry Station and Steam Plant Square, respectively.

Kim currently serves on the Board of Directors for Eastern Washington University as a Governor-appointed Trustee. She leads the End the Violence Steering Committee to bring awareness and change to the Domestic Violence epidemic. She has dedicated countless hours serving on many community boards, and has received numerous awards in recognition of her tireless work for the many community and business organizations in which she has been involved over her career. 

Nicole joined Spokane Public Schools in 2018 and is the Director of Community Relations & Diversity Training. Prior to this position she worked at Spokane County Juvenile Court for 17 years in various roles. She is passionately engaged in on-going efforts to reduce the disparities experienced by historically underestimated families and youth of color. She believes that her work in the juvenile justice system and public school system gives her a unique perspective and connections that can lead to positive collaborations for systemic change. Nicole views championing the creation of just and equitable outcomes for historically underestimated communities as not just a hope and a wish but a necessity. She is a passionate disruptor of the school to prison pipeline through creation of innovative programs. She also is an Adjunct Professor at Vermont Law School focusing on reimagining youth justice through a Restorative Justice lens.  Nicole is a proud recipient of the YWCA’s Women of Achievement Carl Maxey Racial & Social Justice Award and is the owner/operator of HEAL: Holding Equity & Alliance in Leadership focused on using a cultural lens to move organizations toward embracing innovative strategies for building beloved community. 

Dean joined the Spokane community in 1990 following medical training in Cleveland and Michigan. He practiced as a physician for about 30 years. During this time he was active on numerous hospital committees, served on the First Choice Health plan board of directors and was President of the Washington State Medical Association. More recently, he was employed by Providence, ultimately serving as medical officer for the Washington-Montana region. He and his wife, Joyce, continue to enjoy the Northwest and its many outdoor opportunities. 

Shelly is a descendant of the Spokane Tribe of Indians and has a deep educational and work background in linguistics, language acquisition, and cognitive psychology. Since 2017, she has worked as grants administrator for the Spokane Arts Grant Awards (SAGA), which distributes approximately $150,000 per year directly to the creative sector in the region. Shelly previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Spokane Tribal College, helping to design a pathway toward stand-alone accreditation of the college and significantly growing the annual budget, course offerings, and number of students served. From 2000 to 2002 Shelly served as an associate curator for the New York-based American Museum of the Moving Image. She also worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, managing the organization’s first online educational program for clinicians and an international grants program for medical researchers in the suicide field. Her volunteer work has included membership with the Rotary Club, meal delivery for Bite 2 Go, and serving on the Spokane Mayor’s Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs. The Spokesman-Review named Shelly one of its Inland Northwest Women of the Year in 2021.

Margo is a member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians, for which she previously served as a tribal attorney for 10 years. She is currently an associate professor of urban and regional planning at Eastern Washington University, having earned a law degree from Gonzaga University and previously served as a tribal court judge for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Margo is a recognized source on topics involving disparate impacts on Native American communities and has written multiple academic papers on the intersection of infrastructure, safety, and Native communities. She has presented at regional, national, and international meetings, including on the topic of social determinants and risk factors for Native youth and human trafficking. In 2021 Margo presented at a joint program with the WSU Center for Arts and Humanities and the U.S. Holocaust Museum about erased histories and persecution in Germany and the Pacific Northwest. She has long written about, spoken on, advocated for, and been a nationally media interviewed expert on the topic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, stemming from the legal and jurisdictional patchwork system on and surrounding reservations. Margo is part of the Small Urban Rural and Tribal Center on Mobility (SURTCOM), a joint project with EWU, Montana State University, North Dakota State University, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Anna Franklin brings a wealth of expertise to her role as the Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for Providence EWA/MT.  With a remarkable 30-year career in healthcare, Anna possesses the ability to dissect the complexities of health inequities, and effectively articulate these complexities with humility and grace. 

In addition to her professional contributions, Anna is deeply committed to creating opportunities for all, prioritizing racial and social justice, and empowering underestimated communities. She currently serves on Governor Jay Inslee’s Washington State Women’s Commission; Spokane YWCA Board of Directors, Empire Health Board of Directors, Spectrum Board of Directors and Take Up The Cause Board of Directors 

Anna's educational background, including an MBA from West Texas A&M University, and a bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from EWU, adds depth to her multifaceted approach in addressing systemic issues. Her credentials as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Master Change Facilitator, and a Harvard Business School of Executive Education certificate further enhance her expertise. With a growth mindset, she continuously learns and embraces the pursuit of knowledge.

Anna’s belief in the power of connections and relationships fuels her role as a mentor and advocate for local youth, emphasizing her dedication to nurturing future leaders. Her compassionate approach and unwavering commitment inspires others to strive for a more just and equitable society. 

Judge Ochoa-Bruck was elected to serve as Municipal Court Judge Position 3 for the City of Spokane November 2021.

Prior to her election, she served the Kalispel Tribe as Associate Judge for Kalispel Tribal Court.  She previously served the Spokane Tribe as Chief Judge for Spokane Tribal Court.

Gloria commenced her legal career serving as a Benton County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney before transitioning into private practice with a focus on State and Federal felony matters. In addition, she practiced family law, business law, personal injury, and administrative law.

Gloria served as Director of Local Government and Multi-Cultural Affairs for the City of Spokane from 2013-2019. The focus of her work was on regional criminal justice reform initiatives and serving as community liaison. She served the Kalispel Tribal Economic Authority as Senior Director of Inclusion and Diversity. She has served as an Adjunct Professor at Gonzaga University School of Law and Whitworth University.

Gloria was appointed to serve as a Commissioner for the Commission on Hispanic Affairs by Governor Gregoire in August of 2012 and was re-appointed to a second term by Governor Inslee in November of 2015 and served as Chair. Gloria is a graduate of Leadership Tri-Cities Class XII, Leadership Spokane 2012, and the 2014 Just Lead Leadership Academy.

Gloria is founder and Past President of the Latino Hope Foundation, served three terms as Board Member of the Washington State Bar Association Client Protection Board, Co-Vice President of Eastern Washington for the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington, and Trustee for the Spokane County Bar Association.

Gloria currently serves on the Board of Directors for Providence Health Systems Mission Board.  She serves as Trustee for the Washington State Bar Association Foundation, the American Bar Association’s Women in Criminal Justice Task Force and is a member of Rotary Club 21. Gloria is Vice-Chair on the Numerica Credit Union Board of Directors, a not-for-profit whose mission is to enhance lives, fulfill dreams, and build communities.

Gloria holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law, a Master of Business Administration from Washington State University, a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Washington State University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington State University.

*Bio Coming Soon*

Andy Leija is Manager of Security Delivery and Operations at Avista, where he is responsible for a team of cybersecurity professionals that implement and maintain technology to keep the company secure from cyber and physical threats. He joined Avista in 2013 and has held the role of Security Program Manager and Manager of the Technology Project Management Office. Prior to Avista, Andy was the Director of Management and Grants Support Services for Kauffman and Associates, Inc. and before that the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, Fellows Program.

Andy enjoys challenges that strengthen partnerships across diverse communities. In 2001, he organized California’s first day of service commemorating the late César Chávez in Los Angeles, attended by local and state dignitaries, including Mrs. Ethel Kennedy and Dolores Huerta. In 2005, he led the implementation of President George W. Bush’s Executive Order on American Indian and Alaska Native Education. More recently, Andy co-founded the Western Energy Institute’s first Project Management Forum for electric and gas utilities uniting energy industry project managers to discuss standards and practice.

Andy has a Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Urban and Regional Planning form UCLA. He is a strong and engaged member of the Spokane community and has served on several community development boards and committees, such as the Spokane Human Rights Commission, Spokane Public Schools Diversity Advisory Council, Community Frameworks, and is co-chair and mentor in Women of Avista’s Mentoring Program.