Lisa J. Brown, PhD, has been a vital part of Spokane since 1980, beginning as an Associate Professor of Economics at Eastern Washington University. She has advocated for working families, dental benefits for low-income individuals, and victims of domestic violence. She also taught in Gonzaga University’s Master of Organizational Leadership program.
As a legislator, Lisa represented the Third Legislative District in both the state House and Senate for 20 years, becoming the first Democratic woman Senate Majority Leader in state history. She focused on economic growth, environmental cleanup, and job creation.
As Chancellor of Washington State University’s Spokane health sciences campus, she led the development of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Recently, as Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce, she developed the Small Business Resiliency Network, expanded broadband access, and increased affordable housing investments.