Lisa Brown, PhD
Mayor, City of Spokane

As an economist, educator, civic leader, and former state legislator, Lisa has used her skills and relationships to get big things done for Spokane, bringing resources and investments to the city and the region for decades. She loves this city for its people, neighborhoods, potential and quality of life, including abundant access to nature. Since 1980 Lisa has been involved with Spokane when she became an Associate Professor of Economics at Eastern Washington University, later serving as the Chancellor of Washington State University’s Spokane health sciences campus, and led the development of WSU’s rapidly growing center for health sciences education and research. Her collaboration with community partners led to the establishment of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, expanding health care where it’s needed most while providing transformative economic development for Spokane. Most recently, Lisa served as the Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce where under her leadership, Commerce developed the Small Business Resiliency Network, supported broadband expansion to underserved communities and dramatically expanded investments into affordable housing development. In November 2023 she was elected as the 48th Mayor of Spokane.

Quinton Baker, MPH
Founder, Forge Spokane

Quinton received his Psychology bachelor’s degree and Public Health master’s degree from Eastern Washington University and has spent the last 8 years focusing on population health both internationally and domestically. His work in Spokane county has focused on developing direct service programs and community projects that aim to reduce barriers to holistic health, housing and reentry. In 2022, he founded Forge, a nonprofit whose goal is to create the infrastructure to relief through community development, advocacy, and access. In his free time, he enjoys trail running and playing with his dog, Apollo. His involvement in community activities include: Board President for The Way to Justice, Healthcare Committee Chair for NAACP Spokane, Self-Help Federal Credit Union Advisory Board Member, Member of Washington Low Income Housing Alliance’s Resident Action Project, Member of the Take-all Black Coalition.

Anna Franklin, MBA
Founder, Maji Rising

Anna Franklin has worked in health care for over 31 years. She is the founder of Maji Rising, a non-profit organization focused on fostering the traditions of lineage-based health care to increase access and meet the needs of the Spokane community in a culturally sensitive manner.

Anna also serves as the Executive Director of Health Equity/Environmental Stewardship for Providence Central Division, which spans five states – Eastern Washington, Montana, Oregon, Texas, and New Mexico.

Anna is a graduate of Spokane Community College and Eastern Washington University, both experiences broadened her perspective to see the world through the lens of justice and the social and political determinants of health. Additionally, she is an alumna from West Texas A&M, which expanded her worldview to encompass the holistic health of communities. She has dedicated her career to utilize these lenses in a variety of roles to create opportunities for all, prioritize racial and social justice, empower underestimated communities, and drive process improvements across the healthcare delivery system.

She currently serves on Governor Jay Inslee’s Washington State Women’s Commission, Board of Trustees for Community Colleges of Spokane, Empire Health Foundation Board of Directors, Arcora Foundation Board of Directors, YWCA Spokane Board of Directors, Spectrum Board of Directors, and Take Up The Cause Board of Directors.

Her core values are firmly rooted in community, service to others, and humility. She remains a steadfast champion in ensuring all voices are heard and represented.

Justin Johnson, LICSW, MHP
Director, Spokane County Community Services Department

Justin Johnson, LICSW, MHP, is the Director of the Community Services Department with Spokane County. His responsibilities include managing and overseeing services for developmental disability, that include employment support and community inclusion, community services and housing support for Spokane County, direct treatment services, and administration of behavioral health clinical services across six (6) counties in Northeast Washington. Justin earned a master’s degree from Eastern Washington University and has worked diligently over the past fifteen (15) years within diverse and comprehensive array of behavioral health and medical systems including Individuals transitioning from the foster care system, veterans, crisis response & involuntary treatment services, criminal legal system, co-response with first responders, youth and adolescents, geriatric populations, and teaching graduate coursework for aspiring behavioral health providers.

Esa Lariviere, MSW, LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)
(she/her/hers)
Sr VP of Behavioral Health, Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho

Esa Lariviere is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who has over 30 years of experience working in community mental health settings.

In her current role as the Sr VP of Behavioral Health Care at Volunteers of America Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, Esa serves as the Project Director of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, leading integration of comprehensive, trauma informed, person centered behavioral health in VOA’s shelter and housing programs. Esa is passionate about addressing the disproportionate burden, disparity of care and outcomes impacting people experiencing complex barriers related to mental health, substance use disorders, trauma, and homelessness.

Kenneth Mondal, MD
Peer to Peer Facilitator, NAMI Spokane

Dr. Kenneth Mondal is a retired ophthalmologist living in Spokane, WA. He grew up in Philadelphia, PA and went to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He received his Ophthalmology Residency training at the University of California-San Francisco. He was an eye surgeon for 36 years. Dr. Mondal has lived experience with several mental health diagnoses dating back to childhood. He currently serves on the board of directors for NAMI Washington as well as a facilitator for the Peer-to-Peer course for NAMI Spokane.

Bethiah Streeter, MSW
Social Services Manager, Spokane Public Library

Bethiah is dedicated to driving social change and ensuring equal opportunities for all. With a background in community mental health, she focuses on building connections within diverse organizations and populations, particularly the houseless community. Bethiah emphasizes collaboration and networking to create strong support systems to build the spider web of change. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, reading, and pursuing personal growth. Bethiah, currently serves as the Social Services Manager at SPL, and applies her expertise in community mental health to spearhead initiatives that empower marginalized groups, while fostering connections and resource accessibility within the community.

Liat Kriegel, PhD, MSW
WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

Liat Kriegel, PhD, MSW is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University. She is a social worker and social work researcher focused on community engaged and community informed research at the intersection of the mental health, criminal legal, and housing systems. Dr. Kriegel has received funding from NIMH and SAMHSA. She is currently the project evaluator for the VOA’s recently funded Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and separately leads a project focused on the unique experiences of permanent supportive housing environments for people with serious mental illnesses returning home from recent prison incarcerations.

Oladunni Oluwoye, PhD
WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

Dr. Oluwoye is an assistant professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, Spokane. She is a health services and disparities researcher that utilizes culturally- and community-informed approaches to address inequities in mental health care. Dr. Oluwoye also serves as the lead evaluator for New Journeys, a network of coordinated specialty care programs for early psychosis in Washington State. She has received funding from NIMH, SAMHSA, and state funded contracts. From National Institute of Mental Health her work includes a mentored research scientist award (K01) and two R34s all of which are focused on the development and implementation of strategies to increase engagement and address inequities in in early intervention programs for psychosis and the pathways to mental health services.