photo by Shybeast LLC
Teen and Kid Closet co-founder/ KXLY morning co-anchor Proudest moment or biggest success: With Teen and Kid Closet, there were two things. The first was simply opening the doors, putting an idea into motion and getting backing from the community that this was a viable and valuable idea. In 2019, we were awarded the Congressional Award called Angels in Adoption, and we got to go to Washington, D.C., accept this award, and meet with members of Congress. It was really special to be recognized and honored that what we’re doing is directly affecting our community. What do you think the Inland Northwest business community has to offer women? One of the things that I think is wonderful about the business community and women’s role in it is that we see so much partnership and mentorship where it could be very back-biting and sabotaging—it’s really not; there’s a lot of support. What advice would you give young women as they consider their professional future? Don’t be afraid of failure because you won’t put yourself out there. I speak from personal experience, I waited so long to ask for help. Also, be a part of your community. There are so many ways to get involved and to help. Everybody has some kind of interest or passion. It could be animals— obviously for me, it’s children. Find some way to pitch in and use your talents to help the community at large.
Robyn Nance
City Councilwoman Proudest moment or biggest success: My biggest accomplishment in this year in government was introducing the word equity into our conversations, and it has made a difference. My question has been, ‘Where’s the equity in this for all citizens of Spokane?’ Now what that translates to is race, but it’s also socioeconomic. It had never been part of the conversation, and today city council has really started training. Businesses are talking about having cultural audits, so I think I’ve had a huge impact on cultural awareness. What do you think the Inland Northwest business community has to offer women? What I feel it has to offer on many levels—whether it is professional or social connecting—is that it’s filling a void that, in my opinion, has not been addressed as well as it could have been: focusing on women unapologetically.
Betsy Wilkerson 54
BOZZIMEDIA.com / APRIL 2021
What advice would you give young women as they consider their professional future? My advice would be to follow your passion, and whatever it is, do it for the right reason. And the right reason is the people that it's going to affect, whatever the outcome. I don’t care if you’re building a resume, it’s about people—about yourself, the people who are going to read it, the people who are going to hire you, or the people you are going to work with—but it’s always going to be about the people.