2024-25
Dean’s Message
The Whitworth School of Business will host a threemember peer review team for AACSB accreditation in November 2025. While we were initially accredited in 2020, periodic review ensures that we are meeting or exceeding the nine standards that AACSB uses to ensure educational excellence in business schools. An able team of faculty members, led by Associate Dean Robin Henager, has spent the summer working on a report that demonstrates how the WSB aligns with the standards.
The good news is that while there is always room for improvement, the School of Business does not have the kinds of major problems that create complications in accreditation review. The WSB has implemented a robust strategic plan that is guided by its mission: “We develop adept professionals engaged with their communities through a curriculum emphasizing faith and learning integration, critical thinking, communication, and global awareness.”
One of the main things the peer review team will examine is the involvement of the business community with the WSB. We will be pleased to introduce them to members of our four advisory boards: the Business Advisory Board, the Master of Science in Financial Planning Advisory Board, the Finance Advisory Council, and the Institute of Leadership Advisory Board. Each of these boards advises the WSB on curricular, program and strategic issues, and members spend countless hours interacting with and mentoring students. I am especially grateful to the leaders who have chaired the Business Advisory Board during the past decade-plus: Stu Stiles, Holly Montgomery, Dave Rogers, Fred Stockton and Aaron Vaccaro ’14.
In addition, students meet business leaders through the Dean’s Executive Leadership Series course, which I have taught each semester since fall 2012. Amazing business and community leaders have spoken to the class, including Tim Mitrovich ’99, the founder and CEO of Ten Capital, who has been the first speaker in almost every series during these many years.
We have also had interesting speakers who are nationally known leaders in their fields, such as former U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Tamrat Layne, Stephen C. Meyer of the Discovery Institute, New Testament scholar James R. Edwards, world renowned photographer Christopher Burkett, and Orthodox Christian Church hierarch Archbishop Benjamin. Whom am I missing? Many amazing people! In fact, it is
Tim Wilkinson, Ph.D.
Professor and Charles L. Boppell Dean
the people that have made Whitworth such a special place, and certainly it is the faculty and staff of the WSB that have truly turned the School of Business into a highly successful school.
I will step down as dean in December, and then I plan to return as a faculty member in fall 2026. I am grateful to have worked with such a talented group of people, and I am especially indebted to the individuals who carried the title “assistant to the dean” during the past years: Ruth Pells, Tara Tucker and Hailey Rile. There is no doubt in my mind that the position’s title should be “chief operating officer”!
I hope you enjoy this issue of the Dean’s Review, ably assembled by Sierra Bryceson, our associate director of internships & external relations.
May God bless you,
The Business Club’s leadership team cooks hot dogs and hands out a free lunch to students, faculty and staff at the club’s annual B-Fest. The Business Club hosts B-Fest at the end of each school year, and it has grown to include a student market and outdoor games alongside the free hot dogs and cookies.
2024-25 Year in Review
Accounting Career Trek
In spring 2025, nine accounting students alongside Candice Correia, professor of accounting, trekked into downtown Spokane to tour BDO and Moss Adams, two public accounting firms. This Accounting Career Trek allowed our students to see firsthand what the companies’ workspaces are like and ask questions of alumni who are employed at each firm. At each location, they met knowledgeable accountants working in different areas. The students were exposed to not only the differences between the firms, but also the various career paths on which their degree could take them. It was an enlightening trek into the professional public accounting world for our students.
Résumé Books for Employers
In 2024, the WSB embarked on creating a résumé book for our students to be shared with employers and alumni who might be searching for their next great intern or hire. For our first attempt, we started with our finance concentration at the prompting of our Finance Advisory Council. We compiled and distributed a résumé book in spring 2025 featuring current Whitworth finance students eager to explore internships and full-time opportunities in the field. Our plan is to expand this opportunity to all five concentrations within the traditional undergraduate WSB program and to distribute a résumé book on a yearly basis.
Students Gifted with Professional Attire
Thanks to a generous donation from an alum, the WSB was able to purchase full professional suits for two students interested in finance who were to attend the Seattle Career Trek. Sierra Bryceson, associate director of internships & external relations, took both Libertad Sarmiento ’25 and Priye Tam-George ’25 shopping for their suits in February 2025 before the Seattle Career Trek. With the amount allotted to them, both were able to purchase a full suit and two shirts. Outside of the Seattle Career Trek, both women have gone on to use their new professional attire for interviews and presentations. They both expressed gratitude for being provided with the professional attire necessary for making the best first impression at each company.
First MBA+OTD Graduate
We are proud to announce that our first dual degree student Chelsea McClammer ’25 graduated in May 2025 with both her Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD). This is an exciting new opportunity that is offered in conjunction with Whitworth’s graduate health sciences degrees. Students in the OTD or Doctor of Physical Therapy programs may now simultaneously work toward an MBA or Master of Business Leadership degree. These dual degree programs allow students to pursue a variety of career paths and equip graduates to incorporate leadership and business practices with their knowledge of healthcare.
B-Club Visits Spiceology
Whitworth’s Business Club (B-Club) had an exciting opportunity to go on a field trip to local company Spiceology, the fastest growing spice company in the world. Spiceology opened its doors to allow our students to tour the manufacturing warehouse and learn how its spices are made from beginning to end. B-Club was able to ask a lot of questions of the employees as well as the chief executive officer. Each student was even given a jar of one of Spiceology’s signature spice flavors to take home. It was a thrilling and informative field trip to see a local company in action.
Costco Visits Campus
It is always wonderful to welcome our alumni back to campus, and they often bring opportunities and ideas to share with our current students. This is exactly what Kincaid Norris ’21 did in April 2025 when he visited campus as a supervisor in revenue accounting at Costco. He and his colleagues treated our accounting students to lunch and a deep dive into all things accounting at their workplace. Our students asked insightful questions and were excited about the career and internships opportunities that Costco offers. Norris notes, “It felt rewarding to come back to campus as a representative of Costco and offer opportunities to current students. My time at Whitworth helped shape who I am, so getting to pass along the knowledge I have gained to the next generation of business students was very exciting. I am looking forward to returning and maintaining a good connection between Costco and Whitworth!”
Seattle Career Trek Provides Connection and Discernment
After a five-year hiatus that began due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Whitworth School of Business was able to restart the Seattle Career Trek. In spring 2025, our partners across campus – the Whitworth Office of Strategic Engagement and the Center for Career & Professional Development – joined with Sierra Bryceson, the WSB’s associate director of internships & external relations, to provide students with an outstanding trip across the mountain pass and into the heart of downtown Seattle.
Ten business students concentrating in finance and/or economics and spread across all class standings traveled by van with Bryceson to tour four companies’ finance departments. The students toured Verus Investments, WestRiver Group, PACCAR and Costco headquarters. The group met alumni at every company and had a chance to ask questions about not only their experiences at their organizations, but also how Whitworth helped them achieve their accomplishments.
Participant Jayce Alleyne ’28 spoke highly of his experience. “I thought the trip was amazing!” Alleyne says. “It helped give me knowledge and understanding of what I really would like to do in finance and how I can use finance in the business world as well.”
The trip lasted two days, and the group toured two companies each day. On the evening in between visits, WestRiver Group hosted an alumni reception where the group was joined by additional alumni from the Seattle area.
“Watching the students interact with our incredible alumni and build mentorships and connections was such a meaningful experience,” Bryceson says. “It made it very clear just how important these treks are for our students’ discernment in their own career paths.”
The students gained insights into what differentiates these companies and were exposed to a variety of fields within finance. After speaking with alumni, the students would talk among themselves on the way to the next organization. “Hearing them discuss the pros and cons of each new company and field they were exposed to was exciting,” Bryceson says. “Toward the end of the trip, I felt like they were walking away with a much better understanding of the opportunities in front of them.”
Priye Tam-George ’25 reflects on her time on the Career Trek, saying, “The Seattle trek was such a great opportunity. We met incredible alumni who generously shared their inspiring career journeys. It was both motivating and eye-opening.”
Student Entrepreneurs Compete in Shark Tank: A Pirate Version
One of Whitworth’s most dynamic events highlighting interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement is the annual Startup Weekend. In fall 2024, the event took on a fresh identity with a new name –Shark Tank: A Pirate Version. This high-energy, 72-hour competition challenged 30 students to transform ideas into viable ventures, all while vying for up to $1,000 in prize money to help launch their businesses.
Since its spring 2019 debut, Whitworth’s Startup Weekend has consistently drawn students from a wide range of majors, including computer science, human-computer interaction, bioinformatics, business administration, mathematics, biology and communication. Even during the pandemic, participation remained strong, reflecting growing student interest in entrepreneurship.
Professor of Math & Computer Science Peter Tucker has been involved with the event since its inception. “Each year, it seems like we have one or two projects from this weekend that build into projects that students continue to work on – even to the point of taking them to other competitions or starting a business,” Tucker says.
The fall 2024 competition was no exception. Student entrepreneur Andrey Ustimenko ’26 reflected on the value of the experience: “In one short weekend, I gained knowledge, skills, self-assurance and wisdom from this process and the guidance provided by the coaches. I will always cherish this experience and continue to build upon it while progressing personally and professionally.”
One of the standout features of Shark Tank: A Pirate Version is the opportunity for students to connect with local entrepreneurs. These community mentors serve not only as coaches throughout the weekend but also as ongoing professional contacts. “Students met with great mentors from the Spokane community who are themselves involved in or leading startups or small businesses,” Tucker says. “Those mentors help the Shark Tank projects over the course of the weekend but also become part of our students’ professional networks, giving them people in the community that they can reach out to for coffee or advice.”
Ustimenko emphasized how much that mentorship contributed to his growth: “Although some parts were nerve-wracking, I gained valuable knowledge and new skills from the coaches’ real-life experiences – from being equipped with structures for building a business plan to preparing for questions posed by investors.”
The final pitches were evaluated by a panel of judges made up of local business leaders and Whitworth community members. “Our judges are local industry leaders,” Tucker says, “and they talked quite a bit about how impressed they were with Whitworth students.”
Since its inception, our startup competition has remained a valuable platform for student growth, helping aspiring entrepreneurs gain essential advice and build meaningful connections. We look forward to seeing what bright and bold ideas our students pitch next.
Alumni Spotlight
Angi Tomson ’24
Office Manager & Accountant
Country
Style Plumbing
If you can dream it, you can do it! I always dreamed of returning to school, but as my daughters grew older, that dream often felt out of reach. Opportunity came unexpectedly when I helped a friend open his plumbing business, taking on the accounting and daily operations. I quickly realized I needed more knowledge, and with his encouragement, I enrolled in the School of Continuing Studies. What began as a step to help a friend became the doorway to discovering my true calling. Whitworth not only gave me the tools and confidence I needed but also surrounded me with a supportive community that made all the difference. With the knowledge I gained and the guidance of amazing professors, I am thriving in a career I love and preparing to open my own bookkeeping business. It may have taken me longer to get here, but I have truly found where I belong.
Kevin Illidge MBA ’20
Executive Director
Spokane Youth for Christ
People are often surprised at how much of my role is about building trusted relationships rather than sitting behind a desk. My days are filled with conversations with youth, staff, community partners and donors. Leadership is more about presence, which means showing up, listening and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued more so than creating the best systems you can think of. The most rewarding part of my work is being in the “business of joy.” I get to help create spaces where Spokane’s most vulnerable youth find belonging and hope. Coming from a single-parent household myself,
it’s deeply meaningful to ensure kids like I once was have the chance to thrive, and even dream of becoming leaders themselves. At Whitworth I discovered how much I value the flourishing of community. The intersection of business, faith, education and friendship showed me that I am most alive when investing in others. That perspective continues to shape how I lead today: seeking not just organizational success, but the wholeness and well-being of the people around me. Before stepping into the executive director role at Spokane Youth for Christ, I served as director of business operations for four years. When the opportunity arose, I leaned heavily on the wisdom of mentors and friends I met through Whitworth. Their advice and encouragement helped me discern the calling and gave me the confidence to step into this position.
Kari Grambo MBL, MSFP ’25 Owner
Harmony Yoga
I never planned to own a yoga studio! When the opportunity came up, I thought – well, I love teaching, and I’d love the opportunity to build a space that really respects and invests in staff and stays focused on mission and values. I do really love it because I have an opportunity to interact with so many different kinds of people. During my time at Whitworth, the most significant thing that I learned about myself personally and professionally is that my interest in people – what they do, what motivates them, what they need to thrive – is a strength. My curiosity across topics is also a superpower, especially when I focus that curiosity in alignment with mission and values. I feel fortunate that, as an institution, Whitworth really fosters that self-awareness and investment in compassionate curiosity. My staff at the yoga studio is incredible – each one is so accomplished outside of yoga, and they bring their individual strengths to create a dynamic team. I love leaning into their strengths and learning from them to continue to develop the space and our services. I’m very proud that we’ve created a place where people can come and move their bodies in ways that will support quality of life, whatever phase of life they are in, enjoy community, and invest in their physical and mental health. We’ve built a community full of teachers and clients that are kind and curious, and it brings me a lot of joy.
Madi’s Transformation: Elevate Certificate Was Just the Beginning
When Madi Rountree MBA ’25 logged in to her first Elevate session, she felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Like many businesswomen, she was juggling a demanding career and personal commitments – unsure if she had time for another professional development experience. But what she discovered in those 90-minute, weekly virtual calls was more than she expected. Whitworth’s Elevate: Leadership Certificate for Women program became a space of genuine connection, growth and lasting community.
Madi is one of nearly 100 women who have experienced the transformative impact of this 18-week program, launched by Whitworth’s Graduate Studies in Business with generous support from founding sponsor AgWest Farm Credit.
Designed for women – whether midcareer professionals, emerging leaders or seasoned changemakers – Elevate combines asynchronous learning, live virtual coaching and hands-on application. The curriculum centers around three key modules: Navigating with Confidence, Speaking Up and Mindful Leadership.
Each week, participants gather online to reflect, challenge and support one another for greater growth. Facilitated by Dean of the School of Continuing Studies & Graduate Admissions Brooke Kiener, a certified executive coach, the cohort model ensures no one walks the journey alone. Brooke reflects, “When the group meets together for the virtual sessions, I try to do two things. Number one, ask really good questions. Number two, get out of the way. I find there are few learning activities that can compete with a thought-provoking question and 15 minutes in a breakout room with a like-minded peer.”
For Madi, Elevate was just the beginning. Completing this certificate empowered her to pursue a lifelong goal: earning her master of business administration. “I was truly blown away, not just by the strength of the MBA curriculum but how thoughtfully every part of the program was designed to work together,” Madi says. “The Elevate certificate was my first glimpse into what makes a Whitworth education so distinctive, but not my last.”
Madi graduated in 2025 with her Whitworth MBA and a new community to share it with. “Earning my MBA reminded me of the transformation that comes from lifelong learning – and how choosing to grow can beautifully change the way we engage with the world around us.”
At $3,000 – with a $500 discount for Whitworth alumni and employees – Elevate offers a high-impact, accessible investment in leadership development. To learn more or to follow in Madi’s footsteps by registering for the next Elevate cohort, visit whitworth.edu/elevate.
Boss Moss: From Class to Company
By Lance Dunn ’25, Darren Melville ’25 and Ty Patterson ’25
What started as a class assignment led three Whitworth seniors to form a biotech company aimed at providing clean drinking water.
Lance Dunn ’25, Darren Melville ’25 and Ty Patterson ’25 were originally grouped together for a semester-long course project that sought to find a way to treat heavy metal contamination in water using organic methods. Those were the only qualifications the assignment gave, so the students had great freedom to create their own method. Their idea to solve this problem grew into a genetically modified moss filter that not only removes arsenic from the water but also detoxifies it, allowing for a long-term solution (patent pending).
The team pitched its filter to biotech professionals at the end of the semester and received a lot of support due to the idea’s strong potential to become a viable product. From there, the seniors continued to refine their pitch and presented at the Shark Tank competition in November 2024, taking home the top prize. By the end of Shark Tank weekend, Boss Moss LLC had been established.
“It was great to have started Boss Moss while we were still in school,” Patterson says. “The amount of support we got from faculty as we started to navigate the process of developing the group was amazing. It gave us a lot of confidence moving toward graduation knowing we had that kind of support in the biotech field that was only an email away.”
Dunn brings the business operations, strategy and finance sides of the business together as the resident business major, while Melville and Patterson focus on research and development in biomedical technology and product development as the biochemistry majors on the project. An interdisciplinary team, Dunn, Melville and Patterson are excited to focus on their business and grow their research and development now that they have graduated from Whitworth with their respective degrees.
Dunn says, “Boss Moss really helped me fully understand the depth of the information I was learning in business classes while at Whitworth. The support I got from the business department was unmatched, and we would not be anywhere near where we are now without that support in the beginning stages of building the company. That support has not stopped since graduation. There have still been very interested people in the Whitworth world wanting to help!”
Currently, Boss Moss has been awarded $20,000 in grant funding through the Health Sciences and Services Authority in Spokane County. This grant is being put toward professional grant writers that will seek funding for research into the gene transfer needed for the product’s design.
“After a lot of work on developing the science behind Boss Moss, we’re finally in a position to take the next step,” Melville says. “With research and development on the horizon, I’m excited to see the real-world impact this technology could have on global access to clean drinking water.”
Adult Business Program Redesign Expands Career Development Opportunities
Whitworth’s School of Continuing Studies has launched a redesign of its business management program, introducing new concentrations and a fully asynchronous learning model. Throughout the academic year 2024-25, the SCS reviewed market research, best practices, and listened to what students were asking for to improve the experience for our adult learners. Based on what we discovered and learned, a redesign was undertaken, and the revamped program launched in fall 2025. With these changes, students can continue working full time, study at their own pace, and specialize in one of six concentrations – while still having the option to earn a certificate in accounting or Six Sigma.
The redesign was created with adult learners in mind –providing greater flexibility so students can pursue their education without sacrificing work or family commitments.
Beginning in fall 2025, business management students can now specialize in one or two focus areas, thanks to a partnership between Whitworth and Rize Education. Available concentrations include AI Literacy, Digital Marketing, Human Resource Management, Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management and Six Sigma. These concentrations not only add value to students’ professional portfolios but also equip them with in-demand skills for a competitive job market.
“We chose these concentrations in direct response to local workforce needs. I spent a great deal of time talking to local leaders and discussing where the gaps were and how we could meet their needs,” says Stephanie ElieMartin, director of SCS business programs, on how the concentrations were selected.
All courses within the business management program are now offered in a self-paced, asynchronous format. The redesign was created with adult learners in mind –providing greater flexibility so students can pursue their education without sacrificing work or family commitments. What sets this program apart from many others, however, is its commitment to human connection. The redesign emphasizes the importance of building meaningful, lasting relationships. Each course includes two optional synchronous sessions – one at the beginning and one at the end – giving students the opportunity to meet peers and instructors to build a supportive network for their learning journey.
Additionally, the School of Continuing Studies is introducing the Supervisory & High-Impact Foundations Training (SHIFT) Manufacturing certificate through the LEARN platform – a new initiative aimed at supporting workforce development in the manufacturing sector. This program offers specialized training that enables companies to promote existing employees into management roles. It was developed in collaboration with local and regional manufacturers to ensure it directly addresses the industry’s needs.
The SHIFT certificate is a 10-week program, featuring one weekly Zoom class and two hands-on immersive experiences that provide real-world, practical learning for students.
Bringing Basics Back: Workshops Start from Scratch
Sierra Bryceson, associate director of internships & external relations, noticed a growing trend in the Whitworth School of Business: More students were seeking help with foundational professional skills. Some asked how to tie a tie or find a properly fitting suit jacket. Others weren’t just looking for networking opportunities in Spokane – they were unsure how to start a conversation at all.
To address this, Bryceson launched a workshop series in spring 2025 titled “Back to the Basics.” In conversations with Professor of Management Alan Mikkelson ’00, MSFP ’24, she realized the need went beyond surface-level skills. Mikkelson shared that over the years, he had seen more students struggle with eye contact, small talk and confident handshakes – key aspects of professionalism. In response, Bryceson implemented three new workshops for the school in collaboration with Mikkelson:
• Knot Your Average Workshop: Suit Up and Tie it Right (a men’s professional attire workshop)
• Campus to Career: Upgrade Your Wardrobe, Upgrade Your Future (a women’s professional attire workshop); and
• Networking 101: Communication Skills that Open Doors. Mikkelson emphasized the value of these events. “As a professor in the Whitworth School of Business, helping facilitate these student-focused networking and professional dress events has been a rewarding way to bridge classroom learning with real-world connections,” he says. “Specifically, these events aid personal and professional growth for students by developing their understanding of professionalism and career opportunities.”
Faculty from across the WSB contributed to the sessions, which drew strong attendance and enthusiastic feedback from students of all class standings and concentrations. Jazmyn Soldat ’28, a first-year business management student who attended Networking 101, says, “My biggest takeaway from this event is that when networking, it is better to find a balance between talking about yourself and asking questions about the person you are networking with instead of trying to ‘pitch’ yourself.”
Graduating senior Austin Alteneder ’25 joined the men’s attire workshop for practical guidance. “I decided to attend the event mainly because I knew the staff and faculty in charge of the event would have valuable insights to provide about formal attire (regardless of how much knowledge I had beforehand).” He says, “I also attended because I didn’t know more than one basic way to tie a tie and the little nuances of dressing for professional environments that are integral for a business student’s future career.”
The success of “Back to the Basics” highlights a growing need for intentional, skill-building opportunities that prepare students not just academically, but for real-world success.
Honoring the Life and Impact of Richard Cloutier
Faculty are known to have a direct and significant impact on students at Whitworth, deeply contributing to their mind-and-heart education. Richard “Rick” Cloutier, assistant professor of finance and advisor to the Whitworth Student Investment Group (WSIG), was no exception. Cloutier, a WSB faculty member since 2021, passed away unexpectedly on March 15, 2025, while exercising at home. He was admired for his sense of humor, sterling intellect, deep sense of ethics, and most of all, unwavering dedication to his family.
“Rick was a very amazing man who was a foundational part of my time at Whitworth with his intellect, wit and care for students being incredibly motivational in how I approach my life,” says Cadin Hogue ’26, WSIG president.
Prior to joining the faculty, Cloutier had a distinguished career as chief investment strategist at Washington Trust Bank, which had brought him to Spokane from Boston. At Whitworth, he taught in the traditional undergraduate, MBA/MBL and MSFP programs. His accomplishments ranged from publishing scholarly work to hosting videos on investment strategy and even writing a suspense novel, Caveat Emptor (2003).
“Rick was my favorite professor, and he was the one I respected the most at Whitworth,” Maria Pollack ’25 says. “He was funny, extremely knowledgeable, a great teacher, selfless, thoughtful and kind.”
Cloutier’s impact at Whitworth extended beyond the classroom. As advisor to the Whitworth Student Investment Group, he mentored students managing a
portion of the university’s endowment. “He taught with love, and he did not need any textbook or PowerPoint to teach because he understood finance so well,” Pollack says. “He just taught from the hip in a way that would make sense to us, and he held us to a high standard because he cared.” Under his guidance, the WSIG thrived, earning accolades, including recognition in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.
What students remember most was Rick’s personal investment in their growth. He was known for checking in with students in the hallway, staying late to help with projects, and offering support during difficult times. “Rick had a quiet kindness to him that demonstrated his desire to be a teacher not for a paycheck but to truly make a difference in my generation,” Hogue says. “Some of my favorite memories of Whitworth are the morning walks I would take with him to class and just what a joy he was to be around.”
His dedication to helping students become both knowledgeable professionals and thoughtful people left a lasting impression. “Even in death I feel like he is teaching me, not about finance but how to appreciate the life you’re given by being present in every moment,” Hogue says.
Cloutier was a beloved professor, mentor and friend whose legacy of integrity, generosity and passion for teaching will endure in the lives he touched. “Rick was truly a rare man and was the primary reason I was thankful to be at Whitworth,” Pollack says. “I will miss him deeply.”
2024-25 Faculty & Staff Highlights
Rachel Briscoe became a full-time associate director for Graduate Studies in Business in 2025 after joining the GSB part time as a recruiter in 2024. A member of the GSB’s second cohort of the Institute of Leadership, Briscoe has already made a profound impact on the WSB, its students and the Whitworth community. The WSB is blessed to have her on our team.
Assistant Director of Evening Business Programs Regina Frierdich joined the School of Continuing Studies in spring 2025. Frierdich brings a wealth of experience as an international journalist and educator. She holds a master’s degree in human rights and cultural diversity and has a passion for reaching diverse learners. As a proud military spouse, she also enjoys helping not just service members, but their families as well. The WSB is excited for the immense value she is already bringing to Whitworth.
Robin Henager was promoted to professor of economics in 2025 Henager joined the WSB faculty in 2014 and teaches in the traditional undergraduate and Master of Science in Financial Planning programs. She serves as the WSB’s associate dean, helping to lead our AACSB accreditation processes.
Tara Lambert ’93, MBA ’12, was promoted to associate professor of accounting in 2025. Lambert teaches in the WSB’s traditional undergraduate department and currently serves as department chair. She also teaches in the business management program in the School of Continuing Studies.
Zach Sun earned tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2025. Sun joined the WSB in 2019 and teaches courses in the traditional undergraduate program and Graduate Studies in Business, including Management Information Systems, Accounting Systems & Theory, and Business Statistics & Decision Analysis.
Michelle Li-Kuehne earned tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2025. Li-Kuehne teaches Financial Accounting & Analysis, Managerial Accounting, and Intermediate Accounting II in the traditional undergraduate program and GSB.
After 13 years of service to the WSB, Assistant Professor of Management Robert Buckham retired in 2025. He brought his broad work experience to the WSB starting in 2012 and shared his knowledge and wisdom with students for over a decade in the WSB’s traditional undergraduate and MBA programs. His areas of focus were operations management, global supply chain, human resources and business statistics. The WSB is grateful for the impact he has had on all those around him. We will miss him and his quick wit.
The WSB bid farewell to Senior Lecturer Doug Laher in summer 2025, after an incredible 25 years of service to Whitworth. Laher taught across all of the WSB’s programs, faithfully mentoring and guiding students in the traditional undergraduate program, Graduate Studies in Business and the School of Continuing Studies. Laher taught a wide array of economics and finance courses during his tenure, including a new course for the Master of Science in Financial Planning program. The WSB is thankful for Laher and the impact he has had on Whitworth.
2024-25 Business Advisory Board
CHRIS AHSING ’07
Talent Partner Dragonfly Capital
GREGG AMEND ’97
Spokane Partner in Charge Moss Adams LLP
BRUCE BETHARDS
Director, Sales Planning & Operations (retired) Nestle Coffee Partners
BILL CONDON ’03
Vice Chair Colliers International
ROBERT FORSTER President & CEO Forster Financial
TAUDD HUME ’94
Attorney Witherspoon Brajcich McPhee, PLLC
LISA HUNT
Vice President Kirlan Venture Capital
BOB INGERSOLL ’67
Corporate VP – Contracts & Pricing (retired) Boeing
DAVID KIMMET ’99 President/Owner Rehn & Associates
DANIEL MAHONEY
CEO (retired) Fastor Systems (acquired by Smart Modular Technology)
MARK NORTON Principal Norton Strategic Consulting
WENDY ARRALDE POTTGEN ’94
Lecturer, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington Human Resources Consultant, Lumen HR Partners
TRAVIS PREWITT ’73
President of Investments (retired) UBS Financial Services, Inc.
CHRIS ROBERTS ’91
Biotech Startup Entrepreneur, Strategic Advisor & Board Member
KEN ROBERTS ’68
Chief Investment Strategist (retired) Palouse Capital Management
RIC ROCCA
Retired, Owner Darios Investments LLC (DBA Jimmy John’s) Eastern WA & Northern ID
KATIE SCHNIDER
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
HUNTER SMIT ’19, MBA ’20
Senior Product Marketing Manager for Artificial Intelligence F5
SAM SPENCER ’15
Director, Analytics, Research & Governance, Real Estate Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo)
AARON VACCARO ’14 President Singularity University
AUSTIN VIERRA ’13
Senior Vice President & Business Development Manager, Institutional Capital Group
KRISTIN WATTS ’08
SVP – Specialized Lending AgWest Farm Credit
TIM WILKINSON
Charles L. Boppell Dean School of Business Whitworth University
IN MEMORIAM
Christie Anderson
Retired, Associate Dean & Director of Evening Business Programs School of Continuing Studies
Christie Anderson died in January 2025. Anderson was known for her dedication to her students, investing in their learning and development, as well as their career success after graduation. She significantly impacted Whitworth’s evening business programs and was a beloved mentor to students, colleagues and the adjunct instructors who taught in her programs. Anderson invested her time and care in everyone around her, profoundly impacting the Whitworth community. She is deeply missed.
