Committed to safeguarding the Spokane River and its watershed, our Board of Directors is comprised of passionate individuals who bring diverse expertise and a shared commitment to conservation. From legal experts to community leaders, each member plays a vital role in guiding our initiatives towards sustainability, advocacy, and stewardship.

HEIDI LASHER, BOARD CHAIR

Heidi Lasher, MPA, MFA, spent more than 20 years working as a freelance communications and policy consultant in global health, specializing in topics like vaccine supply chains, family planning, and safe drinking water. In this role, Heidi wrote and edited global policy documents, white papers, grant proposals, websites, and press packets. She also facilitated strategic planning processes and managed multi-year grants. In 2017, she pivoted from her consulting work to focus on writing. Around this time, she began paddling the entire length of the Spokane River and became interested in the river’s history, geology, and ecology. Her essays about this experience have been published in several literary journals and anthologies, including one finalist for the Michigan Quarterly Review's 2024 James A. Winn Prize in Nonfiction. When she’s not writing, Heidi consults part time, whips up the occasional dinner, and volunteers at the Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant and her favorite arts nonprofit, Terrain Spokane, where she served on the board from 2017-2021.

Why I love the Spokane River

Every time I visit the river, I exclaim some form of, “I can’t believe it’s so beautiful/so close/so quiet/so clear!” Here is this urban river, flowing past 100 years of industry, blocked by seven dams, devoid of its famous salmon runs, churning with old socks, mattresses, Lime Scooters, and tires, yet still draining into and out of a purifying aquifer, leaving behind clear and cold water, offering habitat, respite, and contemplation to all its human and nonhuman visitors. I love the river because it contains our past, and how we care for it tells our future.

Nathan South, Vice Chair & InterIM TREASURER

A relative newcomer to Spokane, Nathan fell in love with the river at first sight. He has enjoyed rivers and waterways since catching crayfish as a kid. Nathan previously worked at several technology companies where he was responsible for activities ranging from product design to finance to strategic planning. He loves building and growing teams and organizations and is looking to channel his skills into improving the state of our environment. Nathan enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, cooking, reading and watching his fly float past trout.

Why I love the Spokane River

 “The Spokane is the heart and soul of this area. It is simultaneously beautiful, awesome and peaceful. Whether I’m floating in a tube or biking along the shore, the river puts me in a good mood and I want to ensure it continues to improve.”

CHASTITY KOLB, SECRETARY

Chastity moved from Charlottesville, Virginia to Spokane in 2017. Over the last 17 years, she has worked as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, primarily in emergency department settings. Since moving to the Inland NW, her passion for environmental issues has grown, and she decided to redirect her focus on human health to health of the environment. In 2022, she completed a master’s degree in environmental science from Oregon State University. Over the two years of her graduate program, Chastity lived and breathed the Spokane River and its watershed. Her research provided a deep understanding of how human-driven change has impacted the Spokane Basin. During the summer and fall of 2021, Chastity served as a graduate intern with Spokane Riverkeeper, allowing her to work on environmental protection issues in her own community. She contributed to development and promotion of the City of Spokane’s Sustainability Action Plan and Drought Response measures, and monitored the health of the Spokane River, Hangman Creek and its tributaries by collecting and analyzing water temperature data during one of the hottest summers on record.

Why I love the Spokane River

I grew up in Fredericksburg, VA, steps from the banks of the Rappahannock River. I would occasionally go canoeing or kayaking in the river there, but always took that opportunity for granted. Since moving to Spokane and learning so much about the Spokane River, its ecosystems, and its cultural importance for the Spokane Tribe of Indians, I feel much more connected to this River and this community. I love listening to the sounds of the River whether I’m hiking around Bowl and Pitcher or biking along the Centennial Trial.

Patty Gates, Founding board member

A lifelong Washingtonian, Patty grew up in the Skagit River Valley. After receiving her degree in sociology at WSU she spent time traveling before settling into a career of classroom teaching and staff development for Spokane Public Schools. In 1997 she started a new chapter as director of a family foundation which led her to board membership with Spokane Riverkeeper. Patty is passionate about family, friendships and being involved in making Spokane a vibrant, healthy and beautiful place to call home.

Deanna Camp, BOard Member

Meet Deanna Camp Camp Creative LLC and Elusive Trout®. Deanna does work in brand building, graphic design, and illustration. What gets Deanna out of bed in the morning is the opportunity every new day provides to use her creative tools – which help people connect to others through art – and grow their businesses. Deanna has built Camp Creative into a fulfilling creative business by cultivating clients that value the importance of promoting common good for our communities. She also worked creating, designing, and publishing her first book: Elusive Trout – Tall Tales and Cocktails, with co-author Paul Quinnett – and marketing and selling it nationally. Not only that, but she has also been a Creative Director for REI Co-op in Seattle for 5 years in which she helped build their location photography capabilities, elevate their design esthetic, and develop their brand in a new direction.

When not working, Deanna enjoys getting outside to the local rivers and trails with family and friends; cycling, paddle boarding, fly fishing, hiking, and camping. Hobbies closer to home include; gardening, canning, fermenting stuff, and creating art whenever possible.

Deanna can be reached at: [email protected] / 509-570-8486 / www.campcreative.com / www.elusivetrout.com

Bart Mihailovich, Board Member

Spokane Riverkeeper supporter since day one and longtime clean water advocate, Bart returned in an official capacity to Spokane Riverkeeper in late 2020 as a board member. Returning to an organization he served as Riverkeeper for from 2010-2014. He is a Montana native and current Missoula, MT resident but spent 14 formidable years in the Spokane area. First as a student and now alum of Eastern Washington University and then as a fixture in the Spokane environmental issues scene; ranging from co-founding Down To Earth (blog, website and KYRS radio program), coordinating Earth Day Spokane and working on a range of issues like rights to rivers and fighting fossil fuel projects. Bart currently serves as the Organizing Manager, U.S. for Waterkeeper Alliance.

Why I love the Spokane River?

"It was the first river I got to choose to build an intimate relationship with; from my favorite stretches to float and raft, to the places I knew I could escape to for some serenity and inspiration to the trails I knew I could run and bike that would keep me close to it. I had grown up on rivers in Montana that my parents and their parents knew and loved and passed that love on to me. With the Spokane I found and grew that love on my own and am fortunate enough to pass that love on to my two young sons with stories of the river and experiences on our many trips back to Spokane."

Robert L. “Bob” Bartlett, Board member

Longtime Northwest resident, a retired college professor, writer, storyteller and passionate fly fisherman. Bob comes from a long line of river people and has lived on or near rivers his entire life and has fished all over the West and PNW. He is obsessed with clean rivers and wild trout. Bob holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, CO, a master’s degree in sociology from WSU, Pullman and a PhD in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.

Why I love the Spokane River?

“The Spokane is far from the most pristine river I have ever known. It actually ranks as one of the most abused rivers I have ever known. That said, it remains one of the most resilient and life-giving urban river I have ever known. That is what I love about it. I want to leave it cleaner and healthier for generations to come.”

Jake Brooks, Board Member

Kendra Jones, Board Member

Kendra Jones was born and raised in Spokane and loves living in the vibrant Pacific Northwest! Growing up, she spent her summers white water rafting with her family on the Salmon and Payette Rivers. This is where she learned how magical the river is and found her profound respect for Mother Nature. Nowadays she finds joy exploring the many trails around Spokane and taking her rescue pup paddle boarding. For as long as she remembers, the river is where she goes to reset and recharge. Kendra enjoys volunteering in the community and dedicating her efforts to making Spokane a more clean and welcoming environment. She lives with her two rescue dogs and visits the river as often as she can!

Joshua Abel, Board Chair EMERITUS

A Spokane native from 4th grade through graduation at Lewis & Clark High School. Josh's professional experience spans the entertainment and technology industry in addition to NGO management and leadership. His background includes data center management, systems and database administration, web and mobile design, development, hosting and management including mixed reality (AR/VR), IT consulting, and executive leadership. Josh is the owner of Imaginary Trout, his web consulting & management business and a co-founder of Catch Fly Fishing, a company that designs and manufactures flies for the fly fishing industry. Josh is a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited and currently serves as President emeritus, alternate treasurer and advisor at the Spokane Falls Chapter. He is also a life member of the Blue Blazer Squadron, an honorary commander alumni group who sit under the Fighter Country Foundation umbrella whose missions is to support the men, women, families and mission of Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. Josh can be reached at [email protected].

Why do I love the Spokane River?

"The gin clear cold water is the perfect habitat for Salmonidae, a species I am obsessed with. Particularly, redband trout. As a conservationist I'm passionate about protecting our beautiful river that flows through town and provides access to remarkable water activities right in our backyard including Riverside State Park - where a mountain bike ride through the park typically includes amazing vantage points of our beloved river."