Back Row, left to right: Molly Sanchez; Sarah Bain; Mark Hurtubise; Linda J. Graham; PJ Watters.
Front Row, left to right: Richard Pierson; Kathy Johnson; Chris Simmons.

President & CEO
Mark Hurtubise

Mark Hurtubise has been president & CEO of Inland Northwest Community Foundation since May 2005. Before joining the Foundation, he held various administrative and faculty positions in higher education. He has served as president of Mount Marty College in South Dakota and academic vice-president and president of Sierra Nevada College, Lake Tahoe. Prior to a career in higher education, he was an attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mark holds a doctorate in Education in organizational leadership from the University of San Francisco, a law degree from Lincoln University Law School, a Master of Arts in History from Santa Clara University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College in Indiana.  Mark brings to the Foundation a unique blend of executive leadership, fund development and law as well as years of community service.

Director of Finance
Richard Pierson

Richard Pierson is responsible for the Foundation’s business operations and manages all accounting of the Foundation’s assets. He joined the Foundation in 2001 with more than 30 years of experience in accounting and finance positions. He formerly served as financial analyst, director of budgets, and assistant vice president of accounting for 12 years at Farm Credit Banks of Spokane, a lending bank with $6 billion in assets. He was director of finance at two Spokane nonprofit organizations, and controller for a local corporation. Richard served as director of finance, an instructor, and part owner of Kinman Business University of Spokane. He holds a BA in Accounting and Minor in Economics from Washington State University. He has an inherent understanding of fund accounting, sound financial management, and financial reporting.

Director of Gift Planning
PJ Watters

PJ Watters joined the Foundation in October 2005 to develop programs, products and services that assist donors and professional advisors in achieving donors’ philanthropic goals. She also oversees the Foundation’s marketing efforts. PJ has a Master’s degree from Whitworth, more than 10 years experience as a development officer and more than 20 years of leadership in nonprofit organizations, such as Group Health and Morning Star Boys’ Ranch. Her volunteer leadership includes chairing local Boards for the American Red Cross, American Heart Association and Chase Youth Commission. PJ also served as an examiner for the National Institute of Standards and Technology Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Her goal is to help donors with effective charitable giving in their areas of interest and design legacies that will be long remembered.

Director of Grants
Linda Graham

Linda Graham has managed the Foundation’s numerous grant programs since March 2008. She is an experienced program manager, with more than 15 years experience in public affairs, outreach, grant administration and grant writing. She obtained her Juris Doctor and Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington. Prior to joining the Foundation, Linda served as the executive director of nonprofit organizations, such as the Puget Sound Clean Cities Coalition and as public affairs manager for government agencies in Seattle and Spokane. She has been actively involved in community leadership, including serving on the board of neighborhood associations for several Seattle neighborhoods and as Planning Commissioner for the City of Seattle. Linda is committed to assist grantees to achieve their missions and build their capacity to serve our community.

Grants Program Officer
Molly Sanchez

Molly works closely with grantseekers to help them understand the community foundation's grant programs and application processes. With our grants staff and volunteers, she reviews proposals and administers grants that are in keeping with the Foundation’s goals and funding priorities. Molly also coordinates INWCF’s scholarship program, helping students throughout our service area achieve their higher education goals. An experienced grant writer and communications professional, Molly began her career in journalism and invested 10 years working for a nonprofit organization.

Executive Assistant
Kathy Johnson

Kathy oversees administrative staff and provides administrative support for the President/CEO and the Director of Gift Planning. She provides staff support for all board and committee meetings and manages data tracking of gift acknowledgments and donor-advised grant recommendations, as well as maintaining donor information and correspondence. Kathy’s prior experience includes 12 years in the planning and production of special events in the Spokane region and 11 years as a city clerk.