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Monday, February 17, 2020  Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883 Clear Day 43° Clear
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2019 Difference Makers

As we look back on 2019, we will take some time to honor those who made extraordinary effort in the past year to improve life in the Inland Northwest. They are people who have dedicated time and energy to improving people's lives, to building a better economy, to providing much needed services and to advancing human knowledge.

Through Dec. 31, The Spokesman-Review will profile 10 Difference Makers, thanks to generous support from Numerica Credit Union.

Sponsored By:

Numerica Sponsorship
News >  Spokane

Difference Makers: Ryan Oelrich aims to help Spokane’s youth through fun, games and data

The executive director of Priority Spokane can point to charts and graphs showing the effect community health workers have had on reducing homelessness among local youth. But there’s also a sense of playfulness to the community building Oelrich’s done over the past decade and a half, after a conscious decision to remain in Spokane following his ties to the scandal involving former Mayor Jim West.
News >  Spokane

Difference Makers: U.S. Pavilion redesigners create iconic structure in the heart of the city

Forty-six years ago – with just 72 days before the World’s Fair officially kicked off in Spokane – Tim Welsh climbed to the top of the incomplete U.S. Pavilion, popped the collar of his thick flannel jacket against the February chill and smiled for the camera. “All those cables you see, I measured every one of them. I did most of the surveying and layout of the project,” said Welsh, who was project engineer on the U.S. Pavilion for Expo ’74.

Read stories from previous years!

2018 Winners

2017 Winners

2016 Winners