My role in life now is to get up, polish my shield and go out into the world in search of dragons. I live in an often-rough world of trial work, and I try and bring principles to life for the people I serve. It’s complex, intense, challenging and meaningful. And this is what works for me.

Sandy Wade had a 25-year career in high technology before abandoning computers for quilting. For the past 14 years, she has owned , on Spokane’s North Side. In addition, Wade currently serves as the chairwoman of the board of directors for the Spokane Public Facilities District, which operates the Spokane Convention Center and the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. She also is active in the Spokane Valley Sunrise Rotary Club.

Jeff Severs is the chief operating officer of Greater Spokane Incorporated, a business and economic development organization in the Inland Northwest. Prior to his current role, Severs was president and CEO of SprayCool, a technology company headquartered in Liberty Lake. He joined SprayCool after a distinguished career with the U.S. Air Force, from which he retired as a colonel. He has a bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in logistics management from the Air Force Institute of Technology.