Board of Directors
Bob Young
President
Bob and his wife Nancy have lived in Spokane for over 17 years. Bob had a 26-year career with the ABC Television Network, and retired as a Senior Vice President. During his years with ABC Bob won two Emmy Awards for his work and served on the board of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. He loves gardening, and has learned a lot as a volunteer for planting and working at the TFM Plant Sales.
Jane Button
Secretary
Jane has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Idaho and has been a CPA for 33 years. She has worked in higher education accounting and finance since 1987 and is currently the Sr. Director of Budget and Financial Analysis at Gonzaga University. Jane is a plant lover and earned a certificate from the WSU Horticultural Series in 2009. Jane is honored to be on The Friends of Manito Board, and she is interested in maintaining and enhancing the beauty and accessibility of Manito Park for all. Jane lives in Cheney and has two grown sons and two grandchildren. She enjoys skiing, gardening, and bike riding.
Kathy Linford
Treasurer
Kathy joined The Friends of Manito board in October 2021. She grew up in Logan, Utah and graduated from Utah State University in 1985. After living in the Bay Area, CA for several years working in human resources, Kathy and her husband moved to Spokane in 1999 and raised two daughters here. She and her husband owned a commercial heating and air conditioning business in Spokane which they sold in 2014. Kathy picked up a camera in 2016 and found a passion for nature photography that has taken her on a new path in life. As soon as the plants start to bud in the Spring you can find Kathy in Manito Park on most days with her camera and her Welsh Corgi, Olive, in tow. She loves documenting everything from Spring blooms in the Ferris garden and the Lilacs to Summer in Duncan and the Rose Garden to Fall in the Japanese garden, and hopes to help others discover all of the beauty and magic of Manito Park during her time on the board. In addition to her Treasurer role, Kathy Chairs the Finance Committee.
Sharon Spadinger
Board Member
I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York until graduation from the SUNY at Buffalo with a geology degree in 1980. My husband and I ended up in Midland, Texas where we raised our 3 children for over 30 years. After finishing a master gardening class, it became apparent our children were not moving back to Midland and we decided to move to a part of the country that had actual seasons, less days of 100 degree temperatures, and occasional displays of rain or snow. After looking all over the West from Boise to Portland to Reno to Missoula, we decided to locate to Spokane, an area that we seemed to keep returning to visit. We moved here in 2015 and soon after I joined The Friends of Manito and started volunteering with the TFM plant sale group. It has been a wonderful learning experience. The volunteers who have dedicated themselves to plant, water and work the plant sale have been inspiring. I hope that by being on the Board I can continue to strive to keep their trust to place the interests and improvements for Manito Park front and center and to ensure it remains the cherished resource that will continue to enrich the lives of the people of Spokane.
Martha Meeks
Board Member
Martha was born and raised in Spokane and has many lovely memories of time spent with family in Manito Park. In addition to her Managerial position at Procter and Gamble, she was a teacher for many years, focusing on Elementary and Special Education. She also served as an Elementary School Principal and the Assistant Director of Elementary Education. Martha oversees TFM’s Education Committee.
Leyna Bernstein
Board Member
After an early career in corporate human resources, Leyna spent 30 years as a consultant to nonprofit organizations. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Inland Northwest, she and her husband retired to Spokane, where they love spending time at our regional treasure, Manito Park. Leyna is a past President of the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, serves on the board of one of California’s largest mental health organizations, and is chair of TFM’s Outreach and Engagement Committee.
Kathryn Kolquist
Board Member
I was born in northern Minnesota and have lived all around the country for my education and career. I moved to Spokane in 2009 for a training opportunity at Sacred Heart Hospital. I loved the walkability and parks on the South Hill and it was an easy commute. After a nearly 10 year stay in Utah, I am now back in Spokane as a retired physician happy to give back to Manito Park with multiple volunteer opportunities and now as a member of the Friends of Manito Board of Directors.
