New Board Member: Equity in Land & Water Conservation

The Conservancy is fortunate to welcome new board member Dr. Vange Ocasio Hochheimer. An Economics professor at Whitworth University, Vange brings highly appreciated skills to INLC, particularly since her passion is sustainable development and promoting the three pillars of sustainability: environment, people, and economy.  

While access to the outdoors is universally recognized for its value for mental, emotional and physical health, as well as community growth and development, this access is not equitably available for all. Vange seeks to change that through her local engagement with the Conservancy.

In Spokane, Vange has won multiple community awards such as the Outstanding Emerging Philanthropist award from Spokane County United Way and the Latina Leader of the Year award from the Latino Hope Foundation. She is extremely active in the Spokane community, and serves on the Spokane YMCA board, the Community Economic Revitalization Board, and the Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington board. She has served on the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs and the League of Education Voters executive committee.  

Spokane is a wonderful fit for Vange, who as a child in Puerto Rico was surrounded by ample open space and spent a lot of time in the outdoors. She moved to Spokane in 2011, where she lives with her two dogs (a Golden Retriever and a Bernedoodle), husband, and two young sons on ten acres in north Spokane. She loves to hike and ski, and is a frequent visitor to Riverside State Park, Mt. Spokane, and Schweitzer Mountain. 

She is excited to work with INLC because, in her words, “I like the impact that INLC has made in conserving vital land. I support the mission. And I look forward to working together with other community constituents in the development process of our region.” We could not be more pleased to have her help on our important projects. Welcome!