Please join us on June 8 as we welcome the new Executive Director for the University District (UD), Lars Gilbert. This event is an opportunity to discuss what’s new in the UD, receive updates on upcoming development, and learn about how the UD is collaborating with local public and private partners such as Spokane Transit Authority, City of Spokane, regional universities, Avista, and others.

About Lars Gilbert

As the University District’s Executive Director, Lars is responsible for carrying out the mission and goals of The University District. His role includes providing strategic leadership, forming tactical partnerships and collaborations, managing the organization’s financial well-being, taking projects from inception to completion, and overseeing operations and staff. A key aspect of his position is to realize the potential of the UD as a platform for coordinated interests in higher education, research, local government, business, and private development—including expanding the health-care and life sciences sectors and investing in smart city technology.

Lars begins his new role on April 28. Currently, he serves as the statewide ALICE director at United Way of Broward County. The United Way ALICE Report equips businesses, nonprofits, funders, policy makers, and the community with the common data and language needed to develop improved policy and practice for those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed.

Prior to his current role, Lars was the director of financial stability at Branches, Inc., where he served for over 10 years. During his time there, he started and nurtured a variety of programs that promoted financial self-sufficiency through emergency services, VITA free tax preparation, financial education, personal financial coaching, the automotive microloan Ways to Work program, and small business services.

While much of Lars’s professional experience has been in the nonprofit sector, his educational background and early career were in the for-profit arena. He earned a BBA in Marketing from the University of Texas Pan American and an MBA in Management from Barry University. Coming from a family of business and farm owners, Lars also revitalized a shipping logistics franchise that had been in decline. His commitment to providing valuable opportunities shines through in every effort—helping small businesses succeed, offering integrated financial coaching for working families, and building cross-sector coalitions.

Lars has dedicated his life and career to helping people and organizations meet their missions, fostering initiatives that enable others to do the same.

*Aerial photo courtesy of Gonzaga University

Thank You to Our Sponsor: McKinstry

McKinstry is a full-service, design-build-operate-and-maintain (DBOM) firm specializing in consulting, construction, energy, and facility services. Their innovative, integrated delivery methodology provides clients with a single point of accountability that drives waste and redundancy out of the design/build process. McKinstry advocates for collaborative, sustainable solutions designed to ensure occupant comfort, improve systems efficiency, reduce facility operational costs, and optimize profitability—“For The Life of Your Building.”

Event Details & RSVP

Parking: MAS members receive free parking. For non-members, event parking at the Convention Center is $8–$10. Please provide 72 hours notice to receive reimbursement for cancellations.

RSVP: Please visit the MAS website at www.maspokane.org and RSVP by Monday, March 6th to guarantee your spot.

Contact Information:

• For more information, contact Leslie Hebert at he*****@*****an.com or Katie Fitzpatrick at ka**************@***il.com.
• If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Brooke Giordano at bg*******@***********rs.com.
• If you have dietary restrictions for lunch, please contact Terri McRae Garrett at te***@************ts.com.