May 6, 2015
Catherine Brazil named UW director for Spokane and Eastern Washington relations
Catherine Brazil, who brings more than two decades of public affairs experience in Eastern Washington, has been appointed director of government and community relations for Spokane and Eastern Washington at the University of Washington, effective May 26, 2015.
In this new role, Brazil will represent the UW and coordinate government, business and community relations from the new UW Spokane Center. Brazil will be a critical voice for the UW and the School of Medicine in Spokane, building and maintaining relationships in the community and engaging with people and organizations throughout the local community as well as Eastern Washington.
“I’m honored and excited about the opportunity to represent the University of Washington in Spokane and Eastern Washington,” Brazil said. “The UW is a statewide economic and educational driver and it will be significant to be a part of increasing its value in this region.”
Brazil has served since 2001 as director of public affairs at Cowles Company, a diversified company with operations in media, insurance, forestry and real estate. Prior to that, she was Eastern Washington director for U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton from 1994 to 2000. She earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and art history at the UW in 1990, and completed a master’s in international management at Whitworth University in 2000.
“We are extremely excited to have Catherine joining us to represent the UW in Spokane and Eastern Washington,” said Randy Hodgins, vice president for external affairs. “She brings a deep network of local relationships in the Spokane region that will help us further the University’s commitment to the region.”
She serves on the boards of the Spokane Teacher’s Credit Union, the Association of Washington Business, Enterprise Washington, the Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation, the Hutton Settlement, and the UW Alumni Association. Additionally, Brazil is the public policy co-chair at Greater Spokane Incorporated.
