Meet your allies

Lisa Prior was born in Long Beach, CA and raised in Montana, where she graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell. Over the years, life brought her to several different places before eventually settling in Spokane five years ago. Even so, Spokane had always felt familiar to her. Growing up, it was the “big city” destination for family trips and fall clothes shopping, creating lasting memories and connections that eventually made it feel like home.

Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH. Throughout her life, she has been guided by a desire to do meaningful work and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Whether raising her four daughters, teaching, volunteering, or creating art, she has always been drawn toward work rooted in care, creativity, and connection.

Her professional and personal background includes work as a mother, educator, nanny, and volunteer, all of which naturally led her toward social services. For Lisa, joining this field felt like a meaningful extension of her time in education, offering an opportunity to challenge herself in a new environment while continuing to support and uplift others in impactful ways.

Lisa is also the owner of Dear Selma Designs, a wool felt flower business whose creations have been featured in local shops throughout the years. In addition to her creative work, she has remained deeply involved in volunteer service through her church and community, including helping clean the homes of elderly individuals, supporting school events, tutoring, and volunteering with Warrior Family Retreat in Fall City, Washington, a program focused on healing and connection for military members, veterans, and their families through equine-centered experiences.

Outside of work, Lisa continues to find joy in creating beautiful things and building meaningful relationships within her community. A quote that resonates deeply with her comes from C.S. Lewis: “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” This perspective reflects her hopeful outlook, her compassion for others, and her belief in growth, healing, and new beginnings.