Lisa is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the INW Dyslexia Alliance, where she has worked since 2021 to support individuals with dyslexia, their families, and professionals in the Inland Northwest. She focuses on empowering families, fostering connections, and enhancing professional development.
Previously, Lisa founded Grace & Cakes, a nonprofit that celebrated foster children with custom birthday cakes, partnering with over 40 bakers to serve 200+ children. She also brings marketing expertise from roles at Western Union and Experian CheetahMail, where she specialized in digital strategy, analytics, and operational efficiency.

Lisa loves spending her free time with her family and their dog Scout.

Alicia is a speech-language pathologist and founder of Niche Therapy, where she helps students with dyslexia and other learning challenges develop skills and strategies to succeed in daily life. She also provides education on assistive technology and creates a space for parents to collaborate with practitioners.
As a co-founder of INW Dyslexia Alliance, Alicia is passionate about bringing awareness, honesty, humor, and hope to families impacted by learning differences. In her personal life, Alicia enjoys cooking, caring for houseplants, spending time with her dog, and navigating life with dyslexia. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive community for open conversations about learning differences.

Michelle is a Washington State certified teacher with endorsements in K-8 Elementary Education, K-12 Reading, and K-12 English as a Second Language. She is the founder and director of the Cedar Literacy Center, where she supports students and families navigating dyslexia in their educational journeys.
With more than twenty years of experience in education, Michelle specializes in Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy methods. She considers it a privilege to witness the transformative power of literacy.

Lesli Cleveland, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Professor and Chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Eastern Washington University. She teaches courses on child language and literacy development and assessment while also conducting research focused on early literacy development and community-based teaching and learning.
Lesli holds both a PhD and an MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Louisiana State University. Her expertise in language and literacy development, along with her commitment to mentoring future professionals, makes her a valuable addition to the INW Dyslexia Alliance Board. Lesli looks forward to applying her knowledge to expand the Alliance’s impact across the Inland Northwest.

Advocating for and building community with individuals with specific learning differences and their families are central to Colleen’s mission. She brings personal insight into the joys and challenges of learning differences and has spent years educating herself and advocating for greater recognition and understanding.
Colleen is a member of the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Implementation and Transition Workgroup created by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Shane is the owner of The Manna Group, a real estate firm serving Washington and Idaho. He brings entrepreneurial expertise, innovative thinking, and leadership skills to the INW Dyslexia Alliance Board.
Originally from Las Vegas, Shane moved to Spokane to coach soccer at Whitworth University. He and his wife now enjoy raising their five children and spending time skiing, hiking, traveling, and playing soccer. Shane’s passion for community building and supporting others aligns perfectly with the Alliance’s mission. He is excited to contribute his leadership and fresh perspective to foster lasting change in the region.

Meet the Team