Faculty

As office manager, Lana "runs" the School of Business with proficiency and grace.  In addition, she serves as "departmental mom" to our students, occasionally distributing Band-Aids and Tylenol and soothing emotional and relational distresses as well.  In addition, Lana is a skillful card-maker, creating hundreds of beautiful birthday cards every year for our students and staff.

Education

• PhD - Economics, Western Michigan University, 2016
• MS - Economics, East Carolina University, 2009
• BS - Economics, Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, 2007

Teaching Areas
Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Comparative Economics, International Trade & Finance, Investments, and Business Statistics

Research/Interests

• The analysis of Global Value Chain Fragmentation on International Trade
• The effect of trade agreements on the U.S. economy

Hobbies
Family, travel, backpacking, and baking

Education

• JD (cum laude) – University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
• MA - Integrated Marketing Communication, Marist College
• MA – Environmental Science & Natural Resource Journalism, University of Montana (in progress)
• BA – History, Whitman College

Teaching Areas
Marketing, Advertising, Consumer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Marketing Research, Business Ethics, Business Communication, and Project Management. Previously taught courses in Nonprofit Marketing, Marketing Management, Business Law, Public Relations, and Public Relations Writing.

Professional Experience

• Cofounder, Red Canoe Creative (marketing & graphic design agency)
• Founder, Pineapple Social Media (digital marketing agency)
• Communication Director, Kalibrate Blockchain Corp.
• Adjunct Professor, Business Law, Flathead Valley Community College
• Communication Director, ASI
• Senior Research Editor, Florida Law Review
• Summer Associate, Holland & Knight and Dean-Mead
• Legal Research & Writing Fellowship, University of Florida College of Law
• Appellate Advocacy Fellowship, University of Florida College of Law
• Research Assistant, Estates & Trusts, University of Florida College of Law

Honors & Awards

• School of Business Excellence in Teaching Award, Walla Walla University (2016 and 2020)
• Excellence for the Future Award: Alternative Dispute Resolution, University of Montana School of Law (2003)
• Ralph H. Martin Book Award, Estates & Trusts, University of Florida College of Law (1998)
• Distinguished Note Award, Florida Law Review (1997)
• Accomplished Research Award, Florida Law Review (1997)
• George W. Milam Award (Best Comment), Florida Law Review (1996)

Certifications:

• Hootsuite Platform & Social Marketing
• Hubspot Social Media Marketing

Campus Committees:

• Faculty Senate
• Graduate Council

Memberships:

• American Marketing Association
• Insights Association (Marketing Research Association)
• Scribes (The American Society of Legal Writers)
• Legal Writing Institute
• Phi Delta Phi (The International Legal Honors Society)
• Phi Beta Kappa (American Honors Society)
• Project Management Institute

Publications

• Editor and regular news and feature writer on marketing, nonprofits, law, religion, business ethics, environmental science and natural resources.
• Case Comment: Constitutional Law:  Can Single-Sex Education as an Aspect of Diversity Qualify as an Important Governmental Interest Under the Intermediate Scrutiny Standard?, 48 Fla. L. Rev. 337 (Apr. 1996).
• Note: Florida's Corporate Qualification Statute: Implications for Foreign Lenders, 49 Fla. L. Rev. 139 (Jan. 1997)

Research Interests

• Behavioral Economics
• Business and Environmental Ethics & Sustainability
• Marketing Strategy / Branding & Positioning

Personal Interests
Hiking, mountain climbing and exploring in and around Western Montana’s Glacier National Park, passenger train history and culture, helping other people tell their stories, and spending time with family.

Education

• Doctor of Education (EdD), Specialization in Educational Leadership & Management
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Emphasis in Healthcare Administration

Teaching Areas

• Computer Business Applications, Information Systems, Data Analytics & Visualization, Operations Management

Professional Experience

• Over two decades of IT experience as a manager and network engineer, including 16 years at a Fortune 100 company
• Substitute teacher in public and private elementary and secondary schools

Research Interests

• Company culture and the impact on employee performance and retention
• Motivation and leadership

Memberships

• American Telemedicine Association

Hobbies

• Traveling, cooking, flying, spending time with friends and family

Website for Leadership Coaching

Education

• PhD(ABD) - Organizational Leadership, Andrews University
• MS - Administration, Andrews University

Teaching Areas
Business Ethics, Business Communication, Principles of Management, Strategic Management, Organizational Behavior, Entrepreneurship, Leadership

Research/Interests

• Immigration entrepreneurship (dissertation topic)
• Emotional intelligence in the workplace
• Innovation and creativity
• Change management
• Ethics and corporate social responsibility
• Negotiations and dispute resolution
• Small business and start-ups

Other

Awards and Honors

• 2017 Community Recognition Award, Ministry of Provincial Parliament, Ontario, Canada
• 2015 Signature Affairs Recognition, House of Commons, Parliament of Canada
• 2013 Excellent in Education Award, Ontario Conference of SDA Church
• 2011 Culture Manager Recognition, City of London, Ontario, Canada
• 2007 Hispanic Entrepreneur of the Year, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2006 Hispanic Business of the Year, LULAC Ohio Distinguished Hispanics, Cincinnati, Ohio
• 2004 Ohioan of the Year, Ohio Commission of Hispanic/Latino Affairs, Columbus, Ohio

Activities 

• Business/leadership coach
• Co-owner of Hola! Ethnic Media
• Public & motivational speaker
• Cultural training

Education

• Master’s in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Accounting

Experience

• Served over the past three decades in a variety of capacities, including CEO, CFO, CIO, and controller in senior-living, assisted-living, and skilled-nursing facilities, retail stores, and educational institutions
• Previously taught classes in accounting, personal finance, welding, auto mechanics, and aviation ground school

Teaching Areas

• Principles of Financial & Managerial Accounting, Personal Finance, Business Basics, Principles of Management, Human Resource Management

Hobbies

• Mountain biking, skiing, flying, youth ministry, and family

Education

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) - Finance Specialization
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Finance Emphasis
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) - Accounting Concentration
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of Washington

Teaching Areas

• Managerial Finance, Personal Income Tax, Personal Finance, Intermediate Accounting, Auditing, Accounting Information Systems, Government & Not-for-Profit Accounting, Real Estate, Financial Markets & Institutions, Investments, Cost & Managerial Accounting, Advanced Accounting

Experience

• Professor of Accounting/Finance/Economics for over 30 years at several schools, including Walla Walla University, Union College, and Whitman College (adjunct)
• CPA Professional Services for 30+ years:  Own and operate a small firm providing part-time services in accounting, tax, auditing, wealth management, personal financial planning, and software consulting
• Auditor at an auditing firm

Awards

• WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award
• WWU Community Service Award
• C. Michael and Delona Lang Bell Outstanding Teacher Award, WWU
• ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award (Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs)
• NACADA Outstanding Faculty Academic Advising Award (National Academic Advising Association)
• WWU Excellence in Academic Advisement Award
• WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award
• WWU Presidential Excellence in Teaching Award
• WWU School of Business Teaching Excellence Award

Memberships

• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Research Interests

• The influence of religion and culture on investment practices
• Assessing and increasing the level of professional skepticism among financial auditors
• The rising significance of intangible assets and the challenges of valuation
• Financial metrics for not-for-profit organizations
• Historical and current regulatory developments in the credit union industry

Hobbies

• Bird-watching, hiking, singing, playing keyboard/guitar, and motorcycle riding

Education

• Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL), University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, 2012
• Master's of Science - Management of Information Technology (MS-MIT), Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, Indiana University South Bend, 2008
• Master's of Business Administration (MBA), Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics, Indiana University South Bend, 2003
• Bachelor of Science (BS) - Statistics, University of Zimbabwe, 1999

Teaching Areas
Management, Academic Advising

Research/Interests

• Managing the Complexity of Human Resources in Family Owned Businesses.
• Recent publications in the International Journal of Sustainable Economies Management (IJSEM)
• Co-Authored a chapter in the book: Strategic Uses of Social Media for Improved Customer Retention

Hobbies
Family, travel, fishing, hiking and prison ministry

Other
Activities

• Member Academy of Management since 2012
• Founder and Owner Geek Investments LLC (An Equipment Export Company with clients in 7 countries)

Faculty Awards

• Faculty Certificate of Recognition, Indiana University South Bend, 2012
• Edwin G Kaiser Faculty Scholar Award, Saint Joseph’s College, 2017

Education

• JD, Seattle University
• BA-History, Walla Walla University

Teaching Areas
Business Law

Experience 

• Attorney at Law and Trust Officer, Upper Columbia Corporation of SDA
• Private law practice for 31 years in Walla Walla, Tacoma, and Seattle

Other
A beloved pastor used to ask people: "What are some of the first words you hope to hear in heaven someday?"  Lawyer Bob was never asked, but would have replied, "Next up on the No. 1 Tee . . . "