Vange Ocasio Hochheimer, Ph.D.

Board Member

Dr. Hochheimer joined the faculty at Whitworth University’s School of Business in the fall of 2011 after a previous faculty appointment at the University of Denver. Before attending graduate school, she worked at OFFITBANK, a wealth management firm in New York City. She received an M.A. and a Ph.D. in economics from Colorado State University. Dr. Hochheimer’s doctoral training includes specializations in Finance, Banking, International Trade, and Economic Development. In 2020, she established Grand Fir Analytics, an independent research firm specializing in data collection and analysis, business analytics, impact studies, and feasibility studies.

Dr. Hochheimer is an active community leader. She is currently a private sector economist and a vice chair for the State of Washington Department of Commerce’s Community Economic Revitalization Board; she is the board vice chair of finance & audit for the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and Fox Theater and serves on other governing boards. Dr. Hochheimer recently served on the Spokane Mayor’s Transition Team in the Economy and Workforce Committee.

Dr. Hochheimer has won community-wide awards such as the Spokane Journal of Business 2024 Person of Influence, the Spokesman-Review Woman of the Year, and the 2018 Outstanding Emerging Philanthropist award from the Spokane County United Way.

Dr. Hochheimer moved to Spokane from Denver, Colorado with her husband, Manny Hochheimer. They have two young children and two dogs. Dr. Hocheimer enjoys running, hiking, camping, and skiing. She is also a devout Seattle Mariners fan!

Board Appointee First Term: 6.21.24-6.21.26