Champion Commuter

Kelly Dengel, Avista Corporation

Kelly has been a dedicated Commute Smart Champion since 2015, originally starting her journey as a carpooler. In 2023, she transitioned to the STA Rideshare (Vanpool) to manage her 15-mile one-way commute. Over the years, Kelly has meticulously tracked her impact, successfully saving 443 trips and an impressive 16,834 miles.

Her commitment to Rideshare began during a grant program that offered fully subsidized Rideshare fares. After the grant ended Avista began providing a 30% Rideshare subsidy. For Kelly, the motivation is simple: the vanpool provides a stress-free transition between her professional and personal life. By letting someone else handle the driving, she reclaims valuable "me time" to read, check her emails, or mentally decompress. This routine significantly lowers her daily stress while reducing wear and tear on her personal vehicle.

Kelly further demonstrates her commitment through her flexibility. Although she now teleworks on Thursdays and Fridays, she notes that she would gladly ride every day if the opportunity allowed. She proactively manages logistical hurdles—like after-work events in Spokane—by planning ahead to maximize her ride commitment. By balancing vanpooling with remote work, Kelly effectively minimizes her carbon footprint while maximizing her well-being. Her long-term dedication makes her a stellar example of how sustainable commuting can become a seamless, rewarding part of a modern lifestyle.

ETC, Kristen Chapa, states “Kelly’s commitment to ridesharing goes beyond her years at Avista and her current vanpool. She has participated in some degree of ridesharing for the last 15 years. Kelly’s commitment to reducing trips has been a benefit to her, her coworkers, and Spokane County.