Giving Back at Home: A Conversation with Brooke Isaak

Brooke Isaak’s roots run deep in the Lake Chelan Valley. Born and raised in this tight-knit community, Brooke set ambitious goals early—earning a finance degree from Pacific Lutheran University before taking a bold leap across the country to work as a financial analyst on Wall Street.Her career path reflects both courage and creativity. After New York, she launched her own candle manufacturing company, building it from the ground up with the help of her dad, Larry Steveson, whose woodworking skills—combined with Brooke’s creativity—allowed them to craft custom molds for their line of specialized candles. That collaboration helped Brooke supply unique products to major national retailers including Nordstrom and REI. Her life and work have taken her from the French Riviera to the islands of Indonesia, and she has lived in New York City, Seattle, and Bainbridge Island.Eventually, Brooke’s small-town sensibilities—shaped by spending her entire childhood in the Chelan Valley and growing up in a community that knows and supports its own—drew her home. She returned to the Lake Chelan Valley to build a life with her husband Scott and their blended family of seven—Brooke being the mother of two amazing children, now part of a vibrant and busy household she deeply loves.Brooke is known not only for her business acumen but also for her deep commitment to community. She helped spearhead the mentoring program with Thrive Chelan Valley, and today she serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Lake Chelan Community Center, operating under the Seven Acres Foundation. In this role, she helps guide one of the most transformative community projects in the region.Outside of work and service, Brooke is an avid tennis player, an avid golfer, and someone who fully embraces life in the valley—enjoying time with family and friends on the lake, exploring local shops, walking around town, and soaking in the beauty of the place she calls home.Brooke Isaak brings together global experience, financial leadership, entrepreneurial grit, and a passion for community—and we’re excited to share her story today on Small Towns Unscripted.