Women of the Year 2016

presented by THE HAWLEY TROXELL WAY BRILLIANT AND BOLD

We applaud the Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year nominees for their dedication, inspiration, and incredible vision for our lives and communities. As Idaho’s premier, full-service law firm, we’re proud to offer sophisticated legal service to game-changers throughout the state. Our customized approach, The Hawley Troxell Way, uses a team of attorneys or one-to-one counsel to meet your specific legal needs. And, best of all, our nationally renowned legal services come with a local address.

BOISE / COEUR D’ALENE / IDAHO FALLS / POCATELLO / RENO Call 208.344.6000 or visit HawleyTroxell.com For information about other editorial supplemints to the IBR, Table of Contents 4 email [email protected] Karen Appelgren, vice president, director, Business Resource Center, Zions Bank, Boise...... Renee Avram, vice president, manager, Twill Falls Canyon Park Financial Center, Zions Bank, Twin Falls ...... 5 P.O. Box 8866 | Boise, ID 83707 Charlotte G. Borst, president, The College of Idaho, Caldwell...... 6 855 W. Broad Street, Suite 103 Nora J. Carpenter, president, CEO, United Way of Treasure Valley Inc., Boise...... 32, 33 Boise, ID 83702 Erin Cave, manager of leadership and digital media, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce, Boise �����7 phone 208.336.3768 Catherine Chertudi, environmental programs manager, fax 208.336.5534 Boise City Public Works Department, Boise ...... 8 [email protected] Winnie Christensen, director, GKFolks Foundation, Miss Africa Idaho Scholarship Program, Twin Falls ...... 9 idahobusinessreview.com Karen Echeverria, executive director, Idaho School Boards Association, Boise...... 10 olleen sumendi illmore, state director, USDA Child Nutrition Programs; area chair, PUBLISHER C A F Natural Science at University of Phoenix, Boise...... 11 Bill Cummings Julie M. Fogerson, assistant vice president, Idaho Regional Communications, [email protected] Wells Fargo Bank, Boise ...... 12 Ashley Ford-Squyres, owner, AF Public Solutions LLC, Boise...... 13 EDITOR Janice E. Fulkerson, executive director, Idaho Nonprofit Center, Boise ...... 14 Anne Wallace Allen Brandie Garlitz, community liaison, Treasure Valley Hospice, Mountain Home...... 15 [email protected] Erin Guerricabeitia, executive director, City of Boise, Boise Urban Garden School, Boise ...... 16 Johanna (Joey) C. L. Hale, internal audit director, J.R. Simplot Company, Boise...... 17 SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR Carolyn Holly, senior anchor, KTVB-TV, Boise...... 18 Jeanne Huff Beth Ineck, economic development director, City of Nampa, Nampa ...... 20 [email protected] Sarah (Xiaoye) Jin, senior treasury analyst, Micron Technology Inc., Boise...... 21 Katherine Johnson, communications and marketing director, WOMEN OF THE YEAR WRITERS Treasure Valley Family YMCA, Boise...... 22 Jeanne Huff, Elizabeth Kasper, Sharon Fisher, Autumn Kersey, executive director, board chair and co-director, Deanna Darr, Carissa Wolf, Treasure Valley Children’s Theater LLC/Treasure Valley YOUTH Theater Inc., Meridian...... 23 24 Stephanie Schaerr Hansen and Dana Boothe Kirkham, mayor, City of Ammon, Ammon...... Diana Lachiondo, director of community partnerships, City of Boise, Boise...... 25 Shannon Paterson. Marcia T. Liebich, nonprofit volunteer and philanthropist, Hailey...... 26 Brooke Linville, CEO, IonVR, Boise ...... 27 WOMEN OF THE YEAR PHOTOGRAPHER Barbara Zanzig Lock, director, low income taxpayer clinic and lecturer of tax law, Pete Grady (unless otherwise noted) University of Idaho College of Law, Boise...... 28 Corinne (Cori) Mantle-Bromley, dean, College of Education, University of Idaho, Moscow . 30 ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Deneen May, vice president, manager, Meridian Silverstone Financial Center, Cindy Suffa Zions Bank, Meridian ...... 31 [email protected] Molly Mettler, senior vice president for Mission, Healthwise, Boise...... 34 Amy J. Moll, dean, College of Engineering, Boise State University, Boise ...... 35 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Terri Muse, assistant dean for external relations, University of Idaho College of Law, Boise ...... 36 Rocky Cook Nancy K. Napier, distinguished professor, Boise State University, Boise ...... 37 [email protected] Mary (M.C.) Niland, president, CEO, Witco Inc., Caldwell ...... 38 Rebecca L. Noah Casper, mayor, City of Idaho Falls, Idaho Falls ...... 39 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Patricia M. Olsson, partner/shareholder, Moffatt Thomas, Boise...... 40 42 Corey Wong Julia Rundberg, executive director, City Club of Boise, Boise ...... e nne afaii aite, associate professor, University of Idaho, Boise ...... 43 [email protected] S A S -W Carole Skinner, president, The Flicks, Boise...... 44 Stacie States, president, Keller Williams Realty, Boise...... 45 GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Shannon Stoeger, senior vice president and branch administrator, Michael Duntz Idaho Independent Bank, Boise...... 46 [email protected] Ann Swanson, small business development center director, region v, Maura Wery Idaho State University College of Business, Pocatello...... 47 [email protected] Olga Tijerina-Menchaca, assistant vice president, branch manager II Idaho Center Branch, Nampa; Overland Branch, Boise; Nampa...... 48 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ Gloria Totoricagüena, president, Idaho Policy and Consulting LLC, PUBLIC NOTICE/PERMITS Transnational Initiatives LLC, Boise...... 50 [email protected] Jill Shelton Wagers, general dentist, owner, sole practitioner, Laura Butler Jill Shelton Wagers Family Dentistry P.C., Boise...... 51 [email protected] Shawna Walz, founder, executive director, Idaho Diaper Bank Inc., Boise...... 52 Amanda Watson, senior account executive, Red Sky, Boise...... 53 Carrie Westergard, executive director, Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau, Boise...... 54 For advertising, email Jennifer Wheeler, president, WRG Corporate Services; executive director, [email protected] Idaho Oral Health Alliance, Boise ...... 56 To subscribe or change your address, Cheryl A. Wright, vice president of Finance and Administration, [email protected] College of Western Idaho, Nampa ...... 57 www.idahobusinessreview.com Mary York, partner, Holland & Hart LLP, Boise ...... 58 America Yorita-Carrion, coordinator, Alumni Association, © 2016 Idaho Business Review Inc. All rights reserved Idaho Youth Ranch, Boise ...... 59 Idaho Business Review • 1 Hawley Troxell is Idaho’s largest full-ser- Our customized approach, The vice business law firm, and consists of 64 attor- Hawley Troxell Way uses a team of attor- neys and over 100 full-time employees. Our neys or one-to-one counsel to meet our 19 diverse practice groups include Alternative clients’ specific legal needs. With headquar- Dispute Resolution; Banking; Business; ters in Boise, we have additional offices in Construction; Creditor Rights and Bankruptcy; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Employment and Labor; Health Care; Reno. As a member of Lex Mundi, the Insurance; Intellectual Property and Internet; world’s leading association of independent Litigation; Mergers and Acquisitions; Patent law firms, we partner with firms around the and Emerging Technology; Public Finance and globe to provide the most comprehensive Local Government; Real Estate; Renewable service possible to our clients. And, best of From the Energy; Securities; Tax, Estate Planning, and all, our nationally renowned legal services Employee Benefits; Wine, Brew, Spirits. come with a local address. Editor Congratulations – you have in your hands 50 success stories of 50 Idaho women leaders. You will be inspired, awed, sur- prised, and tickled. Their stories will amaze you. You will read about a woman who climbed the highest peak in Idaho, struggling through a foot-and-a-half of snow and ice, and that’s what she does in her spare time. In her 9-to-5 job, she is a PR Wells Fargo employs 2,000 team members through- whiz kid, works in public policy and out Idaho, serving customers from 85 stores and 91 is a heathcare expert. ATMs. A diversified, community-based financial ser- Another is one of 76 Idaho vices company, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, women dentists – who walk among investments, mortgage and consumer and commercial the nearly 1,000 male dentists. A finance. Wells Fargo serves one in three households and CFO of a community college – ranked No. 30 on Fortune’s 2015 largest corporations. who, by the way, has also walked on fire, twice. Two are Idaho may- ors. Another helps train business people in Vietnam. Another raises service dog puppies – when she is not working as the dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State University. I think you can see where I am going with this – these are all great women and they all have great stories. Read them – and I know that you will be as proud as I am, to know that these women are among us, doing great things. Also, please note that five have been named Women of the Year before, which puts them in the Circle of Excellence: Nora J. Carpenter, Colleen Asumendi Fillmore, 2011; Ashley Ford-Squyres, 2009; Janice E. Fulkerson, 2015; and Shawna Walz, 2015. 2 • Women of the Year Congratulations from The Idaho Bank®!

Shannon Stoeger Senior Vice President & Branch Administrator We celebrate our friend and collegue, Shannon, and all of the 2016 Women of the Year honorees for their dedication, hard work, and invaluable contributions to our community.

TheIdahoBank.com | 800.897.4863

UnitedHeritage.com | 800­657­6351 | Meridian, ID

UH 2016WomanoftheYear Compass 0216 HalfPg.indd 1 Idaho Business Review1/31/16 • 9:353 PM “It’s a collaborative effort to grow a business. It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes the effort of a community to build strong economic communities.”

Karen Appelgren Vice President and Director • Business Resource Center • Zions Bank • Boise By Elizabeth Kasper Appelgren taught three levels of math to a population hosting 20 Special to Idaho Business Review different language groups. Most of the students had had no prior experience with the English language. o put it simply, Karen Appelgren just loves to help. Appelgren cites one moment in particular that stands out. The If she had to describe her job in one word, she would proba- school had just opened and she was outside during lunch to monitor Tbly have to say “banker,” but what she does goes far beyond writ- the students, who were from different countries and in some cases, ing loan documents and cashing checks. As director of the downtown different factions of the same country. But they were all playing soc- Zions Bank Business Resource Center, Appelgren teaches clients just cer – sports was “the universal language,” Appelgren says. about everything they need to know to run a business, soup to nuts. “It made me think, what would the world be like if we just saw “It’s a collaborative effort to grow a business,” Appelgren says, each other as people and accepted that we’re all human beings?” she enthusiasm in her voice. “It takes a village to raise a child, and it says. “It was beautiful.” takes the effort of a community to build strong economic commu- After a year, the school made budget cuts and Appelgren went nities. I feel like part banker, part teacher. I think I have the best job back to the business world. One thing that didn’t change, however, in the world.” was her devotion to giving back to the community. She is a founding Since opening its doors in January 2014, the center has consult- member of the United Way Treasure Valley’s Women’s Leadership ed with 190 entrepreneurs, trained more than 1,000 business people Council, and as much as she can, she volunteers with Dress for though workshops, and provided more than 2,500 mentoring hours. Success, a company that helps outfit economically disadvantaged “We kind of fill in the gaps for people,” Appelgren says. “How women for job interviews and other business events. do you know if you can make money? Will there be demand? How Appelgren, an Arizona native, loves Idaho and Boise in particular. do you find the resources you need?” She enjoys walking and riding her bike on the Greenbelt, and she attends Appelgren was certainly qualified for the job – she had just the symphony and the Shakespeare Festival as often as she can. The moth- come from developing the Women’s Business Center, a division of er of two grown sons, she also loves to play strategy games with her family. the Mountain States Group, where she trained business hopefuls in One day, Appelgren would like to pursue public office. She is business planning, finance, marketing and operations. particularly passionate about strengthening and enhancing Idaho’s Her background as a teacher helped as well. She worked as a public education system. substitute teacher for the Boise School District for 10 years, and then But for now, she is enjoying the here and now. got to spend one year – “my magical year,” as she calls it – as an “I love what I’ve done before, and I love what I do (at Zions Academic Interventionist at the Boise Language Academy. There, Bank),” she says. “Every day, I look forward to coming to work.” 4 • Women of the Year “It’s so good when a customer calls you and says, ‘I just want you to know that 15 years ago when you gave me that loan, that changed my life. You worked with me and made it possible to get back on my feet.’”

Renee Avram Vice President, Manager • Twin Falls Canyon Park Financial Center Zions Bank • Twin Falls By Jeanne Huff receptionist and since 2006 serves as vice president and manager of Idaho Business Review Zions’ Twin Falls Canyon Park Financial Center. Within seven years she led her team to increase branch deposits and loans to over $110 s a young girl, Renee Avram was competitive. “I was involved million, managed two successful financial centers, and won presti- in sports from 2nd grade on up,” she says. “I played baseball gious awards, including the Rainmaker Award – she increased new Awith the boys until I couldn’t anymore. I made the All-Star deposits by $29 million. She is “passionate” about economic growth Team.” Later, she played volleyball and was a Junior Olympic hope- and development and points to success stories including Chobani ful until a sprained wrist put the kibosh on those hopes. She was also and Clif Bar. competitive in academics and was the spelling bee champion in 7th In addition, Avram takes the mantle of mentoring seriously, and 8th grades. another holdover from her background in sports. She says it’s this competitive spirit that has paved her path to “I learned at an early age to identify people’s strengths and success. “I was up in the a.m. at 5:30, doing weights and working weaknesses and their ability to adapt to them and enable them to out.” It instilled in her a hard work ethic and more. “Being part of a better themselves in their careers and in their lives. It is the most team and working together, that mentorship, that leadership, it made rewarding thing,” she says. “If more employees feel better they’ll me early on recognize people’s abilities and skills,” Avram says. work harder. I think that’s a win-win.” Also, being a leader and taking charge was ingrained. In high Avram also believes in community outreach and has helped school, wearing a tank top, flip-flops and shorts, she approached single mothers enter the workforce, was 2015 team captain for Zions the president of the school’s credit union and said the credit union Bank’s Paint-A-Thon, and regularly volunteers for the bank’s Teach was not providing the exposure it could to increase business. “When Children to Save program, among others. you believe in something, you go both feet in and don’t look back. I A survivor of fourth stage melanoma, Avram and her husband was hired on the spot,” Avram says. In six months, she had helped Brian have two children, Taylor, 14, and Carson, 10. And she cred- increase the number of accounts by 50 percent. its her mother with teaching her the value of integrity. “My mom Fast forward to today. Avram says she has “worked in just about always instilled in me that you cannot have integrity 99 percent of every role that exists in banking” since her first job as a credit union the time. Either you have it or you don’t.”

Idaho Business Review • 5 “My biggest goal is to get us better-known and known nationally. I’ve told my staff we’re not using the word ‘hidden,’ we’re just ‘a gem.’”

Charlotte G. Borst President • College of Idaho • Caldwell By Elizabeth Kasper I like to be part of organizations that want that kind of passion.” Special to Idaho Business Review Borst is also a published author with two books and numerous articles and papers to her name. Her research focus is at the nexus t’s appropriate that Charlotte G. Borst, the College of Idaho’s 13th of how race and gender come together, what professionalism is and president, is a historian, as she is making history herself. how science shapes the whole of it. I Borst became the college’s first female president in June 2015, “Charlotte has brought an unparalleled passion for everything selected from a field of more than 130 candidates. Her extensive she’s involved in,” said Doug Brigham, chair of the school’s Board administrative experience and strong liberal arts background made of Trustees, in a letter of recommendation for this award, “whether her uniquely qualified for the job. it’s hosting new students at her home, discussing the role of a liberal Growing up in Vermont, Borst was fascinated with biographies arts education in the 21st century … or serving as an excellent role of famous women scientists, her role models – she’d planned on model for the college’s 1,100 students – in particular the 51 percent becoming a physician. who are women.” “I spent my young life at the library,” she says with a laugh. The new president says she takes “enormous delight” in how well “I’d ride my bike there, and my mom would call down and ask the her students perform, both current students and past. She proudly tells workers to please send me home.” In her senior year at Boston University, however, she took a class of how she recently met a College of Idaho alum on a plane who told from a historian of science and found she loved the mix of history her that it was the college that “taught her how to think.” and medicine. She continued her education, earning two master’s “My biggest goal is to get us better–known and known national- degrees and a doctorate in the history of science, and taught history ly,” Borst says. “I’ve told my staff we’re not using the word ‘hidden,’ at several schools across the country. Borst took her first administra- we’re just ‘a gem.’” tive position at the University of Birmingham as the executive direc- Outside of work, Borst loves to read, especially mysteries with tor of historical colleges, and held similar positions at other schools, female protagonists and nonfiction. She and her husband, Richard most recently as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Censullo, who works remotely as an information technology director faculty at Whittier College in California, before coming to Idaho. for Logic Technology, have a son and daughter in California, and “My passion is academia and providing access to higher Borst says her “biggest joy” is her new baby granddaughter, Fiona. education,” Borst says. “Coming from (Rutland, Vermont), a The couple also enjoys exploring Idaho’s wilderness, particularly town where people didn’t go to college and the economy suffered, camping in the Sawtooth Mountains.

6 • Women of the Year “Boise is a passion of mine.”

Erin Cave Manager of leadership and digital media • Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce • Boise By Elizabeth Kasper expanding influence matches Erin’s expanding responsibilities in the Special to Idaho Business Review organization,” says Bill Connors, president and CEO of the cham- ber. “From helping us create a more dynamic social media presence, f you follow the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce on Twitter, to creative program management, to expanding our brand in the most likely the 140-character missives you’re reading were written community … Erin Cave is one of our community’s most talented Iby Erin Cave. But that’s not all she does. and likable young business leaders.” Asked to describe herself in one word, Cave chooses “magnet- Cave grew up in Eagle and says it “never crossed (her) mind” ic,” and her personality lends well to her career. Cave began working to leave the area. She loves the close-knit community, but enjoys the at the chamber as an office assistant, but today, she’s helping run the growth Boise’s experiencing. show as manager of leadership and digital media. She admits this “My office is downtown and I get to see all the cranes going sometimes results in being the one others come to with technology up across the valley, but we still have that small-town feel,” she says. questions, but she’s also helping to groom the future leaders of Boise. In her time away from the office, Cave gives back to the “Working for the Boise Chamber, we are constantly connect- community by volunteering with the Boise Public Library, local ing individuals and businesses together,” Cave says. “I love to be a schools and the Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees fashion show, resource to others, whether it’s for someone that needs an accoun- among others. tant, or (for) a young professional looking for a mentor to further Her passions include spending time with her daughters, Harper, their career.” 5, and Henley, 2, golf and running. Cave says she would like to have Cave’s main responsibility is to oversee the chamber’s more time for personal reading, but for right now, the books she Leadership Boise, Leadership Boise Academy – for high school reads are mostly those “by Eric Carle and Dr. Seuss.” Cave credits juniors only – and Boise Young Professionals programs, designed to her mother, Anne Best, and sister, Katie Best, as being the most help local businesses connect with individuals and talk about leader- influential women in her life. ship and work in Boise. The job involves wearing a lot of hats: Cave In the future, she wants to finish her education – she’d like does marketing, communications, social media, volunteer liaisons, to study communications – and make the most of her career, and community relations, budgeting and raising sponsorships. And that’s she thinks those things will probably happen right here in the only part of the list. Treasure Valley. “It is no coincidence that the chamber’s recent growth and “Boise is a passion of mine,” Cave says simply.

Idaho Business Review • 7 “When I drive down the streets of Boise and I see that we don’t have litter, I see people recycling, see the hazardous waste truck picking up thousands of waste products, it makes me feel good. I know we’re making a difference.” Catherine Chertudi Environmental programs manager • Boise City Public Works Department • Boise By Elizabeth Kasper park is going to be phenomenal.” Special to Idaho Business Review Chertudi grew up in a family who “lived to be outdoors.” Her father was the director of tourism for the state, so they spent signif- atherine Chertudi says she’s lucky to be doing what she’s icant time camping, hiking and fishing. Chertudi even learned to always wanted to do. ice-skate on an Idaho lake. Her love of the Idaho outdoors is partly C “I always knew that I wanted to work in helping protect what inspires her teaching, as well. Chertudi helped develop the and conserve and be a steward of the environment,” she says. Idaho Water Awareness Week program, which teaches 8,000 ele- She started at age 12, volunteering at a recycling center in her mentary-age students across Idaho about the importance of water, hometown of Caldwell, and today, she oversees all the environ- and she regularly teaches classes on water, trash and recycling, and mental efforts for the Boise Public Works Department. Chertudi hazardous waste in local high schools and at Boise State University. manages the solid waste program, serving 73,000 households, and She says she is “blown away” by how motivated today’s students are. Curb It, the city’s curbside recycling and trash collection program. “I love giving back and promoting education,” Chertudi says. She is also proud of the household hazardous waste program, which “I love seeing students connect with math, science and technology was a small, once-yearly event when she came to the public works and how important protecting and conserving the environment is department and is now a year-round program, diverting more than in their lives.” 25 million pounds of hazardous waste in Ada County. Since 1990, Chertudi has also judged high school speech and “When I drive down the streets of Boise and I see that we don’t interview competitions for the Idaho Academic Decathlon, something have litter, I see people recycling, see the hazardous waste truck she became interested in when her daughter joined the program. picking up thousands of waste products, it makes me feel good,” As her son, Matthew, and daughter, Lauren, grew up, she Chertudi says. “I know we’re making a difference.” coached both of them in soccer. She and her husband, Jim, still enjoy Another large project Chertudi is excited about is the cleanup gardening and hiking together. Jim is an assistant vice president at of contaminated soil at the Esther Simplot Park site. When construc- Washington Federal. tion on the park began in April 2015, workers discovered contami- Professionally, Chertudi’s future goals include increasing oppor- nants in 130,000 yards of soil that needed to be excavated and tested. tunities for reducing waste and recycling in Boise. Her work, she It’s been quite an ordeal, Chertudi says: the biggest dump truck hopes, will ensure that Boise is “truly a sustainable community.” available could only haul 20 yards of soil each trip to the testing site. And, just as she did when she was young, Chertudi says the first “It went on for weeks,” Chertudi says with a laugh. “But the thing she does when she goes home at night is to go outside.

8 • Women of the Year “My major goal in life is to see more women, children and girls empowered to voice out their opinion … and make major changes in the world.”

Photo by Drew Nash Winnie Christensen Director • GKFolks Foundation • Miss Africa Idaho • Twin Falls By Elizabeth Kasper Program, and in 2015, she became the program’s director. Special to Idaho Business Review “At first, I thought the scholarship program was so huge that I couldn’t do it, but the results were so amazing that I felt it was worth or Winnie Christensen, helping out in the community isn’t just it,” Christensen says. something she does when she has time: it’s what she makes time for. The program is about education and cultural scholarship – “no F “I like giving back because the community’s been so nice to bikinis, no fitness competitions” – and bringing the best of Africa to me,” she says. “And whatever you put in, you get back out.” the stage. Contestants present platforms for research and proposed And Christensen certainly puts in her all. cultural change both in the United States and in Africa and display Born in Kenya, Christensen split her childhood between her talents such as dancing, poetry reading or cooking. The program father’s home in Africa and her mother’s in the United States. She “gives them an opportunity to show their pride, heritage, goals and went to school in both countries, and for that, she counts herself lucky. visions for Africa,” Christensen says. “High school (in the United States) was such a culture shock for Another project Christensen is undertaking is the creation of me,” she says, laughing. “But I’m very blessed that I can appreciate the Refugee Healing Support Alliance, a nonprofit she started with American culture (as well as) African culture.” Liyah Babayan, a 2015 Idaho Business Review Women of the Year After moving to the United States permanently in 2005, honoree, Twin Falls entrepreneur and herself an Armenian political Christensen attended Idaho State University and studied political refugee. Their mission is to help refugees heal from traumatic expe- science and international relations. Upon graduation, she moved to riences and learn to live and work in the United States. Christensen Twin Falls and started working for SL Start, a social services orga- says she finds particular joy in helping women through this program. nization, helping people with disabilities, but it wasn’t “where my “My major goal in life is to see more women, children and girls passion was.” It was then that she started volunteering at the College empowered to voice out their opinion…and make major changes in of Southern Idaho Refugee Center. the world,” she says. “It was so fulfilling,” Christensen says of that time. “In one Christensen is also a proud wife to husband Antone and mother place, I could help people on an international level and in the local to son Val Kitavi, 3 (Kitavi means “warrior” in Swahili). She loves community. It was meant to be.” cooking and recently mastered Chicken Cordon Bleu, and she also She worked as a volunteer and translator, and in 2014, she enjoys singing, shopping and making new friends. also became a community advisor for the CSI Diversity Council, In all she does, Christensen strives to live by her personal philos- a position she still holds. In the same year, she began working ophy: always give back to the community and be conscious of how with the GK Folks Foundation’s Miss Africa Idaho Scholarship you make people feel, “because life is a chain reaction.” Idaho Business Review • 9 “I swore that if I ever got to a place when I was a manager, I would remember what it was like to not be a manager, and make sure everyone had equal opportunities and equal chances.”

Karen Echeverria Executive Director • Idaho School Boards Association • Boise By Sharon Fisher bility to support things that were near and dear to my heart.” Special to Idaho Business Review Passing legislation with an impact on education in Idaho that will filter down to kids is the most rewarding part of her job, ith the start of the Idaho Legislative session, executive Echeverria says. For example, the organization recently worked on director of the nonprofit Idaho School Boards Association legislation to develop an alternative school for sixth grade, which W(ISBA) Karen Echeverria is wondering what it’s going to could eventually help thousands of Idaho schoolchildren. “We want- be like. ed to have an alternative to get kids into special needs or smaller class “I think it’ll be a little slower year,” Echeverria says. “Of course, sizes, where they’re going to do better,” she explains. I say that every year.” Especially during the legislative session, Echeverria’s job is Much of it boils down to money. Echeverria is hoping that, time-consuming. “This job takes a lot of hours,” she says. “I couldn’t with the improved economy, education will see less controversy. “We do the job I do and have a young family. There’s too much evening work every year for increased funding for students,” she says. “We and weekend time.” Her counterparts around the nation are typical- know that every dollar we get that goes back to the district will have ly more men than women, and the women are either single or older. a positive impact on students.” When Echeverria was a young mother herself, she worked as an Echeverria had served as deputy director for the Idaho State administrative assistant before earning her paralegal certificate, after Board of Education in policy and government affairs, when former realizing she hadn’t been able to pursue some jobs due to a lack of ISBA chair Cliff Green reached out to her about working in govern- education. “I swore that if I ever got to a place when I was a manag- ment affairs at the association. She started working for the ISBA in er, I would remember what it was like to not be a manager, and make 2007. When he left, she was named as interim, and then officially sure everyone had equal opportunities and equal chances,” she says. named to the position a few months later. It’s still several years before Echeverria is looking to retire – she’s “When you’re at a state agency, you can’t really lobby,” hoping to “snowbird” by living in Arizona part of the year – but Echeverria explains. “You can advise legislators, but I felt like I she’s planning to stay involved. “I can do training in Arizona, and would have a bigger influence if I could lobby them about specific training here for school board members,” she says. “I would like to initiatives. Moving to a nonprofit would provide me with more flexi- stay at that level.”

10 • Women of the Year “I feel my personal philosophy is still being shaped on a daily basis. I believe it is a person’s responsibility to learn from every experience and grow in a positive way.”

Colleen Asumendi Fillmore State director • USDA Child Nutrition Programs • Boise By Elizabeth Kasper F • T these days, but she loves contributing positively to the growth Special to Idaho Business Review • O HE of Idaho’s future leaders. N • E Y “I truly believe it’s one of the best jobs you can have,” ou might say Colleen Asumendi Fillmore is M E Fillmore says of being a dietitian. “Children bring such A

a living link: a link between the future and O R a spark to life … I am very fortunate to get to do that.” As director of the program, Fillmore manages the past. W Y C For her 9 to 5 job, Fillmore works as the state the $90 million budgeted for Idaho and makes sure I E director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s R the USDA’s requirements are followed. The guide- C Child Nutrition Program, making sure Idaho’s kids C lines often change, so she travels across the country to L N are finding healthy options for school lunches. She is E E learn what’s new in the field. She also oversees wellness L also the area chair of the natural science department for O EL programs, garden grants and farm-to-school programs the University of Phoenix. F EXC throughout the state. Her other passion, however, is celebrating and highlight- At the University of Phoenix, Fillmore lends her expertise ing her heritage. as the chair of the natural sciences department through teaching and Fillmore, who was raised in Boise, grew up with an Irish mother being a liaison between the teachers and administration. Additionally, and Basque father, and the Basque culture was central to the family’s life. Fillmore volunteers her time with groups such as Nourishing Idaho’s Even her name suggests it: “Asumendi” is a Basque name. It was “just the Children, Feed the Gap, the National Farm-to-School Network and the environment (she) was in” – the family would often attend festivals, and Hunger Summit Coalition. Basque food was a staple. Fillmore says her favorite dish was tripe, which “I see myself more as a mentor to the under-privileged than anything comes from the stomach walls of a cow. She and her sister participated else,” Fillmore says. “I love to take the energy of people around me and in Basque dancing, though she admits they both giggled in the back row channel it to the next step for the combined development in our lives.” most of the time. Outside of work, family is paramount for Fillmore. She and her Today, Fillmore leads tours of the Basque Block in downtown husband, Jeff, who were high school sweethearts, have been married Boise, and she helps with Jaialdi, a Basque festival that takes place every for 37 years and have two sons, 35 and 33. They enjoy being outside five years in Boise. She even authored a book about Basque dietary cul- together – “I would love to say I’m out in the garden as much as he is ture and tradition. these days!” – and Fillmore tries to walk 12,000 steps every day. She also “The Basques are a positive, festive, proud people,” she says. “(I enjoys reading, particularly spiritual books and mysteries. believe that) without a connection to something bigger than ourselves, “I feel my personal philosophy is still being shaped on a daily basis,” we are nothing.” Fillmore says. “I believe it is a person’s responsibility to learn from every On the business side, Fillmore’s responsibilities are mainly financial experience and grow in a positive way.” Idaho Business Review • 11 “I’m never going to leave a possible opportunity untouched.”

Julie Fogerson Assistant Vice President • Idaho Regional Communications • Wells Fargo Bank • Boise By Deanna Darr handful of office jobs at McMurdo Station. Special to Idaho Business Review As she waited to see if she was hired, she visited her family in Idaho. It was during that trip that she started a conversation with the brother of her sister’s hen Julie Fogerson chose communications as her college major, husband, and the two hit it off. She got the job and headed south for a summer she thought it would let her try things out to see what she liked. season, doing scheduling in the vehicle maintenance facility. WShe never expected she would use her degree, but she was right After that first season, she and her now-husband, Adam Chitwood, about it letting her explore her passions, whether it is making movies, living got married, and this time both of them were able to spend another season in Antarctica, traveling the world, learning multiple languages or working in Antarctica. toward a doctorate in leadership. For Fogerson, it was about more than adventure. “Antarctica made “It’s ironic I ended up using my actual degree,” she says with a laugh. me think about what I like to do in a way I hadn’t been able to in a long But that degree led her from college at the Hawaii Pacific University time,” she says. to jobs in public relations in Seattle and New York City. It was while living And what she loves are what she calls her passion areas, and she stays in the Big Apple that she went back to school as part of a program offered involved by volunteering with theater groups and joining the Idaho Writers’ by her employer, earning her master’s degree in negotiation and dispute Guild. They are pursuits she doesn’t take for granted. “Experience has resolution at Creighton University. taught me to really think about what I love and hold that present.” As with many things in Fogerson’s life, she may not have planned on It’s this approach that earned her honors as diverse as having a short pursing mediation, but she followed an interest that became a passion. film screened at the Seattle Film Festival, to receiving an Antarctic Service “Dispute resolution techniques help us in our daily lives,” she says. Medal from the National Science Foundation, to now working on her doc- “As a society, I feel we’ve become so sue happy, and there’s an alternative.” torate in leadership from Creighton University. Her lifelong desire to learn and study led this Northwestern native Her new field of study falls in line with her job with Wells Fargo Bank. who grew up largely in Ontario, Ore., and Pocatello, to set out to travel the It’s a job she never expected, but one she has jumped into with every- world – literally. thing she has. “It’s the most amazing thing I never would have anticipat- “I had a goal to hit every single continent and Antarctica is the hardest ed. It’s the best crew all in one place that I’ve ever gotten to work with,” one,” she says of her wanderlust and eventual job on the bottom of the Fogerson said. “I’m in awe of how it all came together.” world. (She checked off her final continent last year with a trip to Colombia.) While her daily life is in Boise with her husband and stepson, Taylor, She had toyed with the idea for years, since learning of programs to 14, she’s always looking for where opportunity will take her. work there from a college friend. When her life in New York City reached “I loved Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid. I think of my a changing point, she entered the extremely competitive pool for one of a life like that,” she says.

12 • Women of the Year “At my core, I believe I’m meant to do something big, and I need to figure out what that is.”

Ashley Ford-Squyres Owner• AF Public Solutions LLC • Boise By Sharon Fisher F • T law firm of Givens Pursley. “It was a huge project, with lots Special to Idaho Business Review • O HE of legal maneuvering.” N • E Y The urban renewal agency also encompasses M E his is actually Ashley Ford-Squyres’ second A downtown, which some Meridianites call Old Town O time as one of IBR’s Women of the Year. R – from City Hall to Pine Ave., and from Meridian “I got this award in 2009,” she says. “One W Road to east Third, Ford-Squyres describes. Right T C of the things the story said was that I wanted to I E now, she’s working on a three-prong project for R be on the City Council by the time I was 40, and C C downtown that would include a multipurpose con- mayor of Boise by the time I was 52. People have L N ference center, hotel, and performing arts facility. E remembered that.” E O LL “There’s a lack of meeting space in Meridian, espe- But in the meantime, life intervened. Ford-Squyres F EXCE cially compared with the Nampa Civic Center, Idaho was working at Red Sky Public Relations at that time, and Center, and Boise Centre On the Grove,” she explains. now has her own firm. “When I left Red Sky, I kind of got off MDC is performing a feasibility study to figure out what that bus,” she says. “I want to be me as a person for a while. I’ve such a project would look like, and whether it would be supported by always believed that I am meant to do something big. And I always the community. “It will require some level of public financing, as well thought it was mayor of Boise. I don’t think that any more, but at my as the creation of an auditorium district and probably a community core I believe I’m meant to do something big, and I need to figure infrastructure district as well,” Ford-Squyres says. “If we only have out what that is.” 40 percent support, we’re never going to get to 66 2/3 percent,” Ford-Squyres’ primary role is administrator for the Meridian which is the level required to pass a bond. “As much as I would love Development Corp. Meridian’s urban renewal agency. After securing to believe that someone would come and give me $70 million, that’s that contract her first year at Red Sky, she went out on her own to not going to happen.” better satisfy the needs of MDC. “The skills I was going to learn Ford-Squyres is also re-engaging in volunteering, working on would come better through working as an administrator for an urban last fall’s “I love Boise” campaign for more open space, and getting renewal district rather than a private agency,” she says. involved with Wine, Women & Shoes, benefiting the Idaho Youth With MDC, Ford-Squyres has worked on developments such as Ranch. “I’m trying to find a balance of organizations that need The Village, focusing on entitlements and approvals with the various someone like me that are fun and speak to something in my life that city and county agencies. To do that, she worked with a team from the may be missing as well,” she says.

Idaho Business Review • 13 “Appreciate every day. Find the little victories. Find that little something to celebrate everyday.”

Janice E. Fulkerson Executive Director • Idaho Nonprofit Center • Boise By Jeanne Huff OF • TH she wanted to be sure the end result was in helping others. Idaho Business Review • E Fulkerson did not become a writer, but in every N • E Y endeavor since that day, she has stayed true to help- M E o Janice Fulkerson, the importance of the A ing others. She’s worked in the CASA program O phrase “feelings matter” is represented by a R where she served in an advocacy role for children painting created by her son Brian that hangs W T C and is proud that she “did not turn away any cases on her office wall. In college, during an evening I E R during my term.” Art Therapy class with her then 10-year-old son in C C She’s also been a board member for Meals-on- tow with the instructor’s permission, she watched L N E Wheels, has mentored a “little” in Big Brothers Big as Brian quietly painted colorful fluffy shapes. Other E L O L Sisters since 2012, has served in “many roles” for Boise students also brought children, “dozens who were not F E EXC State Public Radio, was recently appointed on the board so quiet,” Fulkerson says. And after the instructor yelled at of Your Health Idaho, and has been active in Rotary Club of the “children of Janice Fulkerson” to “shut up,” Brian’s painting Boise Metro since 2007 and is serving this year as the president. abruptly changed. And, in her day job, Fulkerson has a number of milestones Feeling the instructor’s anger, his painting turned dark and of which to be proud. She led the Idaho Gives team increasing the messy. And, “he went from a happy face to a frowny face,” Fulkerson says. “This was one of those really big visuals – how we treat people results from $578,000 in year one to $1.1 million in year three, and and the feelings behind it matters. I’ve put that painting up in every increased the number of participating nonprofits from 500 to 675. office I move in to.” Married to her high school sweetheart for 32 years, Fulkerson It’s part of the thread that runs through her life. Fulkerson was in took up road biking in 2013, and has upped her mileage to over 60 4th grade when smallpox was eradicated and she remembers because miles per ride. She is an accomplished seamstress and as of January she became alarmed when her brother was not vaccinated as she and 9, is proud grandmother to Theron Newt. And, if she’s listening to her sister had been. “I wrote a letter to the editor worried that my rock and roll, and she’s alone, she’s probably dancing. “I’m a secret little brother would die if he didn’t get a vaccination,” she says. The dancer,” Fulkerson says, with a laugh. “I love to dance but I’m really letter brought a lot of attention to the issue and Fulkerson, heady from bad at it so I only do it by myself.” the experience, thought she wanted to be a writer when she grew up Her advice to others: “Be brave, be curious, and be safe. “because I could change the world,” she says with a laugh. “Appreciate every day. Find the little victories. Find that little It was also the moment she decided that whatever she did do, something to celebrate everyday.” 14 • Women of the Year “Every moment is precious. Everyone needs love and affection and everyone deserves dignity.”

Brandie Garlitz Community Liaison • Treasure Valley Hospice • Mountain Home By Carissa Wolf “When crisis hits you and you don’t have information, it can be Special to Idaho Business Review overwhelming,” she says. “It’s a very intimate time. There’s finality. A lot of people want randie Garlitz just wanted to flex her business muscles. She to and need to leave a legacy and hospice can help with that,” she didn’t ever think a business hunch would turn into a daily says of her work with the dying. Bmeditation on what really matters in life. In addition, Garlitz works with youth through 4-H and is assis- “I looked around the community and I saw a need that we have. tant program manager and instructor for the Young Entrepreneur’s We have an elderly population and no one around to really help them.” Academy. The latter is for 6th to 12th graders “with the end means That very practical thinking inspired her to open One Solution LCC an sparking young, private enterprise,” she says. at home health care and recovery service. It had Garlitz doing every- Garlitz lists as major influences in her life her mother, “the first thing from the business’s books and marketing to checking in on elderly person who taught me about giving and how to really love people patients and doing their grocery shopping. unconditionally;” Honey Goodman, one of the 2013 Women of the She networked as CEO of One Solution and when an offer Year and “a professional mentor who has shown me how to be bold came along to seque her experience into a community relation spe- and humble; and Bobbie Spencer who has “taught me the meaning cialist role at Treasure Valley Hospice, she already knew she had a of selfless service and what a true hero is.” huge capacity to care. But she didn’t jump at the new job prospect. The Air Force veteran says 10 years in the military prepared her At least, not at first. for life but says it’s her clients that teach her how to live life. “I didn’t know I could do hospice,” she recalls. “My heart “I’ve learned that every moment is precious. Everyone needs strings were already pulled going into people’s homes.” love and affection and everyone deserves dignity,” she says. Garlitz said “yes” to Treasure Valley Hospice where she “If we knew the end was soon, what would we do differently? launched a branch, manages public relations, oversees administra- You think about what’s really important. Family is important. Kids tive operations and keeps a close connection with clients through are important. The chip in the window is not important. Problems elderly health education duties. will pass.”

Idaho Business Review • 15 “We’re changing lives.”

Erin Guerricabeitia Executive Director • City of Boise • Boise Urban Garden School • Boise By Carissa Wolf knew her way around nonprofits, so when BUGS needed a new lead- Special to Idaho Business Review er in 2011, Guerricabeitia saw an opportunity to grow a multitude of dreams at once. rowth plays a reoccurring theme in Erin Guerricabeitia’s “I was excited to work with an organization that shared my life. passion for education, the environment, promoting healthy eating, G She tends Boise Urban Garden School as its executive and reducing childhood obesity,” she says. director where she’s seen the garden’s programs and reach grow. She But those early days weren’t easy. Guerricabeitia says she inher- volunteers to help women realize their own potential through per- ited a good foundation but money was tight and a lot of people still sonal growth and she’s known as “mom.” And anyone who answers didn’t know much about the school. to “mom” knows how everyday days center around directing growth “I wanted to change that conversation,” she says. “That first in the right direction. year, I talked to anyone who was interested in unban gardening.” It’s Guerricabeitia’s mom job that landed her in her current job Those early conversations fertilized BUGS mission and put the thanks to some questions about a different kind of growth. garden on a path toward rapid growth. Last year BUGS expanded “My 3 year old asked, ‘Where does broccoli come from?” its growth by partnering with the City of Boise Parks and Recreation The question set the mother of three on a new path that department. And networks with community donors helped raise the instilled a determination to grow something tangible that she could funds needed to build a new 1,500-square-foot education center and feed her 3 year-old daughter. create an education garden at Comba Park in west Boise. While a simple question about food inspired Guerricabeitia to dig The garden space, education center and city partnership plant- up some dirt, she saw a larger problem behind her toddler’s question. ed the seeds BUGS needed to grow and now the garden’s reach that She saw a disconnect between what we eat and where it comes from. targets low-income kids includes expanded school support, youth “I decided that the real lesson for my children was learning the and community gardens, classes, camps, and workshops. origins of our food, that food doesn’t come on a shelf or in a box, The BUGS gardens feed families, provide community members and that these lessons can be taught in our own backyard.” with low-cost, healthy produce, and serve as a laboratory to teach the The Idaho Business Review Accomplished Under 40 honoree skills necessary to live active healthy lives. and former Boise Young Professionals Young Leader of the Year “We’re changing lives,” she says.

16 • Women of the Year “If you live in this world, you need to leave it better than you found it.”

Johanna (Joey) C. L. Hale Internal Audit Director • J.R. Simplot Company • Boise By Carissa Wolf happening across the entire company and across the globe thanks to occa- Special to Idaho Business Review sional business trips to places like Beijing, Shanghai and Australia. While Hale digs deep into internal operations at Simplot, she keeps her focus on oey Hale’s kids might find out who really runs the show at Zoo the kids that inspired her to help bring lions to Boise. Boise someday. “The hardest thing is striking a balance, especially since my oldest J “They think I own the zoo. They think I work there,” the started school,” she says. “It comes down to team work. It’s about having mother of three kids under the age of 6 says. that support system and having a balance.” “The zoo for them is just like going to the parks,” she says. “They’re Hales strikes that balance while keeping her eye on what’s import- going to figure out that I don’t work there but I volunteer there because ant – something that she says isn’t easy for anyone in our ever-more-con- it’s important.” nected world. The Hale children’s conclusion makes sense. She’s at the zoo a lot. “As connected as we are now with social media, it’s really hard to Her years of volunteer service and board work all started with a simple not compare yourself to others,” she says. “There’s this fear of not mea- question. The Hale kids kept asking where they kept the lions. suring up. We really can’t fall into that trap.” There were no lions when the lion question surfaced so Hale got to Hale measures her successes by what kind of world she’ll leave for work so that she could answer her kids’ question with a trip to Zoo Boise. her children. It’s a standard she learned from her late parents. That launched Hale’s fundraising and volunteer efforts, and, thanks in part “They just gave and gave of themselves and never expected any- to Hale, Boiseans can visit a bit of Africa when they visit their local zoo. thing in return,” she says of her mother and father who passed away in “It’s pretty special to have something like this in a community this 2012 and 2010. The couple, who still stole kisses from each other in the size,” Hale says of the lions that now sun themselves under Boise rays. kitchen until the very end, raised their brood in Northern Idaho and The Hale kids understand the work their mom does at Zoo Boise taught their kids about nature and conservation. but it might take a little more time to wrap their heads around what she “We liked to call them the original environmentalists,” Hale says. does 9 to 5. “We planted thousands of trees.” “There’s no better way to shut down a conversation on a plane than Hale’s parents instilled in her a love for all things wild – from trees to say I’m an auditor,” she jokes. to lions – and taught her the importance of leaving the world better Hale has found herself in an airplane passenger seat plenty of times than she found it. Hale echoes her father’s motto when she talks about as director of internal audits with the J.R. Simplot Company. the why behind her countless hours of volunteer work at Zoo Boise and “I just wanted a position that would allow a broad perspective on local schools. things,” she says. “If you live in this world, you need to leave it better than you found it.” She’s gained that broad perspective at the J.R. Simplot Company It’s a motto Hale now passes down to her children with every visit and a broad worldview to go with it. Her position enables her to see what’s to Boise’s own lions. Idaho Business Review • 17 “I am a cheerleader … I love to help other people discover their strengths.”

Carolyn Holly Senior Anchor • KTVB-TV • Boise By Carissa Wolf It sounds like a lot to balance in an ever more competitive field. Special to Idaho Business Review “I always put my family first, and I earned the right to do that,” she says. “I’m a mother first and a TV anchor second.” arolyn Holly needs no introduction. But Holly always wears the cheerleader hat in both jobs. You’ve turned to her during times of uncertainty. You’ve “I love to help other people discover their strengths,” she says. Clooked to her to set the facts straight. She’s cheered many of you And Holly steps up to cheer for everyone – from the mom crossing on. And some of us grew up with her. the finish line to the young reporters who enter the KTVB newsroom When Holly started at KTVB she had a year-long stint as a reporter much as she did 33 years ago. at KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls and newly minted degree in broadcasting “What people don’t see during the nightly news is her commitment from Oregon State University under her belt. to mentoring young journalists, many of whom go on to become leaders “I walked through those doors in 1982 as a single, young girl right within our community,” wrote KTVB News Group Executive News out of college,” she says. Director Kate Morris. She’s since added a husband, six kids and 15 grandkids to her life. A lot the cheerleading that’s behind Holly’s service helped define Along the way, she’s picked up Idaho Press Club honors, an Edward R. the newsroom culture at KTVB and the career paths of many Murrow award and an Emmy for her work as a reporter and anchor up-and-coming journalists. Ask any journalist what working in the news at KTVB. industry is like. They often speak of intense competition. Holly prefers She’s also taken viewers on tours around the world from Japan to to work with cooperation and crafted a moto with fellow anchor Dee Vancouver, British Colombia covering everything from trade missions Sarton that helps push everyone forward. to the Olympic Games. Between assignments she’s learned to trust her “We don’t compete, we consolidate,” she and Sarton say. gut, cheered her kids on in youth sports and found time to give to her And that’s so important in the business world where intense competi- community behind the scenes and in some very visible ways. tion between women can stand in the way of everyone succeeding, she says. It seems natural for a woman who came from a family that put a “You can accomplish so much more as a team than an individ- premium value on giving back to the community. Holly remembers her ual,” she says. “Treat everyone as though they are an important part dad volunteering with youth sports and found her adopted hometown of of your team.” Boise an easy place in which to give. Holly is leaving the newsroom behind to embark on a new career. “I love this community,” she says. “Boise is such a unique place to She will be joining a new team at Saint Alphonsus Health System as vice do volunteer work.” president of public relations, community relations and marketing. In a Holly found that Boiseans love to give and she’s no different. letter to her viewers, Holly wrote: “I look forward to working on projects Perhaps you saw her urging the public not to text and drive or and partnerships to better all of us.” cheering runners to reach their potential as emcee of the FitOne run. Of her work at KTVB she says she’s “cherished every moment.” 18 • Women of the Year KTVB congratulates CAROLYN HOLLY, honored among the

WOMEN2016 OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU for 33 YEARS of excellence at Idaho’s News Channel 7.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2016 IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW’S WOMEN OF THE YEAR HONOREES

Celebrating women of vision. There is nothing more powerful than determined women. They inspire. They teach. They bring us together. That’s why Saint Alphonsus congratulates all of IBR’s Women of the Year honorees. Including Carolyn Holly, who has touched the lives of so many in the Treasure Valley. We’re thrilled to see Carolyn in such good company as we welcome her to the Saint Alphonsus team. Saint Alphonsus is proud to welcome Carolyn Holly, We celebrate, along with all of Idaho, how our community Vice President of Marketing, is made stronger by the leadership, determination and Communications and Public Relations vision of these great women. Congratulations.

(208) 367-DOCS SaintAlphonsus.org

Idaho Business Review • 19 “My mom’s an economist and my dad’s a social worker. Combine those two, and you get an economic development director.”

Beth Ineck Economic Development Director • City of Nampa • Nampa By Sharon Fisher Idaho for a master’s degree in agricultural economics after earning Special to Idaho Business Review her bachelor’s from the University of Tennessee in economics. It’s been interesting to Ineck to see the changes in the economic hen Nampa’s old Mercy Hospital burned down recently, development profession, which she says is now attracting a younger, economic development director Beth Ineck literally saw more minority, and more female applicant. “A lot of economic devel- Wthree years’ worth of work go up in smoke. opment is just marketing, which has traditionally been a strength for “That was disappointing,” Ineck says. “That’s a project I’ve women,” she says. When she started working for the Department of been somewhat involved with since I started with the city, figuring Commerce at 25, many of the economic development staff had had out what to do with that building. Seeing it destroyed by fire was real- previous careers, took that business experience, and had gone into ly disheartening.” But she moved on, continuing to talk with three economic development as a retirement job. “As it becomes more potential partners who were still interested in the location. known what economic developers do, people look at it as a first Ineck’s primary focus, when she joined the city, was downtown career,” she says. redevelopment, including security property for Nampa’s new public Ineck’s volunteer work with organizations such as the Idaho safety building and library. More recently, she’s focused on existing Economic Development Association and serving as Idaho Alliance businesses, particularly on supporting entrepreneurial development co-chair with the International Council of Shopping Centers has in Nampa. “The work is very different from five years ago,” she says. also helped with her job. “With a greater association with the devel- “As the political environment changes in the community, what the opment community, I can better pitch what Nampa has to offer for mayor’s office wants to see in the community, we pivot and use our retail development,” she says. skills in a different way. Ultimately, we’re still making the community “It’s like gardening,” Ineck explains. “You plant the seed, watch a better place.” it grow, and see the fruit at the end of the day.” She particularly Economic development was a natural career path. “My mom’s likes bringing in new employers. “When we brought in Heartland an economist and my dad’s a social worker,” Ineck explains. RV and they had their job fair, I was watching hundreds of people “Combine those two, and you get an economic development direc- fill out applications, knowing they’d hire 400-500 people,” she says. tor.” She was particularly interested in rural economic development, “That’s really rewarding, to know of the impact on the daily lives of which was a newer field in the state, so she went to the University of the people who’d get that job.”

20 • Women of the Year “Language can change your life.”

Sarah (Xiaoye) Jin Senior Treasury Analyst • Forex and Risk Management • Micron Technology Inc. • Boise By Carissa Wolf in business administration on full scholarship from Boise State Special to Idaho Business Review University, and a quick climb up the ranks of Micron where she now hedges over $1 billion in monthly currency exposures, and, among arah Xiaoye Jin discovered the path to her American dream other things, analyzes financial forecasts and results. through an Idahoan in a cowboy hat. She says she has been influenced by Elizabeth Holmes, a S As an assistant in the Idaho Commerce Department successful businesswoman who became a billionaire before the age Shanghai Trade office Jin found herself developing relationships of 30. “She started a blood testing company when she was 19 as a between China and Idaho trade delegates, organizing trade mis- freshman at Stanford University with the goal to save lives … she sions, and, among other things, serving as an interpreter for Idaho now has a company with over 500 employees and has been valued Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. It was on one of those trade missions that at more than $9 billion in 2014.” From that story, Jin says, “I can see Jin met the governor who would inspire her to chase an American that everything is possible if you believe in your own dream and have dream on Idaho soil. the courage to follow and execute it.” “I was so nervous,” Jin says of meeting Otter at a Shanghai air- While Jin lives the dream, she keeps her eye on a dream to help port nearly 8 years ago. “I’d never seen him before. He was wearing others realize dreams of their own. a cowboy hat, so that was helpful.” “You have to follow your heart and follow your dreams. And Jin trailed Otter throughout his China trade mission and saw you have to have the guts to do it,” she says. opportunity in the connections he forged. So when an opportunity Her dreams include opening a language institute where she can opened for Jin to work and study in the United States, she jumped help fill in some of the second language education gaps that plague at the opportunity to kiss Shanghai goodbye and transplant herself American schools and offer individual tutoring and language lessons on Idaho soil. to people who want to sharpen their own second language skills. “It took a lot of courage because I didn’t know many people,” She sees a second language as a pathway to success and knows if Jin remembers. “When I stepped out of the airport, I felt like I she didn’t have the advantage of English and Mandarin fluency, she was reborn.” would have never been able to greet that governor in a cowboy hat. Jin’s rebirth included earning a master’s in education and “Language can change your life.”

Idaho Business Review • 21 “What happens every day at the YMCA is worth sharing.”

Katherine Johnson Communications and Marketing Director • Treasure Valley Family YMCA • Boise By Carissa Wolf People see that growth and the triumphs that spill from Y Special to Idaho Business Review programs in the stories that Johnson and her team tell through the Tweets, posts and clicks that are part of the external communication atherine Johnson knows there’s a story behind every success. and marketing plan Johnson launched and developed. And those Her story includes chapters that unfold in Moscow, Idaho stories have become part of Johnson’s own narrative. K(where Johnson went to college), Denver, Colorado (where “I am extremely drawn to any story that involves young children Johnson learned what not to do as a boss), and in waiting rooms at the and education,” she says. Women’s and Children’s Alliance (where Johnson finds her inspiration). Johnson tells the story of a young boy who wasn’t heading But Johnson would much rather tell you about other people’s stories. toward a happy ending. “What happens every day at the YMCA is worth sharing. But “His story could have determined his life. But he went into (a we didn’t have a megaphone to share those stories,” Johnson says. YMCA) program and had teachers who believed in him,” Johnson says. The YMCA of Boise marketing and communication director “Now, he’s over the roof smart,” she says. “We’ll keep an eye figured that if a megaphone didn’t exist, she’d just construct one. So on him.” that’s what she did, and along the way she built a loyal team that now Those kinds of stories also keep Johnson coming back to the heralds the stories written by every day triumphs at the Y. WCA where the former Idaho Business Review Accomplished And she always speaks of those successes in terms of “we,” even Under 40 honoree has volunteered since 2010. when she leads them. “They can’t get rid of me,” she laughs. “We did a lot of foundational things to give the Y a voice,” Inside the waiting rooms of the WCA she sometimes hears she says, referring to the public awareness campaigns that included the stories. She hears women tell them behind a smile on their face. attention to tiny technical details and eyeball-grabbing Web and She hears epic stories of survival and of non-fiction plots marked social media launches. by triumph. “We have numbers to show our growth, but now people are “These are the underdogs,” Johnson says. “They need our seeing it,” she says. help.”

22 • Women of the Year “I do not do any of this by myself. It’s my dream, but you can’t build it without a lot of support. I’m really grateful to all (who have been there for me) for buying in on the crazy idea of making a living out of art.”

Autumn Kersey Executive Director, Board Chair and Co-Director • Treasure Valley Children’s Theater LLC/Treasure Valley YOUTH Theater Inc. • Meridian By Sharon Fisher ment was not where I would excel.” Instead, she worked in fundraising Special to Idaho Business Review for Planned Parenthood, and then in advertising sales for the Idaho Business Review, all while keeping her toes in community theater, acting, directing hile Autumn Kersey’s first theater production was when she was and producing. 4 years old, she was on stage even earlier: Her mother was in a “I acknowledged what I had within myself: Passion, talent, and now Wplay while pregnant with her. contacts and the technical understanding of how to create a business,” she As the only child of a single mother with three jobs, community theater says. “Any time I reflect on my crazy weird life it surprises me how everything became Kersey’s second home. “I fell in love with it,” she says. “Not only I’ve ever done in my life has led me to this moment.” because it gave me a place to feel comfortable and explore, it became my In 2012, parents in the youth summer theater program Kersey was family. Theater was my place to figure out what life was all about and what directing told her, “’Autumn, you are so good at this. How can we get you it could be.” to offer this to our kids all the time?’” she recalls. “It was time to really take Now, Kersey brings that same opportunity to Treasure Valley children this seriously. I was coming up on my 40th birthday.” First, she formed the through two production companies: a professional adult company that professional company and then, a year later, the nonprofit. And she stepped produces theater for youth, and a nonprofit that provides education and away slowly from her sales job, working part-time for nearly a year. “It was leadership for youth. really baby steps the first year,” she says. Kersey studied theater for two years and then took a year off to become Why Meridian? “In 2012, as I was looking around the valley at where a professional actor. “I stopped having fun, I stopped enjoying it, and I the gaps were, Meridian was the only community that wasn’t being served became critical and unhappy,” she recalls. She switched gears and earned a by any theater group,” Kersey explains. In talking to business groups, communications degree at Boise State, minoring in theater. as well as Meridian’s mayor, she realized Meridian was the place to be. Kersey then ran theater programs for kids through Boise Parks and “Families are moving here, and there’s more students per capita than any Recreation Department and Boise Little Theater. “I was good at it, and it area in the state.” made me feel really good,” she says. “It made me feel like whatever environ- And so far, so great. But Kersey does not take success for granted, nor mental or spiritual being exists in the world was working through me, and does she take all the credit. “I do not do any of this by myself,” Kersey notes. set me on this trajectory.” “It’s my dream, but you can’t build it without a lot of support. I’m really Perhaps, Kersey thought, she should go into education. “I got my grateful to all (who have been there for me) for buying in on the crazy idea master’s, but I determined pretty quickly that the public school environ- of making a living out of art.”

Idaho Business Review • 23 “Do the right thing, even if it’s not easy.”

Photo by Josh Petersen Dana Boothe Kirkham Mayor • City of Ammon • Ammon By Carissa Wolf she says. “Nothing makes me happier than being in the classroom.” Special to Idaho Business Review Boothe Kirkham’s love of learning remains apparent in how she governs. She stood as a young 34-year-old when she took an oath ana Boothe Kirkham just wanted to fix a few things in her of office as a city council member in 2004 and she says she keeps neighborhood. The next thing she knew, she held the title of learning in her role as civil servant. Dmayor for the City of Ammon and had a major overhaul of “I have a lot more wisdom (now),” she says. “I realized how little a water and fiber optic systems under her belt. I knew (in 2004). The more I learn, the more I find out how much “You start trying to fix those (neighborhood) issues and next I don’t know.” thing you know, you’re the president of the homeowners association Boothe Kirkham has learned some big lessons from her helm and the next thing you know, you run for city council and you win. over the city of Ammon. She knows more about fiber optics than Then your vision broadens and you see that there’s other things that she ever planned thanks to a city-wide system she helped implement. need attention so you work on those. Then, you’re mayor,” Boothe And she can talk about the intricacies of water pressure units as well Kirkham says with a hint of humor that speaks to her motto: Leave as she can lecture on political theory. things better than you found them. She learns her lessons through lenses of empathy that help The former Boise State University Women Making History guide what she calls a pragmatic approach to governing. honoree takes that motto to city council meetings and into the “You put yourself in (people’s) shoes. You owe it to them to classroom where she serves as an adjunct professor in political get things fixed … it’s what you do as part of being a good citizen.” science at Brigham Young University - Idaho. And it’s her typical In addition, Boothe Kirkham lists as her greatest accomplish- fashion to deflect credit for making history and insist that she gets ment “raising two amazing daughters who are productive contrib- more out of what she gives – both to her students and the citizens utors to society,” and she is also proud to have finished the grueling of Ammon. 206-mile bicycle race, LoToJa, from Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, “I’m one of those people that could have been a career student,” Wyoming, “a half hour after closing, but still finished!”

24 • Women of the Year “My current role has been the most challenging, but also the most rewarding for my ability to make a difference in the community that I call home.”

Diana Lachiondo Director of Community Partnerships • City of Boise • Boise By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen been able to focus on a path forward, despite the sometimes conflicting Special to Idaho Business Review priorities that involvement from many different groups can bring. “I’m impatient for progress and results by nature, but I firmly s director of community partnerships for the City of Boise, believe that the process, that getting buy-in is important,” she says. Diana Lachiondo is the mayor’s point person for a variety of “Both the challenge and the opportunity in this office is to respond Ahot-button issues, from refugees to homelessness. But while to conflicting ideas and engage various constituencies, but ultimately others can get bogged down in conflicting views and bureaucratic try to fashion real solutions.” red tape, Lachiondo plows through the mess to get results. “The Her work with the refugee community is another cause that issues I work on are very fraught, multilayered and challenging, but is close to her heart. While not refugees themselves, her family is they’re also really important,” she says. Basque, and her grandfather first came to Idaho, without knowing a “Diana has accomplished in the past year what most would be word of English, to herd sheep. lucky to accomplish in a decade,” says Ben Quintana, Boise City “He got a chance to contribute, and I think Boise needs to Council member. remain a welcoming place for all,” she says. Those accomplishments include making significant strides toward Lachiondo first got a taste for community involvement while a new permanent supportive housing program to address homeless- participating in service-learning programs in college, including tutoring ness in Boise, launching the Boise Pre-K program in two schools in the inmates who were working toward GEDs. From those experiences, she disadvantaged Vista neighborhood, and receiving recognition from was determined to work in the nonprofit sector, and by doing so, learned the White House Task Force on New Americans for her work with some important lessons that have served her well throughout her career. Neighbors United, the Refugee Collaborative of Boise. “You’re so used to a scarcity environment, of not having After graduating from the University of Washington and spend- enough money for anything” she says. “Sometimes you have to chal- ing several years in the nonprofit sector – she spent four years at lenge yourself not to limit yourself in what you think you can do.” YMCA of Greater Seattle and two at the Women’s Bean Project in With two young sons at home, ages 4 and 7, a constant struggle is Denver – Lachiondo returned to Boise in 2012 to make improving finding a balance between her work in the mayor’s office and her home her hometown her life’s work. life. She credits her husband and her parents for their support in allow- One of her main initiatives is addressing homelessness in Boise, and ing her to maintain that balance as she works on her passions. she leads a coalition of leaders from Boise, Meridian, Ada County, Boise “My current role has been the most challenging, but also the City/Ada County Housing Authority, and Idaho Health and Welfare to most rewarding for my ability to make a difference in the community come up with solutions. Through her leadership, the collaborative has that I call home.” Idaho Business Review • 25 “I believe in the difference that one person can make.”

Photo by Roland Lane Marcia T. Liebich Nonprofit volunteer and philanthropist • Donald and Marcia Liebich Fund • Hailey By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen causes for the impact it’s having on the local nonprofit leaders and Special to Idaho Business Review their ability to network and collaborate with each other. Liebich seems to find ways to fill needs everywhere she goes. s a believer in the need to improve communities, Marcia For example, while on a safari in Tanzania, she and Don learned Liebich is a giver – of her time, her money and her expertise about a need for a medical clinic in the area from a conversation with A– both in her rural community and the world at large. their guide and decided to fund its construction. They also funded Locally, Liebich, who has spent 50 years as a nonprofit vol- a garden at a girl’s school in Jordan, and returned to the area again unteer, board member and philanthropist, helped found the Wood several times to build houses with Habitat for Humanity with volun- River Women’s Charitable Foundation in 2005. She served as pres- teers from their church. The Liebichs are generous philanthropists, ident in 2012 and 2013 and was grants chair for three years. The and are always looking for meaningful causes where they can make organization pools donations from its members and awards grants an impact, whether big or small, near or far. to local nonprofits for projects like the Bellevue library refurbish- “I believe in the difference that one person can make,” she says. ment and an adventure camp for local individuals with disabilities. Both Marcia and Don grew up with parents who were ser- Through her work with the foundation, Liebich has helped fund vice-minded, and they are carrying on that legacy of giving to grants totaling more than $1.2 million. their children and grandchildren. They have a holiday tradition of Liebich’s work with the local nonprofit community does not end giving each of their grandchildren $100 to give away, and ask them there. As she worked with the representatives from nonprofit organi- to present how they chose to give at Christmas. Liebich says those zations, she identified a need for continuing education and network- projects, which have included donating books to children in Africa ing for nonprofit leaders. To fill that need, she and her husband Don and funding a school for children working at a garbage city in Cairo, created the Nonprofit Education Initiative, which brings speakers to have given her hope in the next generation’s ability to solve global the College of Southern Idaho to train nonprofit staff on topics like problems. impact measurement and strategic planning. “When I talk to young people, I’m really encouraged that they’ll Now in its third year, the program is one of Liebich’s proudest do a better job than our generation has done,” she says.

26 • Women of the Year “You don’t know what life is going to hand you. I’ve taken some unfortunate life circumstances and thrived as a result.”

Brooke Linville CEO • IonVR • Boise By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen received quite a bit of attention from other media outlets and tech Special to Idaho Business Review companies, no small feat for a company competing in the same space as Google and Samsung. hen Brooke Linville’s home burned to the ground in 2008 “When you’re in a startup it’s the same kind of concept as lever- during the Oregon Trail Heights fire, she didn’t know at aging unfortunate events,” Linville says. “You figure out a way to get Wthe time that it would lead to a new business and a new yourself out there and leverage what you have.” outlook. IonVR’s product, a virtual reality headset meant to work with Linville, who was eight months pregnant at the time and was both Android and IOS mobile phones, stands out from the pack diagnosed with Lyme disease shortly thereafter, says she turned to for its patented MotionSync technology, which minimizes the lag blogging to help her through that difficult time. She taught herself between movement and the displayed picture, preventing the motion a variety of online marketing skills to promote her blog, and turned sickness that often comes with playing virtual reality games. that expertise into a company, Digavise, to help others learn how to Though the growing business promises to monopolize much of spread their messages online. her time for the near future, Linville, who started a weekly newspaper “You don’t know what life is going to hand you,” she says. “I’ve while in college, hopes to finish her first novel this year. She also hopes taken some unfortunate life circumstances and thrived as a result.” to continue traveling and spending time reading with her two young It was her online expertise that also enabled her to help prevent sons, ages 3 and 7. the shuttering of Sweet Briar College, a beloved all-female college “Brooke has an intuitive savvy and versatility that simply can- in Virginia, which she attended for two years before transferring to not be manufactured or contrived,” says fellow entrepreneur Susan George Washington University. When the college announced that Stockton. “In every venture … Brooke is undeniably, whole-heart- the spring 2015 semester would be its last, Linville stayed up late that edly, all in.” night to create a Web page, Saving Sweet Briar, which would become Linville’s advice to young women preparing for a career today is the hub for communication and donations among alumnae and the to develop creativity, critical thinking skills and communication skills, public. The group raised $12 million in 60 days, and the college all of which have helped her along her varied journey. announced on July 2 that it would not be closing after all. “Technology changes really quickly,” she says. “It’s hard to Just one day later, IonVR, the virtual reality headset startup know what technical requirements will be needed in the next 10 that she was quietly working on with her husband, Dan Thurber, years, but if you have those skills you can move with the changes was featured in Forbes. The company, while still very small, has since and quickly adapt.”

Idaho Business Review • 27 “I live tax, I love tax and I was able to take that and combine it with an overwhelming interest in helping people.”

Barbara Zanzig Lock Director • Low Income Taxpayer Clinic & Lecturer of Tax Law University of Idaho College of Law • Boise By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen For Lock’s part, she says she loves watching her students catch Special to Idaho Business Review the bug. “I can see in them that they’re learning the importance of doing hen Barbara Lock saw the job posting for her current posi- pro bono work and helping people who otherwise wouldn’t have a tion, she was working as a partner in a law firm in Seattle, chance,” she says. Wbut she knew she had found her calling. Lock says she originally got interested in tax law while taking “I live tax, I love tax, and I was able to take that and combine it introductory courses at University of California, Los Angeles. She with an overwhelming interest in helping people,” she says. says when she took her first tax law class, it was like she came home. Though she moved away from her family to take the job – her She loves taking all the pieces of a tax case and figuring out how husband followed three years later – she wouldn’t have changed they all go together. a thing. As director of the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at the “It’s exciting to me to help put it all together and clean up mess- University of Idaho College of Law, Lock makes a huge impact on es for people,” she says. low income taxpayers who wouldn’t otherwise have representation to Lock’s passion for helping extends beyond the classroom and help solve their tax problems. her clinic. She’s worked as a foster parent for years, in addition to “They are terrified of the IRS,” Lock says. “I am one of the few raising her two daughters, and also spent 20 years as a one-on-one people I know who is not terrified of the IRS, and I can help them.” companion for a woman with cerebral palsy. But Lock doesn’t just help taxpayers. Her students, who nomi- When she’s not working or caring for others, Lock enjoys nated her for the award, say she has inspired them both to love tax skiiing, running and hiking. But her favorite thing to do is visit her law and to serve others. They enjoy telling the story of when she daughters, now grown. literally gave a student the shirt off her back. “It is not because of me that they are so accomplished, but we “Even though law school is challenging, Professor Lock has a way parented before all else and I have no regrets,” she says. Daughter of making students feel like they can succeed – even in a class with a Laura is a lawyer and Jane has a master’s in statistics. “I am lucky to 2,000 page book of statutes,” says student Ingrid Batey. “She is never have mentored these two amazing women. too busy to lend an ear, or provide words of encouragement.” “They are my hobby now,” she says.

28 • Women of the Year The City of Nampa congratulates Economic Development Director Beth Ineck for being named one of Idaho's 50 WOMEN’S HEALTH ASSOCIATES "Women of the Year" in 2016. We've known for a IS PLEASED TO WELCOME long time that Beth Ineck is a first-rate ambassador The City offor Nampa Nampa, congratulatesand we're thrilled Economic the IBR Developmentrecognizes that Director as well. Beth Ineck for being named oneDr. of Idaho's Jennifer 50 "Women of the Year" in 2016. We've known for a long time that Beth Ineck is a first-rate ambassador for Nampa and we're thrilledHudson the IBR recognizes that as well.

Women’s Health Associates provides high quality, personalized, convenient and caring Ob-Gyn services for women throughout the many stages of their lives. Our dedicated medical staff includes doctors, nurse practitioners, a physician assistant and certified nurse midwives.

OUR SPECIALTIES INCLUDE: Obstetrics | Gynecology | Minimally Invasive Surgery | Bioidentical Hormones | Family Planning | Surgery & Procedures | Infertility | Midwifery

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS 208-338-8900

Visit Our New Website: WomensHealthBoise.com

Our Hours Monday - Thursday 8 - 4 • Friday 8 - 3 • Closed Weekends

333 North 1st, Suite 240 • Boise ID 83702

Idaho Business Review • 29 “I really latched on to the idea of helping people understand how big a world is out there and how amazing it is.”

Photo by Peter Roise Photography Corinne (Cori) Mantle-Bromley Dean • College of Education • University of Idaho • Moscow By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen With that, Mantle-Bromley had latched onto her next mission, Special to Idaho Business Review and she was only more determined each time someone told her it was impossible, which happened often. She says she would talk to hough she’s now a university dean overseeing a college of edu- anybody who would listen, and she made a compelling argument. It cation, Corinne Mantle-Bromley didn’t attend college after high only took 15 minutes of speaking with some representatives from the Tschool, choosing to travel the world instead. It was while living state Legislature on a campus tour before they were asking if they in Guatemala, learning the art of traditional backstrap weaving – should be wearing masks to walk through the building. essentially tying herself to a tree to create a loom – she realized her “I told them, ‘My students are in here everyday, we have to fix purpose in life. this,’” she says. “I found something I thought I could study in university,” she That year, the Legislature granted the school $2.5 million for says. “I really latched on to the idea of helping people understand the project, enough to pay for the destruction of the old building. how big a world is out there and how amazing it is.” It took similar hustling to convince the university to bond for Mantle-Bromley then enrolled in school, and taught Spanish in the building’s construction, which would have rebuilt it with the exact middle school and high school before eventually earning her doctor- same floor plan. But Mantle-Bromley didn’t stop there. She came up ate in education from the University of Idaho. with enough money to commission a redesign of the building in just Now in her final school year before retirement, Mantle-Bromley six months, then spent another year raising money for the furniture. can look back on a long career of educating people of all ages. She will These days, every time she walks by the construction zone she also leave her mark on the University of Idaho, where she’s worked as sees a glimpse of her legacy. dean of the college of education for five years, in the form of a brand “It’s going to be the highest tech building on campus with the new, state-of-the-art building for the next generation of teachers. highest tech classrooms,” she says. When Mantle-Bromley arrived at the university, the ceiling of Now that the building is almost complete, Mantle-Bromley is the old education building leaked, bugs infested the rooms, and worst ready to retire, but that doesn’t mean she will slow down. Still a of all, the structure was full of asbestos, meaning any repairs to the hiker and traveler, she’s already hiked through Croatia and Wales building would require costly asbestos abatement, something no one and hopes to take more trips around the globe when she has more was willing to pay for. free time. “Within a pretty short period of time, I started saying, ‘This is She’s also hoping to pick up her loom again and get back to not OK,’” she says. weaving.

30 • Women of the Year “Small businesses really are the backbone of our economy. Supporting their growth spurs job growth, helps the local economy and helps business owners achieve their dreams.”

Deneen May Vice President • Manager • Meridian Silverstone Financial Center Zions Bank • Meridian By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen feels she has had the opportunity to wear many different hats and face Special to Idaho Business Review various challenges to keep her on her toes. Her ability to stay poised through challenges has earned her the admiration of her colleagues. 25-year veteran of the industry, Deneen May knows a thing or “In everything she does, Deneen is positive, professional, and two about banking. polished,” says Toni Nielsen, western Idaho region president at Zions A Under May’s leadership, over the last six years, the Meridian Bank. “She is highly respected by her peers and is a role model to those Silverstone Financial Center’s loan portfolio has grown by $18 million, around her.” and deposits at the center have increased by $32 million. The bank was May is also an active volunteer in her community, first bitten by named Small Business Administration 504 Lender of the Year by Capital the service bug as a loan executive volunteer with United Way. Matrix in 2015, honoring her work in small business lending. “I was 25, living on a shoestring budget and thinking I was But, despite her professional accolades, May’s proudest achieve- working so hard wishing I had a little extra,” she says. “But as as I was ments are building up a supportive, positive team at her bank location, touring the various organizations they supported, I became painfully and mentoring other women in the industry. aware of the huge need in our community. I remember driving back in “I’ve worked with young women who don’t see their true potential, my car and just thinking about how lucky I was.” and it’s really been a passion of mine to help them see that,” she says. Now, she works with the Meridian Food Bank, Meridian Kiwanis May has worked in banking since graduating from the University of and the Meridian Chamber of Commerce (she was their Woman of Idaho in 1990. With degrees in human resources and marketing, she was the Year in 2007). She also volunteers for the Boys & Girls Club of recruited by Key Bank after graduation. She moved up the ranks there Ada County and solicits donations for their annual Wild West Auction until 2007, then spent two years at Bank of the Cascades as a commercial fundraiser. lender and business development officer before moving on to Zions Bank Though she already has two decades’ worth of experience, May in 2009, where she feeds her passion for small business lending. hopes to attend the Pacific Coast Banking School in the future to fur- “Small businesses really are the backbone of our economy,” she ther her knowledge of the banking world. says. “Supporting their growth spurs job growth, helps the local econ- “I always had aspirations of getting my master’s,” she says. “I omy and helps business owners achieve their dreams.” always told myself before kids I would do that, but along came the kids Though her entire career has been spent in one industry, May and that never happened, so now may be the time.”

Idaho Business Review • 31 “I almost can’t get enough of meeting different kinds of people.”

Nora J. Carpenter

F • T By Elizabeth Kasper • O HE N • Special to Idaho Business Review E Y M E A ora J. Carpenter keeps a small card on her desk. The card O R says, “You can’t make footprints in the sands of time if you W C are sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt-prints I E N R in the sands of time?” C C L N While she “apologizes for the less-than-ladylike language,” E E Carpenter says the quote has been her inspiration throughout O LL F EXCE her career. “I don’t know that my leadership, mentorship and commu- nity engagement will leave ‘footprints’ in the sands of time, but I certainly know that I don’t want to sit by and not embrace (the) opportunity,” she says. And embrace it she does. When she began working for the Better Business Bureau in 1992, the organization was effectively bankrupt and considering closing its doors. A year later, Carpenter and her team had turned the tables and brought the company back on track. President and CEO And for someone whose title was executive director and CEO, she didn’t spend much time behind a desk – she connected with people at senior centers, churches, high schools, and through the newspaper United Way of Treasure Valley and radio, talking about consumer alerts and fraud protection. Twice a week, she was the “Scamaramma” lady on KIDO radio. “From the Magic Valley to eastern Oregon, my job and, frank- Boise ly, my personal fun, was helping consumers make good choices by 32 • Women of the Year making information easy and entertaining,” Carpenter says. Her work soon caught upstairs attention and Carpenter was tapped by the national organization to help refresh the brand for the entire company. She ended up as the right-hand to the president and says she’s very proud of having the role of “chief cat-herder” in the effort. She was also invited by Timothy Geithner, then United States Secretary of the Treasury, to help establish the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. “This was a pretty remarkable experience for a girl from Idaho,” Carpenter remarks. Carpenter then spent three years as executive director and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho, working to reach as many at-risk youth as possible, before becoming president and CEO of United Way of Treasure Valley in 2010. Today, Carpenter works tirelessly to promote collaboration between community agencies and change for the better. “Our southern Idaho community is just moving so rapidly and has this really vibrant sense of wanting to mean- ingfully connect and work together,” Carpenter says. “The opportunity to leverage that … gets me jumping out of bed in the morning.” Outside the office, Carpenter, a Caldwell native, says she likes to be “wearing (her) Idaho and getting it all over” herself. She doesn’t mind dirt under her fingernails or standing in a lake for hours stalking a stubborn fish. She’s been married to husband Jim for 28 years and is proudly the “world’s greatest aunt” to a host of nieces and nephews. Though she thought she’d simply “sail on into the sun- set,” Carpenter happily believes the best in her life is yet to come, and she’s hopelessly optimistic about the human race. “I almost can’t get enough of meeting different kinds of people,” she says. “I guess I’m naturally nosy. Learning little short moments about someone is like reading a book in per- son. And I truly believe that good people become great people when given the opportunity, skills and trust to excel.”

“I don’t know that my leadership, mentorship and community engagement will leave ‘footprints’ in the sands of time, but I certainly know that I don’t want to sit by and not embrace (the) opportunity.”

Idaho Business Review • 33 “It’s been a great ride. I never have a dull day.”

Molly Mettler Senior Vice President for Mission • Healthwise • Boise By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen Healthwise won several workplace culture awards, including place- Special to Idaho Business Review ment in The Wall Street Journal’s Top 15 Small Business Workplaces. In business, Mettler believes in focusing on what she calls the hen she arrived in Boise in 1985 with a fresh master’s “triple bottom line,” paying equal attention to the financial bottom degree in social work, Molly Mettler expected to stay for line, the wellbeing of the company’s employees, and the community. Wtwo years at the most. Now, 30 years later, she has no plans “I would never thrive for long in an organization where the sole to leave. purpose was to increase shareholder value,” she says. “I love that I “I fell in love with Boise and Idaho and the people that I met get to work for a mission-oriented company that is very results-ori- here,” she says. “Idaho’s a place where you can make things happen.” ented, energetic and assertive for all the right reasons. Originally hired at Healthwise to develop a program around “I think Healthwise is a terrific contributor to the good of the mental wellness for older adults, she is now the senior vice president world and I’m pleased to have played a role in that.” of Mission for the organization, and has been recognized on the In return, her colleagues love her back. national stage as a leader in promoting healthy aging and encourag- “Put Molly in front of a group of people, large or small, famous ing individuals to make better health decisions. or infamous, and she will delight you with her humor, motivate you “It’s been a great ride,” she says. “I never have a dull day.” with inspiration, and create a personal and professional call to action As an expert on aging, Mettler also writes about healthy aging to become a force for good,” says Jim Giuffre, president and chief for The Wall Street Journal, and has served on the Board of Directors for operating officer at Healthwise. the National Council on Aging since 1990. She has received several Currently, as an advocate for quality healthcare, Mettler is con- awards for her work in promoting health for older people, including cerned about the state of healthcare in the United States. one that was created in her honor by the National Council on Aging, “It’s excellent, innovative and groundbreaking, but there are the Molly Mettler Award for Leadership in Health Promotion. problems with access, outcomes and equity,” she says. “I think we But her advocacy does not end there. In her 30 years at can do better. We need to do better.” Healthwise – she was the organization’s eighth employee – she has Outside of her work and advocacy, Mettler volunteers for the led the cause for ensuring that the company is not only focused on Boise Contemporary Theatre and enjoys a good glass of red wine its mission of encouraging health education, but also on maintaining and reading, but her favorite non-work activity is dancing with her a workplace culture based on respect, teamwork, and a focus on husband Don. doing the right thing. Those efforts were recognized when, in 2007, “He’s got some smooth moves,” she says.

34 • Women of the Year “I never remember hearing ‘this isn’t for girls, don’t do it,’ but I wasn’t listening anyway.”

Amy J. Moll Dean • College of Engineering • Boise State University • Boise By Stephanie Schaerr Hansen Her efforts have been richly rewarded. In the past year alone, Moll Special to Idaho Business Review was named one of Insight Into Diversity Magazine’s “100 Inspiring Women in STEM” awards, hosted President Obama at one of the college’s new s dean of the College of Engineering at Boise State, Amy product development labs, and helped the college secure a $25 million Moll is in a unique position to attract more women to the gift from the Micron Foundation to build a new materials science center Aindustry she loves. – the largest philanthropic gift to Boise State in its history. “I decided that happens one person at a time, so I started Moll and her husband, William Knowlton, were hired together recruiting anybody,” she says. “I want to see if we can make it a more at the university in 2000, and “accidentally” started the materials attractive option to study for everyone.” science and engineering department, she says, after creating an Moll, who holds both a master’s degree and doctorate in mate- interdisciplinary master’s program combining materials science and rials science and engineering from the University of California, engineering. Since then, the department has grown at a quick pace, Berkeley, was one of a small number of women in the engineering doubling its number of graduates and adding a Ph.D. program, programs while she was in school. She says the ratio of females becoming the largest such program in Idaho. studying engineering as undergraduates nationwide is still less than For her part, Moll says she was drawn to engineering because 20 percent. To combat these numbers, she has increased the number she was the classic story of an introvert who enjoyed math and sci- of female faculty in the college, mentors an all-female robotics team, ence. But unlike other young women who may have been deterred organizes summer tech camps for girls, and reaches out to local from an engineering career with few other women to look up to, she high school teachers to promote their awareness of engineering as a says she was too stubborn to quit. career path for their students. “I never remember hearing, ‘this isn’t for girls, don’t do it,’ but “Dr. Moll is a leader on campus and far beyond, calling on a I wasn’t listening anyway,” she says. cultural change to start long before girls decide what major to pur- Today, she is an inspiration to many girls and women who hope sue,” says Bob Kustra, president of Boise State University. to pursue engineering careers, and works to find those who don’t fit As dean, Moll is focused on helping her students learn and the engineer mold to think about the industry too. develop the skills they need to be successful engineers. To do this, she When she’s not leading the next generation of engineers, Moll is dedicated on recruiting effective professors and fostering relation- enjoys spending time in the mountains, gardening, and raising ser- ships with the local tech community. vice dog puppies.

Idaho Business Review • 35 “I like that I had the opportunity to practice law in a more traditional sense, because I’ve had that experience. So when I go out and talk to our (alumni) I can relate to what it is they’re practicing. I can relate to what their life is like.” Terri Muse Assistant Dean for External Relations • University of Idaho College of Law • Boise By Shannon Paterson working in malpractice defense and at a small family law/business Special to Idaho Business Review practice in Boise, she transitioned into pro bono work, taking a job with the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program. She found her work, ake one look at Terri Muse’s resumé and it’s clear she has a lot which connected lawyers with those who could not afford legal of which to be proud. But she believes putting herself through assistance, to be extremely rewarding. It also fit well with her family Tschool – earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees – is life. Her two boys were young, and the work schedule was more her highest accomplishment so far. flexible than it would have been in a traditional law firm. In 2005, “My dad was a mechanic and my mom did not work outside Muse took a job as the deputy director of the Idaho State Bar, and the home. I was the first one in my family to go to to college, so I’m over the years, she has spent a great deal of time volunteering for really proud of that achievement.” the Idaho State Bar 4th District Bar Association. Her varied roles Today, she is back in the world of higher education, only this within the field of law, she says, have prepared her well for the work time in a professional role. In her position as assistant dean for exter- she does today. nal relations at the University of Idaho College of Law, she fundrais- “I have been able to do an awful lot with my law degree beyond es and “friend-raises,” working hard to maintain bonds between the the traditional practicing of law in a firm. I’ve done that too, but I’ve college and its graduates, as well as raising money for its mission. She been able to take that legal education and that experience and move says it’s a job that requires her to wear many hats. it into other kinds of positions. That’s made it interesting for me.” “One of the things I like the most is the alumni relations piece And if she had to do it all over again? of it,” says Muse. “I go visit (alumni) and maybe they haven’t really “If I were to do my education over, I would have become a thought a whole lot about their law school experience for a while, historian,” says the self-described historical biography fanatic. “My and I get to ask some questions about it and see them remembering grandfather and great grandfather were involved in the newspaper things, or remembering friends. Usually it takes a little while to be industry and were quite progressive. I would like to research that out of law school to remember the good parts, but there are good more and write a book about it.” parts,” she adds with a laugh. While she’s not planning to add the title “Historian” to her Her own career in law began in a traditional practice. After resumé anytime soon, it does rank high on her bucket list.

36 • Women of the Year “Do good work, work a lot, work with good people, and have fun.”

Nancy K. Napier Distinguished Professor • Boise State University • Boise By Sharon Fisher guage problem – it was a conceptual problem. “There are no words in Special to Idaho Business Review Vietnamese for business management, credit, working capital,” Napier explains. The program also offered internships to Vietnamese students ou wouldn’t know it to look at her, but Nancy Napier is a in Idaho to give them experience working in business. gang leader. Napier also has published a handful of books since 2013. Other Y The Gang is the original “learning group” of multi-spec- achievements include organizing The Gang scholarship at Boise State, trum people that Napier first put together while at Boise State which, to date, has reached $45,000. She has received a number University to research business creativity and culture. The represen- of awards, including the Medal of Honor from Vietnam and being tative groups came from the arts, government, business, education, named a Foundation Scholar at Boise State. Her personal mantra is: publishing, mining, sports, health care, marketing, financial services, “Do good work, work a lot, work with good people, and have fun.” law, and include nonprofits and profitmaking organizations. “Once It’s her work with Vietnam that got Napier her title as a distin- it started, people wanted to join,” she says. “They were aggressive guished professor, a designation that fewer than 10 percent of Boise learners and relentlessly curious – high-output, low-ego people.” State professors share. “It means that you are internally recognized While a number of the original members – Broncos coach Chris for research and contribution in an academic area,” she says. “There Petersen and Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney, for example – have left, has to be some sort of contribution that may not be scholarly, but there’s still a number of similar groups that Napier helped set up: The recognized beyond your local university.” Posse, the Hard Rock Miners, the Wranglers, the Sidewinders, and so Graduates of the program are now running government agen- on. “They get together once a month and bring a messy problem from cies and companies in Vietnam, which gives Idaho and Boise State their organizations,” she says. “It’s a way to continue to learn, but to unprecedented connections. “We have access to anyone we need in have a sounding board beyond their own organization.” the country,” Napier says. It’s another example of the sort of serendipity that Napier says The language barrier sometimes went both ways. At one has defined her career. A chance meeting with a university professor point, a local newspaper ran a story with a headline saying that in Hong Kong resulted in Boise State becoming responsible for an Boise State was “bringing capitalism to Vietnam.” Nobody in Idaho MBA program in Vietnam, funded by Sweden. “The Swedes basi- understood why that was a problem, Napier says. “Capitalism is a cally say, we want to be in countries where we can make a difference, political system everyplace else in the world.” But she took it as a that are small enough to make an impact,” she says. “With the fall of teachable moment. “We can’t tell that paper what to do,” she told the Soviet Union, Vietnam’s big brother was gone.” them. “Remember that lesson we gave you about freedom of speech? Training the Vietnamese about business was more than just a lan- That’s what this is about.” Idaho Business Review • 37 “I never, ever felt that I’ve given more to people with disabilities and more to the community than I’ve received back. I’m always owing. To the day I retire, I will always owe.”

Mary (M.C.) Niland President and CEO • Witco Inc. • Caldwell By Shannon Paterson to its outreach programs, Witco houses a silk screening operation, Special to Idaho Business Review sew shop and popcorn production facility, as well as a trophy engrav- ing department. The agency also performs contract work for local ary Niland, who’s been known as “M.C.” for most of her businesses. Niland is proud of Witco, and is continually inspired by professional career, ended up with her nickname due to a its employees and staff. Mpaycheck mix-up during her post-college internship at the “I never thought, ‘I don’t want to be here.’ I’ve always wanted Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. to be here,” says Niland. “I never, ever felt that I’ve given more “I was named Mary Carol after my mother,” Niland explains. to people with disabilities and more to the community than I’ve “Well, my mother was the nursing care consultant for the Department received back. I’m always owing. To the day I retire, I will always of Health and Welfare and the paychecks got mixed up. So I got her owe. To come in and spend time with these people, including the paycheck and she got mine, which was fine for me, but not so good staff here, who give so much of their passion, so much of their heart, for her.” The payroll department solved the problem by entering so much of their whole to the people that we serve – and the people Mary in the system as M.C., and the name stuck. who give it right back to us – it’s amazing.” Around the same time, she found herself with a new nickname, Niland is deeply committed to her work, and also to the com- Niland found her passion – helping people with disabilities. During munity at large. She has served on numerous boards and commis- her internship, she discovered that her clients who had disabilities sions, and most notably, helped establish the College of Western wanted nothing more than to work, earn money and pay taxes, just Idaho by working to put a community college initiative on the ballot. like any other contributing members of society. CWI is now the fastest growing community college in the nation, and “I noted very early on that what disenfranchised people was Niland serves as the chairperson on its board of trustees. Her roles their lack of jobs and income,” says Niland. at both CWI and Witco fulfill her dream to help create opportunities In 1972, she and a friend founded Witco Inc., a nonprofit agen- for those who wish to improve their lives and communities. cy that provides employment and growth opportunities for adults “I am driven by not so much a desire to succeed, but ... to and children with disabilities. Today, Witco serves more than 650 make changes in the world,” says Niland. “Or at least in the world people throughout southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. In addition that I touch.”

38 • Women of the Year “Every good thing that has happened to me has happened because of being on or near a campus of some kind.”

Rebecca L. Noah Casper Mayor • City of Idaho Falls • Idaho Falls By Shannon Paterson an idea she brushed off until it was suggested to her a third time. At Special to Idaho Business Review that point, she promised to at least give it some thought. “I realized, I am a professor of political science. If I run and I daho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper says she owes every good thing don’t win the office, I have learned from an insider perspective a lot in her life to education. But even though she was an excellent more about elections at the local level than I would have ever been Istudent with good grades, she almost didn’t go on to college. Guilt able to know otherwise,” says Casper. “And if I win the office, then I over not contributing to her family’s income nearly kept her home. have a new job and I have new opportunities to learn. So either way, “(A church) leader stepped in and said that my parents were it fit in with my education goals and it just seemed like I couldn’t lose. responsible for their family and their situation, and that I was Once I realized that, how could I not run?” responsible for building my own future. That essentially gave me the She calls the two years since her election “a rollercoaster of new permission I needed, the courage I needed,” says Casper. information and incredible opportunities” which have provided the She had earned a scholarship, but had none of the household most interesting work she could imagine. Besides the day-to-day city basics college students need to live on their own, such as bedsheets business, Casper has become deeply involved in energy issues, and or dishes. So women from her church and neighborhood threw her takes particular pride in the city’s management of its own hydroelec- a “college shower” – giving her gently used essentials, along with tric energy facility. She is also a vocal advocate for higher education. enough money to make the trip from Arizona to Brigham Young Casper hopes to launch a study on the feasibility of a community University in Utah. college in eastern Idaho and she co-founded the Mayor’s Scholarship “That was such an expression of generosity,” says Casper. “I Fund, which has given nearly $350,000 to middle school and high guess those ladies figured if she’s going to work so hard to get that school students to help them pursue higher education. degree and earn that scholarship, we’ll help her out.” “One of the things I’ve learned in this office is that my job as Casper went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s an educator hasn’t gone away. In fact, a big part of what I do when degree from BYU, then completed her doctorate at University of I interact with citizens is educate them,” says Casper. “I’m either California, Berkeley in 1998. She was happily working as a political teaching them how to be more effective as citizens or how to under- science professor in Idaho Falls when – yet again – someone stepped stand more accurately how their government works. That probably up to give her a nudge. In fact, several different people suggested to will never end, that teaching and educating role. And that’s okay her that she should consider running for mayor of Idaho Falls. It was with me.”

Idaho Business Review • 39 “For me, a trial is all about telling a story.”

Patricia M. Olsson Partner/Shareholder • Moffatt Thomas • Boise By Shannon Paterson served on a number of boards and advisory committees, including Special to Idaho Business Review the Treasure Valley Family YMCA, St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital Board, St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center Children’s Advisory at Olsson is one of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the Board, Boise State University Foundation, St. Luke’s Humphreys’ Pacific Northwest, but insists that at heart, she is a storyteller. Diabetes Center Board, BSU Friends of Nursing Board and the PFor her, every case is an opportunity to learn and advocate for Concordia University Law School Advisory Board. She was a found- her clients’ best interests. ing member of CARES, the child abuse evaluation service at St. “They’re all different, even if they’re in different areas of the Luke’s (now known as FACES). Olsson is also a passionate wilderness law,” says Olsson. “For me, a trial is all about telling a story.” volunteer, and spends many hours building and maintaining trails in Her own professional story begins in 1983 when, fresh out of national parks and wilderness areas throughout the country. law school, Olsson and her husband, Curt, picked Boise off the map. However, all of Olsson’s accomplishments and altruism They resolved themselves to “become Idahoans” and start their law seem to pale in comparison to the goals on what she calls her careers in a place where they could have broader opportunities and “Privilege List” – rather than a Bucket List – because she feels so also enjoy the outdoors. privileged to have opportunities to pursue her passions. Among Today employment and health care law are her main focus, but the many items on the list: become more active in conservation her career in Idaho has allowed her to try many kinds of cases. She efforts, begin teaching swimming again at the YMCA, take wouldn’t have had that chance, she says, if she’d stayed in Chicago some Learning Lab courses, regain her Spanish-speaking skills, after graduating from law school. improve upon her German-speaking skills and spend time explor- “In Boise, Idaho, because of the lack of critical mass, you really ing South America. can’t specialize,” says Olsson, “which, frankly, has been great for me, “I’m going to have to pick and choose,” she laughs. “So I guess because I like to learn new things – new areas of law and new facts.” the bottom line is, I want to stay really healthy and fit so I can do Over the past three decades, Olsson has spent thousands upon all this stuff.” thousands of hours giving back to her adopted home. She has Just think of all the stories she’ll have to tell.

40 • Women of the Year

“I believe with every fiber of my being that together we can accomplish almost anything.”

Julia Rundberg Executive Director • City Club of Boise • Boise By Jeanne Huff of the 20th anniversary of the City Club of Boise,” Rundberg says. She Idaho Business Review values thoughtful planning, effective and targeted communication and measurable outcomes. “I have worked diligently to model and teach hen Julia Rundberg was a little girl, she lived in Morehead, these core principals of accountability and fiscal management, and to Minnesota on 10 acres. The family had a garden and raised motivate staff at all levels to apply project management skills in their day Wpoultry. When the television set broke one day, Rundberg’s to day activities.” mother took it as a good thing – “there’s nothing good on television.” In addition, Rundberg is a member of the Boise Master Chorale. “I Rundberg says it was a different environment than that of her peers. “We have sung my whole life,” she says. So, becoming a member was one of were definitely the odd ones out.” the first things she looked into after coming to Boise. The nonprofit was The end result was they spent more time reading, playing games struggling with how to finance day-to-day operations and management. and doing puzzles. And, “I grew up gardening,” Rundberg says. Fast “It was a continuing challenge,” Rundberg says. She was asked to join the forward to today – after several careers including in nonprofits, for the board and co-chaired a planning process to facilitate a merger with the state of Minnesota’s Natural Resources, Parks and Rec and Parks and Boise Philharmonic, thereby creating a sustainable partnership. “Today, Trails departments, and an almost 8-year stint with the Idaho Botanical the Chorale is happily a part of the Boise Phil family, allowing singers Garden – Rundberg has seemingly come full circle. Although, instead of a chance to sing rather than run an organization, and allowing the Phil doing puzzles, as executive director of City Club of Boise, she is turning to broaden their base of supporters and donors toward a shared goal of to puzzles of a more philosophical bent. performance and appreciation for classical masterworks.” And while it may seem that each of her endeavors is radically differ- Rundberg and her husband, Carl, enjoy camping, hiking, mountain ent from the others, Rundberg sees it differently. biking and corss-country skiing. She also has “a fondness for the Tolkein “I understand the importance of a fair, calm, professional demeanor, series,” and loves popcorn so much, she sometimes has a bowl of it for including being a good listener and a critical thinker, when faced with stake- dinner. And, of course, gardening is still in the picture. holders who are emotional and personally invested in an issue,” she says. “One of our goals is to be on the IBG Garden Tour, at some point,” And her success can be measured in the trust and respect she has earned in she says. many instances, “such as finding a way for vastly different trail users, from About her current work, she says she is excited about exploring civil motorized users to horse riders to hikers, to co-exist in a system.” discourse. “The topic has been around since Aristotle,” she says, mindful She says she has worked with and learned from the many individ- of the qualities of listening and strategic thinking. “We’ll examine the role uals, organizations, and companies interested in a common purpose, civility plays in education, in our community.” “whether it be for a state park, or when maintaining and enhancing the She hopes it will be more than just talk. Garden as a valued community resource, or in facilitating and supporting “I believe with every fiber of my being that together we can accom- an effort to begin a discussion of civility and civil discourse as a project plish almost anything.” 42 • Women of the Year “I think the secret to success, whether male or female, is having a positive attitude and showing gratitude. Having a positive attitude can change your life.”

SeAnne Safaii-Waite Associate Professor • University of Idaho • Boise By Jeanne Huff mon in the centenarians she interviewed was a positive outlook. It is Idaho Business Review something she embraces. “I think the secret to success – whether male or female – is hen SeAnne Safaii-Waite was a little girl, she and her girl- having a positive attitude and showing gratitude. Having a positive friend used to go to the dime store in Big Sky, Montana. But attitude can change your life.” Winstead of buying candy, they would buy notebooks, go home Safaii-Waite says she is “passionate” about teaching nutrition and pretend to be in a school classroom. “I wanted to be a teacher since and a healthy lifestyle. “I believe it is the key in preventing so many I was 7-years old. I would take roll in my notebooks,” she says. diseases and contributes to longevity,” she says. “It starts from the Fast forward to today. Safaii-Waite as associate professor, news- cradle and goes cradle to grave.” She points proudly to one positive paper column writer, book author and nutrition and health advocate statistic Idaho can boast about – “Idaho has the highest rate of and activist, has fulfilled that early dream of being a teacher. And breastfeeding mothers in the nation – 92 percent,” she says. “In 1988 then some. She says she sees her role as more of a communicator. that was down around the 50 percent level. It goes to show what “I have used my communication skills to influence leaders, policy, grass roots coalitions can do and that’s pretty cool.” staff, students and the public,” she says. A teacher and well-published In her classrooms today, Safaii-Waite brings hands on experi- in her professional field, Safaii-Waite also writes about currrent nutri- ences to her students: not only are they required to spend time at the tion and wellness for newspapers in Boise and Coeur d’Alene – she Idaho Foodbank, they teach those who get food stamps how to cook estimates more than 300 columns so far. In addition, Waite and a and eat on $3 a day, which is the food stamp allotment. In addition, colleague, Sue Linja, are in the throes of wrapping up a book about they are encouraged to do the same. centenarians, a journey Safaii-Waite calls “life changing.” While that may mean old-school oatmeal for breakfast, a PB&J “The global number of centenarians is projected to increase tenfold for lunch and ramen noodles for dinner, it’s a lesson that sticks. between 2010 and 2050,” she says. “There is a growing science to growing “I also tell them to make their beds every morning,” Safaii-Waite old.” She and Linja interviewed people over 100 years old around the says. It is a practice she adopted from the Navy Seals. “That way, you begin world, including one woman who had survived cancer three times, and the every day by doing one thing successfully. You’ve done one thing well.” bombing of Hiroshima. “Her attitude was amazing – and she was beau- With a family that includes her husband, John; two daughters, Siraj, tiful,” Safaii-Waite says. When she asked the woman what her secret to 24; Signey, 20; a son, Seagen, 16; and a grandson, Aryo, 1; Safaii-Waite beauty was, she answered: “I get up every morning and put on make-up.” invokes a favorite quote from an Italian physician, Michael Cardoni. Safaii-Waite says besides eating minimal calories per day, and “’Eight, 8, 8.’ Eight hours of sleep, 8 hours of work, 8 hours of eating “genuine foods” – those grown locally – another trait com- family time. That’s challenging, but it’s all about balance.” Idaho Business Review • 43 “I’ve been doing this for a really long time. I know what I want to see, and I have pretty broad tastes. And I assume if I want to see it, other people want to see it, too.”

Carole Skinner President • The Flicks • Boise By Sharon Fisher She goes to film festivals, such as the one she was attending in early Special to Idaho Business Review January in Palm Springs, or the one she plans to attend in September in Toronto. “I read things. I get a lot of email and phone calls from f you saw it in a movie, you’d might roll your eyes: A boy and distributors, and I weigh all that,” she says. girl go on a blind date. He asks her what she’d do if she could do But ultimately, Skinner relies on her gut feeling. “I’ve been Ianything she wanted. She tells him she’d open an art house movie doing this for a really long time,” she says. “I know what I want theatre. He tells her he’s got the plans for one out in his car, and they to see, and I have pretty broad tastes. And I assume if I want to live happily ever after. see it, other people want to see it, too.” She’s hit the jackpot with But that’s just what happened when Carole and Rick Skinner movies such as The English Patient, The King’s Speech and, currently, met in the early 1980s. And despite the inroads of the Internet and The Big Short. Netflix, she’s been successfully running The Flicks ever since. Outside the theatre, Skinner is active in other community orga- Although we have many more home entertainment options now nizations such as book clubs and discussion groups, as well as serving than when The Flicks opened with a single screen in 1984, that’s no on boards such as the Boise Co-op and The Cabin. She has numer- substitute for seeing a movie in a theatre with other people who love ous awards including The Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, film, Skinner says. “When you stay home, you’re thinking, ‘I should Boise Weekly’s Readers’ Poll Best Movie Theatre Award, United do the dishes, I should fold the clothes …’” she says. “It’s pulling you Vision for Idaho Award for Most Progressive Business Person, away from being immersed in the experience, as opposed to seeing it Community Heroine Treasure Valley Public Access Television in a darkened theatre with other humans.” Award, IBR’s Women’s Excellence in Business, and a Women’s and Though it took until 1992 to break even, The Flicks is now so Children’s Alliance TWIN award. Skinner also acts as a mentor to successful that, in 2012, they took a leap and invested $285,000 in other theaters, such as the Sisters Movie House in Sisters, Oregon. converting the by then four screens to digital, which also improved In addition, she enjoys travel and is planning an upcoming bicycle picture and sound quality. tour of Kyoto, Japan. Skinner says she got her personal philosophy from Yogi Berra. Though she has been running The Flicks for more than 30 “When asked by a rookie what advice he had for him at his first time years, Skinner has no plans to retire. “I’m going to do it as long as I up at bat, Berra said, “Swing the bat as hard as you can.” When the can get up and go to work,” she says. “Even when we take a vacation, rookie asked why, Berra said, “in case you hit the ball.” I feel like I really like to work. My job is fun. Why wouldn’t I do it With so many movies being created, how does Skinner choose? as long I can?”

44 • Women of the Year “I know at the end of the day, the higher I go in life, it’s not more people I have to ‘tell what to do,’ it’s more people I’m privileged to help become who they want to be and go where they want to go.”

Stacie States President • Keller Williams Realty • Boise By Jeanne Huff Under her watch, the brokerage is one of the most successful in the Idaho Business Review Keller Williams family, an accomplishment of which she is proud. “I have led our company to No. 7 out of 700 offices worldwide,” hile Stacie States is committed to inspire those around her States says. to “have the best life they can and to be the best version of In addition, States, grabbing inspiration from her mother Wthemselves,” she came to that role naturally, through the once again, contributes to the community in which she lives. “She inspirational life her mother lives. States was just 3 when her mom, a taught me to always do more for others than you do for yourself,” competitive tennis coach and teacher, suffered a massive stroke at age States says. Even with her disabilities, her mom volunteers, gives 30 and was paralyzed on her right side. States watched as her mom and helps others. “I do the same, following in her footsteps,” States learned how to read, write, walk and talk again. says. You will see her at Rake Up Boise, and Paint the Town and she “There is nothing I cannot accomplish if I put my mind to it,” raised money for six local charities through the Keller Williams Red States says. “She taught me to not give up … I am an accomplished Day. She also has been a volunteer for Idaho Fish and Game and president of a company because of the things I learned from one of the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. She was given a Tribute to the bravest people you would ever meet.” Women in Industry in 2015 by the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. States says when she was young, she wanted to be a doctor. In any spare time she has, States says she and her husband “are While that notion “became less of a fairy tale,” she was always sure huge sports fanatics” and they watch and play soccer and volleyball. of one thing. “I didn’t know what job I would do, but I definitely They have two dogs and a camper-trailer, and “I am blessed to be wanted to be in charge of something. I was always a leader,” she says. able to be a step-mom to Ensley, 12 and Cole, 8 – they are amazing.” “Some would call it bossy – I would call it leadership.” States says she is a huge fan of sarcasm and fun and laughter. In high school she went to the American Legion Auxiliary Girls “Have a lot of fun. This is it. You only get one shot at this. Don’t let State Championship. While working as a firefighter, she led a crew fear determine what you can or can’t get in life. Don’t be afraid to on the fire line. She became the vice president of a multi-billion-dol- get what you want … . lar company at age 28 and president at 33. States says she is “running “I know at the end of the day, the higher I go in life, it’s not more one of the biggest businesses in the state,” a brokerage with three people I have to ‘tell what to do,’ it’s more people I’m privileged to locations and more than 500 real estate agents, and a staff of 20. help become who they want to be and go where they want to go.”

Idaho Business Review • 45 “I believe that in order to be successful you have to have great people around you.”

Shannon Stoeger Senior Vice President and Branch Administrator • Idaho Independent Bank • Boise By Jeanne Huff Bank. In her leadership role, she oversees branch activities, implements sales Special to Idaho Business Review training and has “built a team culture that fosters and rewards growth, inno- vation and results-based achievement. Our team,” she says, “is committed hile some may remember their childhood with bicycle riding and to making a difference in the banking industry, and our communities, and I sledding, Shannon Stoeger has memories of her grandparents am fortunate to lead those efforts. Wtaking her to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm. “I was born in “I believe that in order to be successful, you have to have great people Redondo Beach, Calif.,” she says. around you.” She and her family lived there until she was 8, then wended their way In addition, Stoeger is a firm believer in community outreach. “When I to Boise by way of a few years in Reno. “We moved to Reno when I was 8, to started in banking way back even as a teller, I was encouraged to give back,” Boise when I was 15,” Stoeger says. In high school, she was on the drill team she says. Over her career, her mentors and leaders have also provided exam- and once performed at the San Francisco 49ers and New England Saints’ ples of giving back and of its value to the community. football game at half-time. “That’s my claim to fame,” she says with a laugh. “I find the time to do what I do. I don’t feel it’s an obligation. It’s She entered college with no clear idea of what she wanted to do. She a passion.” knew, however, what kind of work she wasn’t interested in. From working a Stoeger has volunteered in Rake Up Boise and Paint the Town, has number of different jobs since she was 15, she says “I knew I didn’t want to been involved with Junior Achievement, Boise Public Schools Education work nights or weekends.” Foundation, St. Luke’s Hospital Strategic Initiative Committee, and for 9 When she was a sophomore in college, she got a part time job as a bank years with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County. This year she also led teller, and the rest, as they say, is history. “I never left banking after that.” the annual IIB Giving Celebration initiative. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in finance from Boise State University, Besides looking forward to finishing up her Executive MBA from Boise she went straight into a management training program at West One (now State University in May, Stoeger says she’s set her sights on continuing to U.S. Bank), and worked there for 9 years. learn and grow. She kept moving up the ladder and says a “memorable milestone” “I don’t know where I’ll be,” she says. “I still have another 20 years came when she was promoted to branch manager at Farmers & Merchants that can be very impactful.” She could see herself as a CEO or regional State Bank in 2004. “Not only was I overseeing the largest- and fast- president, or perhaps teach at the college level. “I know there will be oppor- est-growing branch in our system, I was the first female to achieve branch tunity ahead of me.” management status in the company,” she says. She was later promoted to In the meantime, Stoeger says she is happy spending time with her area manager and helped mentor and pave the way for other women to husband, Rich – “he’s been so supportive” – and daughter Karlee, 18, and follow in management footsteps, she says. son Braden, 13. “We have two teenagers and I feel very blessed they want Since 2010, Stoeger has been hanging her hat at Idaho Independent to hang out with us.” 46 • Women of the Year “It’s so important to be there for other women. I love to mentor them because I need it, too. Maybe I do it so I can hear the words coming out of my mouth and going back into my ears. You have all the skills, all the energy, all the passion – any doubt is irrational.”

Photo by Craig LaMere, Moz Studios Ann Swanson Small Business Development Center Director • Region V Idaho State University College of Business • Pocatello By Jeanne Huff ters’.” She received two master’s degrees, one in health administra- Idaho Business Review tion and the other in science gerontology, both from the University of Southern California. During that time, she also was a Fulbright arly on, Ann Swanson discovered a love of something the Scholar and spent a year in Barcelona, translating a dementia care- majority of people fear – “I love public speaking,” she says. It giver retreat program from Los Angeles to one there. Ewas through her involvement in 4-H, and, while she was not Other accomplishments Swanson is proud of achieving one of the youngsters with farm animal projects, she competed for are: expanding the Brake for Breakfast breast cancer screening the blue and purple ribbons with an urban savvy, making presen- program from a local to a regional event; launching A Woman’s tations and demonstrations. “My favorite one was when I gave a A’Fair Health Conference and producing the Women’s Business demonstration on making a terrarium in 4th grade,” Swanson says. Symposium since 2012. Another feat that many might cringe from also came as almost Swanson says that in her role as director of the Small Business second nature for Swanson. “I’ve been an actress all my life.” In fact, Development Center she is grateful for the “opportunity to empower after getting an undergraduate degree in rhetoric and communica- tion at the University of Oregon in 1993, Swanson packed her bags business women. I have had the great fortune to have mentors in my and headed for Hollywood. “I tried to be a movie star in L.A. for life, women and men, who have encouraged me. I take the opportu- four years,” she says. She did some commercial work and even shot nity to support the growth of others – students, new entrepreneurs, a Budweiser ad for the Super Bowl one year, but “they canned it.” coworkers, friends or family – as an important honor. Although she didn’t hit the big time, Swanson sort of stumbled into Swanson has two children, Kevin, 8, and Meredith, 6. She is a the work that would become an important part of her life path. Because half-marathoner and continues to take on acting roles in communi- “there’s a lot of self-absorption in L.A.,” she began looking for volunteer ty theater – two years ago she did a one-woman show “The Ballad opportunities, and because she also had fond memories of spending of Amherst.” And she’s traveled back to her beloved Barcelona time with her own grandparents, those were the populations she mostly several times. “I think it’s the most beautiful city in the world. It’s sought out. It piqued her interest in understanding aging. the only place I dream about,” Swanson says. “My heart is bigger And so, “after I did my movie star stint, I went to get my mas- when I’m there.”

Idaho Business Review • 47 “There are so many opportunities for young girls in the Hispanic community now. I tell them, ‘Don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do something – you can be the President if you want.’”

Olga Tijerina-Menchaca Assistant Vice President • Branch Manager II• Nampa Idaho Center Branch and Overland Branch • Nampa By Jeanne Huff hour a month to help others that are less fortunate, our world would Idaho Business Review be a better place.” Her continuing goals are to give back to the community, to help lga Tijerina-Menchaca lives her life upon the inspiration the unfortunate and our youth. “Our youth need our support and of her father’s. “He had $2 in his pocket when he came love as they will be the future of America,” she says. Ointo the United States,” she says. Coming to the U.S. from Her outreach work includes volunteering with the Community Mexico on a work-visa, and knowing little of the English language, Council of Idaho, the Consulado De Mexico/Boise that helps he was able to get a job with the Union Pacific Railroad as a truck members of the Hispanic community transition as they arrive in driver. “My father instilled in me to work hard in anything you do, the U.S., Advocates Against Family Violence, and the Cultural to never forget about the poor and never do anything to discredit Hispanic Center of Idaho. She was named Volunteer of the Year your name. for the March of Dimes in 2007. She was honored with the TWIN “When he passed, he had more than $1 million in assets. My award from the Women’s and Children’s Alliance in 2015 for her father lived the American Dream. He was my hero.” professional work and for “furthering the advancement of women Tijerina-Menchaca took that inspiration and ran with it. Her in the workplace.” banking career began in 2002 when she was hired on at Washington But perhaps the programs that have meant the most to Trust Bank as a lending assistant. As the years passed, she started Tijerina-Menchaca are the Bank On Programs, initially through the stepping up the ladder of success. University of Idaho Extension / 4-H Youth Development Program, In 2013 she was promoted to Idaho Center Branch Manager. and then, through her own hard work, adopted by The United Under her leadership, the branch was No. 1 in Washington Trust Way. The program involved teaching finance classes to teens in the Bank’s Tier 4 in 2014. In 2015 she was asked to take on an addi- Hispanic community, who, in turn, would share their lessons with tional branch as manager and then came the promotion to assistant their parents. vice president. Watching as the teenage girls she’s mentored graduated the pro- But Tijerina-Menchaca, who takes The Golden Rule as her gram “made me very tearful eyed at the end,” Tijerina-Menchaca personal philosophy, also believes as strongly in volunteerism as she says. “These young ladies, they have the confidence I have now. does in her 9 to 5 work. “It’s simple and true. We should be kinder They’ve had opportunities I never had. It’s brought me a lot of joy. to each other,” she says. “If every person would just volunteer an We were like invisible when we were their age. But they are not.” 48 • Women of the Year Congratulations President Charlotte G. Borst 2016 Women of the Year Honoree

WASHINGTON TRUST BANK CONGRATULATES Olga Tijerina-Menchaca on being nominated for Idaho Business Reviewʼs 2016 Woman of the Year Award.

We appreciate your commitment to clients, co-workers and the community.

CONGRATULATIONS OLGA!

Idaho Business Review • 49 “I’d like to see that more women leaders would mentor young women, to take the time to show them that every single day, ‘I don’t have all the answers but I’m just not afraid to ask.’”

Gloria Totoricagüena President • Idaho Policy and Consulting LLC • Transnational Initiatives LLC • Boise By Jeanne Huff I left academics to return to Idaho.” Idaho Business Review She switched hats from professor to consultant and launched two firms, Idaho Policy and Consulting, that specializes in both public and loria Totoricaguena is a daughter of Basque immigrants. Her par- private sector project design and management related to Idaho and the ents fled a dictatorship – “their home was bombed” – and came to northwest, and Transnational Initiatives that focuses on international Gthe United States. She is one of seven children. “It marked me,” politics and trade. She is also the coordinator of the Pacific NorthWest she says. “We are a big family, a Basque family, a Catholic family. Economic Region’s Idaho Council and its public policy issues groups “My parents came to America to have a better life.” including disaster resilience, public safety communications and transporta- She recalls toting sandwiches of fried peppers and fish in her lunch tion among others, in the 10 U.S. and Canadian member states, provinces box. There was much singing around the piano – and discussions around and territories. the table would invariably fall onto the subject of politics. “I work in the intersection of business and politics,” she says. “The idea of politics was always a part of my life,” says Totoricaguena. And equally as important as the work she does, is mentoring young “That’s how my parents learned English, by watching the news.” women. She attended school, inspired by her teachers, and her parents “It makes me crazy that in 2016 there are so many women who are encouraged her and her siblings to get good grades. “We needed to do unsure of themselves.” whatever it took to get scholarships to BSU.” She is “militant” in finding mentors for youth and has “no qualms Totoricaguena married at 19, and had her daughter when she was whatsoever in asking other role models for their time to give to women enter- just 22. But she was also going to school. She earned her bachelor’s degree ing new situations from relationship building, to new mother mentoring, to at Boise State, and then had the opportunity to attend the Universidad de first-in-family to enter higher education, to career planning. I have received la Republica in Uraguay to get her master’s in Latin American Political much wisdom from others and hope to forever help others find their sages.” Economy. So her family stepped in to help. She hopes one day to see a change in legislative representation, to “They took care of my daughter and my husband,” she says. “I never see more women run for office. “So many women can’t even imagine could have done the things I have done alone. Never.” it,”she says. She picked up another master’s degree at Boise State and a doctorate Will she toss her hat in the ring? at the London School of Economics. “I could do that,” says Totoricaguena. “But I think I can have a big- Totoricaguena had a professorial career and taught at Stanford ger impact doing what I’m doing, being the information gatherer, being University and the University of Nevada, Reno. behind the scenes. I think I can affect more young women. But when she found out her father was gravely ill, she returned to Boise. “I think all successful women have the responsibility and the privilege “I had the privilege to care for my dying father,” she says, “and to mentor young women. We didn’t get here alone. None of us.”

50 • Women of the Year “My dental practice has been successful, not because I have worked on the accounting, the bottom line, or the numbers, but because I never had to look at them, and could concentrate and treat each patient like a family member.”

Jill Shelton Wagers General Dentist • Owner • Sole Practitioner • Jill Shelton Wagers Family Dentistry P.C. • Boise By Jeanne Huff ference (the other dentist attendees) will assume he is the dentist. He’ll say, Idaho Business Review ‘No, I’m the candy man.’” She says she is grateful for David’s help through the years. “His support of me, my business and his ability to be a hands-on n the state of Idaho, out of 987 active dentists there are 76 who are women. dad to our four children allowed me to keep my practice a priority.” And Jill Shelton Wagers is one of them. It wasn’t her first choice – she had Wagers’ family includes son, Kade, 18, identical twin girls Savannah Iinitially set her sights on becoming a physical therapist because that was and Delaney, 16, and adopted son Devon, 16. They like to spend their spare what came up when she took a high school aptitude test. “They didn’t have time at the family cabin on Cascade Lake. “It’s my favorite thing,” she says. the option of dentistry for women on aptitude tests in the ‘80s,” she says. But Things that might surprise you: Wagers was voted best dancer on the she switched to go to dental school because “I didn’t want to hurt people.” Borah High School Lions Drill Team, won the keg toss and her sorority’s It wasn’t a profession that was totally outside of her realm – after all, study snacker award in college, and her team came in first at the Boulder her father was the first periodontist in Idaho. Wagers started working for Marathon. him when she was 12, “learning the ropes of how a dental office is man- Looking into her crystal ball, Wagers says she is not sure what’s aged from the ground up.” She mowed the lawn, filed charts and helped ahead. “So much of my life has been spent in raising my kids, and my out at the front desk. “By high school I was trained as a surgical assistant.” practice has kept me sane.” One thing that is for sure: Wagers will be Since 2014, Wagers has been the successful owner of her own dental going to Guatemala in March to do a dentistry mission trip. It will be her practice, “and I am happily living my dream,” she says. “We focus on the third – she’s already been to Peru and Bolivia, doing dentistry in the back patients and their needs.” How does she handle those who have a fear of of churches. “I try to save a tooth for every tooth we pull,” she says. the chair? “There are good medications and new techniques and technol- Wagers says she owes a lot to those who have helped her on her way. ogies,” Wagers says. “We use little needles, warm up the anesthetic, mind “I come from great stock, supportive great grandmothers, grandparents tricks. I call them Jedi mind tricks,” she says. Other techniques include and my parents. My dad (Dr. Lavon Shelton) got me started … My mom music, soft lights and blue skies and puffy clouds on the ceiling. “You can (Jan Shelton) was the ultimate role model … I was able to join the dental get folks feeling comfortable.” practice of Dr. John Kriz, one of the most humanitarian centered, altruis- Wagers says the paucity of women dentists is lost on her family. When her tic individuals on the plant,” she says. He taught her how to focus on the son was 6, someone asked him if he wanted to be a dentist when he grew up. patient, the person, says Wagers. “He said, ‘No! Only girls are dentists,’” Wagers says, laughing at the memory. “My dental practice has been successful, not because I have worked Ironically, Wagers’ husband David is the owner of Idaho Candy on the accounting, the bottom line, or the numbers, but because I never Company – “which is always good for dentistry and for which we get a lot had to look at them, and could concentrate and treat each patient like a of flack over,” Wagers says with a smile. “If my husband and I go to a con- family member.” Idaho Business Review • 51 “If you would have told me five years ago that my life would have taken me on a path that would have involved concrete and construction and diapers, I would have said you’re crazy – hard surfaces and soft surfaces.”

Shawna Walz Founder • Executive Director • Idaho Diaper Bank Inc. • Boise By Deanna Darr F • T talking to service organizations to understand the needs of the Special to Idaho Business Review • O HE community and diapers kept coming up. “I was astounded by N • what I was learning,” she says. “I know diapers are expensive, E Y but it wasn’t on my mind that there was a silent crisis.” hawna Walz was living a professionally and person- M E ally satisfying life with a successful career at Nike as A According to Walz, roughly 35,000 Idaho children O R part of an innovative Diversity and Inclusion team. ages 3 and younger are living in low-income homes, S W and 33 percent of all Idaho births are financed by It was a job that let her travel the world while allowing C Medicaid. “It shows we have a lot of people in Idaho her to follow her passion of creating more opportunities I E R who are in financial need, but we have zero govern- for those who are sometimes overlooked. But after she C C ment assistance for basic hygiene (items). Food stamps had her first son while living in Baltimore, she hada N L don’t pay for diapers.” moment of realization that would change her life. E E L Without a full day’s supply of disposable diapers, par- “I was really overwhelmed with the resources a baby O L F CE ents can’t take young children to daycare, which impacts the takes – mentally, emotionally, physically and financially,” she says. EX ability to go to school or work. She learned about the National “I felt very blessed that I had the resources and support around me.” Diaper Bank network, which was already in 40 other states, and “It dawned on me, ‘What are women doing when they don’t have decided to bring the program to Idaho. that?’ What do you do? What’s the stress level like when you don’t have the As the president and executive director of the Idaho Diaper Bank, financial resources?” Walz works with volunteers who work to raise money and materials to help That’s when she told her family that, someday, she wanted to do supply 20 partner organizations to get needed diaper supplies to those who something to help. need them. Flash forward just a few years and the now mother of two (4-year-old “When we went into the work, we thought we were providing diapers Devin and 3-year-old Drew), and her husband, Derek, have moved back to … now we’re realizing we’re providing families with a glimpse of hope and Walz’s hometown of Boise in search of a better quality of life. In 2013, they helping them to break the cycle of poverty,” Walz says. relocated from the East Coast and purchased Consurco, a construction and There are no salaries at the IDB, allowing all donations to go to engineering company specializing in concrete flooring for large, industrial those in need. Today, the nonprofit has an operating budget of more than facilities. In a few short years, the company has grown to boast more than $200,000 and supplies roughly 10,000 diapers each month. Walz’s focus is $8 million in sales and expanded to five states. now on increasing the number of partner organizations IDB works with, But it wasn’t the growing business that inspired Walz to quit her job while working in more rural areas and increasing the help offered to adults at Nike, where she had been working since 2002. In fact, Walz calls Nike in need of incontinence supplies. a dream job, where she experienced cultures around the world, helped If she’s not busy enough, Walz also works as the chief business services start a women’s leadership program, and expanded her already impressive officer at Consurco. “I’m a little over-employed,” she jokes. resume to include a focus in bringing new ideas and viewpoints to the table. Still, she makes time to spend time in the outdoors with her family. As a for- Ultimately though, it was diapers that drew her away. mer champion golfer at Boise State University, she hopes to play a little more golf. When the fourth-generation Idahoan arrived back in town, she started “We’re never bored,” she jokes. 52 • Women of the Year “I enjoy the unpredictability of life and the surprises that every year brings. But one thing is certain: I want to make an impact.”

Amanda Watson Senior Account Executive • Red Sky • Boise By Jeanne Huff dozens of lawmakers, school administrators and education groups, resulting Idaho Business Review in securing local and national impressions “numbering in the millions;” helping pass a levy in 2015 for “desperately needed repairs” in the Mountain n August 2015, Amanda Watson and a crew of her hiking friends climbed Home School District; supporting the economic development efforts of to the top of Mount Borah, Idaho’s highest peak at 12,662 feet. A foot and Boise Valley Economic Partnership “bringing hundreds of high-paying jobs Ia half of snow had fallen the day before and the party of eight starters to the Treasure Valley.” dwindled to five finishers. “We were just crawling up the snow and ice,” Lately, she says, her focus has shifted to helping others understand Watson says. “We challenged and rallied for each other” and in the end, healthcare and the issues surrounding it. “It’s unfortunate that the system Watson, who, yes, was one of the finishers, says it was all worth it – “to get has become so complex and confusing when you’re dealing with something on top of that mountain and stand at the top of Idaho together.” as important as people’s health” Watson says. “I am hopeful through the Conquering that mountain could be used as a metaphor for Watson’s work I’ve done with various clients that we can continue the conversation life, albeit a literal one. She grew up in Cody, Wyoming, in a very out- and empower people in their own health decisions – so that more people can door -oriented family. She and her sister, says Watson, were “maybe a little do things like climb Mount Borah.” more rugged than some girls, but not out of the norm for Wyoming girls. We For her work, she already has garnered more than a dozen awards, felt like we could fish better, hike further, shoot rabbits better.” including 10 from the Idaho Press Club. A competitive swimmer since age 6 – in the 200-meter free stroke and In addition, Watson believes in reaching out. She has served on many the 200-meter backstroke – she earned a scholarship to swim Division 1 and nonprofit boards including the Arthritis Foundation, Spay and Neuter Idaho became the captain of the University of Idaho swim team. Pets, Boise Young Professionals and United Way. She currently is a board She also ran the Sawtooth Relay and is proud that she and her team member for the March of Dimes and Camp Rainbow Gold. For Camp members were “chicking” (women passing men) multiple male teams. Rainbow Gold, Watson also helped the organization secure a FUNDSY In her professional career, Watson has also conquered mountain tops. grant for 2015/16 and helped raise “record-breaking amounts” at the annu- Armed with a bachelor’s in public relations, she first snagged a job at the al fundraising Share Your Heart Ball. Treasure Valley Family YMCA as branch administrator and marketer, Watson, who says she believes “sports and business are very closely related where among other achievements, she helped raise $1 million in an annual and teach you how you respond to losing, how you have to get up even when fundraising campaign. you’re exhausted. It’s why I’ve done well in my career as a professional,” she says. Watson came on board at Red Sky in 2012 as account coordinator and Watson loves Asian food, is “a huge Dave Matthews Band fan,” and after two promotions is now senior account executive. In her role, she leads enjoys reading historical non-fiction and memoirs. About the future, she strategic communications, marketing and public relations planning for cli- says, “I enjoy the unpredictability of life and the surprises that every year ents. She lists among her proudest achievements: leading the effort that drew brings. But one thing is certain: I want to make an impact. I want the work I attention to the challenges facing rural schools in Idaho, actively engaging do in my job, in my volunteerism and in my relationships to matter.” Idaho Business Review • 53 “If you ever see people wearing convention badges walking around town, it’s more than likely that we worked with them in coming to the area.”

Carrie Westergard Executive Director • Boise Convention and Visitors Bureau • Boise By Sharon Fisher is happy with the way things are going and also feels fortunate that due to Special to Idaho Business Review her marketing and public relations background she has already been able to gain national exposure for the organization. hey’ve been living together for two years, but the Boise Convention and On a volunteer basis, Westergard is on the board for Girls On the Visitors Bureau and the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce finally Run and the Ronald McDonald House, and a volunteer and mentor for Ttied the knot in November, merging the two nonprofit organizations. Junior Achievement. She’s also on the executive council of the Famous Operationally, the organization is similar to the Boise Valley Economic Idaho Potato Bowl and is getting involved in Rotary. Partnership (BVEP), with its own budget but sharing resources, such as a Westergard and her two children Claire, 13, and Chase, 8, are a single front desk, Westergard says. volunteering team. “My daughter comes out early in the morning to help The merger also makes sense because all three organizations share with the Girls on the Run 5K races and has helped take pictures at the similar strategic missions. “The Chamber is business advocacy, we recruit Ironman, and my son has helped the last two years with Rake Up Boise,” people to spend a night in town, BVEP recruits businesses,” she explains. she says. “It’s just part of being in the family. So while BVEP is working to encourage site selectors to consider Boise “My number one personal priority is raising two outstanding young for their clients, the Visitors Bureau is working to bring a site selectors’ people that will be a positive influence in society.” conference to Boise. “There’ll be a lot of that type of alignment.” Westergard lives by a philosophy she learned from “a very wise Previously, Westergard was with Chamber leadership programs such man,” her former brother-in-law who passed away in 2006: “To thine as Leadership Boise and Boise Young Professionals. Before that, she was own self be true … I have tried to carry that forward from that day on the director of the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau, both professionally and personally,” she says. but chose to move to Boise after the death of her children’s father. “It Right now, Westergard is excited about the several new hotels going was a decision that I didn’t take lightly,” she says. “I could have moved up in Boise. “It’s great,” she says. “We love selling Boise. Those hotels are anywhere, but I really felt like my whole career was in the West. It felt like just going to make our jobs that much easier, especially on the convention the right thing to do.” side, with downtown having more availability.” And, becoming the leader of BCVB fit right in line with Westergard’s The hotels, as well as the Chamber merger, might also bring more big picture. “I have worked many years towards having the honor to serve awareness to the role of Westergard’s organization, which currently oper- as an executive director of an organization that I’m passionate about,” ates under the radar sometimes. “A lot of what we do is outside the area, she says, adding that the position did come with some challenges – “hav- public relations, not here in Boise, so you don’t see it,” she says. “But if ing to gain the trust of the staff, board, the convention center staff and you ever see people wearing convention badges walking around town, it’s board, hotel community, city and many more stakeholders.” Westergard more than likely that we worked with them in coming to the area.” 54 • Women of the Year Congratulations to

Mayor Rebecca Casper for being named a Woman of the Year Giving service to business, education and government.

Congratulations to our Boise Metro ChaMBer of CoMMerCe’s and Boise Convention and visitors Bureau’s WoMen of the Year aWard honorees Cultivating support Carrie Westergard (L), Executive Director for our communities. Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau Truth is, everything we do is about feeding people. Erin Cave (R), Manager, Leadership & Digital Media But more than that, our people love helping other Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce people. That’s why you see them every day in our communities, volunteering for important causes, supporting organizations and programs, and donating We Are so Proud of You! time. Sure, we may be focused on Bringing Earth’s AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HONOREES OF OUR CHAMBER MEMBER BUSINESSES: Resources to Life. But we’re just as passionate about Karen Appelgren, Zions Bank Corinne (Cori) Mantle-Bromley, supporting our communities, too. Nora J. Carpenter, United Way of University of Idaho Discover more at . Treasure Valley Inc. Deneen May, Zions Bank www.simplot.com Karen Echeverria, Idaho School Molly Mettler, Healthwise Boards Association Amy J. Moll, Boise State University Colleen Asumendi Fillmore, Terri Muse, University of Idaho University of Phoenix Nancy K. Napier, Boise State Charlotte G. Borst, The College University of Idaho Mary (M.C.) Niland, Witco Inc. Catherine Chertudi, City of Boise Patricia M. Olsson, Moffatt Thomas Julie M. Fogerson, Wells Fargo Bank SeAnne Safaii-Waite, University of Ashley Ford-Squyres, AF Public Idaho Solutions LLC Carole Skinner, The Flicks Janice E. Fulkerson, Idaho Nonprofit Stacie States, Keller Williams Realty Center Shannon Stoeger, Idaho Erin Guerricabeitia, City of Boise Independent Bank Johanna (Joey) C. L. Hale, Olga Tijerina-Menchaca, J.R. Simplot Company Washington Trust Bank Carolyn Holly, KTVB-TV Gloria Totoricagüena, Idaho Policy Beth Ineck, City of Nampa and Consulting LLC Sarah (Xiaoye) Jin, Micron Amanda Watson, Red Sky Technology Inc. Cheryl A. Wright, College of Katherine Johnson, Treasure Valley Western Idaho Family YMCA Mary York, Holland & Hart LLP Diana Lachiondo, City of Boise America Yorita-Carrion, Idaho Youth Ranch www.boisechamber.org | 208.472.5205 Idaho Business Review • 55 “If you listen, are respectful, educate yourself on the history, and build genuine relationships with those involved, you can always find common ground and join arms on the path to the future.”

Jennifer Wheeler President • WRG Corporate Services • Executive Director Idaho Oral Health Alliance, Boise By Jeanne Huff find what would make me whole. I found it is in Idaho where I am Idaho Business Review grounded and can embrace my passions.” And so, she moved back to Idaho and switched gears. In 2014 she was named executive director hen Jennifer Wheeler was in junior high, she took an of the Idaho Oral Health Alliance, and in 2015 started WRG. evening aerobics class. Her instructor was also an alumni “After a career in alumni relations/higher education and Wdirector. She saw a spark in Wheeler and said “’when you nonprofit service, I took the leap into self-employment,” Wheeler get to college, come see me,’” says Wheeler. She did, and loved the says. “In creating WRG Corporate Services, I assist companies and work “I had always known I wanted to help people,” she says. nonprofits by providing flexible, customized help with board, share- And for 22 years, Wheeler was an alumni relations leader, cut- holder, meeting, and organizational needs. ting a swath across the West, from ISU in Pocatello, to Portland State “This is a new chapter for me, to make it on my own,” she says. University, back to ISU, and then the University of Washington. “My passion is in building and strengthening foundational support “Mentoring students and alumni played to my strengths and for organizations so they can flourish.” parlayed my job,” Wheeler says.” Wheeler says her grandmother has been an inspiration and Often asked how she could be so involved and immersed in credits her with where Wheeler is today. “She’s the one who helped alumni programs outside of her own alma mater, she says: “My me realize my capacity for organizing people, things, plans. That has answer was always easy and always the same. If you listen, are always been my strongest strength and I think that’s why I’ve been respectful, educate yourself on the history, and build genuine rela- successful in all that I’ve done, including rafting. tionships with those involved, you can always find common ground “The difference between being a bossy little girl and an orga- and join arms on the path to the future.” nized leader – my grandmother helped me with that.” She loved her work – but missed her home state and the white One of her proudest achievements so far, says Wheeler, is “my water rafting that kept bringing her back. “Growing up in Pocatello, appointment by the governor to the Idaho Health Coalition. To have a we were in rafts by the time we were 6. I kept leaving trying to seat at that table is wonderful and I am honored to be that representative.”

56 • Women of the Year “I get to live my passion every day and I’m there for the students and to ensure their success. And that’s my No. 1 goal.”

Cheryl A. Wright Vice President of Finance and Administration • College of Western Idaho • Nampa By Jeanne Huff ber of leadership roles including business manager of Selland College of Idaho Business Review Applied Technology. While in that position, Wright changed the financial structure of the college, bringing many improvements. “ heryl Wright says she had an idyllic, Norman Rockwell-esque childhood. “Dean Larry Barnhardt gave me one of the best compliments I’ve She grew up in “picturesque New England,” in a small mining town in received in my career when he said: ‘Cheryl, you have made more positive CNew Hampshire. There was a two-room schoolhouse and she has fond impacts to the Selland College in your first three years here than I have memories of swimming and fishing in the summers with her best friend. accomplished in my 10 years.’” “I had the first skateboard of anybody we knew,” says Wright. “It was But, as much as she enjoyed her work at Boise State, Wright’s heart sailed like one big family.” when the groundswell for a community college began. “My end goal – if there In her high school graduating class there were 98 students, represent- was going to be a community college, that’s where I wanted to be,” she says. ing five towns. The referendum passed in May 2007. And then – “President (Dennis) Without a degree, Wright worked as an accountant for years. Then, at Griffin, he came to me two days after he was appointed and asked me to be his age 35, she began having health struggles and was diagnosed with rheuma- CFO. Of course, I took it. I get to live my passion every day and I’m there for the toid arthritis. “I had to stop working,” she says. “The doctor said: ‘You’ve students and to ensure their success,” Wright says. “And that’s my No. 1 goal.” got to swim or you won’t be able to walk.’ I forced myself to swim everyday. Today, although Wright still has RA, she lives with it – and is still swim- It was so painful.” At first, Wright could not swim far. “I had no stamina. So ming and walking. “I’m a walking miracle,” she says. “A lot of it comes from I prayed: ‘God help me – I want to swim a mile nonstop.’ So, I got to that.” keeping hope alive, my faith and I have had so many people praying for me.” But swimming so she could walk was only part of her challenge – for Wright also began a nursing home ministry when she was 30 years old. a time, she also lost her short-term memory. After four years, her husband, It was a positive experience that helped her with public speaking, she says. “I Bruce – “my biggest supporter” – reminded her of her dream to go to college. had about 52 people in my church service.” “I think you should try it.” Wright says her husband and her daughter “are my biggest cheerlead- Wright took two classes that first semester at Northwest College in ers to this day.” She enjoys spending time with her two granddaughters, Powell, Wyoming, and was hooked. “The community college experience Emily, 15, and Olivia, 11. “We play music together. I play a trumpet, Emily totally transformed me,” she says. “I went to college for the sheer joy of plays flute and piccolo, and Olivia plays the recorder,” says Wright. One of getting an education.” The second year, Wright won a full-ride scholarship, their favorite songs to play is “My Favorite Things.” and set a goal: to one day become a community college president. Oh, and some other things about Wright: at age 16 she was the first certified The first in her family to get a four-year college degree, she obtained scuba diver in New Hampshire, she wants to write a novel about her childhood, her bachelor’s in business administration in 1995 from Kennedy Western she loves to ride her bike and she’s a big fan of the life coach and motivational University in Washington. speaker Tony Robbins. “I’ve walked on fire – twice,” Wright says with a smile and She worked at Boise State University from 2000 to 2007 in a num- a twinkle in her eyes. “It’s all about the power of your mind. I’m living proof.” Idaho Business Review • 57 “At the end of the day, I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror and say: Today you were a good lawyer. Today you were a good mom. Today you were a good wife.”

Mary York Partner • Holland & Hart LLP • Boise By Jeanne Huff and trying to figure out that best answer to that puzzle, that problem.” Idaho Business Review York has also been involved in a number of community outreach organizations and nonprofits including the Supreme Court Historical ary York, whose family has been in Idaho for four genera- Society and the JDRF, formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research tions, was also an “Army brat” and spent her Kindergarten Foundation. The latter is a labor of pure love – and personal. When Mthrough 4th grade education at a German school in Ebersbach, York’s 17-month-old son Jack was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, Germany. “I grew up speaking German, thinking in German,” she says. “that’s why I got involved in (JDRF.) Being involved allows me to share Her mother tells the story of how disjointed her translation to English our story with other families and allows us to help one another,” she says, could sometimes be. “Once I woke up and said, ‘mom, I’m so tired I can adding, “it also let’s us know what’s on the horizon.” no more run,’” she says with a laugh. “It was a great experience.” York says her coworkers at Holland & Hart came forward to cover Back in Idaho for 5th grade on, York lists as extracurricular activi- for her during the hard early days. “They are an extraordinary culture ties ballet dancing and playing the fiddle. She stopped dancing when she of really caring people,” she says. York and her husband, Jim, take turns was 16, but was the Junior Junior Idaho State Fiddle champion in 1983 getting up at 2 a.m. each night to check on Jack. “It’s our normal,” she and placed sixth at the Weiser National Fiddle Festival that year and says. “I know before he goes to college there will be something akin to a played up until she went to college. cure. He’s my hero.” York got her undergraduate degree at Gonzaga University in York says she loves being a partner and loves her work. Internally, Spokane and went to law school at the University of Idaho College of she works on the firm’s Partnership Admission Committee, is a member Law, where she also was editor-in-chief of the Idaho Law Review – and and chair of the firm’s Associate/Of counsel Committee, and is the once again, picked up the fiddle. co-chair and co-founder of the firm’s H&H Academy that promotes After graduating, she clerked for Justice Chas. F. McDevitt, then leadership and mentorship. Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court. Then, she became a Deputy “It’s exciting and very fulfilling to see and watch people grow and Attorney General for the Idaho Transportation Department. After work- become our future leaders,” she says. ing for the state for five years, York was “courted by Holland & Hart.” York says she feels close to one leader every day. “I sit behind Edith In 2001, she came on board at Holland & Hart and became a part- Miller Kline’s desk. She was the first woman lawyer at Holland & Hart and ner in 2007. “I got to go and continue my growth with whom I consider the 17th woman lawyer in Idaho. To sit behind such a remarkable woman’s the best lawyers in the state,” she says. desk inspires me and helps me want to help others the same way – which It was a path she wanted to take from the beginning. is pretty cool. When she retired I laid claim to her furniture. It’s her desk.” “Growing up I always wanted to be a lawyer,” York says. But it wasn’t And, while she was a fiddle playing member of a local Irish band the thrill of debate that drew her. “It was the puzzles, the problem-solving, for a while, she since has picked up the ukulele.

58 • Women of the Year “I remember feeling this strong sense of gratitude for people for helping us. I needed to figure out a way to give back. That became a theme in my life.”

America Yorita-Carrion Coordinator • Alumni Association • Idaho Youth Ranch • Boise By Jeanne Huff She moved to the Idaho Youth Ranch in 2013, working first as a job Idaho Business Review specialist for Youthworks! And then as coordinator for the Alumni Association, where she was responsible for its overall leadership, merica Yorita-Carrion’s family moved to America from management and direction. Recently, Yorita-Carrion came on Mexico when she was 9 years old. “That’s when my life’s pur- board the Student Affairs Department at Boise State University as Apose began,” she says. “I just remember my mom would say: Student Affairs Coordinator, once again, assuming a position she is ‘Now you will get to go to college and get an education.’ I remember passionate about. feeling this strong sense of gratitude for people for helping us. I needed “It’s a great opportunity to continue what I’ve been doing for to figure out a way to give back. That became a theme in my life.” the past 10 years, working with young adults,” she says. The oldest of four, Yorita-Carrion and her siblings grew up in In addition, Yorita-Carrion has been involved with the Stay the Yakima Valley in Washington, where her parents were agricul- In School Quinceañera Program and the Junior League of Boise, ture workers who wanted their children to have a better life. While among many other nonprofit organizations.And, she is a “big” sister in high school, Yorita-Carrion was deeply inspired by one of her for a “little,” in Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho. teachers, Mr. Hurst, her 11th grade history teacher. She remembers Among accomplishments and achievements of which she is his words of advice: “He said, ‘The day you find what you’re most most proud: her community service work since she was in high passionate about and you get paid to do it – that is the last day you school; becoming a U.S. citizen in 2013 “after 20 years filled with have to work.’” anticipation; participating in the 2014 Mrs. Idaho America Pageant In 2005, Yorita-Carrion was the first in her family to graduate as Mrs. Boise Greenbelt, collecting “over 5,000 pairs of shoes” from college. “I walked the stage a proud, bright-eyed, ambitious for orphans in Africa, Ecuador and Hait; and “last but not least, Whitman College graduate, diploma in hand, convinced I found my I’m incredibly proud of the partnership I have with my husband passion. I was off to make an impact in the world! I get to live my life Wayne,” she says. by giving and serving within the nonprofit sector.” And, in case you are wondering about her first name – she was Her first job out of college was working for a nonprofit that not born on the Fourth of July, nor was she named for the hope of helped low-income youth realize their post-secondary education one day moving to her namesake’s country, even thought that did dreams to become the first in their families to go to college. happen. “I was named after a soccer team in the Mexican League She and her husband then moved to Boise when his career called ‘The Eagles of America,” she says with a laugh. She says brought him here. She worked at Family Advocates, where she her father had vowed ‘if I ever have a girl, I’m going to name her worked as a program manager, parent educator and home visitor. ‘America.’” Idaho Business Review • 59 The Idaho Business Review has been saluting successful women leaders more than a decade. See if you recognize Past Honorees some names from the lists below, which date back to 2006.

2015 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Laura Alvarez Schrag Baxter Q. Andrews Mary L. Andrews Liyah Babayan Katy Bergholm Shelby Bills Abby Black Nikeela R. Black Kelli Bolicek Krista Aida Bustamante Carolyn Casey Jennifer Claassen Rosie Dice Chelsea Doty Laugh Early Damaris G. Fisher Christine Frei Janice E. Fulkerson Cece Gassner Zelda Geyer-Sylvia Anne G. Glass Marla Brattain Hansen Kerrie Hurd Vicky Jekich Michelle Kresge Laurie La Follette Natalie Lemas Hernandez Elizabeth Lizberg Lauren McLean Georgia Meacham Judy Centa Meyer Sarah Michael Kim O’Neill Brenda Pettinger Teresa Poppen Danielle Quade Heidi Reeder Megan Ronk Ilana Rubel Priscilla Salant Diane Schooley-Pettis Wendy Shoemaker Nicole Snyder Tamara Thompson Karan E. Tucker Jodi Lynn Vanderpool Shawna Walz Loredana Werth Erin J. Wynne Alicia Young Toni L. Nielsen.

2014 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Elaine Ambrose Trudy J. Anderson La Dawn M. Anderst Nancy L. Bodie Tracy Bresina Nancy Buffington Michelle Choate Jennifer Claassen Pamela Clark Stephanie Clarkson Moya Dolsby Denise J. Dunlap Michelle Edmonds Debra K. Etcheson-Frisby Gynii A. Gilliam Brooke J. Green Cally Grindstaff D. Michelle Gustavson Tara Hamilton Julie Hart Beverly Haugen Heather Hill Christy Hovey Jennifer Johnson Merri Johnson Erica M. Kallin Emily Kane Phyllis J. Keith Lisa Kinnaman Kathy L. Martin Diane K. Minnich Caroline Moore Amber Murray Lauren Necochea Callie Zamzow Novak Mary Olson Beth Oppenheimer Maureen A. O’Toole Lorrie Louise Panzeri Jodi Peterson Heather Quisel Antonina Robles-Manzanarez Tara Varga Russell Sheila Schwager Lori Shandro Alicia Vanderschuere Alice Mondragon Whitney Chantayn Winner Krissa Wrigley.

2013 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Karleen Andresen Karen Ballard Denise Bender Amy Benson Stephanie Camarillo Wendy Gerwick Couture Angela Curtis Keely E. Duke Kate Eldridge Karianne Fallow Shari Fernandez Kit Fitzgerald Marcy Flansburg Wendy Fox Honey Goodman Christine L. Hayward Natasha Hazlett LeAnn M. Hume Evelyn S. Johnson Jana Jones Cyndi Friend Kay Trisha Stevens Lamb Julie Larson Angela Lindig Cathy McDougall Jennifer McEntee Diane Davis Myklegard Elizabeth (Betti) Newburn Lisa Nordstrom Tracy Olsen Stacy Pearson Amy Pence-

Women of the Year from the Class of 2015 / Photo by Pete Grady 60 • Women of the Year Past Honorees, cont. IDAHOwomen BUSINESS REVIEW of theyear

Brown Kimberly Pettit Jennifer L. Reynolds Susan Rowe Christine M. Salmi Amanda Keating Schaus Karyn Scott Marcia Smart Cindy Smith-Putnam Sheila Spangler Larinda Spencer Teri Thaemert Raleigh Ann Vachek Kendra A. Waitley Eloisa S. Walker, M.D. Emily Walton Rachel Winer Mandy Wood Holli Woodings.

2012 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Katherine G. Aiken Lucia Asumendi-Mereness Sharon Bantrup Janine Bastian Patricia Canto Adrean Casper Maurine Collins Jenalee Crawford Stacie Curry Lynnette M. Davis JamieLou Delavan Beth Elroy Marissa Emmons Jamie Gaythwaite Kimberly Graime Sylvia Hampel Brandi Hodnett Pamela Houston-Powell Britt E. Ide Rachel Johnsen Laurie A. Kaufman Paula Kellerer Anne C. Kunkel Diane T. Kushlan Julie Larson Melissa R. Lavitt Cathy Light Laura K. Lineberry Sue Macartney Lauren McLean Sylvia Medina Maria Patrick Terri R. Pickens Michelle Points Christine Rood Kimberly Evans Ross Heather P. Sabala Jennifer M. Schindele Terri A. Schorzman Katie Sewell Deanna Smith Jennifer Stevens Vonna Torrey Lisa Thorne Allison J. L. Touchstone Karen L. Vauk Heather Wheeler Anne B. Wilde Linda Yanke Maryanna Young.

2011 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Michelle Alden Tresa E. Ball Kristina Bowins A. IBR File Photo Patrice Burgess Sandra Cavanaugh Cindy Clark Kathryn Dabell Mary DeWalt Elina DiCostanzo Joan Marie Endicott Adrienne Evans Colleen Asumendi Fillmore Neva Geisler Julie Geller Margie Gonzalez Kate Haas Elfreda Higgins Jacquelyn Rochelle Hopper Amy Howe Valerie James Janelle Johnson CL Jones Cheryl L. Jorcyk Teresa Jorgensen Dori Madsen Gail May Mara McMillen Michelle Michaud Aspen L. Morrow Kathy Moyer Lorena Murdock Genesis Nelson Toni Nielsen Kelsey Jae Nunez Julie Pipal Hannah Read Annie Redding Kathryn Roth Melanie Rubocki Janeen Sanchez Maria Santa Cruz-Cernik Marty Siebertz Christy Stansell Sabrina Swope Heidi Thompson Amanda Turner Mary Wells Debbie Williams Mindy Willman Kimberly Woodings.

Women of the Year from the Class of 2011 / IBR File Photo Idaho Business Review • 61 Past Honorees, cont. IDAHOwomen BUSINESS REVIEW of theyear

2010 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Lisa Ikeda Bain Brooke Baldwin Diane Bawcom Alisa Bondurant Susie Boring-Headlee Joyce Brewer Hollis Brookover Janie Burns Tammy de Weerd Jennifer Deroin Dr. Peggy Doucette Debi Drake Megan Egbert Patti Everill Stacy Freeburn Falkner Janet Gallimore Becky Gates Beth Geagan Theresa Grant Margaret Henbest Shiloh Holmes Carol Jenkins Donna Jones Tracy Kasper Mandy Kayler Nancy Wonderlich Koonce Kari Korell Dr. Camille LaCroix Elaine Ladd Molly Lenty Kim Lewis Jean Lockhart Rebecca Lovelace Cynthia Melillo Connie Miller Jennifer Poole Shelli Rambo Roberson Jima Rice Betty Hansen Richardson Lisa Rodriguez Michelle Ross Erica Sarrazolla Kristi Saucerman Shawn Shepherd Toni Smith Andrea Tuning Luci Willits Robin Woods Irene Woodworth Aimee Wyatt.

Heidi Thompson, 2011 Woman of the Year 2009 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Laurie Appel Pamela Baldwin Jan Bennetts and Karen Vauk, 2012 Woman of the Year. Sherry Bithell Karena Boesel Anna Borchers Canning Addie Waxman Chan Photo by Pete Grady Rachael Daigle Candy Dale Penny Dennis Peg Dougherty Hilarie Engle Melanie Fales Tami Fisher Liz Fitzgerald Ashley Ford Trudy Hanson Fouser Lynda Friesz-Martin Sonia Galaviz Raquel Guglielmetti Valerie Hadley Tracy Hall Carol Hepworth Michelle Hicks Rachel Hurn Wendy Jaquet Julie Johnson Lori Jones RaNae Jones Bessie Katsilometes Kate Kelly Holly Sue Kerns Shelby Kerns Lonni Leavitt-Barker Kelly Greene McConnell Cheryl McNeil Karen North Molly O’Leary Wendy Olson Debra Riede Kelly Ryan Rush Lisa Scales Kail Seibert LeAnn Simmons Paula Smyly Dene Kay Thomas Erin Tippets Shawna Van Beek Susan Williamson Rachel Winer.

2008 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Rouchelle Abrahamson Judy Aitken Candice Allphin Susannah Arnim Nancy Bergmann Laurie Bower Karen Bubb Elaine Carpenter Nancy Caspersen Jane Cliff Lanie Compton Patty Coulter Kris Cronin Megan Crouch Lyn Darrington Deborah Ferguson Lori Fisher Jessica Flynn Nicole Hancock Tammy Hanks Katherine Hansen Alisha Havens Kit Herndon Amy Herzfeld Theresia Kituku Paula Landholm Kluksdal Becky Logue Laurel MacKinnon Jennifer Matoske Pam McBride Lisa McClain Theresa McLeod Sondra McMindes Natalie Camacho Mendoza Karen Meyer Kelly Miller Deborah Nelson Lorene Oates Teri Ottens Mary Pridmore Amanda Rimbey Ruth Romero Cathy Silak Lisa Steele Joan Stephens Lynn Viner Deanna Watson Denise Wingett Sarah Woodley Stephanie Worrell.

2007 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Rhea Allen Barbara Bowman Georgia Bowman-Gunstream Kara Craig Jeannette Duwe Sally Freeman Suzie Hall Syrena Case Hargrove Teresa Hatter Jana Kemp Nicole LeFavour Debbie Martin Maggie O’Mara Meg Omel Kim Peel Lauren Maiers Reynoldson Kathleen Simko Linda Payne Smith Tracy Sprague Amy Stahl Heather Stocker Trudy Sullivan Karen Warner Stephanie Westermeier Shanna Wroten-Tucker.

2006 WOMEN OF THE YEAR Pam Ahrens Rebecca Arnold Mary K. Aucutt Teresa Baker Michele Bartlett Jill Beck Suzi Boyle Tamara Brandstetter Michelle Cameron Meg Carlson Nora Carpenter Joan Cloonan Sandra Dalton Lisa DeDapper Rebecca Evans Tracy Haworth Andrea Jackson Janice Johnson Deb Kristensen Karen Lansing Cheryl Larabee Deborah Marlor Sylvia Medina Nora Mickelson Debra Purdy Anne Pasley-Stuart Gena Russell Sydney Sallabanks Karen Sander Beth Schafer Kathy Sewell Linda Copple Trout Jodi Vanderpool Vicki White Class of 2014 red carpet moment. / Photo by Pete Grady Jane Wittmeyer. 62 • Women of the Year Events 2016

IDAHO BUSINESS REVIEW april 5, june 7, aug. 9 IBR BReakfast oct. 11, Dec. 6, 2016 Forum 8-10 am seRIes The Grove Hotel, Boise

wednesday, may 11, 2016 Awards Dinner 5:30 - 9:30 pm ceo of INfLueNce Riverside Hotel, Boise Nomination Deadline feb. 16, 2016

thursday, june 23, 2016 accompLIsheD Awards Reception 5:30 - 9 pm Location: TBA uNDeR 40 Nomination Deadline april 1, 2016

thursday, sept. 22, 2016 Awards Reception 5:30 -8:30 pm top pRojects Location: Courtyard Marriott, Meridian Nomination Deadline july 11, 2016

thursday, Nov. 17, 2016 LeaDeRs IN Awards Reception 5:30 - 8:30 pm Eighth & Main 17th Floor, Boise Law Nomination Deadline aug. 22, 2016

thursday, feb. 25, 2016 women womeN of Awards Dinner 5:30 - 9:30 pm of the Boise Centre, Boise year the yeaR 2017 Nomination Deadline Nov. 4, 2016 for more information go to idahobusinessreview.com/events/ women of theyear Cenin thetre of it all. Idaho’s premier convention center is located in vibrant downtown Boise. Surrounded by restaurants, shops, culture and entertainment, Boise Centre is truly in the center of it all. We are expanding to accommodate larger conventions and multiple events. From 10 to 2,000, we have the meeting space, atmosphere, professional event staff and culinary services to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Call now to schedule your upcoming event or to learn more about our exciting expansion project. 208-336-8900 or visit boisecentre.com

Where Every Client Is Treated Like The Woman Of The Year

Congratulations Mention this ad for special pricing to the 2016 Women $100 off Botox, with 35 unit purchase free JuvederM, with two of the Year! voluma purchase 22% off CoolsCulpting, lose up to 22% of your fat one ipl free, with purchase of two offers expire march 31, 2016. services must be received by march 31, 2016. cannot be combined with other offers. no cash value. Quantities limited. other restrictions apply.

Boise’s Best Medical Spa | 208-367-0700 | 403 S. 11th Street, Downtown Boise 2113605_17157

THE HAWLEY TROXELL WAY 7.5x10

4c BRILLIANT AND Achieving great things for our community

When someone comes along who has the courage and vision to turn dreams into reality, the future looks brighter BOLD for everyone. Julie Fogerson, 2016 Women of the Year honoree, we thank you. We applaud the Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year nominees for their dedication, inspiration, and incredible vision for our lives and communities. As Idaho’s premier, full-service law firm, we’re proud to offer sophisticated legal service to game-changers throughout the state. Our customized approach, The Hawley Troxell Way, uses a team of attorneys or one-to-one counsel to meet your specific legal needs. And, best of all, our nationally renowned legal services come with a local address.

wellsfargo.com

© 2016 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. BOISE / COEUR D’ALENE / IDAHO FALLS / POCATELLO / RENO Member FDIC. (2113605_17157) Call 208.344.6000 or visit HawleyTroxell.com Congratulations UI

Women of the Year! uidaho.edu

For more than 127 years, women from the University of Idaho have made a significant impact in their respective careers in science, education, engineering, business and the social sciences. Like those who came before them, Vandal women today continue to pave the way for future generations who will join them as community leaders, mentors and scholars – each contributing to the success of the state’s economic prosperity and diverse community.

Today we congratulate Vandal faculty and alumnae who are honored as the Top 50 Idaho Business Review’s 2016 Women of the Year.

Cori Mantle-Bromley Johanna “Joey” Hale Dean of the UI College of Education Director, internal audit, J.R. Simplot Company, Boise Terri Muse Assistant dean for external relations at Katherine Johnson the UI College of Law in Boise Director of marketing and communications, Treasure Valley YMCA, Boise SeAnne Safaii-Waite Associate professor of family and consumer Deneen May sciences for the College of Agricultural and Life Vice president, Meridian Silverstone Sciences at UI Boise and UI Coeur d’Alene Financial Center, Zions Bank, Meridian

Nora Carpenter Amanda Watson President, CEO, United Way of Senior account executive, Red Sky, Boise Treasure Valley Inc., Boise Mary York Colleen Asumendi Fillmore Partner, Holland & Hart LLP, Boise State director, USDA Child Nutrition Programs, Boise

Boise Idaho Falls Moscow Coeur d’Alene