BOISE, Idaho – The Boise Metro Chamber is proud to announce this year’s graduating class of Leadership Boise. The 2023-2025 class had a total of 54 participants from all different industries across the Treasure Valley.
“Leadership Boise has become a staple of professional development in our community. I am grateful for Karyn Stuart and Becca Proctor’s leadership of the Chamber programs. I’m excited to see what the coming years will bring,” said Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President and CEO of the Boise Metro Chamber.
 
This year’s graduation event, celebrating the Leadership Boise’s 50th anniversary, featured a keynote address from Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane highlighting the importance of programs like LB. The event also included a proclamation reading by Boise Mayor Lauren McLean recognizing HP Inc. for sending 40 participants through the program, as well as acknowledgments for several other companies that have consistently supported Leadership Boise over the years. The celebration brought together over 300 leaders from top organizations across the region to honor the program’s enduring impact.
 
Founded in 1975, Leadership Boise has graduated over 2,000 individuals across the Treasure Valley. ​Participants who are accepted to the program on an annual basis attend monthly, day-long sessions about relevant and pressing topics that affect and impact living and working in Boise.
 
This Years Graduates include:

• Jillian Alexander, Conduit Consulting
• Mark Anderson, BRS Architects
• Matt Arriaga, Arriaga Mediation
• Taylor Barton, Visit Boise
• Charlie Baser, Givens Pursley LLP
• Darryl Beemer, HP Inc.
• Patrick Boel, Roundhouse
• Andrew Boespflug, TOK Commercial Real Estate
• Lauren Brassey, WebMD Ignite
• Gabriel Brenner, City of Boise
• Ben Burnham, Boise State University
• Colette Chester Lentsch, Hillcrest Bank
• Stephanie Chimonas, CSHQA
• Cameela Cruz, HP Inc.
• Craig Dammeier, Holland & Hart
• Meghann Donley, Jacobs Engineering Group
• Bradley Dunbar, Cushing Terrell
• Adrienne Esposito, WaFd
• Amy Evans, Boise Cascade
• Kyle Galloway, Boise Cascade
• Nicholas Gourley, Stoel Rives
• VJ Greenfield, Charlie's Produce
• Jennell Hall, Northwest Lineman College
• Brandon Helgeson, Hawley Troxell
• Malcolm Hong, Zions Bank
• Stephanie Husler, Your Health Idaho
• JD Kessler, HUB International
• Chuck Kracht, Idaho Housing and Finance Association
• Nichol Lapierre, Your Health Idaho
• Chelan Lippincott, University of Idaho College of Engineering
• Abby Losinski, St. Luke's Health System
• Max McKenna, ESI
• John McNeese, HDR Engineering
• Sara Miller, Saint Alphonsus Health System
• Frances Nagashima, St. Luke's Health Plan
• Ashlee Neddo, ICCU
• Jordyn Neerdaels, Idaho Power
• Becca Proctor, Boise Metro Chamber
• Michelle Railsback, St. Luke's
• Tyler Richelieu, ZGA Architects
• Antonina Robles, HP Inc.
• Alex Suffa, Idaho First Bank
• Joe Tanner, Mountain America Credit Union
• Scott Thompson, Zions Bank
• Breanna Young, WCA
• Romeo Zavala, Horizon Credit Union

Community Leadership award winners include:

• Nonprofit Excellence Award: NAMI (National Association of Mental Health Idaho)
• Social Responsibility Award: Pat Kelly, Your Health Idaho
• LB Entrepreneur of the Year:   Angela Taylor, Indulge Boise Food Tours
• Distinguished LB Alum: Theresa McLeod, St. Luke's Health System
• Legacy of Leadership Award: Hart Gilchrist, Intermountain Gas / MDU

This event was presented by First Interstate Bank and Unleashing Leaders and cosponsored by TOK Commercial Real Estate, Cushing Terrell, and ZGA Architects & Planners, Chartered.

On May 15, 2025, Boise, Idaho Mayor, Lauren McLean, delivered her sixth State of the City Address at Boise Centre West, reflecting on the City of Boise’s recent accomplishments and outlining a vision for the year ahead. Framed around Boise’s guiding “North Star” — caring for people — the mayor emphasized the city’s commitment to building a community where everyone can thrive.

In her remarks, Mayor McLean celebrated key milestones, including:

• Progress on affordable housing
• Efforts to address homelessness
• Creation of jobs
• Maintained unemployment rates below the national average
• Highlights of investments in public safety
• Expanded access to parks and open spaces

“Though we have to tighten our belts and look for ways to stretch a dollar this year, I’m proud of the investments we made in previous years, which are now coming to life,” McLean said. “We are making smart investments, supporting our business community, and preparing for the future.”
Looking ahead, residents can expect new artwork and amenities at the Boise Airport and a thoughtful approach to the FY 2026 budget that continues to prioritize people and community well-being.

The address was sponsored by Perigee Group and ICCE. It was followed by a reception, sponsored by CBH Homes,  to celebrate the cities successes.

Read local news coverage of the event here:

• Boise Mayor Lauren McLean gives annual State of the City Address
• KTVB: Boise Mayor highlights housing progress, future in State of the City Address

Thank you to all who attended the 2025 Boise Metro Chamber Regional Leadership Conference - Education and Workforce Development presented by Republic Services.

​This year's Regional Leadership Conference focused on the topic of Education and Work Force Development. Attendees heard from seven panels all focusing on education intersecting with industries in Idaho.

Panel 1: The Intersection of Education and Workforce Development
Moderator: Jennifer Swindell
Panelists: Gordon Jones, Roger Quarles, Wendi Secrist

Panel 2: K-12 Education Evolution
Moderator: Kelly Olson
Panelists: Rep. Sonia Galaviz, Sen Dave Lent, Keith Donahue, Dr. Derek Bub

Sessions
How Public Schools are Preparing Students for Success After Graduation: Debbie Critchfield
Idaho Launch: Governor Brad Little
Addressing Workforce Needs In a Growing City: Mayor Lauren McLean - Boise
America's 250 Celebration: Jennifer Stevens

Panel 3: Why Industry Partnership with Education is Critical in Addressing Workforce Needs
Moderator: April Arnzen
Panelists: Olivier Beloobe, Sarah Griffin, Malia Miyaura-Heuman

Panel 4: The Importance of Strategic Partnership in Advancing Idaho's Self Reliance
Moderator: Tom Kealy 
Panelists: Nancy Glenn, Neil Nelson, Scott Gatzemeier

Panel 5: The Importance of Partnerships for Industry and University Research
Moderator: Michael Ballantyne
Panelists: C. Scott Green, Garret Lofto, Christina Hardesty

Panel 6: Partnerships for Securing Idaho's Future with Critical Minerals and Materials
Moderator: Mckinsey Lyon
Panelists: Dr. Marty Blair, Dr. Shannon Bragg-Sitton, Ken Dey
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Panel 7: What are the Barriers to success for a Talent Pipeline for the Future?
Moderator: Jim Shipman
Panelists: Tommy Ahlquist, Skip Oppenheimer, Chelsea Miller, Megan Ellis

Thank you to the following for sponsoring this year's Regional Leadership Conference:

• Blue Cross of Idaho
• Exyte
• Micron
• PMF Investments
• Regence BlueShield of Idaho
• Sorren (Formerly Harris CPAs)

Thank you to all of our Co-sponsors:

• Albertsons
• Boise Airport
• Boise State University
• Brighton Corporation
• Capital City Development Corp (CCDC)
• Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS)
• Cushing Terrell
• Hawley Troxell
• Hub International
• Idaho Business Review 
• INL-Battelle Energy Alliance
• Oppenheimer Companies, Inc.
• Shoshone - Bannock Casino Hotel
• TOK Commercial
• University of Idaho Boise
• Verizon Wireless
• Washington Trust Bank

Be sure to check out the photo gallery.