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.

BOISE, Idaho – Leadership Boise, a Boise Metro Chamber program sponsored by Capital City Development Corp, has announced the Leadership Boise (LB) class of 2024-2026. Established in 1975, LB has graduated over 1,800 Treasure Valley professionals, making it one of the longest-running Chamber-sponsored leadership programs in the country.

Participants engage in monthly, daylong sessions that enhance their understanding of the community, its challenges, and opportunities. The program encourages fresh perspectives on leadership, equipping participants with the tools to broaden their impact and take on greater leadership roles. Each year, Leadership Boise alumni are involved in selecting the new class from a competitive pool of applicants.

"Our record number of applications has led to a new class of 58 professionals, each bringing a variety of talents and perspectives," said Karyn Stuart, Director of Leadership Programs.

Due to nearby wildfires and poor air quality happening on August 16, the Opening Retreat was relocated from the YMCA Camp in Horsethief Reservoir to Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) in downtown Boise. “We appreciate JUMP’s flexibility and community support,” added Stuart.

The retreat included team-building exercises, networking, and leadership workshops, featuring speakers such as:

• Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, President & CEO, Boise Metro Chamber
• David Duro, President & CEO, Treasure Valley Family YMCA
• Amy Rush, MFA, CCA, Strelo Group
• David “Record Breaker” Rush, Record Breaker Rush
• Lincoln McLain, Associate Executive Director, YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir
• Davina Ware, The Complete Leader
• Erika Soelberg, JUMP, Events & Rentals Coordinator
• Gabe Brenner, City of Boise (LB Vice President)
• Colette Lentsch, Hillcrest Bank (LB Vice President)
• Amy Lindgren, Cushing Terrell (LB President)

The 2024- 2025 LB leadership team includes Vice Presidents Gabe Brenner (City of Boise) and Colette Lentsch (Hillcrest Bank), along with President Amy Lindgren (Cushing Terrell), who together set this year’s theme: "Influence and Impact: Total Leadership."

Leadership Boise will celebrate the 2025 LB graduates, LB Alumni, and the program's 50th anniversary at an event at The Grove in May 2025 at The Grove Hotel. The 2025-2027 class interest list is now open at boisechamber.org/leadership-boise.

Congratulations to these new Leadership Boise participants and to the companies that support the Chamber and their employees’ growth.

BOISE, ID – Community and business leaders, along with Leadership Boise Alumni (LB Alumni) and the 2022-24 graduating class of Leadership Boise (LB), gathered at the Grove Hotel on May 16, 2024 to celebrate the annual Leadership Boise Graduation & Alumni Reunion. This prestigious event recognized the newest graduates of LB and honored the finalists and winners of the Community Leadership Awards.
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The evening began with a toast from Boise City Mayor and LB Alum, Lauren McLean. She praised the success of the Boise Metro Chamber's esteemed two-year program, Leadership Boise, which originated in 1975 and is now one of the longest-running Chamber-sponsored leadership programs in the United States. Attendees were also inspired by a keynote speech from Jeff Huhn, LB Alum and Southern Idaho Market President of First Interstate Bank.
The LB Alumni Association recognized 15 finalists for the Community Leadership Awards, all of whom were selected for their exceptional engagement as Treasure Valley professionals. These individuals exemplify leadership, mentor and support others, and enhance the Treasure Valley community through their work and character. The winners for the five categories were:

• Social Responsibility Award: Kelley Packer, Idaho Association of Cities
• Distinguished LB Alum Award: Karen Sander, HDR Engineering
• LB Alum Entrepreneur of the Year: Kristi Saucerman, Auction Frogs
• Nonprofit Excellence Award: Girls on the Run
• Legacy of Leadership Award: Sheriff Matt Clifford​​

The event concluded with 2023-24 LB President, Dr. Jesse Mix, calling each graduate to the stage and presenting them with a commemorative plaque.
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For more information about Leadership Boise, visit boisechamber.org/leadership-boise-programs.html