Idaho Business Review announces 2021 Women of the Year

After receiving more than 150 nominations of deserving women from around the state, the Idaho Business Review is proud to announce this year’s 50 Women of the Year honorees, who come from all industries and professions — from banking to health care, hospitality, law, nonprofit, real estate and more.

The 2021 awards will take place in person and will celebrate women leaders — from Coeur d’Alene to Lewiston to Boise to Idaho Falls — who have made their mark and are paving the way for leaders of today and into the future.

“I feel like we have come full circle after such an unprecedented year,” said Idaho Business Review Publisher Cindy Suffa. “It was last March that Idaho Business Review held its last in-person event, which was 2020 Women of the Year, before pivoting to a virtual format to continue to deliver our events in the safest method possible. Now, after a year of virtual events, we are excited to return to in-person events again — and I can’t think of a better way than to kick off our return to live events with this year’s Women of the Year awards.”

In addition to the many people who submitted nominations and women who completed applications for consideration, Suffa also expressed her appreciation for the time and effort put forth by the panel of judges made up of past Women of the Year honorees. This selection committee reviewed the applicants and selected the 50 honorees based on four categories: professional achievement, leadership, mentorship and community service.

One member of the selection committee, Carrie Tucker of J.R. Simplot Company, a 2019 Women of the Year award recipient, said that it was “inspiring to learn about the successes of amazing Idaho women leaders. I so appreciate the Idaho Business Review’s recognition and support for women professionals in Idaho. It’s a part of what makes Idaho great.”

Another member of the judging panel, Renee Bade of the Idaho Department of Labor, a 2018 Women of the Year honoree, said, “What an amazingly talented group of women! I couldn’t think of a better way to start my week off than by reading about this rock-star group of ladies.”

Each year, the Idaho Business Review announces an overall top winner as the Woman of the Year (based on scores from the judges and IBR staff members), who is unveiled at the awards gala. Last year’s Woman of the Year, Tammy de Weerd, happily participated as a judge for this year’s candidates. “This process is so uplifting,” she said. “What amazing women!”

The 2021 Women of the Year gala will be held September 30 at Boise Centre, and tickets are available now.

2021 Women of the Year honorees

Camille Andersen, Horizon Credit Union

Mindi Anderson, Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Shari Baber, Cutnup & Co. / Brownlikeme

Georganne Benjamin, Optum Idaho

Odette Bolano, Saint Alphonsus Health System*

Lindsey Bowshier, Tribute Media

Mary Beth Chandler, Chandlers Steakhouse

Colette Chester, Zions Bank

Andrea Christopher, Boise VA Medical Center

Robin Collins, City of Eagle

Caitlin Copple Masingill, Full Swing Public Relations

Sarah Cortez, Alliance Title & Escrow

Sarah Cunningham, ETHOS Design + Remodel & ETHOS Real Estate

Elaine Damschen, Mainstream Electric Heating Cooling & Plumbing

Betsy Davies, Idaho Hispanic Foundation, Inc. / Idaho Women’s Business Center

Kathy Evans Hurley, Boise State University

Becky Fowers, Zions Bank

Brinnon Garrett Mandel, VIA Global Health

Maria Alicia Garza, Boise State University

Meg Glasgow, FINER FRAMES*

Lisa Holland, City of Kuna (posthumous)

Cheryl Hutchinson, Bishop Kelly High School/ Boise Slam

Toni Karlsson, Idaho National Laboratory

Jamie Kinshella, Kount, an Equifax Company*

Elizabeth Lizberg, Camp Rainbow Gold, Inc.*

Christina Lords, Idaho Capital Sun

Shannon McGuire, Spark! Strategic Solutions

Meghan McInerney, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center Intensive Care

Marcella Medor, MarCom, LLC

Lisa Mesenko, Allied Business Solutions

Cari Miller, Zions Bank

Jayme Mullaney, Biome, LLC

Alecia Murray, Lovevery

Christine Neuhoff, St. Luke’s Health System*

Keisha Oxendine, Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office*

Kelley Packer, Association of Idaho Cities

Christa Rowland, United Way of Treasure Valley

Sophie Sestero, Fahlgren Mortine*

Bonnie Shelton, City of Boise

Lindsay Shrum, Balsam Brands

Carrie Sullivan, Telaya Wine Co.

Teri Thaemert, Boise School District*

Marlene Tromp, Boise State University

Deanna Turner, Idaho Central Credit Union

Christina Ward, Christina & Company, Keller Williams Realty Boise

Katrina Wehr, Hughes Real Estate Group

Michelle Wooten, Crescendo Coaching

Mandi Wright, Wright Brothers, The Building Company

Stephanie Young, Idaho Central Credit Union

Jennifer Zielinski, Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition Inc.*

*Denotes former Idaho Women of the Year honorees now in the Circle of Excellence.