Idaho Business Review IBR
The 2020 Women of the Year honorees gather at the gala. Photo by Katy Kithcart Creative
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.
