Women of the Year – Meredith Stead, Albertsons Companies, Inc/ City of of Boise

By Brooke Strickland

Meredith Stead’s business acumen and drive is unrivaled and is evidenced in her career history as a leader. One of her first significant career highlights came after three post-college years working in film production, where she took a part-time role at SnowBomb. Within six months, she was promoted to the vice president of operations, where she ran a million-dollar e-commerce and annual 12-stop ski and snowboard competition. She ended up working in that position for four years, where she was able to launch the San Francisco Ski and Snowboard Festival, which drew in 20,000 people.

When she moved to Idaho, she began work as Ballet Idaho’s marketing director, where she served for five years, helping grow the organization’s audience and sales by 20% each year.

When she was offered a role in planning and zoning through the city of Boise, Stead jumped at the opportunity, and she served proudly there for six years. This led her into her newest role which was appointed by Mayor McLean to the Boise City Council in the summer of 2023, and then being elected to a four-year term later that year.

Stead explained, “Being chosen by Mayor McLean to represent my council district was truly an honor but there is no greater privilege than winning the vote (by 70%!) of the people I was chosen to represent. I am grateful every day for the opportunity and will continue to do good in service for my community.”

Stead is also honored to be able to make a difference in the Gem State and its future through her role as a strategic sourcing manager in marketing for Albertsons. She plays a key role negotiating all marketing needs for the $27 billion dollar enterprise, including project management, process development and transition implementation of $270 million in annual agency services.

“When I commit to a group or organization, I go all in,” Stead said.

In addition to her corporate and community work, Stead is a public boards and commission fellowship mentor for Conservation Voters Idaho, a board chairperson for Harris Ranch Community Infrastructure District, and a board of directors advisory member for the Downtown Boise Association.

McLean endorsed Stead in a letter of recommendation stating, “Meredith Stead embodies the essence of leadership — she is principled, dedicated and empathetic. Her contributions to our city have been significant, and her vision for a more vibrant and equitable Boise is both inspiring and achievable.”

Ysabel Bilbao, president of Fundsy agreed that Stead’s leadership ability is unmatched and has been important in transforming the organization to become a beacon of success. In a letter of recommendation, Bilbao said, “She is a role model for women in leadership, showcasing what is possible when talent, passion and dedication converge. Her achievements, and our success, are a testament to her outstanding qualities. I am confident she will continue to inspire and make significant contributions to our community and beyond.”