Women honored in annual ‘Empowering’ event

From direct ownership, to serving in highly touted executive roles and advisory positions on company boards, women are making their mark in the workforce.

To help recognize the vital role women play in countless facets of the workplace, and in an effort to promote and elevate women in business, Idaho Business Review hosted its second annual Empowering Women celebration honoring the achievements of 18 local businesses and organizations.

More than 200 attendees gathered at the Boise Centre March 13 to recognize those who have demonstrated a strong commitment to hiring and promoting women, while implementing mentorship and support programs for future hires.

The event was slated to coincide with the recent celebration of International Women’s Day to showcase the “tangible efforts of private companies, nonprofits and other organizations who help advance women in the workplace and the community,” said IBR Publisher Cindy Suffa.

In fact, a recent survey conducted by Talker Research reinforced this notion. The survey focused on the elevated numbers of women business owners, and what is driving many more to aspire for such a role in the business world.

According to the results, as many as 90% of respondents said they believe today’s female business owners “represent an important figure for the next generation of children to see female business owners within their community.”

TalentSpark, one of this year’s 18 honorees, is considered Idaho’s only certified women-owned recruiting firm. The outfit boasts a 93% retention rate of employees after one year, with an average tenure for women employees of six and a half years, and an impressive average salary above six figures.

“Everything we do is in support of women,” said company founder Stephanie Parker. “Our business, the way we structure things. So, this is great recognition.”

Parker, who previously spent 10 years as a corporate recruiter, strongly believes her prior work has helped play a huge part to advance the mission and goals of her recruiting firm.

“I think I have always had an entrepreneurial streak, plus it’s good to leverage the corporate experience that I have had to help make money for our company and our employees,” she said.

Key figures shared during introductions of honorees helped highlight the diversity of leadership and advisory positions held by females for businesses turning a profit, as well as those classified within the nonprofit sector.

Girl Scouts of Silver Sage is 100% fully staffed by women, with 15 of its 17 board seats held by females.

Women also comprise 25% of the executive team At Idaho First Bank, 42% of its senior managers and 90% of all its managers.

At the Idaho Urological Institute/Surgery Center of Idaho, females make up the entire executive team, and 45% of its providers.

Barefoot Media Ministries, owners of two area Christian radio stations, KTSY 89.5 and Project 88.7, employs women in half of its senior leadership positions, including 75% of its on-air staff at KTSY.

Willowview Consulting, a prominent engineering and technology services firm, remains devoted to supporting female entrepreneurs within a traditionally a male-dominated industry. Its 30% female workforce is well above the industry average of 17%, and its team members last year devoted more than 1,000 hours to provide STEM education to young women in local schools.

For Shelby Bills, owner and CEO of Graeber & Company, a staple of the Boise beauty industry for six decades, 95% of its workforce is comprised of women, including 80% of all leadership positions.

Bills, who joined the company in 2002 before transitioning into her ownership role in 2009, believes “every woman deserves to be cared for and empowered.”

“We serve about 90% women clientele, and a few brave men,” Bills said with a smile. “We strive to nurture the human before the hair. We truly care about our people.”

The salon, now located in downtown Boise at the corner of 5th and Main Streets, serves as a beacon of opportunity for professional women.

“We believe every woman deserves to feel seen, heard and valued,” she said. “Our salon is safe and inclusive for all women.”

As an experienced talent recruiter, Parker said it was “quite refreshing” to not just be honored, but to be included with such a diverse and talented group of fellow honorees.

“It’s amazing to be in a room with so many smart, powerful and strong female leaders,” she said. “This is a great celebration.”