IBR Awards event honors companies uplifting Idaho’s women in business

Hard work and free enterprise represent two key hallmarks of success for any business venture.

Such keys also play a key role in helping many businesses to empower and elevate women within the workforce.

In recognition of their monumental efforts to develop and promote female leaders throughout the state, 20 Idaho-based companies and nonprofit organizations were honored by the Idaho Business Review during its third annual Empowering Women awards luncheon March 12 at the Boise Centre.

Four honorees — CBH Homes, TalentSpark, Tuuti Agency and Your Health Idaho — were recognized for a third straight year, while an additional four outfits — Deb Williams Insurance, Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, Graeber & Company and the Idaho Urologic Institute — received recognition in back-to-back years.

Paige Wiscombe, director of the Idaho Women’s Business Center for Business Impact Northwest, credited all the women entrepreneurs her group works with daily for the award her firm received.

“It’s truly inspiring to watch women create businesses that impact their families and help them achieve their dreams and make our community a better place,” Wiscombe said.

In her newest role as state director for AARP Idaho, Karianne Fallow shared how the recognition program is a solid “reminder” that many Idaho organizations are banding together to push for “meaningful change” in the makeup of the workplace.

“We are shaping the workplace community where women can rise, where we can lead and where we can thrive,” Fallow said.

She also pointed out that the females make up the majority of caregivers and volunteers associated with her organization. “Empowering women is not just a value for us. It’s a necessity to build strong, healthy communities that matter to the future of our state.”

At the Idaho Botanical Garden, where more than 150,000 guests visit annually, women are the heart of the mission to serve the community and to create a lasting impact.

In receiving the group’s award, Erin Anderson, executive director for the site, talked about the pride the organization has in offering therapeutic, educational and workforce development programs.

“We take pride in that we have been a mostly women-run organization since its inception,” Anderson said. “Most nonprofits in our community are run by women. Our goal is to elevate all women through our employment and programs.”

Paige Dinger, executive director of Faces of Hope, also a nonprofit, stressed the importance of women serving women in need. Since 2016, the organization, led by a female executive team and a women-led board of directors, has assisted more than 10,000 individuals experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, child and elder abuse, stalking and human trafficking.

“Domestic violence affects all of us. But it takes women supporting women to bring hope and healing to one another,” Dinger said, noting that her agency has experienced a 52% increase in those served in recent years.

“This award really belongs to our survivors that trust us, to our advocates that support our survivors, and the donors and partners that help make this work possible. We all deserve to live free from violence.”

Also recognized for providing assistance to women seeking to get back on their feet was the Boise Rescue Mission. Chief Operating Officer Jean Lockhart spoke passionately about the need to help so many women who need help getting back on track in life.

“Our women and children are a fast-growing part of our population, as well as our senior citizens,” Lockhart said. “And we are delighted to have programs to serve all those who come to us.”

In being honored for a second consecutive year, Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, led by CEO Dr. Angela Hemingway, continues to push its four pillars for young girls: STEM, Life Skills and Leadership, Outdoor Adventure and its Entrepreneurship Program.

Of the group’s 30 employees, 29 are women. Hemingway succinctly stressed how the organization remains committed in its mission to build up girls with “courage, confidence and character.”

“We don’t tell a girl who she is; we give her the tools to become who she wants to be,” she said.

By providing one-on-one coaching and strategic consulting to women in real estate, entrepreneurship and executive leadership, honoree Alexis Halikas, founder of Alexis Halikas Enterprises, combines a people-first approach utilizing proven business strategies to help her clients optimize operations, build strong teams and create sustainable growth.

For the past 15 years, she has remained committed to focusing on supporting women from marginalized communities through her group strategy sessions, online workshops and partnership with Boise State University to help build internship and mentorship opportunities.

“It means so much to be recognized alongside so many inspiring and accomplished women,” Halikas said. “Idaho has an amazing community of leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and innovators and I feel grateful to be part of a group that is shaping the future of business in our state.”