Eric Anderson has led employer relations and experiential learning at University of Idaho Career Services for 12 years, expanding opportunities for students across all majors. He said his recent accomplishment was broadening the Co-op program.

“The thing I am most proud of over the past one and a half years is expanding the Co-op program at the University of Idaho so that students from every major can now participate,” Anderson said.

He holds a master’s degree in natural resources and graduate certificate in emergency planning and management from University of Idaho, plus a bachelor’s degree in theatre and philosophy from St. Ambrose University. Anderson maintains certifications as a Global Career Development Facilitator, Career Services Provider and Nonprofit Professional.

His biggest challenge was working in career services without a counseling degree early in his career. He came to the field through AmeriCorps national service, where he helped members plan post-service careers.

His goals include supporting University of Idaho’s efforts to provide 100% integrated experiential learning opportunities for all students.

Dr. Lori Barber is passionate about education, and this is demonstrated in her own education and work in the field.

She holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University and since 2017, has helped lead the College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) to record growth.

Under her leadership, the college has seen 244% growth in credit enrollments during that time, and she established the school’s first two Bachelors of Applied Science degrees. Barber stepped into her role as president of CEI in August of 2024.

“Education doesn’t just change lives, it changes generations of lives,” Barber said. “When we help students change the trajectories of their lives, their children are more likely to successfully go on to college. Then that cycle becomes an upward spiral of success for everyone in that lineage.”

When she’s not working, you can find her exploring Idaho’s hiking trails, spending time with her husband and two grown sons, or at one of her yoga classes that she teaches.

Michelle Choate has led MLChoate, Inc., for six years, providing executive coaching and leadership development to clients across industries including government, health care, technology and nonprofits. Her most significant recent accomplishments include launching a three-day SHINE retreat exploring self-compassion and emotional intelligence, and becoming a published author in the Amazon best-selling collection “Lead Like a Woman: Gratitude.”

“My work as a coach and consultant asks others to more broadly define themselves and expand their ability to influence in organizations and times of complexity,” Choate said. “This process with others is profoundly humbling and fun!”

She holds a master’s degree in organizational communication and conflict management and certifications in executive coaching, emotional intelligence assessment and crucial conversations training. An Idaho native with more than 25 years in the Treasure Valley, Choate previously worked in hospital systems where she observed workplace incivility’s impact on health care workers.

Her biggest challenge was overcoming the early years of self-employment during COVID-19. Her goals include expanding her emotional intelligence leadership coaching model to reach broader audiences nationally and internationally.

Sterling Crawford founded Boise Impact Group one year ago, developing a proprietary kinesthetic education system for small to mid-sized business owners across industries including business services, marketing, trades and real estate. He counts launching the organization as a major accomplishment.

“The most significant accomplishment has been successfully launching Boise Impact Group,” Crawford said. “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a committed board of directors to develop a proprietary kinesthetic education system for our members while securing strategic partnerships with organizations that collectively help support our mission of helping business owners succeed in Idaho.”

He holds a master’s degree and has 23 years of experience in performance and personal coaching with multiple certifications in leadership training and business development. His biggest challenge was helping business owners shift from chasing surface-level solutions to embracing intentional growth and accountability.

His goals include expanding throughout the Treasure Valley, launching industry-specific mastermind groups and graduating members into higher revenue brackets. Crawford previously ran several small businesses and spent two decades strengthening families before transitioning to empowering business owners.

Debbie Critchfield began her education career as a substitute teacher many years ago and her love for the field developed from there.

She developed an interest specifically in how local decisions impact educational environments and student outcomes and because of that experience, she ran for and was elected to the school board in Cassia County, then was later appointed to the Idaho State Board of Education.

Today, Critchfield serves as the superintendent of public instruction for the Idaho Department of Education. During her time in this role, grade three reading proficiency has grown by 8% over the past two years, and the state is celebrating the highest graduation rate in 10 years.

Critchfield says that her three highest priority items are improving math instruction and math outcomes, facilitating teacher preparation that matches the needs of the modern classroom, and building local leadership through training and electing of school board members so they can better plan and implement what’s needed for student success.