INTERCITY VISIT DESTINATION BOISE

Clark Krause

Executive Director of Boise Valley Economic Partnership

Need a straight-shooter that will get you the answers and resources you need? Clark has nearly 20 years of experience in economic development, and understands the demands of site-selection and finish-line management. Favorite Activities: On weekends you can find Clark on a Bogus Basin chairlift, or in the summer, riding a mountain bike in the Boise Foothills.

Molly Lenty

COO of Vessel

Currently the Chief Operating Officer for a technology and supply chain solutions company, Molly leads with operational excellence and a strategic lens of growing business, making connections, and developing a dynamic team of highly skilled professionals. 

Background: After two-and-a-half decades in the financial services industry as a Vice President in corporate social responsibility, public relations, and purpose, Molly pursued her passion for leading teams in a competitive environment to serve as an Assistant Athletic Director in a successful D1 athletics program, garnering additional tools and experience in leadership and building high-performance teams.

Leveraging her variety of skill sets and breadth and depth of expertise, Molly helps businesses develop their teams, drive operations, cultivate a culture of accomplishment, accelerate senior executive platform presence, and build a brand through intentional investments in the community.

Molly has extensive experience in business start-ups, organizational transformation, philanthropic giving, volunteerism, community leadership, and employee service and giving programs. Publicly elected twice as a Trustee for the College of Western Idaho, she serves as the Board Chair in overseeing the largest education institution in Idaho and one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the country.

As an active community volunteer and public servant, Molly currently serves on the Executive Board and as the Southwest Idaho Chair for the Idaho Business for Education, Vice Chair of the FACES of Hope Victim Center, on the President’s Advisory Board for the College of Idaho, Immediate past Chair of the Leadership Boise Alumni Association, and a member of Go Lead Idaho.

Molly’s community service spans decades; she most recently served five terms as Chairperson of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Education & Workforce Committee, Co-Chaired the Idaho State Board of Education’s “Educate Idaho Network,” Chaired, the Annual Red Cross Hometown Heroes Event, served on Boards for the United Way of Treasure Valley, Boys & Girls Club of Nampa, Nampa Chamber of Commerce Education Council, Treasure Valley Education Partnership, College of Western Idaho Foundation, and the Utah State Treasurer’s Financial Education Task Force.

Molly also founded Community for Nampa Schools and has volunteered extensively with the Nampa School District on committees, including the financial recommendation team and Chaired Superintendent Search Committees, and has led successful levy and bond campaigns. The WCA recognized her as a TWIN recipient in 2009 and the Idaho Business Review as both an “Accomplished under 40” and an “Idaho Women of the Year” recipient. In 2016, the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce recognized her as their “Distinguished Alumni Leader” in the Community Leadership Awards. She received the 2019 “Circle of Excellence” recognition with the Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year Awards.

Molly is married to Rob Dickson and is the proud parent of two adult children; a 25-year-old entrepreneurial son and an active 20-year-old daughter. She enjoys staying busy outdoors with their two dogs, watching sports, and exploring the world through travel. 

Chris Mathias

Idaho State Representative

Graduate of Boise State University with B.S. in criminal justice administration – McNair Scholar and student body president; U.S. Coast Guard veteran – top secret clearance, Arctic Service Medal, and two Antarctic Service Medals; former chief academic officer for the Idaho State Board of Education; former U.S. Senate law clerk; recipient of multiple civilian awards, including the Governor’s Commendation for Distinguished Public Service and Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished 40 Under 40; past and present volunteerism includes Andrus Center for Public Policy Board of Governors and the Ada County Veterans Treatment Court; author of multiple articles about incident management and emergency preparedness in Idaho; spouse: Katie; two young children.

Rhonda McCarvel

Sales Manager for Visit Boise

Mayor Lauren McClean

Mayor of Boise

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean is committed to creating a city for everyone and has worked tirelessly toward that goal, advocating for open space conservation, tackling housing and homelessness side by side with the community, and leading nationally acclaimed climate action efforts. 

Mayor McLean was sworn in on January 7, 2020. She is the 56th mayor of Boise and the first woman elected to that position in the city’s 150-year history. She is passionate about public service, leading boldly with the community at the forefront of every decision. 

McLean’s service to the people of Boise began as a volunteer in 2001. She led the historic Boise Foothills Open Space Levy campaign and, along with hundreds of other dedicated people, secured protection of thousands of acres in the foothills for future generations. Lauren served on Boise City Council from 2011-2019 and served as Council President from 2017-2019. During her time on City Council, she led the effort to pass Boise’s 100% Clean Energy Plan. 

As Mayor, she leads the fight against climate change, setting ambitious goals to secure an environmentally and economically resilient future for Boise. Her vision is to create a city that is truly for everyone – one that offers equitable access to housing, living wage jobs, transportation, and a seat at the table for residents when decisions about the future of Boise are being made. 

Lauren currently serves on the Board of Governors at the Andrus Center at Boise State University. She has been recognized as one of the nation’s most promising young political leaders by the Aspen Institute and New Deal Leaders. She was selected to participate in the 2020 Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative on Economic Recovery.  

Lauren earned a Master of Public Administration from Boise State University as the first Carl Burke Fellow. She was born in Massachusetts and later lived in Texas and upstate New York. Before becoming a Bronco, McLean graduated with honors from Notre Dame. 

Lauren moved to Boise shortly after graduating college and marrying her high school sweetheart, Scott. Lauren and Scott are parents to Madeleine and Aiden. She is an avid trail runner, outdoorswoman, and reader. She and her family love to explore Idaho’s beautiful backcountry by foot or by ski. 

Bobbi-Jo Meuleman

President & CEO of Boise Chamber

Brad Mosell

Founder of Dharma Dr.

Michael Padilla

Mayor of Topeka

Michael served as a city councilmember before seeking the mayor’s seat. He is a second generation Mexican American and one of five sons to parents born in Kansas. After attending Washburn University, Michael began a career with the Topeka Police Department. During his 34 year career Michael became actively involved with numerous citizen groups and non-profit organizations. Michael joined the Navy Reserve while with the police department. Community engagement has always been Michael’s approach to problem solving as a police officer and as an elected official. He became a widely recognized “person at the table” by the community. Michael is the co-founder of Shawnee County Safe Streets. Safe Streets continues as a collaborative all citizen volunteer group focused on neighborhood safety and quality of life initiatives. Michael has served on the Salvation Army Board and recently co-founded an after school boxing program for boys and girls. The program, the Three Badges Boxing Club, serves a largely Hispanic population and partners with the Topeka Police Department and the Topeka Fire Department. The program stresses responsibility, self-confidence, respect for others and continuing education. The program is supported with computer classes, dual language instruction and health care. He was selected to serve on the Kansas Supreme Court Blue Ribbon Commission to address how the Kansas Supreme Court could better connect with the citizen’s state wide. Michael served on the Governor’s Commission on Racial Profiling in policing. He has been a board member of the Meals on Wheels program, YMCA Metro board, Midland Care Hospice board, Mayor’s Council on Diversity and provided cultural awareness training to all city employees. After retiring as a Division Commander Major from the TPD he was appointed by Governor Sebelius as Chief of Enforcement for the Kansas Department of Revenue. At the Department of Revenue, Michael identified a need for improved compliance with both liquor and tobacco tax law enforcement. Michael created a new unit and expanded coverage across the state to increase both compliance and revenue. After serving 10 1/2 years and through two administrations, Michael then retired to run for elected office.

Michael serves on the Momentum 2022 and soon Momentum 2027 initiative. These programs bring together city and county officials to focus on shared needs and plans for the future. This collaborative is part of the Greater Topeka Partnership. The Partnership is the umbrella organization developed by bringing several independent organizations together. Visit Topeka, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, GoTopeka, Downtown Topeka and FORGE now better coordinate shared goals. He is a member of the Joint Economic and Development Organization, JEDO, a partnership with the Shawnee County Commission and the City of Topeka Governing Body. Michael is excited to continue to serve Topeka, Kansas with a vision of a holistic approach to public safety, growth of the small business sector, affordable housing and a deliberate effort to expand diversity, equity and inclusion in how we serve our community.

Matt Pivarnik

CEO of Topeka Partnership

Matt Pivarnik, the CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership, is a man of many hats! He heads up the Partnership, which houses a number of important organizations that help build and support the community. With a passion for economic development and a wealth of experience, Matt is the perfect person for the job.

But Matt’s involvement in the community doesn’t stop there! He’s been a part of a number of organizations, serving in leadership roles and providing guidance and support. From his work with the Chamber of Commerce to his current position as chair for the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Team Kansas, Matt has played an important role in shaping the community and helping it grow.

And when he’s not busy with work or community involvement, Matt loves spending time with his family. He’s a proud Papa to two granddaughters and a grandson on the way, and his son Chase is serving our country as a Marine. His son Trey is attending Washburn University where he plays football, and his wife Wendy is by his side every step of the way.

With a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, Matt is well-equipped to handle the many challenges of his role. And with his passion for building a strong, vibrant community, there’s no doubt that Topeka is in good hands! 

Marsha Pope

President of Topeka Community Foundation

Marsha has worked at the Topeka Community Foundation since 2004 – serving as Director of Community Investment and Vice President before being hired as President in 2016. She oversees the strategic direction of the organization and provides leadership for donor services and community impact initiatives. She and her husband, Kent, have two grown and married sons. In her spare time, Marsha reads, bikes, gardens and enjoys a good cup of coffee.

Roger Quarles

Executive Director of Albertson Family Foundation

Having served as an Idaho teacher, principal, superintendent, and ultimately chief deputy state superintendent, Roger has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing rural education, and appreciates the fierce independence of Idaho and Idahoans alike. Prior to joining the Foundation as Executive Director in 2013, Roger was co-director of the Idaho Leads project at Boise State University’s Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies, and served as an Assistant Professor in the Executive Educational Leadership Program. Roger remains active in the business community through his service on a variety of boards, including Chairman of the Teach For America Regional Board. He is an avid outdoorsman and tennis player.

Jennifer Stevens

Director of Boise City Department of Arts & History

Jennifer Stevens (she/her) joined the Department of Arts & History as its director in September 2022. As a critical public-facing agency with a responsibility to reach both new and existing residents through an artistic and interpretive celebration of Boise’s diverse and rich heritage, Jennifer looks forward to working with the team and the cultural community to find even greater opportunities for meaningful connections to Boise residents and visitors.

Jennifer is the founder and served as principal historian at Stevens Historical Research Associates (SHRA), a consulting firm located in Boise, Idaho, for 20 years. She has done extensive research and writing on the history of Boise, including immigration and environmental history. She has over 25 years of experience providing historical research consulting to a wide range of clients. Her work involves archival research in repositories around the country, including the National Archives, state and municipal archives, and corporate and private collections.

In addition to her consulting work, Jennifer is a Professor of the Practice in the History and Urban Studies Departments at Boise State University. Her civic involvement includes five years as a member and two years as chair of Boise’s Planning and Zoning Commission, and five years as a member and three as chair of Boise’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Jennifer holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Davis, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a graduate of Boise High School.

Deanna Watson

Executive Director of Boise City/ADA County Housing Authorities

Jillian Whitehill

Executive Assistant for Boise City Department of Arts & History

Jillian Whitehill (she/her) serves as the first point of contact—internally and externally—for the Department of Arts & History. In addition to overseeing essential day-to-day operations, she manages the department’s budget and financial plan, the development and integration of business processes and procedures, and plans and coordinates department-wide meetings and events. Jillian’s administrative stewardship of Arts & History stems from her passion for community building, arts, and culture.

Jillian holds a bachelor’s in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s in Education from the University of Washington. She brings to her position a background in account management, event planning, and experience developing and managing community-based outdoor education programs.

Born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii, Jillian traded sea and sand for the mountains and forests. An avid mountain biker, climber, and hiker, Jillian’s happiest days are spent in nature. When not exploring the outdoors, she enjoys creating custom jewelry and cooking up good food and new dance moves in the kitchen.

Doug Woodruff

Development Director for Capital City Development Corp

“I was born in the small town of Dubois, Idaho, and today I work in one of the largest cities in the Northwest. That’s the great thing about our state: It offers every kind of environment, from wilderness to urban, sometimes separated by just minutes. I’m committed to helping Boise continue to be the livable, unique, and special place it is, so when people visit, they say, ‘Wow, what an incredible place; this feels like home.’”

More than most public agencies, CCDC’s work is visible to everybody in the projects and partnerships that help shape the Boise cityscape. Doug’s role in that work is overseeing the improvement of downtown plazas, streets, sidewalks, bike facilities, and pathways. He is currently involved in the generation and completion of projects located throughout Boise’s six urban renewal districts. Doug and CCDC are dedicated to revitalizing downtown and recognizing the value of natural resources as amenities and as contributing to the special sense of place in Idaho.

Prior to joining CCDC, Doug worked in Utah, California, and Hawaii. He participated in the recent planning effort for the Boise Public Library expansion, co-authored the TDR Handbook (Island Press), and formerly sat on the board of the Congress for New Urbanism’s Utah chapter.

He holds a master’s degree in real estate development with an emphasis in city and metropolitan planning from the University of Utah, a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Idaho, and an associate’s degree in applied science from Boise State University.

India Yarborough

Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Topeka Partnership

India Yarborough is the VP of Marketing & Communications for the Greater Topeka Partnership, where she uses her skills in storytelling and community engagement to promote Topeka as a vibrant and thriving city. She joined The Partnership as Communications Manager in October 2021 and quickly moved up the ranks to become VP of M&C at the start of 2024. Before moving to Topeka, India was a business reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal, a job that brought her to Kansas’ capital city in the summer of 2019.

Originally from Mississippi, India holds a bachelor of arts in mass communication with an emphasis in journalism and a minor in sociology from Loyola University New Orleans. Since moving to Topeka, India has been actively involved in the community through organizations like Forge Young Talent and Boys and Girls Clubs of Topeka’s Club Blue. She is also a 2023 graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka and is committed to promoting community, connection, and equity in everything she does.

When she’s not working hard to promote Topeka, India enjoys exploring the city’s many hidden gems, trying out new restaurants, and attending community events. She’s also an avid reader.

Jennifer Yribar

Communications Manager for Boise City Department of Arts & History

Jennifer Yribar (she/her) provides leadership and strategy to guide the department’s community engagement, communication, and brand management services. Together with a talented team, she strives to deepen access to and support for Boise’s history and cultural sectors by maximizing a variety of dynamic communications and people-centered platforms. She also manages a team that oversees grants, education, and public programming.  

Born and raised in Switzerland, Jennifer earned an M.A. in French Language and Literature from the University of Geneva. She moved to Seattle as a visiting graduate student to teach French. While there, she earned an M.A. in Communication from the University of Washington. She’d planned to return to her hometown in the Swiss Alps after graduating. Instead, she fell in love with the field of communication and an unassuming Basque-American teaching Spanish, eventually making his hometown of Boise her own too. 

Jennifer has spent her career in communication advancing a forward-thinking public agenda that underscores the transformative power of arts and culture in building community and inspiring action. Highlights include working with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program, Global Ties U.S., and the World Affairs Councils of America.  

Jennifer brings the same intentionality into her personal life, practicing and sparking cultural awareness and curiosity in her two young children whether through literature, friendships, or sharing in many of Boise’s cultural offerings. She and her family love hiking, biking, and skiing in Idaho’s scenic mountains, traveling, and experiencing music.  

Brooke Zimmerman

Senior Director of Marketing & Program Development for Lincoln Chamber of Commerce