Leading the Way to a Healthier Idaho

Founded in 2001, The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc. is a non-profit private foundation established by Blue Cross of Idaho.

We build local partnerships and collaborate to create sustainable changes that promote health in Idaho. Sometimes this means funding programs and projects driven by local communities. Sometimes this means leading the way with our own initiatives.

But it always means being a catalytic organization, dedicated to transformational — not simply transactional — approaches that will impact Idaho today and for generations to come.

Click here to download our annual report and learn more details about the impact The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is having across the Gem State.

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Building a healthier Idaho.

As a catalytic funder, the work of The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health goes far beyond funding.

The first step is catalytic engagement: We work work closely with communities, partners and prospective grant recipients to clarify the needs, goals and metrics of every effort.

The next step is building partnerships: while we don’t engage in the day-to-day execution of these efforts, we do share our expertise and Rolodex.

The efforts combine to create transformational solutions: lasting, ground-up change that will be felt for years, or even generations, to come.

Learn about our:

funding opportunities and Focus Areas.

Our Foundation has positively impacted thousands of Idahoans since our founding in 2001.

Meet Our Team

Kendra Witt-Doyle, PhD

Executive Director

Kendra Witt-Doyle is the Executive Director of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Idaho’s leading health-focused charitable foundation. A recognized expert on community health, Kendra provides strategic oversight and leadership across the Foundation’s efforts to create a healthier Idaho through innovative, community-led health initiatives.

As an Idaho native and mother of two young boys, Kendra’s passion for improving the health of Idaho’s youth is integral to both her professional and personal life, motivating her to become active in community health organizations and coalitions. Kendra is a first-generation college graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Boise State University; a Master’s in Public Health from University of Texas School of Public Health; and a Ph.D. from University of Texas El Paso.

Rhonda Robinson Beale, MD

Chief Medical Affairs Officer

Dr. Robinson Beale is the Chief Medical Affairs Officer for the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. She works in conjunction with the Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff, as well as with stakeholders across the state, to create healthcare solutions focused on Idaho’s large rural population. Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Robinson Beale was Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross of Idaho. Dr. Robinson Beale did her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and earned her MD at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Courtney Frost

Program Officer

Courtney is a Program Officer for the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. She leads the High Five initiative, which targets childhood obesity. Courtney works closely stakeholders statewide to create transformational changes that help get kids physically active and create access to healthy foods. Using her experience in health-focused nonprofits, she builds trusted partnerships resulting in sustainable change. Before joining the Foundation, Courtney worked in development at the American Heart Association and National MS Society. Courtney, who is married and has one child, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Eastern Washington University and a master’s certificate in nonprofit administration from Boise State University.

Deanne Schildan

Business Administration Manager

Deanne is the Business Administration Manager at the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. She is responsible for the Foundation’s operational systems, processes and policies, as well as cross-functional administrative and project-based support. She has spent more than 30 years working in administrative roles in insurance, high-tech and financial industries. Deanne grew up in eastern Idaho and is proud to have lived her entire life in various parts of Idaho. She is excited to be a part of an organization that is building a healthier Idaho for her three children and two grandchildren.

Connor Sheldon

Program Officer

Connor Sheldon is the Program Officer leading the Healthcare Innovation and Youth Behavioral Health initiatives. Born and raised in Boise, Connor leverages her Idaho roots to build partnerships in communities around the state to address complex issues and create transformational solutions. Before joining the Foundation, Connor lived and worked in rural Malaysia as a Fulbright Scholar. She also competed in the world’s largest social entrepreneurship competition and led various corporate social responsibility, international development, and sustainability projects. Connor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Community and Environmental Health and an MBA from Boise State University.

Nick Jezierny

Communications Specialist

Nick is the Communications Specialist who collaborates with staff and community partners to share news and stories about the Foundation’s work throughout Idaho. Prior to joining the Foundation, Nick worked as a newspaper reporter in Connecticut, Ohio, Texas and Idaho. He most recently was the internal communications specialist at Blue Cross of Idaho. Nick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Ohio University.

Our Board

Ralph Woodard

Board Chair

Ralph Woodard is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Blue Cross of Idaho.

Prior to joining Blue Cross of Idaho, Ralph worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee in a variety of roles, including Treasurer, Chief Risk Officer and Controller. Ralph has demonstrated the progressive financial leadership that epitomizes Blue Cross, and his leadership is paramount to our organization.

Ralph holds an MBA from Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University and an Accounting degree from Auburn University.

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Mike Reynoldson

Board Vice Chair

Mike Reynoldson is the Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations at Blue Cross of Idaho, where he serves as a legislative advisor and government affairs contact to the federal and state government, the Idaho Legislature and local governments throughout Idaho.

Mike has more than 25 years of experience as a public policy and political professional. Prior to joining Blue Cross of Idaho, Mike held similar positions at Micron Technology and Qwest Communications.

In the political arena, Mike has worked for the Republican National Committee and has been the Executive Director of the Idaho Republican Party. The Parma native served as campaign manager for U.S. Senator Larry Craig’s 1996 re-election.

Mike holds a degree in Marketing from Boise State University.

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Luke Malek

Luke Malek is a lawyer and owner in the law firm Smith + Malek, which he co-founded in 2015. He works with business clients on governance, compliance and contracting.

He represented the 4th legislative district (Coeur d’Alene area) in the Idaho Legislature for six years. He has worked as the Director of Legal Affairs at Heritage Health, for the Office of the Governor as the Regional Director in Northern Idaho under former Governor Risch, as the Executive Director of the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency, and as a Deputy Prosecutor for Kootenai County.

He earned his B.A. at College of Idaho in Caldwell, holds a law degree from the University of Idaho and is a member of the Idaho Bar. He has lived in Idaho since he was 9 years old and enjoys fishing, hunting, skiing, hiking and mountain biking with his wife, family and friends.

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Gary Dyer

Gary Dyer began his career with Blue Cross of Idaho in 1973 and retired as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in 2007.

In addition to the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation, Gary serves on the board of trustees for St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise and is a board member of the College of Western Idaho Foundation.

Gary has a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Northridge and an MBA from Boise State University.

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Jim Hickey

Jim Hickey is the Executive Vice President/Chief Administrative Officer at Blue Cross of Idaho, where he oversees Human Resources, Strategic Implementation and Facilities Management teams.

Prior to joining Blue Cross of Idaho, Jim was the Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio.

Jim has more than 20 years of Human Resources experience with extensive knowledge in organizational transformation, change management, strategy creation, talent management and executive coaching.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Ohio State University and is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). He also has the PROSCI Professional in Change Management certification.

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Roger Quarles, PhD

Roger Quarles is Executive Director of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation.

Roger began his career in education as a Wood River Valley high school teacher after launching a successful restaurant chain in California. Eventually leading as the principal of Kuna High School, superintendent of the Caldwell School district and co-director of the Idaho Leads project at Boise State’s Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies.

Roger served as Idaho’s chief deputy state superintendent in 2013 before joining the J. A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from California State University, Chico and PhD from the University of Idaho. Roger is married to Trish, and has four grown children and a beautiful six year old granddaughter. He is an avid outdoorsman and spends ample time on the tennis court.

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Pam McNamara

Pam McNamara is the Vice President for Brand and Marketing at Blue Cross of Idaho, where she leads the company’s brand, marketing, communications, demand generation and market research teams.

Pam has more than 25 years of experience in marketing with a focus on developing strategic marketing solutions for companies in various industries.

Prior to joining Blue Cross of Idaho, Pam was vice president and marketing director at Digitas, where she worked with companies such as Best Buy, Eli Lily and Allstate. Most recently she served as the senior director for content strategy at CVS Health, the Caremark division.

Pam holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Marquette University and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

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