March 2026 News Brief
Inside WRWF
Leadership updates, grant news, community highlights, and the moments shaping the Wood River Women’s Foundation.
Please join us in thanking Dianne Tibbs Johnson for her many years of leadership and service to the Wood River Women’s Foundation. After relocating out of the Wood River Valley to be closer to family, Dianne resigned from the WRWF Board effective December 31, 2025.
Since November 2021, Dianne has served WRWF in more ways than we can count! She rebuilt and streamlined our Grants processes, supported WRWF staff as the VP of Operations, served as Board Secretary (over multiple terms!), and, most importantly, was a trusted and always helpful Board colleague. We wish her the very best and hope to see her in the Valley again!
We are pleased to welcome Sharon Knight to the WRWF Board of Directors. Sharon was appointed by the Board effective January 21, 2026 to fulfill the remainder of Dianne Tibbs Johnson’s term. Sharon is an enthusiastic and active member supporting all facets of WRWF activities. We are so excited to have her join the WRWF leadership!
Sharon has been a WRWF member since 2023, having joined the organization before moving here full-time in 2024 from the San Francisco Bay Area, as a way to get to know the Valley better and make friends. She jumped right into the Communications Committee and has also served on the Grants and Membership Committees. Sharon has spent the last 15 years of her career advancing healthcare innovation and health equity as both a healthcare startup President and COO and Venture (Capital) Partner. She is now enjoying a new life chapter with a flexible schedule as resident of Elkhorn in Sun Valley with her husband, John Hornbaker, and their Lagotto Romagnolo (aka Italian Water Dog), Luna. She regularly enjoys tennis, golf, and hiking and is taking up skiing again after almost 30 years. She serves on the boards of The Advocates and Wood River Tennis and on the Elkhorn in Sun Valley Racquet Sports Committee.
We’re close to wrapping up a record-breaking grants cycle! Our dedicated Grants Volunteers have been hard at work reviewing applications, meeting with nonprofits, and asking thoughtful questions before determining the slate of nonprofit applications to move forward for voting by our full membership.
Mark your calendar for the Grants Nonprofit Finalist Presentations on March 23, 12:30–4:30 PM MT via Zoom. This is your opportunity to hear directly from applicants, learn about their impact, and ask questions. (The presentations will also be recorded if you are unable to attend.) Afterward, all WRWF members will receive a ballot and have until April 6th to vote. Your vote matters—it will help decide where our collective giving makes the greatest impact!
WRWF Member in the News
Sonya Wilander
A WRWF member and Executive Director of Men’s Second Chance Living in Hailey, has been nominated for a 2026 Remarkable Women award by NewsNation! She is one of 125 women recognized for their selflessness, achievements, and positive impact in their communities.
At Men’s Second Chance Living, Sonya has developed a holistic program that provides financial literacy, access to health care, educational support, job readiness training, and sober recreation. Through her hands-on mentorship and steadfast belief in second chances, she helps residents rebuild family relationships, find stability, and reclaim their lives.
Event Recap
State of the valley
Many thanks to Karissa Price Rico, Board Member and Education Committee Chair, and everyone who helped organize the State of the Valley community forum on February 5th! This year’s event, Solving the Civility Crisis, brought together more than 60 local residents for a thoughtful, community-centered conversation about rising polarization, diminished trust, and how we can engage more constructively across differences. The forum was designed to launch the Year of Civility and Connection, an invitation to continue learning, listening, and engaging with one another throughout 2026.
The discussion was moderated by Karissa Price Rico and featured a diverse panel of community leaders and local voices, including Ryan Redman, Michelle Stennett, Chenele Dixon, Mark Davidson, Pam Morris, and Wood River High School students Elle Davis and Santiago Rico. Together, they shared candid reflections on where civility is fraying and what it takes to rebuild trust across civic life, media, education, and community spaces. Audience members also had opportunities to reflect, listen, and contribute their own perspectives.
Click here to watch a recording of the 2026 State of the Valley. And, if you or organizations you work with have events related to the topic of Civility and Connection you would like us to help publicize, please send them to info@woodriverwomensfoundation.org.
Aprés Ski
On February 26, 2026, more than 75 WRWF members and guests gathered at the Sun Valley Culinary Institute for a lively afternoon of bites, beverages, and great company. The celebration recognized our dedicated Grants Committee volunteers—more than 20 of whom were able to join us in person—who have devoted their time to thoughtfully reviewing and evaluating all of the 2026 grant applications.
The SVCI team served up delicious appetizers and beverages in a warm, inviting setting that set the stage for easy conversation, connection, and plenty of laughter. The highlight of the evening was an inspiring message from Aaron Bronson, Executive Director of The Space, who drew on years of professional and personal experience mentoring and championing the next generation of youth. She spoke powerfully about the tangible difference collective giving makes—especially through WRWF’s support of the Forward Learning Scholars program. With this funding, The Space continues to offer the Valley’s only free after-school academic and enrichment program designed specifically for middle school students, creating opportunity, confidence, and a stronger future for local families.
The afternoon was a meaningful tribute to the commitment and generosity that define WRWF. We are deeply grateful to our Grants Committee volunteers—and to all our members—who make this work possible.
Upcoming Events
Date: Monday, March 23rd
Time: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Location: Zoom (link to be emailed before event)
Fee: Free
We invite all WRWF members to join us via Zoom for the Finalist Presentations from our 2026 Grant Applicants!
Sending a warm welcome to our new members:
We’re thrilled to share that the Wood River Women’s Foundation is celebrating our strongest start to the year ever for new members! We value each and every one of you—your energy, generosity, and passion help us expand our impact across the Wood River Valley.
Let’s keep the momentum going—invite a friend, share our mission, and help us make this our most powerful year yet. 
— Membership Committee Co-Chairs, LeeAnne Linderman & Toni Damalas
NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS
Nancy Bohling
I, along with my immediate and extended family, have long treasured the Wood River Valley. We enjoy being active in this beautiful area that represents values, traditions and qualities that we hold dear. Many years ago we discovered Elkhorn and have made it our second home. I do not take the privilege that comes with living in a place like this lightly.
We have vacationed in the area for over 40 years and I have been a part time property resident for over 20 years. I enjoy skiing, hiking, golfing and biking in the Sun Valley region. I am married to my husband, Alan, with 2 grown children who frequently visit the area.
Our family is in the recreational marine industry with multiple locations in Washington and Idaho.
I have also held leadership positions in various non profits including:
I look forward to being a part of the Wood River Women’s Foundation and learning how I may contribute to this community.
Joy Matthews
I am very pleased to join the WRWF to meet people and get more involved in my new hometown. I have lived in Idaho my entire life, first in Pocatello, and for most my adult life in Moscow. Through it all, I have been visiting the Wood River Valley since I was a child. I am now retired following a very rewarding career with the University of Idaho, serving in several different roles including many years as the chief financial officer and then Executive Director of the University of Idaho Foundation, managing the endowments and private funds that support UI. I have undergraduate degrees in accounting and finance as well as a master’s degree in business administration.
I have always been involved in my community. One of my interests is the support of Idaho Public Television. I have served on the Friends of IDPTV Board for many years including time as president of the northern region and statewide treasurer. I was also actively involved and served in leadership roles for the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and the Idaho Repertory Theater.
I was appointed by the Governor to serve our State as a Trustee for the Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) for fifteen years.
I love our beautiful valley and spend time gardening, biking, and XC skiing. My husband and I enjoy all the wonderful cultural events in the Valley especially the SV Film Festival and the SV Music Festival.
Cathy Powers Friedman, MD
I was invited by a friend to join the WRWF years ago, and after some life changes, I find that I now have the time to do so. We purchased a condo in Sun Valley in 2000 and have been in love with this place ever since. On retirement, we bought a house and eventually moved here full time. I spent most of my career as an OB-GYN on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. My daughter and her family, including two grandsons, also live here. I enjoy quilting, knitting, spinning wool, hiking, biking, and cross country skiing. I look forward to participating in the WRWF.
Jeffra Syms brings 35 years of Wood River Valley residency to her work, offering a perspective deeply rooted in the local community. As the former owner and operator of a luxury property rental business, she perfected the art of building meaningful relationships across every facet of the industry. She later transitioned into the financial sector, working in Private Banking and Small Business Lending, supporting individuals and entrepreneurs in achieving their goals.
Jeffra and her husband, Kevin, raised their daughter, Kelsey, in the Valley and feel deeply grateful for the life and opportunities this community has provided. Giving back to the place that has given her family so much joy is both meaningful and humbling.
An active member of the community, Jeffra has served as Board President of Swiftsure Ranch, Chairman of the Cowboy Ball, volunteered for the World Cup, and supported the Alzheimer’s Association. Having long admired the Wood River Women’s Foundation, she is delighted to join such an inspiring group committed to collective giving and strengthening the valley’s nonprofit community.
Grantee Highlight
Hailey Ice Park
For years, Hailey Ice Park, housed at the Campion Ice House, has been a cornerstone of affordable, accessible ice recreation in the Wood River Valley. Its mission goes beyond skating — it is about opening doors for youth and families to experience the physical, social, and emotional benefits of ice sports in a welcoming, supportive environment.
A 2025 grant from Wood River Women’s Foundation helped to support “Family Skate Nights,” offering local elementary students and their families an evening of free skating. For many, this was their very first time stepping onto the ice. By covering all event costs, the grant eliminated financial barriers and ensured that every child — regardless of circumstance — had the opportunity to participate.
The results have been both immediate and measurable. Each Family Skate Night has welcomed an average of 135 participants skating for at least an hour, with many more trying the ice for the first time. Interest in youth hockey and figure skating has grown as children discover new passions in an environment designed to build confidence, not competition.
Families who might never have walked through the rink doors are now returning — together. After one event, a student shared: “When I got here, I was scared and didn’t think I could do it. Now I can totally do it and I am coming back tomorrow! My mom told me she was proud of me.”
A thank-you note from Bellevue Elementary hangs proudly at the rink — a daily reminder that this program is more than a fun night out. It is a partnership rooted in opportunity, equity, and community. Because of the WRWF funding, families across our valley aren’t just skating. They are growing stronger together.
Grantee & Community Events
Get ready for a night of music, dancing, and a little nostalgia at The Space’s Adult Prom fundraiser! Join them on April 24th from 7–10 p.m. at Whiskey’s on Main for an unforgettable evening—all for a great cause.
🎟 Tickets go on sale March 30th, so mark your calendar!
Every ticket purchased and every donation made helps support The Space’s mission to empower local teens through personalized tutoring and innovative after-school and summer educational programs.
Learn more at The Space’s website.
THANK YOU, Sponsors!
We are grateful for our sponsors and extend a hearty WRWF thank you to Graybird Foundation, Zions Bank, UBS, and Panache!
THANK YOU TO OUR contributors