• B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing emphasis from Oregon State University, 1980
• Worked as account representative for the Xerox Corporation, Johnson and Johnson Corporation, and C.R. Bard
• Step Ahead Idaho Founder and Advisor since 2010

Cindy's work in our community lists various leadership positions, including serving as a current Advisory Board Member of the Downtown Boise YMCA. She has served on Junior League of Boise including Second Time Around, the Renaissance Faire and Just for Kicks after school program; Service Unit Director and troop leader for Girl Scouts, service as a founder, volunteer, coach and mentor for the Idaho Science Olympiad; and Co-chair of the Silent Auction for the Bishop Kelly Dinner Auction.

• M.A., English/Creative Writing, Arcadia University, 2007
• Secondary Teaching Credential (M.A. Education equivalent), Humboldt State University, 1992
• B.A., English Literature, Humboldt State University, 1990
• UC Irvine Independent Educational Consulting Certification in Progress
• Step Ahead Idaho College Advisor since 2013

Laura worked for fifteen years in California and Pennsylvania as a high school English teacher, Gifted Programs Coordinator, volleyball coach, student government advisor, and student literary journal advisor. She's served on several school district committees, helped write educational grants, designed language arts curriculum, and held offices on a number of non-profit boards, most recently in Washington, where she worked with Girls on the Run, and also with Lower Columbia School Gardens. Laura currently works as a freelance editor and writer.

• B.S. Geophysics, Boise State University, 1982
• Independent Educational Consulting Certification, UC-Irvine, 2017
• Step Ahead Idaho Founder and Advisor since 2010

Sue worked as an Exploration Geophysicist for Amoco Production Company for seven years.
Her community impact includes serving on the boards of Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, and the Boise School District Foundation. She volunteered as Co-Chair of three successful Boise School District funding campaigns, including the 2006 and 2017 Bond Campaigns and 2012 Levy Campaign. Past activities include serving as a math tutor at Life's Kitchen, PTO Chair at East Junior High, Regional Invention Convention Coordinator, College Counseling office volunteer at Boise High, Cub Scout and Webelos leader, sports team manager for soccer and track, and past Board Chairperson at Eastwind Community Church. She has a special interest in athletic recruiting, and has a basic knowledge of Spanish.

• B.S. Mathematics, University of Alabama, 1985 (Roll Tide)
• Secondary Teaching Credential, University of South Alabama, 1987
• Step Ahead Idaho Advisor and Administrative Assistant since 2014

Liz volunteered at Timberline High School's College and Career Counseling Center for seven years where she planned and executed Timberline's College Fair, helped organize Timberline's College 101 night, attended and presented at PNACAC, and served as volunteer coordinator for the Boise National College Fair. She also served as Chairman and Co-Chair of the Teacher Appreciation Committees at Les Bois Junior High and Timberline High School. Liz served as a parent volunteer for First Robotics' Team 2122, Boy Scouts, and Mayfair/St. Clair Swim Team in Alpharetta, Georgia. Liz was a member of Junior League in Mobile, Alabama, Memphis, Tennessee, and Fulton/Gwinnett Georgia. Liz taught Geometry, Algebra II, and AP Calculus at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, and was the Academic Coordinator and teacher at Behavioral Medical Services, Inc of Mobile, Alabama.

• M. Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, UCLA, 1993 
• B.A., Sociology, Business Emphasis, UCLA, 1990 

Vicky is a professional educator and advocate for the transformative potential of higher  education. She worked in public education in California, Washington, and Virginia. She served  on the boards of Idaho Voices for Children, Treasure Valley YMCA, and Boise High School  Boosters. She is co-founder of Book It Forward Idaho, a non-profit that is dedicated to  increasing access to books for children. In her spare time she enjoys running, reading, and  spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors.

•     Masters of Public Administration, Boise State University, 1997
•     B.S. Accounting, University of Idaho, 1988
•     Step Ahead Advisor since 2022

Sharon began her career at Chevron Corp. in San Francisco where she worked in a variety of areas of the company through their Management Development Program.  When she and her husband returned to Boise to raise two children, Sharon shifted the focus of her career to serving at-risk populations and administering behavioral health programs.  Through her work at the Idaho Supreme Court, Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections and Governor’s Office of Drug Policy, and most recently, as a Director at Optum Idaho, Sharon was passionate about creating effective and efficient systems for families in need of support and access to resources.  With a focus on the adolescent population, Sharon developed and implemented programs to serve the needs of youth in Idaho.  Sharon serves on the Board of the Treasure Valley YMCA and enjoys volunteering in the community.

• M.A., Peace & Conflict Studies, University of Ulster, N. Ireland, 2002
• B.A., Marketing & Japanese Linguistics, University of Washington, 2000
• Academic year abroad at Keio University, Tokyo, Japan 1998-1999
• UCLA College Counseling Certification in Progress
• Volunteer College Advisor since 2019

Lindsey joins the Step Ahead team with significant business experience in corporate real estate, international marketing, and business development. For the past four years, she has been a volunteer college advisor and is passionate about connecting students to business opportunities, study abroad, and Gap Year experiences. Over the past twelve years, Lindsey has been an active volunteer with Junior Achievement, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girls on the Run and has held various leadership positions with her children's PTOs and has served as a Board member for the past three years at Klahya Swim & Tennis Club. In her free time, she enjoys supporting the Boise swim and tennis community and continues to consult in the real estate sector.

• Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning, UC Berkeley Extension, 2022
• M.A. Law & Diplomacy, The Fletcher School, Tufts University, 1997
• B.A. Government, Cornell University, 1993
• Academic semester abroad, La Universidad de las Américas, Puebla México, 1992
• Bilingüe en inglés y español 

After decades in marketing and communication for start-ups, global companies and nonprofits, Tamar Dolgen transitioned her passion for education into career and college counseling to help students stand out and reach their goals. She believes a strategic and supportive approach converts the overwhelming college application process into a more positive experience for students and their families. Tamar founded Go Future Advising, works with students at Step Ahead Idaho and serves on the board of The Space Idaho. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, Master of Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University and a Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning from UC Berkeley. She sits on the board of Hillel at Cornell University and has previously served on the Cornell University Council. Having lived and worked in Latin America, Tamar speaks fluent Spanish. When she's not advising students or visiting colleges, you can find Tamar hiking, biking, skiing or spending time with her friends and family.