2026 PDD Presenters
Session 1A: Dos & Don'ts of Managing Employees with Depression​
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, affecting millions of Americans every year. That means that managers will very likely supervise workers dealing with the wide-ranging impacts of the serious disease at some point in their careers. This talk will focus on the range of supervisor attitudes that the speaker experienced while deeply depressed, and as they steadily reemerged.
Murphy Woodhouse
Murphy Woodhouse grew up in Southeast Idaho, and is the Mountain West News Bureau reporter at Boise State Public Radio. As a former wildland firefighter, much of his work focuses on wildfire policy and the unique challenges faced by those who dig fireline. In his free time, he reads, gardens and generally tries to be outside as much as possible.
Session 2A: Love Yourself​​
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Justin Herbert
Justin is a Certified Health Education Specialist & a native of the greater Chicagoland area. He received his B.S. in Health Promotion and M.Ed. in Curriculum Design and Instruction from Weber State University. As a Health Educator with Wellness Services and Director of GradWell, he focuses on mental health education and suicide prevention efforts across campus. In his free time, Justin enjoys the 3 G's: golfing, grilling, & grass, along with watching college sports & spending time with his wife, 2 dogs Wrigley and Willow, and their cat Dottie.
Session 3A: Boundaries for Workplace Balance:
Designing Sustainable Success​​
Achieving balance in the workplace can be about setting clear, sustainable boundaries that protect your energy and priorities. In this practical, solution-focused session, participants will distinguish burnout from everyday stress, identify personal energy drains, and assess current boundary habits.
Learning Outcomes:
Identify personal energy drains and drivers to inform more intentional boundary choices
Apply clear, professional language to communicate a specific boundary
Keith Quatraro
Keith currently works as a Training and Organizational Development Specialist at Boise State University. He was a Health Education Volunteer in the United States Peace Corps and served in Tanzania from 2009 – 2011. Keith specializes in adult learning principles and experiential learning opportunities. He emphasizes strong communication as a way to build and maintain sustainable working relationships.
He is a strategic thinker with multiple years of experience in training design and facilitation in the private, non-profit, and university sectors. In his free time, you can find Keith outdoors hiking, fishing, and playing in the dirt with his children..
Session 4A: Chair Stretching for the Office Professional
Chair yoga is a wonderful practice for everybody, suitable for beginners and seniors. Recognizing that as office professionals, our time can be spent at a desk for eight hours a day, this session is the perfect introduction to chair yoga. Participants will go through a chair stretching sequence that they will be able to incorporate into their daily routines.
Maggie Dart
Maggie is an Advancement Coordinator for Stewardship and Compliance at the Foundation. She received her undergraduate degree in Engineering Plus, with a minor in Environmental Studies, in 2024 and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Civil Engineering here at Boise State. Maggie has a 3-year-old daughter and one on the way, so her motivation to stay active and flexible reaches far beyond her office chair. Finding moments throughout the day to focus on yourself is crucial.
Session 1A: Leveraging Financial Tools for Life​
There are a myriad of tools available to us within the financial world. These tools, when leveraged, allow us to create systems that can reduce our mental load and support financial peace of mind.
Brenna Greenwood
I grew up in northern California and small-town Washington, then came to Idaho for college at NNU where I majored in Secondary Education with content areas of English and Communications. I later got a History endorsement as well. I was a teacher and volleyball coach for several years (9+), with a few other jobs between schools, and then I transitioned out of the traditional classroom and now teach financial literacy to all ages and stages for CapEd Credit Union. I am a wife, and also a mom to three wonderful kiddos (ages 4, 2, and 3 months). I am passionate about helping people be the best version of themselves. I like to read, write, and play sports in whatever free time I can find.
Session 2B: Volunteerism and
My Work/Life Balance​​
Finding opportunities to feed your creative soul and provide a benefit for your department at the same time. Looking at the community partnerships that are available that could assist you in living a more fulfilled life while also creating a career that is more than just "going to work" everyday.
Valerie Martindale
Valerie Martindale has worked at Boise State Public Radio as an Office Manager for 7 years. Her passion for community service started with her first "big girl" job at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and has carried on through Girl Scout leader, Treasure Valley Children's Theater parent volunteer, Community Cakes Baker and Rake-up Boise team lead for BSPR to name a few.
Even though her position is a support role for her department, she has also been able to expand her role to encompass Community Engagement and Partnership development with other community non-profit organizations to provide the creative and philanthropic outlets she needs to feel fulfilled.
Session 3B: Accessible Design for All: Simple Everyday Digital Accessibility Wins
This session will provide a practical overview of the new ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements and what they mean for employees. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the regulatory expectations for web content and mobile applications, along with realistic guidance on how accessibility responsibilities translate into everyday work. The session also provides instruction on foundational accessibility practices that anyone can implement immediately into their everyday work, including writing effective alt text, ensuring adequate color contrast, structuring content with proper headings, providing video captioning, and more. The session will also include a brief demonstration of what it's like for an individual who is blind or visually impaired to navigate a website using a screen reader. Attendees will leave with practical tools and concrete steps to infuse accessible design into their everyday work.
Christy Dobson & Angie Zirschky
Christy is the Digital Accessibility Compliance Officer in the Office of Compliance and Ethics at Boise State University, where she leads the university’s digital accessibility compliance efforts. In this role, she provides oversight of the university's digital accessibility strategy, conducts accessibility audits, delivers training and guidance to campus on accessibility best practices, and evaluates the university's digital technologies and software for compliance with the ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements. Christy brings more than 11 years of experience in digital accessibility to the university, including overseeing digital accessibility compliance at BYU-Idaho and serving as an accessibility media specialist for FranklinCovey. She also has experience in online course development and improvement, and previously taught composition courses as an adjunct faculty member in the English Department at BYU-Idaho. Christy holds a Bachelor of Science in English, professional writing, from BYU-Idaho and is passionate about advancing digital accessibility and ensuring access for all.
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Angie is the Compliance Director and ADA/504 Coordinator in the Office of Compliance and Ethics at Boise State University, where she oversees the university's compliance with federal and state laws and Idaho State Board of Education policy. She has worked for Boise State for over 18 years, serving as the Associate Director for Compliance and Ethics, the University Policy Director, and serving in various roles in Human Resources. Prior to Boise State, Angie worked in various Human Resources and other support roles for the Idaho Division of Human Resources, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board, and the Southwest District Health Department. Angie holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration, a BBA in General Business Management, and a Certificate in Technical Communications, all from Boise State. She also maintains a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification and is a PhD candidate (ABD) in Public Policy and Administration at Boise State.
Session 4B: Helping the Helpers - Navigating Compassion Fatigue and Caregiving
Many employees juggle work responsibilities alongside caregiving roles or emotionally demanding jobs. Constantly giving to others without time to recharge can lead to compassion fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and burnout.
This session offers a practical, supportive look at how to care for yourself while continuing to care for others. We’ll discuss the signs of compassion fatigue, the effects of prolonged stress, and simple, doable strategies that help restore balance, build resilience, and support both personal well-being and workplace effectiveness.
Sheila Weaver
Sheila Weaver, LCSW, AADC, is the Program Manager for the Family Caregiver Navigator project and works as a therapist at a local behavioral health agency. With extensive experience in supporting individuals and families, Sheila specializes in caregiving, substance abuse, and behavioral health. She is proud to have served in state government since 2005 in a variety of roles at Boise State University and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Sheila holds both a Master and a Bachelor of Social Work, along with a minor in Gerontology and a certificate in Dispute Resolution from Boise State University. She is a board member for the Idaho Society for Clinical Social Work and leads the National Association of Social Workers’ Legislative Education and Advocacy Days Idaho committee, fostering engagement among students and social workers in lobbying and understanding political issues. Sheila is deeply committed to cultivating a community where everybody can thrive.
Session 1C: Briana Morrison
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Briana Morrison
Briana is a strategic learning and development leader with more than a decade of experience in developing learning opportunities for professionals across multiple sectors. She currently serves as Director of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at Boise State University, where she leads upskilling and reskilling initiatives that extend education beyond traditional boundaries. With a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Administration, she has developed and directed scalable adult learning programs, guided organizational change, and cultivated mission-driven partnerships to expand access to relevant and timely professional training.
Her career includes leadership of global Learning & Development operations at Mercy Ships, where she oversaw a global team, launched a leadership development program, and implemented online learning. She is known for building impactful, results-oriented learning environments that empower individuals and organizations alike.
Briana sees professional development as a way to serve her community—equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to apply learning to real-world challenges. As an Idaho native, Briana enjoys spending time outdoors - hiking, biking, and spending time around water.
Session 2C: Making Meetings Matter - Whether You're Leading or Participating
If you've ever thought, "This meeting could have been an email," this session is for you! This interactive session focuses on how to drive meeting outcomes and respect the time of all meeting attendees... whether you are facilitating the meeting or contributing. Come learn practical tools for designing, leading, and influencing meetings that you can take back and apply in your roles today.
Kimberly Hudson
Kimberly Hudson is a seasoned project manager with over 20 years of experience managing private and public sector projects. Kimberly teaches courses on project management and running effective meetings through Boise State's Professional and Continuing Education department. She currently works as a senior project manager with Northwest Lineman College where she manages projects across the organization, from IT to construction to curriculum. Prior to joining Northwest Lineman College, Kimberly worked at Boise State University for over 15 years, where her project management focus was on small and large-scale IT projects. Kimberly has an MBA from Boise State, is a PMI-certified Project Management Professional (PMP), is a PROSCI Certified Change Practitioner, and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Session 3C: Creating Calm: Practical Strategies for Simplifying Your Life through Organization​
In the midst of busy schedules and constant demands, our homes should be a place of rest—not another source of stress. This class explores how simplifying and organizing your home can create greater clarity, efficiency, and peace in your daily life. Participants will learn the practical benefits of reducing clutter, establishing supportive systems, and making intentional decisions about their spaces. The session will include realistic, manageable steps that can be implemented immediately—whether you’re tackling a single drawer, a busy family schedule, or an entire room. You will leave with practical tools, renewed motivation, and a clear, achievable starting point for creating a calmer, more functional home environment—one step at a time.
Cherie Wintersteen
Cherie Wintersteen has been a dedicated member of Tidy Style Home Organizing for over five years. She began her Tidy Style career working in the field as a professional organizer, where she gained hands-on experience helping clients transform their homes. Today, she serves in Client Care and Community Outreach, supporting clients with compassion and clarity while educating individuals and families throughout the Treasure Valley on the powerful benefits of simplifying and organizing their lives. Cherie is passionate about helping people create spaces that feel calm, functional, and supportive of their everyday routines. Her love for organization began years ago in her own home, where she discovered firsthand how simplifying her surroundings brought greater peace and efficiency to her family life. Married for 35 years and a proud mother of two adult children, Cherie understands the evolving needs of a home through every stage of life. She brings warmth, real-life experience, and practical strategies to her work, inspiring others to take meaningful steps toward a more simplified and organized life.
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Session 4C: Creative Reset: Low-Risk Creativity for Stress Relief and Clearer Thinking
This session introduces simple, low-risk creative practices to help reduce stress and improve
focus in demanding work environments. Explore how doodling and mindful mark-making can
regulate stress, boost mood, and support cognitive flexibility. Participants will be guided through
an easy, no-pressure creative exercise that emphasizes process over product. The goal is not
to make “good” art, but to experience how intentional, hands-on activities can calm the nervous
system and provide mental space throughout the workday. Attendees will leave with practical
strategies for integrating short creative resets between meetings, during high-pressure projects,
or when facing decision fatigue. All materials are included. No prior art experience is necessary.
Terra Feast
Terra Feast is the K12 Professional Development Manager for Boise State’s Division of
Extended Studies and an adjunct professor of art education. She began her career in museum
education and has more than 20 years of experience developing interdisciplinary visual art
content for learners of all ages. Terra holds a BA in Fine Arts from the College of Idaho and a
Masters of Art in Art Education from Boise State University. She received the Idaho Art
Education Association’s Idaho Art Educator of the Year award in 2015 and a Governor’s Award
in the Arts for Innovation in the Arts in 2022.
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Heidi Reeder
The Mindset That Turns Challenge into Growth
Stress is often framed as the enemy of balance and well-being. But what if that assumption is incomplete? In this engaging and research-informed talk, we will explore how the way we think about stress shapes how it affects us—at work and at home. Drawing on mindset research and the concept of antifragility, this talk challenges the idea that difficulty simply depletes us. Instead, we will examine how certain forms of challenge can strengthen performance, deepen meaning, and enhance long-term wellness. Attendees will leave with a new framework for understanding stress and practical strategies for growing through adversity without burning out.​​
Bio
Heidi Reeder, Ph.D. is the author of Commit to Win: How To Harness The Four Elements of Commitment To Reach Your Goals. She’s a Carnegie Foundation award-winning professor at Boise State where she serves as Director of the Leadership Certificate Program in the School of Public Service. Heidi holds degrees in Communication from the University of Oregon, Stanford University, and Arizona State University. As a keynote speaker and organizational trainer, Heidi’s mission is to help individuals lead with confidence and authenticity to maximize their personal and professional success.