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Team

Society for Ideas’ course instructors are industry professionals with in-depth knowledge and expertise in technology, business, media, and innovation. Accomplished in their careers, they bring real-world scenarios and valuable insights into the classroom. Through their instruction, they leverage their professional experience and design thinking to facilitate discussion, provide meaningful feedback, and foster connections.

Program Directors + Managers

  • Portrait of Jennie Myers.

    Jennie Myers

    Director + Assistant Clinical Professor

    Jennie Myers (she/her) is a creative strategist who translates business strategy into human insight and human insight into creative storytelling for local and national brands. This endlessly curious, hardcore optimist lives the “love-what-you-do, do-what-you-love” life. It’s this mindset that led her to where she is today.

    Myers is Co-Founder of Against, a creative agency in Boise, Idaho, and Program Director of Society for Ideas at the College of Innovation + Design at Boise State University. Over the last 20 years, Myers has led creative teams, developed creative cultures, and launched award-winning campaigns for clients.

    Myers graduated from Boise State University in 2001 with a BFA degree in Design and earned her MBA in 2012. In 2019, Myers co-founded Society for Ideas (formerly the ID:EA Certificate), one of the fastest-growing and highest-rated certificate programs at the university. Jennie teaches the following courses:

    • COID 330 – Creative Concepting
    • COID 332 – Analytics for Design
    • COID 334 – Agile Design

    Jennie Myers (she/her) is a creative strategist who translates business strategy into human insight and human insight into creative storytelling for local and national brands. This endlessly curious, hardcore optimist lives the “love-what-you-do, do-what-you-love” life. It’s this mindset that led her to where she is today.

    Myers is Co-Founder of Against, a creative agency in Boise, Idaho, and Program Director of Society for Ideas at the College of Innovation + Design at Boise State University. Over the last 20 years, Myers has led creative teams, developed creative cultures, and launched award-winning campaigns for clients.

    Myers graduated from Boise State University in 2001 with a BFA degree in Design and earned her MBA in 2012. In 2019, Myers co-founded Society for Ideas (formerly the ID:EA Certificate), one of the fastest-growing and highest-rated certificate programs at the university. Jennie teaches the following courses:

    • COID 330 – Creative Concepting
    • COID 332 – Analytics for Design
    • COID 334 – Agile Design

  • Portrait of Brad Weigl.

    Brad Weigle

    Director + Assistant Clinical Professor

    Meet Brad Weigle (he/him), current Program Director of Society for Ideas (formerly the ID:EA Certificate) at the College of Innovation + Design at Boise State University and Co-Founder of creative agency, Against. Weigle, a fellow Bronco, graduated from Boise State with a BA degree in Marketing and another in Finance.

    In 2019, he co-founded Society for Ideas with Jennie Myers. Within two years of launching, the program saw 1,000 students and continues to be one of the fastest-growing and highest-rated programs at the University.

    Beyond his work at the College of Innovation + Design, he co-teaches an upper-division Marketing course in the College of Business and Economics. In this course, students took 2nd place in the 2018 regionals of the National Student Advertising Competition – the highest ranking for Boise State in two decades. Off-campus, his agency, Against, continues to evolve by working with some of the fastest-growing brands in Idaho, hiring local creative talent, and offering one of the most competitive creative internships in the valley. Brad teaches the following courses:

    • COID 336 – No-Code Development
    • COID 339 – Career Hacking

    Meet Brad Weigle (he/him), current Program Director of Society for Ideas (formerly the ID:EA Certificate) at the College of Innovation + Design at Boise State University and Co-Founder of creative agency, Against. Weigle, a fellow Bronco, graduated from Boise State with a BA degree in Marketing and another in Finance.

    In 2019, he co-founded Society for Ideas with Jennie Myers. Within two years of launching, the program saw 1,000 students and continues to be one of the fastest-growing and highest-rated programs at the University.

    Beyond his work at the College of Innovation + Design, he co-teaches an upper-division Marketing course in the College of Business and Economics. In this course, students took 2nd place in the 2018 regionals of the National Student Advertising Competition – the highest ranking for Boise State in two decades. Off-campus, his agency, Against, continues to evolve by working with some of the fastest-growing brands in Idaho, hiring local creative talent, and offering one of the most competitive creative internships in the valley. Brad teaches the following courses:

    • COID 336 – No-Code Development
    • COID 339 – Career Hacking

  • Portrait of Ben Ohashi.

    Ben Ohashi

    Program Manager

    Ben Ohashi (he/him) is no stranger to blue and orange. He graduated from Boise State University with a BA in Marketing. As a student, he was awarded the Spirit of Boise State Award, given to those who “…create a better future through an unwavering commitment to innovation and fresh ideas…”. It’s quite evident that his passion for bettering the future has only grown deeper over the years. Fulfilling the Program Manager role for Society for Ideas at the College of Innovation + Design at Boise State University, this forward-thinking, innovative ideator devotes himself to helping others grow and thinking of creating a future that doesn’t yet exist.

    Working behind the scenes, Ohashi puts his analytic and strategic skills to use as he manages all courses, certificates, and operations for the program. Prior to his involvement with the college, Ohashi helped lead one of the most successful and innovative real estate teams in Idaho. From there, he took those learnings and started his own investing venture in 2019.

    Today, Ohashi splits his time between working at the college and working as an Account Manager at Against, a creative agency located in downtown Boise. There, he assists clients with strategy, media, and analytics to shake up the norm in their respective industries.

    Ben Ohashi (he/him) is no stranger to blue and orange. He graduated from Boise State University with a BA in Marketing. As a student, he was awarded the Spirit of Boise State Award, given to those who “…create a better future through an unwavering commitment to innovation and fresh ideas…”. It’s quite evident that his passion for bettering the future has only grown deeper over the years. Fulfilling the Program Manager role for Society for Ideas at the College of Innovation + Design at Boise State University, this forward-thinking, innovative ideator devotes himself to helping others grow and thinking of creating a future that doesn’t yet exist.

    Working behind the scenes, Ohashi puts his analytic and strategic skills to use as he manages all courses, certificates, and operations for the program. Prior to his involvement with the college, Ohashi helped lead one of the most successful and innovative real estate teams in Idaho. From there, he took those learnings and started his own investing venture in 2019.

    Today, Ohashi splits his time between working at the college and working as an Account Manager at Against, a creative agency located in downtown Boise. There, he assists clients with strategy, media, and analytics to shake up the norm in their respective industries.

  • Portrait of Finn Scown

    Finn Scown

    Program Coordinator

    Finn Scown (he/him) is a multimedia artist and all around creative hybrid. His passions include digital art and animation, 3D modeling, game design, and animal care. In 2016, these passions led him to the Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile Technology (GIMM) major where he became fully involved in the rising community there. He started working for Boise State as a GIMM peer mentor in 2017. In 2018, he started tutoring game design privately and a year later joined the GIMM student development team.

    After enrolling in SFI courses, he became inspired by the program and the wonderful experience provided by both instructors and TAs. In 2021, he joined the SFI team as a teaching assistant. Finn graduated from BSU in December of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in GIMM but stayed on the SFI team as a TA until he was promoted in 2022 to the role of Program Coordinator. Now he’s focused on building a creative community that SFI students are excited and proud to be a part of.

    Finn Scown (he/him) is a multimedia artist and all around creative hybrid. His passions include digital art and animation, 3D modeling, game design, and animal care. In 2016, these passions led him to the Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile Technology (GIMM) major where he became fully involved in the rising community there. He started working for Boise State as a GIMM peer mentor in 2017. In 2018, he started tutoring game design privately and a year later joined the GIMM student development team.

    After enrolling in SFI courses, he became inspired by the program and the wonderful experience provided by both instructors and TAs. In 2021, he joined the SFI team as a teaching assistant. Finn graduated from BSU in December of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in GIMM but stayed on the SFI team as a TA until he was promoted in 2022 to the role of Program Coordinator. Now he’s focused on building a creative community that SFI students are excited and proud to be a part of.

  • Danni Harrison

    Program Coordinator

    Danni Harrison (she/her) is an entrepreneur, photographer, and lifelong learner. She was raised in Texas but considers herself a global citizen having lived in four countries on three continents. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Boise State University where she first encountered Society for Ideas (SFI). She graduated with a Bachelor of Art and Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies in 2022 and complemented this degree with SFI certifications in Creative Influence and Innovation and Design. 

    Harrison is currently completing her Master of Business Administration program at Boise State University while working as a Program Coordinator for SFI. During her graduate work, she earned membership in Phi Kappa Phi, won the COBE Innovation Challenge in 2022, and was selected to receive The Gang Graduate Fellowship in 2023. After spending most of her adult life in low-income countries, Harrison feels passionate about supporting individuals in identifying and maximizing the opportunities that surround them. She feels deeply connected to creative expression, the empowerment of self-learning, and the focus on making positive contributions to the world which she feels resonates throughout the SFI community.

    Danni Harrison (she/her) is an entrepreneur, photographer, and lifelong learner. She was raised in Texas but considers herself a global citizen having lived in four countries on three continents. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Boise State University where she first encountered Society for Ideas (SFI). She graduated with a Bachelor of Art and Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies in 2022 and complemented this degree with SFI certifications in Creative Influence and Innovation and Design. 

    Harrison is currently completing her Master of Business Administration program at Boise State University while working as a Program Coordinator for SFI. During her graduate work, she earned membership in Phi Kappa Phi, won the COBE Innovation Challenge in 2022, and was selected to receive The Gang Graduate Fellowship in 2023. After spending most of her adult life in low-income countries, Harrison feels passionate about supporting individuals in identifying and maximizing the opportunities that surround them. She feels deeply connected to creative expression, the empowerment of self-learning, and the focus on making positive contributions to the world which she feels resonates throughout the SFI community.

Instructors

  • Portrait of Kevan Lee.

    Kevan Lee

    Adjunct Faculty

    Meet Kevan Lee (he/him), a Boise-based Marketing Executive with a background in editorial strategy, content marketing, copywriting, SEO, and social media. Born and raised in Idaho, Lee eventually headed West to attend Seattle Pacific University where he earned his BA in Communication & Journalism in 2005. Specializing in digital marketing for startups, Lee has worked for some of the largest brands in tech. Previously, he was VP of Marketing at Buffer, one of the largest social media software companies in the world. Prior to that, he was managing editor at Vox, a national media company in the top 30 most popular media companies in the United States. Today, he leads the marketing team at Oyster, a tech company that offers a global HR platform, as the VP of Marketing. Kevin teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 331 – Growth Hacking

    Meet Kevan Lee (he/him), a Boise-based Marketing Executive with a background in editorial strategy, content marketing, copywriting, SEO, and social media. Born and raised in Idaho, Lee eventually headed West to attend Seattle Pacific University where he earned his BA in Communication & Journalism in 2005. Specializing in digital marketing for startups, Lee has worked for some of the largest brands in tech. Previously, he was VP of Marketing at Buffer, one of the largest social media software companies in the world. Prior to that, he was managing editor at Vox, a national media company in the top 30 most popular media companies in the United States. Today, he leads the marketing team at Oyster, a tech company that offers a global HR platform, as the VP of Marketing. Kevin teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 331 – Growth Hacking

  • Portrait of Nikson Mathews.

    Nikson Mathews

    Adjunct Faculty

    Nikson Mathews (he/they) is a sucker for a solid creative strategy and compelling brand story. As an Associate Creative Director, he’s able to take part in both. Currently, Nikson works at Against, a Boise-based creative agency that specializes in working with rebel brands. No stranger to Idaho, Mathews is a part of the Bronco alumni. He graduated from Boise State in 2011, earning a BFA in Graphic Design. Following graduation, Nikson started his career in Boise, working in a traditional agency setting. Looking for new career challenges and adventure, he purchased an umbrella and moved to Seattle, Washington in 2016.

    Since arriving, he’s worked in both agency and in-house environments, building, and leading creative teams, launching campaigns, building social strategies and the content to support them, and driving the rebranding work for a global brand. Nikson’s clients include Microsoft, T-Mobile, RealSelf, and Sparkling Ice, to name a few. In 2018, Mathews created Fierce Queer, a side hustle to develop queer-centric gear that was gender-ambiguous and body inclusive. All proceeds made from sales went to the FQ Gender Traitor program, which awarded micro-grants to trans and non-binary individuals who needed financial support for gender-affirming procedures or related experiences. Nikson teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 338 – Pitching Ideas

    Nikson Mathews (he/they) is a sucker for a solid creative strategy and compelling brand story. As an Associate Creative Director, he’s able to take part in both. Currently, Nikson works at Against, a Boise-based creative agency that specializes in working with rebel brands. No stranger to Idaho, Mathews is a part of the Bronco alumni. He graduated from Boise State in 2011, earning a BFA in Graphic Design. Following graduation, Nikson started his career in Boise, working in a traditional agency setting. Looking for new career challenges and adventure, he purchased an umbrella and moved to Seattle, Washington in 2016.

    Since arriving, he’s worked in both agency and in-house environments, building, and leading creative teams, launching campaigns, building social strategies and the content to support them, and driving the rebranding work for a global brand. Nikson’s clients include Microsoft, T-Mobile, RealSelf, and Sparkling Ice, to name a few. In 2018, Mathews created Fierce Queer, a side hustle to develop queer-centric gear that was gender-ambiguous and body inclusive. All proceeds made from sales went to the FQ Gender Traitor program, which awarded micro-grants to trans and non-binary individuals who needed financial support for gender-affirming procedures or related experiences. Nikson teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 338 – Pitching Ideas

  • Portrait of Stacy Parson.

    Stacy Parson

    Adjunct Faculty

    Stacy Parson (she/her) has spent over 20 years leading in management consulting where her expertise in individual and team coaching, individual effectiveness, organizational change, and program design combine to be a powerful skill set for developing and executing comprehensive programs that translate business strategy into individual action and organizational outcomes. As Co-Founder & Partner of The Dignitas Agency, Parson supports leaders and organizations in the audacious leadership and commitment required to create a more equitable and inclusive organization.

    She coaches and consults with senior and C-level executives in Fortune 50 companies, Boards who are committed to equity and inclusion, start-up and emerging teams with big aspirations, and tech leaders who are determined to change the world. Parson is a part of the Stanford Women’s Basketball 1990 NCAA Champion Team, a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo, a student of the Tarot and the wisdom that it makes available to leaders, and is an essential oil and herbal enthusiast – a student of how herbal resources cultivate emotions and mindsets that inspire action. Above all, Parson devotes herself to teaching individual leaders how to tactically transform Limiting Beliefs to Breakthrough Beliefs in order to create the results they want in their performance and in their life. Stacy holds an MBA degree from the University of Washington and teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 337 – Designing for Equity

    Stacy Parson (she/her) has spent over 20 years leading in management consulting where her expertise in individual and team coaching, individual effectiveness, organizational change, and program design combine to be a powerful skill set for developing and executing comprehensive programs that translate business strategy into individual action and organizational outcomes. As Co-Founder & Partner of The Dignitas Agency, Parson supports leaders and organizations in the audacious leadership and commitment required to create a more equitable and inclusive organization.

    She coaches and consults with senior and C-level executives in Fortune 50 companies, Boards who are committed to equity and inclusion, start-up and emerging teams with big aspirations, and tech leaders who are determined to change the world. Parson is a part of the Stanford Women’s Basketball 1990 NCAA Champion Team, a 2nd-degree black belt in Taekwondo, a student of the Tarot and the wisdom that it makes available to leaders, and is an essential oil and herbal enthusiast – a student of how herbal resources cultivate emotions and mindsets that inspire action. Above all, Parson devotes herself to teaching individual leaders how to tactically transform Limiting Beliefs to Breakthrough Beliefs in order to create the results they want in their performance and in their life. Stacy holds an MBA degree from the University of Washington and teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 337 – Designing for Equity

  • Portrait of Angela Taylor.

    Angela Taylor

    Adjunct Faculty

    Meet Angela Taylor (she/her), a creative strategist whose mission is to create opportunities for others to reach their full potential in their professional and personal lives. Taylor, a native of Mountain Home, Idaho, traded snow for sunshine to attend Stanford University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Eager to explore the big apple, she headed East and earned her MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

    Between the experience she’s gained from numerous leadership development and management roles, coaching women’s basketball at Stanford and Texas A&M University, and launching Indulge Boise Food Tours, it’s clear that Taylor’s areas of specialization could fill a book. Business development and growth, contract negotiations and business partnerships, executive leadership coaching and consulting, and that’s just to name a few. This vast array of skills has contributed to the present day Angela: An active member in several local philanthropic organizations and Partner & Co-Founder of The Dignitas Agency, an organization that provides leadership development, professional development, consulting, and executive coaching to companies like Facebook, General Mills, and Google. Angela teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 337 – Designing for Equity

    Meet Angela Taylor (she/her), a creative strategist whose mission is to create opportunities for others to reach their full potential in their professional and personal lives. Taylor, a native of Mountain Home, Idaho, traded snow for sunshine to attend Stanford University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Eager to explore the big apple, she headed East and earned her MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.

    Between the experience she’s gained from numerous leadership development and management roles, coaching women’s basketball at Stanford and Texas A&M University, and launching Indulge Boise Food Tours, it’s clear that Taylor’s areas of specialization could fill a book. Business development and growth, contract negotiations and business partnerships, executive leadership coaching and consulting, and that’s just to name a few. This vast array of skills has contributed to the present day Angela: An active member in several local philanthropic organizations and Partner & Co-Founder of The Dignitas Agency, an organization that provides leadership development, professional development, consulting, and executive coaching to companies like Facebook, General Mills, and Google. Angela teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 337 – Designing for Equity

  • Portrait of Britton Hennessy.

    Britton Hennessy

    Adjunct Faculty

    Britton Hennessy (he/him) has always been a curious, strategic, and deep thinker. He is constantly processing and thinking carefully about business, politics, and design, and is never hesitant to have a deep conversation over a cup of coffee. He was born and raised in the Seattle area but spent his college years in Southern California where he attended Azusa Pacific University and earned a degree in Marketing and Design. Shortly after college, Hennessy found his way to Boise, Idaho, and started his career at Drake Cooper, an award-winning marketing agency. There, he worked with several Idaho companies building and planning effective digital marketing solutions.

    Today, as Lead UX Designer, he oversees the software design and production efforts for the wildly successful Boise tech startup, Crave Delivery. Through these careers, Hennessy has developed a few areas of expertise, including User Experience and Interface Design, Human-Centered Design, Product Marketing Strategy, and Coaching and Team Leadership. He has also become crazy passionate about building efficient and effective digital products, and spends too much time nerding out on consumer behavior and delving into the fascinating ways people interact with technology. Outside of the office, you can find Hennessy playing soccer, carving Idaho mountain roads on his motorcycle, and hitting the ski slopes. He is also secretly a passionate automotive mechanic and will not hesitate to tell you about the project cars he spends too much time and money on. Britton teaches the following courses:

    • COID 333 – Emerging Technology

    Britton Hennessy (he/him) has always been a curious, strategic, and deep thinker. He is constantly processing and thinking carefully about business, politics, and design, and is never hesitant to have a deep conversation over a cup of coffee. He was born and raised in the Seattle area but spent his college years in Southern California where he attended Azusa Pacific University and earned a degree in Marketing and Design. Shortly after college, Hennessy found his way to Boise, Idaho, and started his career at Drake Cooper, an award-winning marketing agency. There, he worked with several Idaho companies building and planning effective digital marketing solutions.

    Today, as Lead UX Designer, he oversees the software design and production efforts for the wildly successful Boise tech startup, Crave Delivery. Through these careers, Hennessy has developed a few areas of expertise, including User Experience and Interface Design, Human-Centered Design, Product Marketing Strategy, and Coaching and Team Leadership. He has also become crazy passionate about building efficient and effective digital products, and spends too much time nerding out on consumer behavior and delving into the fascinating ways people interact with technology. Outside of the office, you can find Hennessy playing soccer, carving Idaho mountain roads on his motorcycle, and hitting the ski slopes. He is also secretly a passionate automotive mechanic and will not hesitate to tell you about the project cars he spends too much time and money on. Britton teaches the following courses:

    • COID 333 – Emerging Technology

  • Portrait of Kate Holgate.

    Kate Holgate

    Adjunct Faculty

    Kate Holgate (she/her) has spent over 20-years leading creative teams and projects in the world of Advertising. She is currently the Chief Creative Officer at Stoltz Marketing Group in Boise, Idaho.

    From healthcare to pet care. From financial institutions to science centers. From rafts to wood products. Yes, even toilet paper. No matter the creative opportunity, at the end of the day, Kate believes that communicating human truth creates a stronger connection. Kate holds a BA degree from the University of Idaho and teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 330 – Creative Concepting

    Kate Holgate (she/her) has spent over 20-years leading creative teams and projects in the world of Advertising. She is currently the Chief Creative Officer at Stoltz Marketing Group in Boise, Idaho.

    From healthcare to pet care. From financial institutions to science centers. From rafts to wood products. Yes, even toilet paper. No matter the creative opportunity, at the end of the day, Kate believes that communicating human truth creates a stronger connection. Kate holds a BA degree from the University of Idaho and teaches the following course(s):

    • COID 330 – Creative Concepting

Teaching Assistants

  • Portrait of Joe Damianakes

    Joe Damianakes

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (he/him)

    Major: Biological Sciences

    Pronouns: (he/him)

    Major: Biological Sciences

  • Portrait of Kristy Swartz

    Kristy Swartz

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Multidisciplinary Studies, Anthropology

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Multidisciplinary Studies, Anthropology

  • Portrait of Kobe Fields

    Kobe Fields

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (he/him)

    Major: Communications

    Pronouns: (he/him)

    Major: Communications

  • Portrait of Alli Peaslee

    Alli Peaslee

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Communications

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Communications

  • Portrait of Journey Utterbeck

    Journey Utterbeck

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Multidisciplinary Studies

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Multidisciplinary Studies

  • Portrait of Joey Sacino

    Joey Sacino

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (he/they)

    Major: Gaming, Interactive Media and Mobile Technology [GIMM]

    Pronouns: (he/they)

    Major: Gaming, Interactive Media and Mobile Technology [GIMM]

  • Portrait of Kiara Rockins

    Kiara Rockins

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Communications

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Communications

  • Portrait of Mary James

    Mary James

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Multidisciplinary Studies

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Multidisciplinary Studies

  • Portrait of Emily Neufeld

    Emily Neufeld

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Communications

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Communications

  • Portrait of Michaela George

    Michaela George

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Counselor Education

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Counselor Education

  • Portrait of Eva Luna Lopez-Stipe

    Eva Luna Lopez-Stipe

    Teaching Assistant

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Digital Innovation & Design, Business Graduate Programs

    Pronouns: (she/her)

    Major: Digital Innovation & Design, Business Graduate Programs