ICF Staff

Karen Bilowith relocated to Idaho in 2016 to assume the position of President and CEO of the Idaho Community Foundation, one of Idaho’s leading philanthropic organizations and largest grantmakers. 

Karen said she feels privileged to work with hundreds of generous people and effective organizations across the state who collectively promote the foundation’s mission to enrich the quality of life throughout Idaho.

Prior to joining ICF, Karen was the President and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region in Albany, New York, where she led the board and staff to realize the Foundation’s mission to strengthen its community through philanthropy. This resulted in significant growth for the foundation, including $20 million in increased assets and distribution of $32 million in grants.

Karen previously held executive positions with United Way of the Greater Capital Region and United Way of Schenectady County, also in upstate New York. Her broad experience in community-building and fundraising was garnered during her tenure as the senior program officer for the National AIDS Fund in Washington, D.C., and in positions with both the American Red Cross and the Denver Zoological Foundation.

Karen currently serves on the board of the Idaho Nonprofit Center and the Idaho International Women’s Forum Chapter. She is a member of Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation and the American Association of University Women. 

She holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Boston College. She enjoys anything outside, including biking, skiing, walking her dogs and listening to live music.

Jennifer joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2009. As the Director, Communications and Marketing, she is responsible for ICF external communications, including the Annual Report, newsletter, monthly e-bulletin, social media and website. She is also responsible for the foundation’s marketing and informational materials, and she plans the foundation’s annual events.

Long before joining ICF, Jennifer was a reporter for The Idaho Statesman covering K-12 and higher education. She was the Public Information Officer for then-Superintendent of Public Instruction Marilyn Howard and was Communications Director for The College of Idaho.

She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Francisco State University. Her hobbies include hiking, backpacking, travel and yoga. She hopes to learn to fly fish, but dislikes practicing her casts.

Cara joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2019. As the Vice President, Philanthropy and Impact, she provides leadership for community and donor engagement, community grantmaking and strategic partnerships across the state. Her work focuses on building innovative community impact programs.

Cara comes to ICF from Boise State University where she has held several positions, most recently as executive director of development and interim senior director of donor relations. In those roles, she was instrumental in growing Boise State’s donor base and creating new ways for donors to engage including the PonyUp crowdfunding program and Bronco Giving Day.

In addition to her six years at Boise State University, Cara also worked as the community and government relations manager for Albertsons/SUPERVALU and as a development administrator for the Idaho State Historical Society.

She has undergraduate degrees in English and political science from Boise State University. Her hobbies include fishing, hiking, gardening, cooking and reading.

Kris joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2016. In addition to overseeing ICF’s two regional development officers, Kris works with individuals, families and organizations to help them accomplish their philanthropic goals.  This often includes meeting with professional advisors (attorneys, accountants, financial advisors) to discuss how ICF can help their clients satisfy their charitable intent through estate gifts or other special gifts. Kris covers the 18 counties in southwest Idaho, as well as out-of-state donors and fundholders.

Prior to joining the Idaho Community Foundation, Kris served as a Director of Development at Boise State University in both academics and athletics. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education.

Kris has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in education from Ashland University in Ohio. He serves on the board of the Southwest Idaho Council of Charitable Gift Planners and is a member of the Magic Valley Estate Planning Council and AdNet.

Kris enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Idaho great outdoors, including fishing, skiing, hiking and biking.

Lisa joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2014. As the Philanthropic Advisor, she works alongside donors and nonprofits to make connections between people, resources and ideas that make Idaho's communities stronger. Lisa oversees the Foundation's grantmaking programs, serves as a philanthropic resource to help donors and grants panelists make informed decisions, and works to advocate for the power of strategic and collective giving.

Before coming to ICF, she was the Project Coordinator for the Energy Policy Institute, where she conducted policy research, identified and secured grant funding and managed special projects. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s of public administration, both from Boise State University.

She is a member of the Boise Centennial Rotary Club, serves on the United Way’s Vision Council, is a member of the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation, and is a working group member for RISE: Treasure Valley’s Education Partnership.

Lisa enjoys exploring Idaho’s outdoors with her family, attending community events, meeting new people, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.

Boone joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2021. As ICF’s Database and Portfolio Administrator, he supports the Philanthropy and Impact Team by enhancing quality control measures for ICF’s database. He also researches and implements best practices for partner engagement.

Boone has more than 10 years experience in the nonprofit sector, most recently at the Treasure Valley Family YMCA. He has a bachelor’s degree in humanities with an emphasis in Spanish and women’s studies from the University of Colorado – Boulder and a master’s in nonprofit management from Regis University.

Boone enjoys running, hiking, backpacking and travel, especially to learn about Spanish-language cultures. He sits on the Idaho Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS.

Sarah joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2016. As the Philanthropic Services Assistant, she engages with donors, community members, nonprofits and key partners across the state to facilitate grantmaking. Sarah serves as liaison for the women's giving circles and community affiliates and also manages the scholarship program.

Before coming to ICF, Sarah worked with MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter in McCall. She enjoys working with nonprofit organizations and donors to make a positive impact across the state of Idaho.

Sarah has undergraduate degrees in sociology and gender studies from Pacific Lutheran University. She enjoys hiking to mountain lakes, downhill skiing, camping, yoga, and travelling to new places.

Judy joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2016. She is responsible for the foundation’s operations including financial, information technology and human resources. She oversees the management and financial reporting and investment of the foundation’s assets.

Before joining ICF, Judy was the controller for a large statewide nonprofit and prior to that was an auditor with a national public accounting firm. She has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accountancy, both from Boise State University. She is a certified public accountant.

Judy has been recognized as an honoree by the Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished Under 40. Some of her volunteer roles with nonprofits have included the Treasure Valley Young Marines and the Girl Scouts.

Judy enjoys camping, kayaking and traveling to historical sites with her family.

Emily joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2021. As ICF’s Office and Events Coordinator, she is responsible for administrative support to all areas of ICF in addition to constituent relations and event management.

Before coming to ICF, Emily worked with a foster youth resource center, a record label, and a public relations firm. Most recently she was a community outreach associate for the National Archives and Records Administration. She has two bachelor’s degrees from California Lutheran University – one in Communications and one in English Writing.

Emily enjoys attending live music events, exploring local bookstores and other small businesses, and spending time outdoors, especially at a lake or in the mountains.

Zach joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2011 and serves as the foundation’s I.T. department. He provides internal technical support to all of ICF’s staff, including discovering and fixing hardware issues and addressing software issues.

He also works with ICF constituents to establish online accounts through the website and works through any issues that may arise with the array of online applications and forms that hosted on the website.

Zach attended Spokane Falls Community College and Boise State University.

Beka joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2020. As the Accountant her responsibilities include assisting the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and Accounting Manager with daily operational tasks, including accounts and grants payable, recording gift receipts, account reconciliations and more.

She has a BS in business with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Idaho. She started her academic career in civil engineering but switched to accounting because she found it more interesting. She jokes that studying engineering wasn’t a waste of time because that’s where she met her husband Scott.

Beka enjoys hiking and exploring creative hobbies, including cold-process soap making, brewing kombucha, sewing a king-sized quilt and spending time with Scott and their daughter Jelde. She has volunteered for Community Cakes, making cakes for foster kids, veterans, hospice patients and assisted living residents.

Megan joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2017. She is an accounting ninja, who conquers all of ICF’s daily accounting activities including general ledger operations, monthly reconciliations, accounts payable and grants payable transactions, payroll, bank account management and 1099 maintenance and reporting.

She also oversees the recording of incoming donations, asset management and depreciation and a variety of reporting tasks. She provides support as needed in account reconciliation, quarter and year end close, audit preparation, financial analysis, and special projects.

Prior to joining ICF, Megan was a Staff Accountant with the Idaho Youth Ranch, and previously worked for JR Simplot Company and Jacksons Food Stores. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s in accountancy, both from the University of Phoenix.

Megan is a volunteer for and supporter of the American Cancer Society, United Way of the Treasure Valley and Boys and Girls Clubs of Ada County. She enjoys quilting, sewing, gardening and reading.

Mary joined the Idaho Community Foundation in 2021. As the Board and Executive Coordinator, she serves as the administrative liaison to the Board of Directors, Board Committees and Regional Councils.

Mary’s diverse professional background includes working as a marketing assistant for Jacksons Food Stores, being an assistant to the principal at a small private school in Caldwell and working as a social media coordinator for a large car dealership.

An animal lover, Mary volunteers at the Idaho Humane Society’s SPOT clinic, helping to spay or neuter feral cats. She has also volunteered at mobile adoption events and been a “snake wrangler” at Rattlesnake Avoidance Training classes.

She and her husband Drake have a daughter, Kensley. Mary enjoys being outdoors, coloring and she is learning to sew.