Shari Fernandez, a development associate in Idaho State University’s Boise development office, was recently selected as one of the Idaho Business Review’s 50 Women of the Year.
“It is very gratifying to be acknowledged for the work I’ve done in my profession, through my community involvement and through my pursuit of higher education all the while balancing a family life,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez began working for ISU’s Boise Development office as an administrative assistant in 2007. In 2011, she was promoted to Development Associate.
“The position was created around me and the unique skills I bring to the development office,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez said she is responsible for fundraising, donor cultivation and stewardship.
“In my role I focus on finding funding under $25,000 and generally in the $5,000 range for university programs,” she said.
In 2011, she raised nearly $100,000 for ISU scholarships and programs.
“In my position I can be working on programs for Science and Engineering at the same time I’m working on a scholarship for Health Professions,” Fernandez said.
“It’s exciting to see a project come to fruition and to be able to share with donors the impact their contributions make.”
Along with working for ISU, Fernandez raises her daughters, is pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree at Boise State University and volunteers for a nonprofit childcare organization.
“Receiving this recognition sort of reaffirms why I put in the extra time on volunteer projects, or stay up until midnight making goodies for my daughters’ classroom celebrations,” said Fernandez.
She is a board member and was named 2012 Volunteer of the Year at Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Centers, a private nonprofit early learning center in Boise.
“It provides daycare and early learning for children ages six weeks to six years of age regardless of a family’s ability to pay. In addition they provide breakfast, lunch and snack to all the children, as well as operate food pantries at each center and provide parenting courses to help strengthen families,” according to Fernandez.
When her oldest daughter began attending Giraffe Laugh’s baby room in 2007, Fernandez became involved in the nonprofit. She joined the board in 2008 and volunteered the most hours in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
“I work hard to be my best every day in my work, in my schooling and my volunteer activities but most importantly for my family.
I want my girls to realize, through my example, that they can do anything they set their minds to,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez and the Idaho Business Review’s other award winners will be honored at an awards dinner Feb. 26 in Boise, where one of them will be named Woman of the Year. The 50 women will then be profiled in the publication’s annual Women of the Year issue.