Member Spotlight

Introducing: Jillana Finnegan, Executive Director of Strategic Projects, College of Western Idaho



Describe the business/organization you work for:

College of Western Idaho opened its doors as the Treasure Valley's first community college in 2007. Today, we serve over 30,000 students annually. CWI serves community members at any stage of life's path with these educational programs:

  • Dual Credit: Get a head start on your college education, explore your interests, and save time and money while in high school.
  • Academic Transfer: Build the right foundation for a career pathway or to transfer by earning an associate degree.
  • Career & Technical: Engage in fast-paced, hands-on, and focused training to gain the competitive edge employers are seeking.
  • Workforce Development: Rapidly acquire career-focused skills to facilitate employment, retrain, or advance in your career.
  • Adult Education: Gain life-changing, essential skills to reach your goals and succeed, such as completing a GED or improving literacy skills.



What sets this business apart from others in the industry?

CWI change's the trajectory of lives for generations to come. We offer:

  • Open, affordable access unparalleled in the Treasure Valley.
  • Student-centered commitment, adapting to meet students where they are.
  • Career-oriented outcomes to provide students a competitive edge.



Share something you love about Idaho, or a specific community you serve, or any special projects you would like to share with our followers, or even something specific you love or want to share about the company you represent.

CWI students are the most hardworking and tenacious I have ever met. They are from all walks and stages of life. There is no typical CWI student, except that most are managing multiple responsibilities and challenges that could easily make them quit on their education. Instead, it seems to fuel their determination to continue.


 

What inspired you to join the ITC?

The two strategic projects I am leading right now are related to growing the tech workforce. I support our partnership with Micron to train more technicians and am the chair of CWI's AI Committee. Both projects have given me insights into the challenges and opportunities of building the workforce we need right now and predicting what will be needed in the future. I am inspired by ITC's mission to connect the tech community, because I know how vital collaborative and coordinated efforts will be to our success as a State.



What are you looking forward to the most about serving as a board member of the ITC?

I am looking forward to building relationships with other members and finding opportunities to collaborate.



What do you like to do in your free time, or anything else you would like to share with our network?

Like most Idahoans, I like to spend my free time with my family, friends, and dogs; ideally enjoying Idaho's beautiful outdoors.




Connect with Jillana on LinkedIn HERE

Check out CWI on their website HERE

Meet Nathan Foss

7 May 2025
Introducing: Nathan Foss, Account Executive, Lightcast Describe the business/organization you work for: Lightcast connects people with jobs by providing businesses, communities, and education institutions with the best labor market data possible. Our data-driven insight enables better, faster decisions. What sets this business apart from others in the industry? Lightcast prides itself in having the most robust selection of labor market data while also having the most accurate on the market. We combine traditional government labor market information with proprietary real-time labor market information to better understand where there are gaps in the workforce in terms of people, education, certifications, skills and much more. Share something you love about Idaho, or a specific community you serve, or any special projects you would like to share with our followers, or even something specific you love or want to share about the company you represent. Lightcast is proud to be headquartered in Moscow, ID. Being located in Idaho provides unique opportunities and advantages for our business. In Moscow, we are able to have direct access to both the University of Idaho as well as Washington State University. This gives us a chance to cultivate our talent from the ground up, as well as help us grow the region by keeping our students local instead of them having to move out of state for a job. We have partnered with a variety of groups across Idaho to help grow our economy. Some of these groups include the Idaho Technology Council, Idaho Department of Commerce, Idaho Department of Labor, Inland Northwest Partners, and many more.  What inspired you to join the ITC? As a quickly growing data company in Idaho, we are always looking for new connections throughout the state. The ITC provides opportunities to network with other tech companies, get to know our market and region, and learn about potential new partners. What do you like to do in your free time, or anything else you would like to share with our network? I am an avid golfer, and am always looking for some good competition. I believe at this point, I have played a large majority of the courses in Boise, so if you are ever looking for recommendations or some friendly competition, reach out! Connect with Nathan on LinkedIn HERE Check out Lightcast on their website HERE

ITC Hosts State of Technology Annual Event

by Diane Bevan • 7 May 2025
ITC Hosts Annual Gathering for the State of Technology event.

ITC Attends Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leader Summit in WA

by Betsy Davies • 9 April 2025
ITC Attends Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit Written by: Betsy Davies April 9, 2025 A Week of Innovation, Inspiration, and Impact: Microsoft TechSpark Fellows Summit and Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit From March 24th to 28th, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to the Seattle area and immerse myself in a week full of learning, connection, and empowerment at two transformative events hosted by Microsoft: The TechSpark Fellows Summit and the Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leaders’ Summit (GNPLS). The experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Connecting Across the Country: TechSpark Fellows Summit The TechSpark Fellows Summit, held on Microsoft’s Redmond campus, brought together fellows from across the U.S.—each of us working at the intersection of technology and community impact. It was incredibly powerful to be surrounded by such passionate changemakers, all dedicated to driving digital equity, workforce development, and economic opportunity in our respective regions. The agenda was packed with energizing content, including: A preview of the AI Readiness Report , by the Berkeley Group, offering insights into the current state of AI innovation and strategies for communities to become future-ready. Two impactful AI in Motion Panels , where Fellows shared real stories from the field—highlighting everything from digital skilling efforts to inclusive entrepreneurship initiatives. The unveiling of the new TechSpark Playbook , an invaluable tool to help us better communicate our stories and outcomes back to our communities. One of the most inspiring parts of the summit was the AI in Motion Pod Panel , where Fellows answered questions about our most impactful projects, challenges faced, and aspirations ahead. These candid conversations sparked new ideas and forged deeper bonds across the network. It was a week of not just sharing what we’ve done but dreaming together about what’s possible when we work collaboratively across geographies, with Microsoft’s powerful resources and vision behind us. Global Vision, Local Action: Microsoft Global Nonprofit Leaders Summit Midweek, I joined hundreds of nonprofit leaders from around the world at the Microsoft GNPLS in Bellevue. This summit focused on how nonprofits can harness the power of Microsoft technologies—from AI and cloud solutions to cybersecurity tools—to amplify their missions and drive greater impact. Sessions explored themes such as digital transformation, sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and building resilient nonprofit ecosystems. It was empowering to see how aligned Microsoft is with the values and needs of the nonprofit sector—and how committed they are to helping us scale our work responsibly and inclusively. Lasting Impact Walking away from this week, I feel deeply grateful—not only for the opportunity to participate in these summits, but for the continued support and inspiration provided by Microsoft through the TechSpark program. This experience reinvigorated my commitment to community innovation and gave me fresh ideas, new tools, and powerful partnerships to help move our mission forward. I’m excited to implement the insights I’ve gained and to stay connected with this vibrant network of leaders who are reimagining what’s possible in their communities. Thank you, Microsoft TechSpark and GNPLS, for an unforgettable experience. The future is bright—and I’m more ready than ever to help shape it. ### ABOUT IDAHO TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL The Idaho Technology Council (ITC) is the industry voice driving innovation in the state of Idaho. The ITC is a member driven organization; committed to the success of Idaho’s technology ecosystem and leading Idaho to a knowledge-based economy. Our mission is to build a strong tech community in Idaho by bringing people together, supporting tech education, and advocating for policies that promote sustainable growth. Together, we’re making Idaho a top destination for technology and innovation. The ITC is instrumental in building advocacy needed to persuade legislators and private industry to invest in high return initiatives that are necessary to propel new companies forward, along with retention and growth with existing companies. Email: info@idahotechcouncil.org Website: https://www.idahotechcouncil.org/