CULTIVATING LEADERS, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY
LEADERSHIP CDA CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATES AND GIVES BACK
BY LINDA COPPESS, CEO and PRESIDENT, COEUR D’ALENE REGIONAL CHAMBER
The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber is delighted to announce the graduation of the Leadership Coeur d’Alene Class of 2024! This premier, year-long program, running from March to February, is designed to create an enriching learning environment for its members. Participants gain in-depth knowledge of the community and its leadership landscape, fostering a deeper connection to North Idaho.
As one of the Chamber’s highest-rated and longest-standing programs, Leadership Coeur d’Alene has been shaping regional leaders since 1985, graduating nearly 1,000 individuals to date. This program enhances professional networks, promotes the exchange of innovative ideas, and inspires participants to actively seek service opportunities within the community.
Leadership CDA: A Transformative Experience
“I am most grateful for the personal growth and the opportunity to be part of such a respected program. Leadership CDA pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, and the relationships I’ve built with fellow participants and community leaders are invaluable. I’m grateful for the chance to learn from others, share experiences, and be part of an incredible group of people committed to making North Idaho a better place,” shared Ada Rouse, Executive Assistant to the CEO/Community Liaison at Northwest Specialty Hospital and a 2024 program graduate.
Connecting with Leaders in North Idaho
Dain Adams, Licensed Insurance Agent at Farm Bureau Insurance reflected upon his year in Leadership CDA: “This program allowed me to have face-to-face, engaging meetings with great leaders from all around this community that I know I wouldn’t have otherwise gotten. These meetings were invaluable. I received incredible insight into what it takes to run the great businesses and programs we have in this area that make it such a wonderful place to live. “
Congratulations to the Leadership Coeur d’Alene Class of 2024!
- Dain Adams, Idaho Farm Bureau
- Paul Amador, Blue Cross of Idaho
- Tyler Azevedo, Mike White Ford
- Jason Bailey, StanCraft Construction Group
- Stein Berry, U.S. Bank
- Lori Cogley, Kootenai Electric Cooperative
- Tirzah Curry, Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho
- Brent Deyo, Ardurra
- Jennifer Drake, Crown & Thistle
- Dr. Andrew Fields, University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene
- Briana Francis, Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber
- Peter Godderz, Attorney, Peter K. Godderz, PLLC
- Sam Koester, North Idaho College
- Rod Rada, Architects West
- Tess Reason, 208 Recovery and Benchmark Human Services/988
- Ada Rouse, Northwest Specialty Hospital
- Adam Rouse, City of Coeur d’Alene
- Nicole Rumpel, Avista Utilities
- McLane Stone, First Presbyterian Church
- Nicky Swayne, United Way of North Idaho
- Miki Welch, Kootenai Health
- Melissa Wilson, Marsh McLennan Agency
- Sonya Zhang, Heritage Health
Service in Action: 2024 Class Project
As a testament to their dedication and community spirit, the Leadership Coeur d’Alene Class of 2024 undertook a meaningful class project to raise funds for North Idaho CASA, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting child abuse victims in North Idaho. These advocates play a crucial role in investigating child protection cases, standing up for children’s best interests in court, and ensuring they find safe and nurturing homes.
The funds raised by the class will help establish an endowment to provide extended services for children in the foster care system, furthering North Idaho CASA’s mission to create a protective and supportive environment for the most vulnerable members of our community.
Inspiring Future Leaders
When asked how the program inspired her to seek new service opportunities, Sonya Zhang, Chief Financial Officer at Heritage Health, shared:
“Seeing firsthand how leaders in our region are making a tangible difference was truly inspiring. Whether it was learning about local initiatives in philanthropy, environmental conservation, or economic development, this program showed me that leadership isn’t just about professional growth — it’s about giving back. The connections I made and the stories I heard encouraged me to explore ways to contribute, whether through volunteering, mentorship, or supporting causes like CASA, which we helped fundraise for.”
The Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber congratulates the Leadership Coeur d’Alene Class of 2024 on their outstanding achievements and looks forward to the positive impact they will continue to make in our community. We are also thrilled to welcome our 2025 class this Thursday at our Icebreaker session. For those interested in participating in this highly regarded program in 2026, applications will be available in October 2025 at cdachamber.com. We hope you will join us!
