Meet the 2023 Board Candidates

Karen Hardesty, President-Elect Candidate
BSBA|PMP

Karen Hardesty earned her PMP credentials in 2009.  She has served on the PMIWIC Board of Directors as VP of Marketing, VP of Membership, and currently as VP of Finance

In 2019, after almost 30 years, Karen retired from HP Inc, where she was a Senior Project Manager.  She managed projects in a variety of functions, including Accounting/Finance, R&D/Manufacturing, Call Center Operations, eCommerce, and Managed Services Sales & Service Delivery.

Karen received her BSBA from the University of Arizona, with concentrations in Accounting and Management Information Systems. She is married with two children, two granddaughters (twins!), and a dog.

If elected, Karen looks forward to continuing to serve the Western Idaho Chapter and its members as President-Elect and providing a positive Chapter and Professional Development Day experience.

LaDonna Speiser, VP Professional Development Candidate
MS | PMP | PMI-ACP | CCMP

I am running for the VP of Professional Development position because I want to give back to a profession that has given me so much. In working with my PMO team at Healthwise, I see the value in sharing our collective knowledge to lift each other up. By providing professional development opportunities to aspiring and tenured project managers, we create a community of practice which provides support for practitioners and helps advance project management to the benefit of the organizations we serve.

I worked for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for over twenty years, with many roles, including project manager. My career in project management has taken me places I would have never imagined I would go. In 2008, I became the Executive Director of the Idaho Health Data Exchange where I led the implementation of the exchange infrastructure and development of HL7 interfaces with member hospitals. In 2011, I became Idaho’s Health Information Technology Coordinator, where I worked with statewide stakeholders to help hospitals and providers adopt and use electronic health records. In 2013, I joined a consulting firm, where I managed projects in Illinois (Land of Lincoln), Texas (Keep Austin Weird), Missouri (the Show Me State), and Oregon (Keep Portland Weird).

I joined Healthwise in 2016 as a project manager and became part of an amazing team. We have grown the reputation of project management and the PMO over the last few years which culminated in the recent implementation of an enterprise project governance structure.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Western Governors University, a Master of Science in Instructional and Performance Technology from Boise State University, a Project Management Professional (PMP), a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) and a Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) from PROSCI.

I live in Boise, Idaho with my partner, Monty, and our dog, Bashful. I love reading, bicycling, and paddle boarding.

Kristina Eidemiller, VP Professional Development Candidate
BS|RN|PMP|PMI-ACP|CSM

Kristina is a graduate of Idaho State University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a bachelor’s in social science. She has been PMP certified since 2015 and has earned her PMI-ACP, CSM, and became a Certified Public Manager. Currently she works for Manpower Group as a Snr. Project Manager, working on IT corporation application projects. She has experience working for the Department of Defense, federal, state, and private sector. She is also a licensed Registered Nurse where she works as a consultant and wellness coach to guide clients towards a healthier lifestyle. 

Kristina is a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Idaho Air National Guard where she works hand in hand with high level officials providing knowledge and administrative management. She has over a decade of military experience serving in different roles and has deployed across the globe. She has volunteered as a Physical Training Leader, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, and she coaches her daughter’s soccer team.

In her free time, Kristina stretches her limits by enhancing her physical fitness and focuses on quality time with her four children and husband. 

Kristina will bring her servant leadership style and her passion for continual professional growth and development to the role of VP of Professional Development. She looks forward to enhancing and expanding the PMIWIC footprint in the Treasure Valley while further developing military and veteran connections and enhancing the overall professional development for new and current chapter members.

Alison Garrow, VP Marketing Candidate
MPA|PMP

Alison Garrow is the Education Director for Mission43, an initiative of the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, where she works to create meaningful educational opportunities for military members, veterans, and their spouses that align with the demands of Idaho’s growing economy. As a prior Air Force service member and military spouse, she understands the importance of education as it leads to personal and professional advancement. 

Alison is passionate about continuing to serve the Idaho community she calls home. She believes in fostering the development of diverse thought leadership and that quality education should be both accessible and available to help Idahoans reach their full potential. Alison’s career is supported by a Master’s of Public Administration, Urban Nonprofit Management from the University of Texas at Arlington and PMP Certification.

With a breadth of experience in nonprofit program management, spanning over 15 years, Alison would bring expert knowledge and skills to the VP of Marketing board position, including but not limited to: Public speaking in large venues and media outlets, management of social media platforms, strategic partnerships, community outreach and engagement, brand alignment, communications and marketing strategy, and most importantly, adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges.”

Caitlin Salisbury, VP Marketing Candidate
PMP

Caitlin brings a decade of project management experience in the nonprofit, education, startup, entertainment and public sectors. Her “sweet spot” is managing marketing, outreach, and fundraising campaigns and events. She obtained her PMP in January 2023 after recognizing that project management was the clear throughline of her professional experiences.

Caitlin has managed unique projects such as Jimmy Buffett: Live at the Drive In (a concert simulcast from Texas to drive-ins across four time zones); the first two Annual Cornhole tournaments for Wyakin Foundation (supporting veteran career transition); public involvement for the new State Highway 16 project (consulting for the Idaho Transportation Dept.); and digital campaigns for outdoor programs and fundraising efforts at Riverstone International School. She is currently freelancing, working with the organization Music for a Cause, a local “fundraiser-in-a-box” concept event to benefit Jesse Tree, a nonprofit that focuses on eviction prevention.

Caitlin is now running for the VP of Marketing position after highly positive experiences with current board members and the larger PMI organization. “When I decided to go for my PMP, I asked for guidance and received amazing support from PMIWIC. I am now getting to know a whole new network of remarkable people doing this work in all kinds of industries. I feel a duty to pay it forward and support the chapter.” 

Trina Jaramillo, VP Communications Candidate
MBA|PMP

Trina and her family moved to the Boise area from Salt Lake City in 2020. She has experience working in Project and Program Management for various industries include landscape architecture, manufacturing, banking, and publishing. She currently works as a program manager for FamilySearch working with international teams in the Asia Pacific. She has a B.A. in Communications-Public Relations from Brigham Young University-Provo and an MBA from Westminster College. She has been a certified PMP since 2015.

Trina is a California native but has spent most of the last 25 years in the Intermountain West. She loves spending time with her husband and 6 children. Her favorite activities include puzzles and anything music related. She also enjoys competing in triathlon events.

Trina has been nominated for the position of VP of Communications. She is interested in contributing to the success of the PMI Western Idaho Chapter by facilitating communications within the chapter. She will bring her experience in marketing project management to understand member communication needs. She also brings her experience with PMI Chapters in Northern Utah and the Kansas City Metro area.