Board of Directors

Emily Solly
Board President
“My husband, two daughters, and I take advantage of living in beautiful Idaho. We love to go camping, fishing, hiking, and skiing. We enjoy traveling and hope to do more as our girls grow. As a commercial lender at Mountain West Bank, I am able to help my clients with the best tools and services for their business. One of the things I admire about my workplace is their commitment to helping our community. I first learned about Giraffe Laugh when I was a Loaned Executive with the United Way, and their gift to children and families here in Boise match an area of immense need for our community. As a working mother wanting the best for my two daughters, I am proud to be a part of an organization that helps parents provide a stable, loving, educational, and safe place for their children, regardless of their income. Their support for the entire family helps set children up for a lifetime of success; this, in turn, makes our community a better place.”

Mike Sharp
Board Vice President
“I am born and raised in the Treasure Valley, and I am proud to call Boise my home. I live on the bench with my wife and our two children. We take every opportunity to enjoy what our awesome community has to offer. Since 2005, I have worked in newspaper, radio, and television as a reporter, news director, and now Executive Producer and Content Manager at 6 On Your Side and Fox 9. Most recently, I spent four years as the Public Relations Coordinator for the Idaho Foodbank, where I grew a personal affinity for Giraffe Laugh and the great work that is done for children in our community. I am exited to help however I can and to work to help ensure every child gets the opportunity to learn and grow in our wonderful community.”

Sara Harvey
Board Secretary
“I live in Boise with my husband and son, and we are proud to call the Treasure Valley home! I love living in this vibrant city. In my spare time, I enjoy participating in the wonderful activities that the Boise area has to offer, such as riding on the greenbelt, hiking, rafting, skiing, and wine tasting. Before moving to Boise, I lived in Denver, Colorado and worked as an attourney at Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher. I received my undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania.”

Cassie Runyan
Board Treasurer
“I’ve lived in Idaho most of my life and love this beautiful place I call home. I grew up in Eagle, attended Boise State University, and now share a home in Boise with my boyfriend, Shawn, and our two fur children, Lucy and Winston. I work for Deloitte Tax, serving a variety of clients here locally in the Treasure Valley and in the Pacific Northwest. I am so proud to be part of an organization that values the importance of education and ensuring our future leaders are set for success. In my spare time, I enjoy camping, skiing, traveling, and spending time with my family.”

Alisa Bondurant
Board Member
“Every day I feel grateful to call Boise my home. I am forever awed by the Idaho landscape and the generosity of its community. After several years as an active volunteer, I joined the Board because of my deep belief that every child deserves a quality education. I have seen first-hand how Giraffe Laugh provides that combined with lots of love and care for the entire family.
My day job is working as a Talent Advisor for Stackrock Talent, counseling executives in their career transition and partnering with employers to find the right talent. When I am not working, I am enjoying time with my amazingly creative and charismatic teen, mountain biking with my dog, Vespa, doing yoga with my friends, or enjoying all the other outdoor activities Idaho offers.”

Brady Moore
Board Member
“Born and raised in the Treasure Valley, I’m fortunate to call Boise home. As a Communications Manager for the City of Boise, I get to work every day serving my community and my home. With my family history in education and a passion to serve, I’m proud to support Giraffe Laugh and their mission.”

Dorothy Hardee
Board Member
“Having lived in Boise since the early 70s, I definitely call this great city home. I’m a single parent of three daughters with a full-time career. My busy life constantly gives me lessons to experience gratitude, and I feel I have great relationships in my community to help others experience the same.”

Vanessa Lewis
Board Member
“I was born and raised in Boise, Idaho and attended Giraffe Laugh as a child. My interest in exploring better ways to support children in the classroom begain after working for the Boise School District as a Paraprofessional. From there, I went on and recieved a master’s degree in education with a focus on aspects of special education and early education. Currently, I am an Intervention Professional at a local charter school with a role of helping increase success, independence, and self-regulation for those students with a disability. In a few months, I will be relocating to Seattle to attend a doctoral program at the University of Washington to reach my career goal of becoming a school psychologist. I am honored to be a part of this community of people once again!”

Briana McLaughlin
Board Member
“I grew up in Tampa and went to the University of Florida where I received my BA and master’s in education and started my journey as a teacher! Go Gators! I later worked for an education company for seven years where I was able to travel to different struggling school districts across the country to assist with their intervention programs in order to get students up to grade level. I moved to Eagle, Idaho four years ago where I met my wonderful husband who is an Idaho native. We enjoy golfing, hiking, rafting, camping, fishing, and anything outdoors that Idaho has to offer. I also enjoy baking, playing guitar, and watching college football. I work full time in real estate and love staying busy! I was introduced to the wonderful people at Giraffe Laugh in 2018 and joined their sustainability committee in 2019. Giraffe Laugh allows me to be a part of education that I hold very dear to my heart. The wonderful things they do for the children and families in our community is heart warming, and I am so grateful to be a part of the magic and contribute.”

Connie Brown Olson
Board Member
“I grew up in Boise, attended local schools, and graduated from the University of Idaho. Over the years, I’ve been involved with many great organizations that support children of all ages. My husband and I love the outdoor activities that Idaho has to offer. I’m proud to be a part of the Giraffe Laugh community.”

Nikki O’Toole
Board Member

Amanda Broadnax
Board Member
“I have called the Treasure Valley home since 2006, raising my two children, who enjoy all things Boise and the mountains to explore. Surrounded by a diverse and supportive community of family, friends, and colleagues, people are my passion and my life’s purpose.
As the Director of Talent Development for St. Luke’s Health System, I have the privilege of taking care of those who take care of others through developing and aligning organizational efforts that foster learning, engagement, and development for our talent to succeed and grow.
I believe education and learning is a path to unleashing human potential and that every child in Treasure Valley should have access to quality care and education. I am honored to serve on the Board for an organization whose mission and values align to my own. It’s an even larger honor to witness the lives who are forever impacted and positively changed through the programs, staff, and volunteers who serve.”

Rocio Rivera
Board Member
“I have lived in Meridian since 2012 and am proud to call the Treasure Valley my home. The Treasure Valley has been a great place to raise our three children. I am a Bank Manager at Bank of Idaho in Boise. I have volunteered for different organizations throughout the years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I heard about Giraffe Laugh through a social media site a few years ago and in the last year had the opportunity to get involved in some volunteer projects and got to learn more about what this amazing organization does for children in this very critical time of their development. I am honored and excited to be part of the Giraffe Laugh Board and look forward to helping this great organization fulfill their mission and vision.”
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Giraffe Laugh is a local nonprofit that provides early childhood education and nurturing to 150 Treasure Valley children annually by ensuring school readiness, empowering families, and building strong futures.
Giraffe Laugh has two full time centers serving children from birth to five years old, a full-time preschool program that serves children from three and a half to five years old, and a summer program that serves children that are of school-age.