ADA COUNTY — The Ada County Highway District is being honored with the Idaho Business Review's inaugural Empowering Women award. The recognition underscores ACHD's commitment to empowering, advancing, and promoting women in leadership and professional development roles.

IBR’s Empowering Women Award was established to recognize organizations, “that have demonstrated tangible efforts and documented results in supporting and elevating women in Idaho.” Honorees are selected based on their track record of hiring and promoting women, record of women in top positions, established mentorship programs, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and philanthropic efforts to empower women.

The Ada County Highway District has made significant strides in gender diversity in what has traditionally been a male-dominated field. Women now occupy 32% of leadership positions, 40% of Executive Leadership positions, 40% of elected positions, and 47% of licensed professional engineer roles.

ACHD's commitment to empowering women extends beyond representation, with the agency’s robust leadership and professional development initiatives. The District ranks among the top for the number of Idaho female equipment operators who have graduated from the Road Master and Road Scholar programs. Furthermore, ACHD has collaborated with Boise State University and the College of Western Idaho to develop tailored career and leadership training programs.

The Districts robust benefits also support gender diversity. The agency supports team members through benefits such as 12-weeks paid parental leave, daycare stipends, and veteran salary protection during deployments.

ACHD's exemplary efforts in empowering and advancing women have garnered widespread recognition, including prestigious awards such as the WTS International's Ray LaHood Award and the Idaho Business Review's Woman of the Year Award. By championing diversity, equity, and inclusion, ACHD exemplifies the transformative impact of inclusive leadership and gender diversity in driving organizational success.

"This recognition is a testament to our ongoing commitment to help women excel in the workplace and beyond," said Shari Knauss, Deputy Director of Human Resources at ACHD. “We are honored to be recognized by the Idaho Business Review and grateful for the women who not only drive innovation, but also pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.”

ACHD was formally recognized at the Idaho Business Review's Empowering Women awards luncheon on April 4.