Heidi Peterson ’98

[Dr. Linda Clark, ’70, West Ada School District Superintendent, Retired] Heidi is a very loving, giving person.

[Stephanie Witt, Ph.D. Professor, Public Policy & Administration] She’s a Bronco through and through. When Heidi was here, we had a slogan: “Local application, global implications.” And I can’t think of a better example of that than Heidi Peterson.

[Heidi Peterson, 2024 Distinguished Alumni] Some of my earliest memories at Boise State were when my mother went back to get her certificate for teaching. And I remember being a grade schooler, and I thought the library was the most exciting place to be because I got to look at anatomy models and—and read about things I was interested in. And then later in high school, I thought it was such an amazing experience to have the opportunity to march as a part of marching band with Capital High School and to be on the big field—the Smurf Turf—and see, um, the—the city and the university kind of sparkle in that way, really inspired me to want to get a collegiate education. I was a senator at large for Boise State. As a student, it felt like an incredible honor and also an incredible responsibility. And having that experience really early in my, in my life, I think later prepared me quite well for positions that I went on to serve in, in management, also at quite a young age.

[Dr. Linda Clark] Most of her working life has been committed to, um, improving the life of other people. I’ve been friends with her mother for more than 30 years, so we’ve been extended family. Watched her grow up, develop into a woman who’s driven to make a difference in the world. That’s really what she’s about.

[Heidi Peterson] Boise State prepared me incredibly well for the type of work that I do in—in nonprofit management. It was such a well-rounded experience that I felt like there—the world was my oyster. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t do.

[Stephanie Witt] She’s really gone on to—to take that knowledge she got here at Boise State, and that passion, especially for helping women and girls across the globe. And she’s been working in that field for 25 years now.

[Heidi Peterson] It’s so amazing for me to be in a role where I get to speak with major players on the world stage about their resources and how to put those resources to use for the public good. It’s exciting to think that someone who grew up in Boise, Idaho, has a seat at the table with, you know, ministries of health in Africa and Europe. Talking about how to move more resources and vaccines into the arms of people who are less fortunate.

[Stephanie Witt] Her work with the foundation that she now helps lead touches the lives of individuals in all these different countries over 25 years. That’s a great record to look back on as a professional… That she—it was in some way, I hope, helped by her degree from Boise State. It isn’t just—it isn’t just something you say, or a pipe dream. It’s something you can actually do. Hands on, making that difference.

[Heidi Peterson] The legacy I’d like to leave is hopefully that that work will continue, that I can continue to bring resources to places where there is a need, and where people are suffering, and where civil unrest exists. Those realities are front and center in my daily life, and the work that I do, and being able to be in a position to advance health equity across the global South is something that is a legacy that I hope people will remember me for.