The Boise State University Foundation announced today that Argia Beristain, who has been serving as Interim CEO since November 2024, has been named to the permanent position, effective immediately.
“The Foundation Board of Directors has seen firsthand Argia’s exceptional leadership skills on display and the results she has achieved in a short period of time,” said Jim Martin, Chair of the Boise State University Foundation Board. “Over the course of the last few months, Argia has made it crystal clear to our search committee, the board, the Foundation team, university leadership, our deans, our Athletic Department and our alumni and donor base that she deserves to be our next CEO.”
“Argia’s appointment as CEO is a pivotal moment for the Boise State University Foundation,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, president of Boise State. “Her vision, dedication and leadership over the years have already made a significant impact, and I am confident that, under her guidance, the Foundation will continue to grow, enhance opportunities for our students and further strengthen our relationship with our alumni, donors and the university community.”
Beristain has been with the University Foundation for 10 years. She originally began working as a development director for the College of Education and Honors College in 2015. She was promoted to senior director of development in 2018, named Interim Associate Vice President for Development in May 2020 and then promoted to the permanent AVP role in May 2021. In 2023, she was promoted to Senior Associate Vice President and then named Interim CEO in November 2024.
“As we began the process of starting the search for a permanent CEO, all roads took us back to Argia,” said Randy Hales, Foundation Board member, Campaign Chair and Search Committee Chair. “When we crafted our list of ideal core competencies, expertise, experience and leadership style, Argia already hit every mark. She has shown incredible leadership of the organization, dedication to the Foundation’s mission and care for the Foundation staff both before and during this time of transition.”
Beristain earned her undergraduate degrees from the University of Washington. She has a master’s degree in Basque Studies from the University of the Basque Country and an MBA from Boise State. In addition to her CEO duties, she also serves on the Boise State faculty in both the Basque Studies program and the Honors College. When her family emigrated from the Basque Country, their first home was in Gooding, Idaho.
“I’m grateful to have been given this tremendous opportunity,” remarked Beristain. “I believe deeply in the power of philanthropy. As someone who has been on this team for 10 years and seen the evolution of both the Foundation and the university during that time, I’m thrilled to keep moving us in the direction we’re going–and take us beyond where we are even imagining.”
Beristain’s leadership has been instrumental in Unbridled: The Campaign for Boise State, which publicly launched in 2023 and focuses on student access and success, faculty innovation and What’s Next for Athletics.
Philanthropic support has nearly doubled over the last five years. The Foundation experienced its third consecutive record-setting year last year and has raised $406.9 million to date toward its campaign goal of $500 million by 2028. Additionally, more than 1,080 new scholarship funds have been created since the start of the Unbridled campaign, with over $81 million in new student support–including nearly $60 million for endowed scholarships. In the fall of 2024 alone, eight faculty members were installed into endowed positions. And in the 2024 fiscal year, Athletics raised $20.8 million toward the North End Zone Project.
“We are excited to continue to work beside Argia and to take her lead as she moves our Foundation forward,” remarked Martin. “We are excited to see the changes she will bring and the opportunities she will help create for the next student who steps foot on our great campus.”