Alexis Pickering graduated from the School of Public and Population Health with a Master of Health Sciences in 2019. Pickering was recently recognized as one of Idaho Business Review’s 2023 Women of the Year, an award that recognizes and celebrates women leaders from all over the state who have made their mark and are paving the way for leaders of today and into the future.
Pickering is a program manager with Central and Southwest District Health
and is the commission president of the Ada County Highway District. Both positions, she said, offer important ways for her to make a difference in her community.
“In public health and in my work at ACHD, I’ve stayed focused on the work itself and making a difference in the lives of Idahoans, so it feels great to take a moment to reflect on work that I’ve been part of,” she said.
She hasn’t done this alone, however, and said she has been extremely fortunate to have an incredible village of supporters and mentors who supported her IBR nomination. “I share this award with them as well,” Pickering says.
When asked how her time as a student at Boise State influences her daily work, Pickering said her undergraduate degree helped her hone in on and value the skills of communication, emotional intelligence, curiosity and an ability to connect with all kinds of people. Working at a local health district while studying, she said, also gave her the chance to actively apply what she was learning.
“My graduate degree in Health Policy helped me understand theory and gave me a much-needed foundation on public health and healthcare,” Pickering said.
Pickering plans to continue working on projects that will be economically resilient, safe for all users and that reflect the needs of the community.
“I look forward to seeing the pay off of these projects across the county,” Pickering said. “I’m also eager to see how my work in public health creates deeper partnerships across public and private sectors, leading to some big impacts to the quality of life of Idahoans.”