Idaho Smart Growth

Rachel Winer, Executive Director, served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Idaho Conservation League from 2000-2007 and was deeply involved in the successful 2001 Boise Foothills Levy. Rachel was the campaign manager for Neighbors Protecting Idaho, the group that defeated Proposition 2 and it’s efforts to eliminate land use planning in Idaho. She began her organizing career in Idaho in 1998 at United Vision for Idaho working with Idaho Rivers United, Snake River Alliance, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, Idaho Smart Growth, and Idaho Conservation League.

 Rachel graduated with a B.A. in 1995 from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and in 1998 with a J.D. and Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Rachel is a graduate of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Boise program and is a member of the Boise Young Professionals and the ULI Idaho Task Force on Sustainable Downtown Development. Rachel is a member of the Boise City Club board of directors, Smart Growth America board of directors, and the executive committee of the Urban Land Institute Idaho District Council.   The Idaho Business Review honored Rachel as a 2009 “Idaho Women of the Year” and a 2007 “Accomplished Under 40” Award recipient and United Vision for Idaho awarded her 2006 “Environmentalist of the Year”. 

Elaine Clegg, Project Coordinator, joined the Idaho Smart Growth staff in 1998. An Idaho native, she has been an activist in growth management issues in the Boise area since 1984 including serving as neighborhood association board member and president. She was a leader in the establishing the Hull's Gulch Nature Preserve. Elaine has served as a director on many boards and currently serves on COMPASS, Valley Regional Transit, and the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations Boards of Directors and on the Idaho Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. Elaine has researched and authored Idaho Smart Growth publications on Best Practices, Infill and Safe Routes to School. She has most recently been working directly with communities to implement policies related to Safe Routes. 

Elaine was re-elected to the Boise City Council for her third term in 2011 and served as Council President in 2007. She has a B. A., Painting and Drawing from Boise State University, is a professional graphic designer, and has attended numerous trainings on planning, smart growth, and Safe Routes to School.

Deanna Smith, Project Coordinator, joined the Idaho Smart Growth staff in 2006 after serving on the Board of Directors since the organization’s inception in 2001. She has served on the East End Neighborhood Association Board of Directors since 1999, including five years as President. Deanna has been involved in community activities since moving to Boise in the 1982, working in numerous staff positions in the non-profit community.  Deanna served as the Field Director for Neighbors Protecting Idaho, managed two successful city council candidate campaigns, and served on staff of several other electoral campaigns. United Vision for Idaho recognized Deanna as 2008 “Administrator of the Year.”  The Idaho Business Review recognized Deanna as a “Woman of the Year” in 2012.

 Deanna earned her B.A. with an emphasis in Education and Planning from Evergreen State College in 1981. She has attended multiple trainings, workshops and conferences including earning a Charrette Facilitator certificate from the National Charrette Institute and a certificate from Portland State University’s Institute for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation

The Idaho Business Review recognized Deanna as a “Woman of the Year” in 2012.

Sandy Carter, Administrator, brings diverse skills and life experience to Idaho Smart Growth because of her volunteer interests and employment in both the public and private sectors in advertising, marketing, and public relations with the city of Tucson Water Department, an advertising agency, a Tucson developer, southern Arizona’s metropolitan planning organization, and closer to home in Boise, the Snake River Alliance.  

Sandy was involved in efforts including a landmark public involvement effort for southern Arizona’s long-range transportation plan that resulted in the participation of1700 citizens, from diverse stakeholder groups, in nearly 100 roundtables.  Closer to home here in Boise, she has coordinated membership events, renewable energy breakfast panels, and the 2007 and 2008 legislative receptions for the Snake River Alliance.

Volunteers and Interns
Idaho Smart Growth has many opportunities for interns and volunteers.

Current 2011 volunteers include:  Connie Richardson, Marilee Fuller, Miguel Gaddi, Jill Giese, Laurie Barrera, Jon Cecil, Diane Ronayne, and Tory Pearse.  If we are missing your name here, please let us know by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).