Conversations with Exceptional Women 2026
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.
16th Annual Celebration of Extraordinary Women Leaders
March 19th, 2026, DEC 480 Park Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402
5pm Reception, 6pm Dinner, 6:45pm Conversations with Exceptional Women Program
March 19, 2026 · DEC, 480 Park Ave, Idaho Falls · Doors Open at 5:00 PM · Seating Is Limited — Reserve Your Table or Buy Your Ticket Today
March 19, 2026 · DEC, 480 Park Ave, Idaho Falls · Doors Open at 5:00 PM · Seating Is Limited — Reserve Your Table or Buy Your Ticket Today
An Evening Unlike Any Other.
For 16 years, The Alturas Institute has brought together remarkable women leaders from across Idaho and the nation for an evening of warm, stimulating, and deeply personal conversation. "Conversations with Exceptional Women" is not a lecture series or a panel — it's an intimate gathering where extraordinary women from the worlds of medicine, law, business, filmmaking, journalism, government, and the arts share their challenges, their goals, and their dreams.
This year's theme, "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once," reflects the reality of women balancing careers, community, and life at home — often all at the same time. Join us as eight exceptional speakers share their stories with the remarkable women in our audience and women everywhere.
The evening will also feature the presentation of The Alturas Institute's highest honor, the John and Abigail Adams Award, to Dr. Rebecca Casper, who has just completed an extraordinary 12-year tenure as Mayor of Idaho Falls. Past honorees include Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, Dr. Fiona Hill, and Dr. Leona Tate.
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Meet the Speakers
Dr. Rebecca Casper
Three-term Mayor of Idaho Falls. Political scientist. Energy policy leader. Champion of the community she served for 12 years.
2026 John & Abigail Adams Award Honoree
Randy'L Teton
Citizen of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. US Forest Service communications leader. Author of the bestselling children's book "It's Her Story: Sacajawea."
Communication Specialist & Author
Kris Millgate
CEO of Tight Line Media. PBS, USA Today, and Outdoor Life contributor. Author, filmmaker, and Idaho Master Naturalist.
Emmy-Winning Outdoor Journalist
Dr. Caroline Heldman
Associate Professor at Occidental College and research director for the Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media. CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News commentator.
Political Scientist & Media Commentator
Christine Kunewa Walker
CEO of the Provincetown Film Society. Producer of acclaimed films including Darling Companion, Howl, and American Splendor. Sundance and Berlin Film Festival alum.
Award-Winning Film Producer
Dr. Heather Pugmire
Dedicated physician who has delivered over 1,500 babies in Bingham County across 13 years of compassionate care for women at every stage of life.
OB/GYN & Women's Health Advocate
Lisa Morton
Idaho's first and only Certified Merrithew Instructor Trainer. Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Kinesiology degree from the University of North Texas.
Certified Pilates Instructor Trainer
Karole Honas
Nearly four decades in Idaho broadcast journalism. Now serving on five nonprofit boards and lending her voice to civic engagement across the region.
Retired News Anchor & Community Leader
The Evening's Program
An evening of connection, conversation, and celebration.
5:00 PM — Reception Arrive, mingle, and enjoy cocktails and conversation as we welcome guests to the DEC in downtown Idaho Falls.
6:00 PM — Dinner Take your seats and enjoy a plated dinner with your table before the evening's program begins.
6:45 PM — Conversations with Exceptional Women The heart of the evening. Eight extraordinary women take the stage for warm, candid, and inspiring conversations about career, community, leadership, and life. The program includes the presentation of the John and Abigail Adams Award to Dr. Rebecca Casper.