The College of Idaho Board of Trustees is honored to welcome six new members and announces new leadership roles. The six new members of the board are Elaine Baylor, Paula Kluksdal ’94, Karly Pippitt ’02, Dennis R. Robertson ’87, Amalka Samarasekera ’13 and Ken Wagers ’84. The new leaders are Jill Twedt ’01 as board chair and Jen Sampson ’97 as vice chair.
U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge and College trustee Candy Dale ’79 led the recruitment effort of the new members with a mindset of increasing inclusion and representation within the board. “The addition of these six individuals reflects tremendous progress with achieving and maintaining diversity among those guiding the College as members of the Board of Trustees,” Dale said. “The personal and professional diversity among our new trustees is multi-dimensional and will enhance the already robust exchange of perspectives that occurs when the trustees participate in strategic and financial planning with the administration, faculty, staff, student body, and alumni of the College. Their careers cover the spectrum – finance and real estate law, marketing and business planning, healthcare and medical education, banking, mentorship of student-athletes, career mentoring and counseling, and software development and business ownership.”
“They are geographically diverse as well,” Dale continued. “Two are local to Idaho; one to New York, one to Boulder, Colorado; one to Beverly Hills; and one to Salt Lake City. It never ceases to amaze me how willing accomplished individuals such as these are to volunteer their time, talent, and wisdom to ensure that the College sustains and exceeds its position as one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the nation.”
Paula Kluksdal ‘94/Partner, Hawley Troxell
Paula graduated from The College of Idaho in 1994 where she received her Bachelor of Arts and graduated cum laude. She received her J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1997, where she was Editor in Chief of the University of Idaho Law Review, 1996-1997. Paula is co-chair of the firm’s banking practice group and was the first woman member of Hawley Troxell’s Board of Partners from 2012 to 2020. She focuses her practice in the areas of real estate and finance and represents a wide variety of lenders and borrowers in the documentation and due diligence necessary for securitized lending, compliance with Idaho’s commercial lending regulations, loan documentation, and collection. In addition to serving on the College’s Board of Trustees, Paula is a member of the Idaho State Bar, American Bar Association, National Association of Bond Lawyers, and Idaho Women Lawyers. Paula has achieved many accomplishments throughout her legal career, most recently the 2021 Richard C. Fields Civility Award. Paula also generously contributes her time and expertise to provide presentations on a variety of topics for associations, including professional women organizations. She is married to alumnus John Kluksdal ’94.
You can read the College of Idaho’s complete press release here.
About Hawley Troxell:
Hawley Troxell is Idaho’s largest, full-service law firm. With locations in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Reno. Hawley Troxell’s headquarters is located at 877 W. Main Street in Boise, Idaho. Hawley Troxell is also the exclusive member firm in Idaho for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in 100+ countries worldwide. For additional information about Hawley Troxell, visit www.hawleytroxell.com, and for additional information about Lex Mundi, visit www.lexmundi.com.