Mission43 Leaders Fellowship: Meet Cohort 8

Leadership doesn't end when military service does. For veterans, military spouses, and currently serving military members across Idaho, it often takes on a new purpose through careers, families, businesses, and community involvement.

That's what the Mission43 Leaders Fellowship is all about.

Mission43 is proud to welcome the eighth cohort of its Leaders Fellowship, a leadership development experience designed to help veterans, military members, and military spouses continue leading, serving, and strengthening communities across Idaho.

Since 2016, Mission43 has worked to make Idaho the best place in the country for life after the military. The Leaders Fellowship is one of our signature programs, bringing together driven individuals from across the military-connected community for curated leadership experiences, outdoor challenges, strategic networking, and meaningful connections with established leaders throughout the state.

Welcoming Cohort 8

Our newest cohort includes 22 fellows representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the military spouse community. Their backgrounds span aviation, medicine, emergency response, business, technology, education, public affairs, healthcare, defense innovation, entrepreneurship, counseling, and community leadership.

Together, they reflect the depth of talent, service, and commitment that continues to strengthen Idaho's military-connected community.

"The Leaders Fellowship is about helping people who have already served in extraordinary ways continue to lead with purpose here in Idaho. Cohort 8 brings together an incredible range of experience, perspective, and drive. These fellows are not only transitioning from military life or supporting military families; they are building businesses, leading teams, raising families, serving communities, and helping shape the future of our state."

– Dan McGurkin, Mission43 Director

Investing in Idaho's Future Leaders

Throughout the fellowship, participants will take part in immersive leadership development experiences designed to strengthen personal growth, expand professional networks, and deepen their role as community contributors.

From outdoor experiences that build trust and resilience to conversations with leaders across Idaho's business, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors, every part of the program is designed to help fellows grow as leaders while building lasting relationships across the state.

The Leaders Fellowship isn't simply about professional development. It's about creating a network of leaders who continue serving their communities long after their military careers, helping make Idaho stronger for everyone.

Building on a Lasting Legacy

To date, the Leaders Fellowship has helped more than 100 fellows build stronger connections, sharpen their leadership skills, and increase their impact across Idaho. Alumni continue to lead in education, healthcare, business, nonprofit work, public service, entrepreneurship, and community development.

As Cohort 8 begins its journey, Mission43 looks forward to watching these leaders build on that legacy, strengthen communities across Idaho, and help shape what life after the military can look like for generations to come.

Meet the Fellows

• Thomas Baker (Navy): Thomas served 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare and riverine officer. He now works in management consulting focused on data and artificial intelligence. 

• Monique Barber (Military Spouse): Monique Barber, PhD, is a military spouse and the founder and clinical director of Ever Forward Counseling in Boise. She teaches at Boise State and other universities, leads in statewide counseling organizations.

• Daniel Benfield (Air Force): Daniel has served 17 years in the U.S. Air Force, including active duty and the Idaho Air National Guard. 

• Edward Beeson (Navy): Ed served as a U.S. Naval Aviator and now works as a professional pilot focused on aerial firefighting. 

• Travis Blake (Army): Travis served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserve as a combat engineer and now leads business and operations initiatives after more than 25 years at HP.

• Shane Brown (Navy): Shane is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and real estate business owner focused on relationships and service. 

• Jesse Cottle (Marine Corps): Jesse served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an explosive ordnance disposal technician, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He now works as a physician associate and healthcare leader. 

• Joseph Dlugosch (Army): Joseph is an Idaho native and U.S. Army Special Forces officer who has served as an armor officer, Green Beret commander, and company commander. 

• Keith Exner (Navy): Keith served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Roosevelt and later pursued a degree in kinesiology. 

• David Francomb (Army): David served as a U.S. Army field artillery officer and now works as deputy forest supervisor on the Boise National Forest. 

• Jason Fincher (Marine Corps): Jason served 23 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as both an enlisted Marine and officer. He now leads a consulting firm focused on infrastructure and operations. 

• Jillian Fry (Navy): Jillian is a U.S. Navy veteran who supported Naval Special Warfare teams during deployments to the Middle East. 

• Kayla Holmes (Air Force): Kayla served as a U.S. Air Force officer and A-10 pilot, including time in a Special Warfare unit. She now works in defense technology, supporting mission-focused innovation. 

• Amanda Knight (Military Spouse): Amanda is a military spouse of 21 years and now calls Boise home after decades of military life. 

• Richard Leavitt (Army): Richard served in the U.S. Army in national security and emergency response roles and now works at Idaho National Laboratory. 

• Aubrey Lowe (Military Spouse): Aubrey is a military spouse of 30 years and a graduate of Idaho State University in healthcare administration. 

• Diane Maurer (Military Spouse): Diane is a military spouse and learning and development leader who has built global teams while supporting her husband’s Air Force service. 

• Jordan Reese (Marine Corps): Jordan is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and now serves as deputy chief of operations for the Meridian Fire Department. 

• Gabrielle Reynoso (Marine Corps): Gabby is a U.S. Marine Corps leader with 20 years of service, focused on developing people and strong teams. 

• Kim Strasser (Military Spouse): Kim is a military spouse and healthcare leader who serves as a nurse executive at Saint Alphonsus in Boise. 

• Tricia York (Air Force): Tricia served 27 years in the U.S. Air Force as a public affairs officer and now lives in Boise. 

• Donald Young (Army): Donald is a former U.S. Army combat medic and the founder of a medical device company focused on improving trauma care.