REAL LIFE ROSIE

http://www.idelawstrategy.com

Britt Ide is the Founder and President of Ide Law & Strategy, PLLC.  She uses her unique blend of communication, quick learning, and interpersonal skills to bring organizations and stakeholders together to create sustainable solutions: solutions that move businesses forward and protect interests.

She is a lawyer, an engineer, a student of economics, a policy enthusiast and advocate of public involvement.  Britt understands the critical role that research and analysis, strategy development and organizational alignment, and open communication play in creating practical solutions.  With experience in the public and private sector and expertise in energy, legal, environment, public policy and public involvement, Britt brings a comprehensive approach to business issues, helping resolve problems before they escalate.

Britt’s diverse work history includes positions at the Ohio and Utah Houses of Representatives, Battelle Memorial Institute, Boise Cascade, Albertsons, Healthwise and Idaho Power Company.

She attended the S.J. Quinney School of Law at the University of Utah, Montana State University, Ohio State University and Cornell University. She is admitted to the bars of Idaho, Montana, and Utah.  In addition to her law degree, Britt holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. in Environmental Engineering with an emphasis in economics. She also completed the intensive Mediation Training at the Harvard Negotiation Institute.

What inspires you? Connecting people to create solutions to help our communities

Do you have a favorite quote? Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.  – Margaret Mead

What are the most pressing issues facing women today? The need for more women in leadership positions (executives, boards of directors, legislatures, judiciary, etc).  I work to help encourage women to pursue leadership positions and to help remove barriers.

What are the biggest keys to your success? Positive attitude and drive to make a difference.

What are the biggest keys to the advancement or success of women? Women helping other women. Mentoring & sponsor ships from male and female. Women filling positions of leadership:  I believe that if women were 50% of CEOs, of Congress, of state legislatures, of boards of directors, we would have better support for women (better flexibility, innovative solutions, and more collaboration)

Where did the inspiration for your business come from? I saw a need for my skill set:  to help connect diverse people from various perspectives to create solutions to complex challenges (major energy projects, sustainable businesses, improved policies, etc).

What advice do you have for a woman who is considering starting a business? Know yourself & what you want, understand & conquer your fears, get your financial house in order, and then follow your dream!  It is so fun and rewarding.

What are the biggest hurdles you have faced in starting or growing your business? How did you overcome these? Not trusting myself and my strengths.  I am overcoming this with time and practice.

What prompted you to get involved with the community or politics? The need for better, collaborative solutions inspired me to get involved with politics.  I actively follow policy issues, communicate with elected officials, vote!, and campaign for strong candidates.

I’m also passionate about getting more women involved in community and political leadership, so I helped found Go Lead Idaho (goleadidaho.org) to inspire, educate and assist women to pursue leadership positions.  Research shows that women need to be asked at least twice to run for office (please ask great women to run!).  I am also working on the 2020 Women on Boards campaign, 2020wob.com, to increase the number of women on U.S. company boards to 20% or more by 2020.

What do you hope to accomplish? Change the world.  Smart, collaborative policies will make a difference.  Good leaders make good policy.  I want to get good leaders in place to improve our current political and business culture.

What prompted you to get involved in (or start) this cause? I am honored to serve on the board of the Idaho Nonprofit Center, which represents the interest of Idaho’s 4800 nonprofits.  I am passionate about supporting and this role uses my strategic and communication strengths.