Nicole Criner, born and raised in Boise, Idaho, holds an undergraduate degree in Communications, a Certificate in Leadership and Human Relations, and a Master's in Leadership from Boise State University. Nicole's diverse career includes strategic communication and development roles at the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), Boise State University, and The University of Texas at Austin. She is also the proud owner of two Happy Teriyaki restaurants. Nicole is passionate about giving back and serves on the Idaho School Readiness Project (ISRP) Advisory Committee, Boise State Alumni Board, and the Broncos of the Last Decade (BOLD) Committee. In her free time, she enjoys coaching lacrosse and exploring the outdoors through hiking, camping, and backpacking with her husband, Joel, and their dogs, Lincoln and Dutton.