About Our Team
Shirley O’Neil
B.A. Psychology from Stanford University, 1982
Masters in School/Community Counseling, Albertson College of Idaho, 1994
Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Counselor
School counselor at St. Joseph's School for 6 years.
Currently a mental health counselor with Jefferson Street Counseling and Consulting
Shirley’s community involvement includes serving on the board of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, YMCA Philanthropy committee, Bishop Kelly Alumni, and the Boise High Brave Parent Board; YMCA “Just for Kids” campaign chair, Stanford Club of Idaho President, Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation member, St. Al’s Women’s Healthcare Foundation member; and involvement in North Junior High School Parent Advisory and the Bishop Kelly High School Improvement Planning committees and the Boise School District Strategic Planning Committee. Co-editor of the Boise High e-newsletter "The Brave Weekly."
Char Spanjian Smith
B.S. Business Administration, Marketing Emphasis, University of California at Berkeley, 1977
Worked as Marketing Communications Manager for eight years at Micron Technology, Inc.; worked in college bookstore and team wear clothing development for nine years
Char’s work in our community includes service as a board member for St. Al’s Foundation, St. Al’s Women’s Healthcare Foundation, Eastwind Community Church, and the Children’s Home Society of Idaho; Boise Public Schools Education Foundation Director, Boise School District Facilities Master Plan committee member, Parent/Community Advisory Council to Boise Schools, Timberline High School College and Career Center volunteer, National College Fair coordinator, “Apply to College 101” Parent Forum developer; active involvement in school PTOs.
Sue Lovelace
B.S. Geophysics from Boise State University, 1982
Worked as an Exploration Geophysicist for Amoco Production Company for seven years
Sue’s community impact includes her work as math tutor at Life’s Kitchen, Co-chair of Boise School District 2006 Bond Campaign and 2012 Levy Campaign, PTO Chair at East Junior High, Invention Convention Coordinator, counseling office volunteer at Boise High, Cub Scout and Webelos leader, sports team manager for soccer and track, and Board Chairperson at Eastwind Community Church; she has a special interest in athletic recruiting, with a basic knowledge of Spanish.
Cindy Fazzio
B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing emphasis from Oregon State University, 1980 Worked as account representative for the Xerox Corporation, Johnson and Johnson Corporation, and C.R. Bard.
Cindy’s work in our community lists various leadership positions at the Junior League of Boise including Second Time Around, the Renaissance Faire and Just for Kicks after school program; Service Unit Director and troop leader for Girl Scouts, service as a founder, volunteer, coach and mentor for the Idaho Science Olympiad; and Co-chair of the Silent Auction for the Bishop Kelly Dinner Auction.
Molly J. Mannschreck, MD
M.D., University of Washington School of Medicine, 1983
B.S. Bacteriology, University of Idaho, 1979
Fellowships in Glaucoma, Endocrinology and Metabolism, and Residencies in Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine
Professional work experience as an Ophthalmologist with a Glaucoma subspecialty at Intermountain Eye Centers in Boise, in Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco and Internal Medicine at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center System
Molly’s community involvement includes service on the boards of Boise High Brave Parent Board and Friends of Zoo Boise - Conservation Committee, past treasurer Beaux Arts Societe for the Boise Art Museum, and the Alliance Soccer Club Board. She is co-editor of the Brave Weekly and has served on the Boise School District Strategic Plan Committee and Boise School District Superintendent Selection Committee; Soccer team manager and travel coordinator, volunteer for Bogus Basin Ski Education foundation.
Diane Schwarz, CPA
B.A. Business, Major Accounting, minor in Economics and Finance
Worked as a CPA for Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co for two years, Financial Accountant for Gary Energy, an oil & gas exploration company for two years, and as a consultant, Senior Client Manager and Strategic Partner Manager for J.D. Edwards for 18 years, including overseas assignments in Australia and Singapore for seven years
Diane’s work in our community includes service as elementary school volunteer-- PTA Board, Room Parent, Student Council, Math Aide, library volunteer, Science Fair and Young Author’s Day, database manager, and auction committee; sports team manager and treasurer for U-11-U-15s. She has served as cultural ambassador for Agency for New Americans, board secretary for Idaho Voices for Children, a volunteer for Boise Public Library, and on the finance committee for Life’s Kitchen.
Step Ahead Idaho is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. We strive to serve students in their desire to go on from high school, especially those who otherwise would not make the attempt. No one will be turned away due to lack of ability to pay.
