MAD Strengthens Idaho Roots with New Board Appointment and a Call for Local Collaboration

MAD to scale successful Business Empowerment in Idaho

Boise, ID — July 23, 2025  - Make A Difference (MAD) Now is proud to announce the appointment of Jacqui Porter, MBA, CPEC, to its Board of Advisors.

Jacqui brings over 20 years of diverse experience spanning marketing, finance, and operations, along with credentials as a Certified Personal and Executive Coach. Her dedication to empowering individuals to build confidence and pursue meaningful careers aligns perfectly with Make A Difference Now’s mission to equip youth and women with the skills, tools, and self-belief they need to thrive in the workforce and beyond.

Her appointment also reflects MAD’s renewed commitment to strengthening its roots in Idaho, where the organization was founded and remains registered. A long-time Idaho resident, Jacqui brings both deep ties to the local community and a shared commitment to youth empowerment, serving as a vital link between MAD’s global impact and its growing local programs.

Connecting Communities: From Boise to Tanzania

Youth across Idaho and in the international communities where MAD operates, face a common challenge: they are graduating from high school and college without the knowledge, skills, or confidence to succeed professionally. Despite years of education, many lack the tools to navigate job applications, interviews, or believe in their own potential. This gap leaves too many young people ill-prepared and disheartened at a critical turning point in their lives.

In Tanzania, where MAD has worked for over 15 years, the gap is even starker. Over 60% of youth often finish school but lack the skills, support, and opportunity to turn education into employment. To address this growing crisis, MAD created the Business Empowerment (BE) Program, a hands-on initiative that equips youth and women with the tools to become either strong contributors to existing businesses or creators of their own. The program delivers practical, real-world skills - resume writing, job interview preparation, workplace readiness, budgeting, marketing and business planning through a locally managed Learning Management System (LMS) and an activity-based workbook.

MAD has already empowered youth in East Africa and Latin America through this model. With a renewed focus on Idaho, the BE Program will now create local opportunities for youth while connecting them to global stories of resilience and growth.

“Jacqui’s deep ties to Idaho and experience in career coaching make her an ideal partner in scaling our mission locally,” said MAD founder Theresa Grant-Narasimhan. “The BE Program gives youth the practical tools and confidence to succeed, whether in Boise or abroad.”

Jacqui, who also mentors young professionals through the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI), brings a values-driven approach to sustainable growth. 

“I'm honored to join Make A Difference (MAD) Now’s board of advisors and support its mission of creating real-world opportunities for youth and women,” said Jacqui. “What inspires me most is how MAD helps people believe in themselves and build a future they can feel proud of. I’m excited to help grow the Business Empowerment (BE) Program and build connections here in Boise that expand MAD’s reach and ripple effect around the world.”

MAD has also provided scholarships for international students from countries like Ukraine and Syria to study in Idaho, as well as locally born Idaho high school students to engage in service-learning programs abroad fostering cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship.

These programs serve as a foundation for even greater collaboration between Idaho and the communities MAD supports around the world.

Call to Action

The need is local. The impact is global. And the time to act is now. 

Make A Difference invites Idaho businesses, foundations, vocational schools, higher education institutions, and community leaders to partner in this mission. Together, we can prepare young people in Idaho and abroad for meaningful employment, entrepreneurial success, and a future filled with opportunity.