IBE 2026 Legislative Academy
Description
Dear IBE members, community partners, and legislators,
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, we will be hosting our annual IBE Legislative Academy at 12:00 p.m. MST. This will be the first year for this presentation to be held as an interactive virtual event.
Joining us is guest speaker Marita Diffenbaugh, Director of Innovation at North Idaho College. Her presentation topic is Connecting Learning to Opportunity.
The Legislative Academy is Idaho Business for Education’s annual briefing that engages business leaders and policymakers in the key education issues shaping the upcoming legislative session. This year’s session features insights from Marita, whose work at NIC X-Labs demonstrates how education and industry can partner to expand opportunity and strengthen Idaho’s talent pipeline. The Academy equips participants with informed perspectives, real-world examples, and actionable understanding to support strong public schools and a thriving Idaho workforce.
About our speaker:
Marita Diffenbaugh serves as Director of Innovation at North Idaho College, where she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen the connection between education and industry. She is advancing North Idaho College X-Labs as a strategic approach to position education at the intersection of people and ideas. NIC X-Labs is powered by students, instructors, community experts, and industry partners—working together to solve problems and expand opportunities for individuals to grow, participate, and make an impact.
With over 26 years of experience across Idaho’s education system—including leadership roles in K–12, charter schools, higher education, and the Idaho State Department of Education—Marita brings a comprehensive understanding of how education can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and talent development.
She served as the founding principal and supported the design and launch of Elevate Academy North, a community-driven career technical school in Post Falls, Idaho, built to provide middle and high school students with hands-on, competency-based learning aligned with local industry needs.
Marita is also the author of L.E.A.R.N.E.R.: Finding the True, Good, and Beautiful in Education, which introduces a practical framework that defines the job of the learner and positions education as a service.
She holds a BA and MA in Education with a focus on technology, and an Education Specialist degree in Executive Educational Leadership.
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Name: IBE 2026 Legislative Academy
Date/Time: 01/06/26 12:00 PM
Time Zone: Mountain
To Join the Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86152734621?pwd=EAzLNHBgSiRjc7F9mPR9IjlHBJA93C.1
Meeting ID: 86152734621
Meeting Password is Required: IBE2026
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Add to Calendar Links
add to Outlook calendar: https://www.ectownusa.net/Calendar/zoom_calendar.php?id=268519
add to Google calendar: Click to add
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Event Date:
01-06-26
Event Time:
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM MST
Location:
Contact Person:
Leslie Barbour
(phone: 2086094546)