Sophie Sestero

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Sophie Sestero

Nonpartisan

Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2031

Years in position

0

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

May 20, 2025

Education

High school

Bishop Kelly High School

Bachelor's

Whitworth University, 2011

Personal

Birthplace

Boise, Idaho

Profession

Communications

Contact

Personal Facebook

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Sophie Sestero is a member of the Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors in Idaho. She assumed office on June 24, 2025. Her current term ends in 2031.

Sestero ran for election to the Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors in Idaho. She won in the general election on May 20, 2025.

Sestero completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Sophie Sestero was born in Boise, Idaho. She graduated from Bishop Kelly High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Whitworth University in 2011. Her career experience includes working in communications.

Sestero has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Visit Boise
• FARE Idaho
• Downtown Boise Association
• Telaya Wine Co.
• Boise Chamber of Commerce

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Boise, Idaho (2025)

General election

General election for Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors (2 seats)

Incumbent Jim Walker and Sophie Sestero defeated Aimee Pollard Tylor and Danielle Horras (Unofficially withdrew) in the general election for Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors on May 20, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Walker (Nonpartisan)	40.1	6,790
✔		Sophie Sestero (Nonpartisan)	36.7	6,211
		Aimee Pollard Tylor (Nonpartisan)	15.2	2,567
	Submit photo	Danielle Horras (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)	8.1	1,368

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 16,936
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jody Olson (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Sestero in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Sophie Sestero completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sestero's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a lifelong Boisean with a deep appreciation for our city's unique blend of community spirit and natural beauty. I’ve spent nearly 20 years working in public relations and communications—with much of my focus dedicated to the tourism industry. I’ve had the privilege of showcasing Boise's charm to visitors from around the world. Through this work, I've developed a strong understanding of how thoughtful tourism can bolster our local economy and enrich the lives of residents. I believe that tourism and community development should go hand in hand. By investing in projects that serve both visitors and locals, we can ensure that Boise continues to thrive while maintaining the character that makes the Treasure Valley so special. I'm committed to fostering growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and reflective of our shared values.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Tourism is one of Idaho’s most powerful economic drivers. I believe in championing the travel, tourism, leisure, and hospitality industries that fuel our local economy—especially during times of economic uncertainty. These sectors create jobs, support small businesses, and bring national attention to what makes Boise so special.
• Tourism should align with and support community needs. When tourism is done well, it makes life better for the people who live here, too. I support projects that enhance the quality of life for residents, support our locally owned businesses, and reflect the welcoming, high-quality hospitality that Boise is known for. That includes being thoughtful about recreation, event spaces, and amenities that serve everyone—visitors and locals alike.
• We need to plan for sustainable, intentional growth. Boise is growing, and GBAD is reaching a pivotal point. As we approach decisions about infrastructure and the future of facilities like the Boise Centre, we need to invest in projects that serve us for the long haul. That means building with purpose—supporting the kinds of growth that bring more travel to the region while respecting Boise’s identity, environment, and community values.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm passionate about policies and initiatives that support sustainable tourism, community engagement, and economic development. I believe in creating spaces and opportunities that reflect Boise's values and meet the needs of our growing population.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I live my personal and professional life around the values of curiosity, empathy, dependability, and excellence. I would hope elected officials would use those attributes to guide them as well.

Curiosity allows us to ask thoughtful questions and explore creative solutions, especially in a role like this one where the future of our city’s infrastructure is being shaped. Empathy keeps us grounded—it reminds us that every decision impacts real people, from visitors to small business owners to longtime residents. Dependability is about follow-through and showing up with integrity, every time. And excellence means we don’t just do the job—we do it with care, professionalism, and pride in our community.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’ve spent my career helping tell Boise’s story—working in tourism, public relations, and community engagement to promote the people and places that make this city shine. That work has taught me how to listen carefully, communicate clearly, and understand different perspectives. I’ve built partnerships with local businesses, coordinated complex initiatives, and helped create moments that leave a lasting impression on both visitors and residents.

But beyond my professional experience, I think what makes me a strong candidate is how deeply I care about this place. I was born and raised in Boise--it's my forever home. I’ve seen it grow and change, and I believe in protecting what makes it special while planning thoughtfully for what’s ahead. I bring a steady hand, a collaborative spirit, and a whole lot of heart to everything I do—and that’s exactly how I’d approach this role.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

The Greater Boise Auditorium District is unique because it isn’t funded by local property taxes—it’s funded by the people who visit Boise. That makes it one of the most powerful tools our community has to invest in infrastructure, public spaces, and events that strengthen our economy without putting the burden on residents. It’s also one of the few government entities specifically focused on tourism and hospitality, industries that are not only vital to our local businesses, but also help shape how people experience Boise. When managed well, GBAD can create real value for both travelers and locals. I think it’s a special opportunity for a small group of thoughtful community members to affect real change in the District with an intersection of economic development, placemaking, and civic pride.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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