Leading with Compassion: A Women’s History Month Conversation with Nancee Bakken
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating women who make a meaningful difference in our community. At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho, Executive Director Nancee Bakken helps lead that impact every day. Nancee has served in this role since December 2023 and says the work feels like more than a career. “It feels like a calling,” she shared. “We help families during a very difficult time in their lives, and that means a lot to me and our entire team.”
Nancee’s leadership focuses on removing barriers and reducing burdens for both the families staying at the House and the staff supporting them. When the team can focus on their roles, they are able to make a meaningful difference for families with ill or injured children. She says the direct impact on families is what first drew her to the mission. “I’m grateful my own children were healthy, but even their minor medical issues brought fear and anxiety. Being able to support families through far more difficult challenges inspires me every day.”
Moments at the House often reaffirm why the mission matters. Recently, the team hosted a family who stayed for 43 days after the mother unexpectedly delivered a premature baby (not knowing she was expecting) and arrived with very little. During their stay, the House provided a warm bed, meals, baby items, and support as they adjusted to becoming parents of a newborn again. Watching them head home together was a powerful reminder of the impact the House can have.
This year’s Women’s History Month theme, Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future, resonates with Nancee’s leadership. She is working closely with the Board of Directors to ensure RMHC of Idaho can grow alongside the state’s rapidly expanding population. She says “To me, this theme means leading with compassion, vision, and responsibility. It’s ensuring we steward our resources well, build strong partnerships, and position RMHC of Idaho to support families not just today but for generations to come.”
As a leader, Nancee also focuses on helping others grow. She believes confidence is built through new experiences, learning opportunities, and sometimes even failure, and she works intentionally to create opportunities for her team to grow. Looking ahead, her goal remains closely tied to the mission. “I want to make it as easy as possible for our team to succeed in supporting families across Idaho,” she said. Her message to women who hope to lead and make a difference in their communities is simple: “You can do it! Believe in yourself, work hard, keep learning, embrace change, lift other women up and go for it.”
