Our Future Workforce
May 22, 2024 12:00 PM
Sunshine Shepherd & Heather Nunamaker
Our Future Workforce

INL presents “Our Future Workforce” with Sunshine Shepherd, K-12 STEM Coordinator, and Heather Nunamaker, Workforce Development Specialist at the Idaho National Laboratory.

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Sunshine Shepard is a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and mother to three amazing kids. She is the current K-12 STEM Education Coordinator at Idaho National Laboratory, having joined in October 2021. In her role she works to provide outreach and educational opportunities to schools and community organizations, leading various programs and events including STEM Scholars, My Amazing Future and Nuclear Family Science Night. Shepherd serves on various boards and committees including the Idaho Out of School Network Committee, on the Citizens Advisory Board for the Idaho Falls Zoo and the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Advisory Board. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Native American Indigenous studies from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and her Master of Public Administration from Idaho State University. She is currently working toward a doctorate in education from Idaho State University.

Heather Nunamaker is a dedicated advocate for workforce and economic development, currently serving as the Workforce Development Specialist at Idaho National Laboratory. Born and raised in Idaho Falls, Heather graduated from Idaho Falls High School before earning her BA in Business Administration from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington.  Returning to Idaho after spending ten years in Washington, Heather embarked on a career in workforce development, accruing invaluable experience over the last decade. Her professional journey has included roles with state contractors, the Idaho Department of Labor, and the College of Eastern Idaho. Throughout her career, Heather has built expertise in state and federal programming, industry engagement, higher education/training, and workforce and economic development initiatives. Committed to continuous growth, she pursued and completed her MBA at Idaho State University while advancing her career.  Heather is passionate about creating opportunities for sustainable economic development and empowering communities through strategic workforce initiatives. Her continued work at Idaho National Laboratory reflects her dedication to advancing workforce and economic development in her home state of Idaho and the region.