Staff – Trailing of the Sheep Festival

After serving many non-profit organizations throughout the St. Louis community and larger region for sixteen years, Laura relocated to Sun Valley in 2011 on a new adventure and to continue serving non-profit organizations and charities with her leadership, fundraising, development and event planning skills. Area groups she has worked with include the San Francisco Ballet in Sun Valley project and the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, as well as currently supporting Ballet Sun Valley as the Director of Operations. Laura holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and was a member and held a board seat for the St. Louis Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She joined the Festival Team in 2015 and has served as Executive Director since 2016.

Sheila Kelley

Program Director

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Since 1978, Sheila has made the Wood River Valley her home. Besides her careers and raising a family, she has been active throughout the community. From 2010-2011, she volunteered as the Folklife Fair Director. In 2012, she was hired as a member of the year-round staff and began assisting the Executive Director with the Fair along with many other projects. In 2016, Sheila was formally named Program Director. Most of her work is in behind-the-scenes production working with various coordinators, volunteers and the board on the Festival program and managing operations and logistics. Working hand-in-hand with the Executive Director, she brings her knowledge, experiences and history of the Valley and the community to augment their partnership.

Xole Uranga

Festival Coordinator

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Xoledad (Xole) graduated from Boise State University in 2013 with a BA in Spanish and a Minor in Basque Studies. While born and raised in Ketchum, ID-she now calls Salt Lake City her home and has a career in Real Estate. Xole first joined the Festival team seasonally in 2017 as the Lodging Coordinator. In 2018, she also acted as the Sheep Dog Trials’ Coordinator until 2023. She now serves as the Festival Coordinator and supports the Festival in all aspects.

Xole’s father, Alberto Uranga, came to Idaho from the Basque region of Northern Spain in 1968 as a sheep herder. He has been a member of the Festival Board of Directors for 17 years. In keeping with her family’s tradition, Xole enjoys learning and writing about her family's Basque culture here in Idaho and back in the Old Country, as well as traveling and hiking.