Jessica Durham, Les Bois Real Estate School

By Heide Brandes

As the owner and director of Les Bois Real Estate School, Jessica Durham revolutionized real estate education in Idaho, becoming the first non-attorney instructor approved to teach Idaho Broker Law by the state’s Real Estate Commission.

She holds an MBA from Northwest Nazarene University and multiple professional certifications, and her recognition as a Distinguished Real Estate Instructor (DREI) — one of only two in Idaho — highlights her teaching skills. In 2023, Durham was honored as the Boise Regional Realtors’ Realtor of the Year, a testament to her significant impact on the industry.

Durham’s influence extends far beyond her business. She serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Boise Regional Realtors Board of Directors and the National Association of Realtors’ Leading Edge Advisory Committee. She also engages in volunteer work with organizations like Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Paint the Town.

In recent years, Durham has emerged as a powerful advocate for autism awareness and inclusion. Following her son’s diagnosis in 2020, she has dedicated herself to empowering other parents to access resources for their children with autism.

“This experience has positioned me in a new lens of advocating and empowering other mothers to get access to the resources that their kiddos need and deserve throughout the state,” Durham said. “I believe that lifting each other up is what helps everyone grow exponentially and in turn allows us to all achieve our personal goals and aspirations.”

In addition to her Realtor of the Year award, she was named one of Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished 40 Under 40 in 2023. Her selection for the Idaho Realtors Leadership Academy further underscores her standing as a leader in the state’s real estate community.

Her industry knowledge spans various sectors, including residential sales, land development, market segmentation and property management.

“Jessica’s unique contribution is integrating education and real estate, ensuring the industry’s future is rooted in quality and integrity,” said Erin Erkins of Erkins Commercial Real Estate. “Her role as an instructor of the Idaho Real Estate Commission’s certified courses demonstrates her passion for nurturing future real estate professionals. Jessica’s role in supporting one of the state’s largest employers through its corporate relocation program significantly impacts the region’s economic vitality.”

Her leadership roles in organizations such as the National Association of Realtors, Idaho Realtors, Boise Regional Realtors and Urban Land Institute extend to areas of advocacy, financial oversight, education and strategic communication. Her leadership in the Urban Land Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, her service as a Boise Regional Realtor board director, and her dedication to charitable organizations like FUNDSY are clear demonstrations of her character and the impact she has on the Idaho community and beyond.

“I’m told by my peers that I’m the person that will always answer and help, regardless of if there’s any ‘reason’ for me to do so,” she said.