Boerne has grown rapidly in recent years, and its sense of community has grown, too. This reality is driven home every day, thanks in no small part to these impactful and inspiring women. They serve our city in a variety of ways, but they all share a common desire to leave Boerne better than they found it. Meet five women who embody Boerne's best and are making our community's future even brighter.
Officer Rebecca Foley | Boerne Police Department
When Boerne Police Officer Rebecca Foley saw a need for a mental health officer in the community, she was happy to take on the challenge of a new program. “We’re the first in the area, which we’re pretty excited about.”
Foley’s career in law enforcement and first responder roles has been extensive. She worked as an EMS dispatcher, EMT, and firefighter in Terrell Hills. In Boerne, she started as a Community Officer, where she enjoyed attending city events, including Coffee with Cops, parades, and school meet-and-greets. “Boerne is overwhelmingly loving and supportive,” Foley says. “We have a community that is very pro-law enforcement, which helps us build trust.”
Now, in her role as Mental Health Officer, Foley is focused on bringing new resources to the area. She co-chairs the Kendall County Behavioral Health Advisory Coalition and is planning for a local center where those struggling with mental health issues can receive help and guidance. Foley is also currently working on her second master’s in counseling. She hopes the extra knowledge will better serve those she encounters in the field because she genuinely cares about Boerne. “This is the most amazing community, and I plan to be here a very long time.”
Dr. Kristin Craft | Boerne ISD
When Dr. Kristin Craft became Boerne ISD’s Superintendent in January, this latest step in her 28-year education career made her the first woman to lead the district. “I feel deeply honored,” Craft says about being considered an inspirational woman.
Craft began her career in Houston as a teacher for six years before becoming an assistant principal and principal. She credits a mentor from her first year for encouraging her to pursue a master’s in administration. “I love puzzles, and I think school administration is a big puzzle. I’m able to see the big picture, break it down into small pieces, and help do intentional strategic planning to go from point A to point B.”
While recognizing Boerne’s rapid growth, Craft also knows there’s a strong desire to retain Boerne’s small-town charm. The district currently educates almost 11,000 students in 12 schools, and a 13th school is expected to open this August. “Everyone I’ve met is 100% focused on the success of our students and our schools,” she says. “Parents are our partners, and we have an incredibly generous community. That’s a great combination of school partnerships because we cannot do it alone.”
Inspired by the critical value families put on education, Craft takes the responsibility of being a community role model seriously. “I just want to encourage all of our kids to dream big and know the future is in their hands,” Craft says. “We’re going to do our very best to prepare them, and we can’t wait to see what they do in the future.”
Kriss-Abigail Paredes | Alamo Meat Market and Provisions
Chicago native Kriss-Abigail Paredes never imagined a future as a wild game processor. Starting as an urban photographer of fashion editorials and burlesque shows, but having her equipment stolen pushed her in another direction.
After a stint in the restaurant industry, Paredes answered a Craig’s List ad for game processing in Texas to improve her knife skills. Instead, she stumbled onto a new career path. “I fell in love,” Paredes remembers. “There’s something about making food for a hunter who killed an animal and is entrusting me to make food for their family. It’s a huge honor.”
Paredes is now a wild game butcher and processing manager for Alamo Meat Market and Provisions in Comfort. She also participates in Hunt Camps and works with the San Antonio Food Bank, teaching classes on skinning, butchering, and processing deer. “I love being able to share my knowledge,” says Paredes. “There’s a constant connection between animals and the food on our tables. I want to humanize the people behind the food and create empathy through compassionate education.”
As the only female wild game butcher she knows, Paredes hopes she inspires others to follow their passion. “A sense of purpose will take you places. It’ll be more beautiful than you can imagine.”
Kimberly Blohm | The Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce
Since she became president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in 2019, Kimberly Blohm has put her stamp on Boerne. A Houston native and Texas A&M University grad, she and her husband moved their three kids to his hometown, drawn by the schools and family-oriented community.
As Chamber President, Blohm advocates, educates, and communicates with the town's businesses. She helps companies connect so they can grow, and she also works with the broader community to include local companies in Boerne events, like last month’s spectacular solar eclipse. Blohm says, “We helped create a business guide beforehand and established special event protocols to help with crowd management.”
Since becoming president, Blohm and her team have doubled the Chamber’s membership and engagement, making Boerne the third-largest Chamber in the area. “We hope to continue increasing the growth while keeping a sense of community. We want to still be personable and help everyone feel included.”
That work drives her and has made her an inspiration to others. “It makes me feel really good; I’m proud of it,” Blohm says. “It gives me purpose like I can do it all in a balanced way. And that’s what I hope will inspire people.”
Judge Kirsten Cohoon | 451st District Court
It wasn’t Judge Kirsten Cohoon’s goal to take a position on the bench. A fifth-generation Kendall County girl, she says the opportunity fell into her lap while serving as Boerne’s City Attorney. “My husband thought I should try and get the appointment for the judge,” Cohoon recalls. “I prayed on it, and it became clear that was what I was supposed to do.”
When she didn’t receive the appointment in 2017, Cohoon assumed the door had been closed. However, the people disagreed when she won her election in 2019. “I realized the door was still open; it was just that God didn’t want me to take it that way,” she says. “It’s so much more rewarding to have the people choose you.”
Cohoon is the only District Court Judge in Kendall County, so she hears every criminal and civil case. She says adoptions are her favorite, and she is proud of her high clearance rate, which means she resolves cases swiftly, and fewer people must stay in jail. After all, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” she says.
As a community leader, Cohoon hopes to inspire the next generation of citizens. “Just keep your ears and your eyes open. Figure out what you can do to give back. The rest will fall into place.”
PULL QUOTE 1:
“Boerne is overwhelmingly loving and supportive. We have a community that is very pro-law enforcement, which helps us build trust.” —Officer Rebecca Foley
PULL QUOTE 2:
“Parents are our partners, and we have an incredibly generous community. That’s a great combination of school partnerships because we cannot do it alone.” —Dr. Kristin Craft
PULL QUOTE 3:
“A sense of purpose will take you places. It’ll be more beautiful than you can imagine.” —Kriss-Abigail Paredes
PULL QUOTE 4:
“We hope to continue increasing the growth while keeping a sense of community. We want to still be personable and help everyone feel included.” —Kimberly Blohm
PULL QUOTE 5:
“Figure out what you can do to give back. The rest will fall into place.” —Judge Kirsten Cohoon
