Meet Marilee Wallace, a Spokane native and Gonzaga graduate who has lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1990.

Here Marilee ran a successful software company, served as vice president of the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce and assisted hundreds of businesses in getting established in North Idaho. In 2020, she launched her own business focused on women’s workshops and community leadership skills and is certified in nonprofit organizational management. Marilee teaches dance and yoga, is married, enjoys her new grandson and shares adventures with her golden retriever, Rosie. 

1) What is happening in the world of the great Marilee Wallace these days?

I'm currently enjoying a pretty cool phase in my life. I enjoy running my business, North Idaho Alliance Women of Impact, which creates programs and workshops to empower women. I teach dance and yoga at the Coeur d'Alene Kroc Center, which I love! I serve on the Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance board and recently stepped down as the chair for 2025. I travel often to visit family on both coasts, recently welcoming a new grandson, and I'm grateful to have my 96-year-old mother nearby for daily visits.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited to collaborate with two younger local women to expand NIA’s women’s programs. This partnership allows me to pursue my long-time dream, “AbunDANCE Rhythm,” a dance and yoga fitness program for individuals 45 and older. I aim to promote enjoyable and accessible exercise for post-menopausal women while building community. Classes start in February, with details and class schedules available at abundancerhythm.com.

2) How do you have such energy and enthusiasm to do what you do, with a smile on your face?

First, thank you. I’m grateful to be seen this way! I have come to understand that when I’m aligned with my passions, positive energy flows effortlessly. This energy is not forced; it is authentic and genuinely fulfilling. I must admit, I don’t always feel energized. But when I become engaged in meaningful activities, like connecting people in our community or instructing dance classes, it brings forth the best version of myself, which in turn positively influences those around me. I believe when you are passionate about what you do, enthusiasm naturally follows, and if you are fortunate, everyone can sense it. To me, this shared energy and joy represent one of life's most extraordinary gifts — a mutual exchange that uplifts spirits. I am genuinely grateful each day for this gift, so honestly, it’s easy to smile!

3) What wisdom do you have to share with community members who have dreams but are not sure how to reach them?

YEA Dreams! Go for it, and here are some things I’ve learned:

Do not overthink it. Simply take the first step. As Martin Luther King Jr. famously stated, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” If something keeps drawing your attention, your creativity revs up and there, that’s your first step. You definitely don’t need to begin by having a crystal-clear vision of your complete dream; you start by recognizing what continually draws you in, what really excites you, then, “Throw the spaghetti against the wall and see if it sticks!” By that, I mean start small, one experiment, one action. Remember, momentum is generated through action, not through clarity.

Do not aim for perfection or something overwhelmingly ambitious. Instead, seek something that inspires you to lean in. Mistakes will happen, so what? Pause, reflect and start again.

Do not wait until you “feel” ready. This is where many people err. Dreams do not start with absolute confidence; they begin with curiosity and creativity. Confidence follows action. Actions invite the steps of the staircase.

And finally, be forgiving and not a taskmaster. Ask yourself: “What would I like to experiment with over the next three months to work toward this dream?” Refrain from questioning: “What am I doing for the rest of my life?” Remember, you can always pivot. Dreams unfold in wonderful and mysterious ways. Enjoy the ride, no matter where it takes you.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I am a passionate dancer with a rich background in the art. My journey began with the Joffrey Ballet, where I performed as a fairy child, sparking my love for dance. Now, as an instructor, dance is my therapy, expression and poetry. I simply adore it. Fun fact: I was the first girl from Spokane to perform with a professional ballet company at the First Interstate Center for the Arts, linking my experience to some local history.

5) What is your 2026 resolution, and what is your wish for our community in the new year?

Instead of setting a stressful resolution, I choose a word for the year. For 2026, my word is "abundance," symbolizing generosity, receptivity and gratitude. (It also has the word “dance” in it; therefore, the name AbunDANCE Rhythm emerged!) The word reflects my goal to deepen my understanding of abundance in gratitude, enthusiasm, giving and receiving. I believe fostering genuine connections in our community can also reveal abundance by sharing our time and authentic selves, embracing curiosity and remaining open to kindness in our shared experiences. I wish everyone to embrace abundance!

How can you get involved in the community? NIA’s Women of Impact will launch the 2026 Roundtable series Jan. 28 at the Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene. This series comprises five roundtables, meeting monthly through May, featuring local expert speakers who will address a variety of topics aimed at educating, enriching and empowering women to engage in community initiatives.

Additionally, NIA hosts the “Perk It Up Speed Networking” program, a co-ed event held four times a year, with the next session scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026, from 9-11 a.m. at the Kroc Center. A cornerstone event in North Idaho, the annual Onward and Upward Women’s Conference will take place May 13 at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn. Reservations and partnership opportunities for this popular conference fill up quickly. And the W.O.W. Words of Wisdom from Wise Women will be in March coinciding with Women’s History Month.

Get in touch: nia-impact.com or abundancerhythm.com