Before becoming Coeur d'Alene's first female mayor, and on November 3, 2009, the city's first third-term mayor, Sandi Bloem was an active community member. She co-chaired the city's Downtown Revitalization Committee, chaired the city's strategic planning committee (CdA 2020), and served on the Planning Commission for 4 years. She also served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the EXCEL Foundation Board of Directors, and on the North Idaho College Foundation Board.

Currently, Mayor Bloem chairs the North Idaho Mayors' Coalition and serves as 3rd Vice President for the Association of Idaho Cities Board.  She also serves on the University of Idaho/Northern Idaho Advisory Board and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Bloem recently received the Salvation Army's "William Booth Award" (named for the organization's founder) for her outstanding service, and in 2008, their Trailblazer Award for her leadership in bringing the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center to Coeur d'Alene.  The University of Idaho awarded Bloem the President's Medallion in 2011 for her exceptional service.  Bloem received the 2011 Idaho Chapter of the American Planning Association's Planning Leadership Award for promoting planning in the public arena.

The fourth generation of her family to plant deep roots in Coeur d'Alene, Sandi taught 4th and 6th grades in the Coeur d'Alene School District (#271) for ten years. She also worked as a leader for the U.S. Forest Service YCC program from 1973 to 1976. She had almost completed an advanced degree in Educational Counseling when she was called upon to help lead the family's business, Dingle's Hardware. After moving the hardware store out of the downtown area, Sandi became involved in the jewelry business and has owned and operated Johannes & Company Jewelry since 1985. Bloem has five children, 13 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.