President

Kelsey is a writer, editor and designer specializing in events and learning experiences. Born in Montana and raised in Hawai’i, Kelsey received two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Montana and her MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University.

She and her husband, Carl, then returned to Montana to own and operate a raft company near Glacier Park. Since founding her own event design firm, Kelsey has partnered with a variety of organizations and private clients on hundreds of large-scale celebratory and educational experiences in New York City and across western Montana.

But nothing is as celebratory or as educational as adventuring with their two kids (one MCS alum, one current MCS student)—on the river, on the ski hill, in the ocean, or literally anywhere on a picnic blanket. And as a resident of the MCS neighborhood, Kelsey is particularly excited to be a part of the MCS community, working to nurture our youngest community members as thoughtful citizens, creative thinkers & kind human beings.

Vice President

In 2006 Mollie moved to Missoula from Annapolis, Maryland with her brother for a few months– and never left. Mollie fell in love with the mountains, rivers, people and community rich in good people.

Her passion for working with littles led her to work as a teacher at Missoula Community School in 2007 and 2008, and eventually led to an MSW from the University of Montana. Mollie worked as a mental health therapist with youth in MCPS for 8 years. She is now in private practice as an LCSW.

Mollie spends the majority of her energy raising her daughter Nora with her husband, Levi, and pup, Gus. Mollie feels most herself when outside with no agenda, and is happiest on the river, in her garden, or under the stars with friends and family.

Secretary

Emily grew up in Santa Cruz, California, and attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree. After graduating, she went on to complete a Master’s degree in Social Policy and International Development at the London School of Economics. Following nearly a decade working at Google/ YouTube, Emily recently joined Microsoft.

In March 2020, she and her husband, Connor, moved to Missoula, Montana, after spending many summers in the Bitterroot Valley.

They have a one-year-old son, Navy, who will be attending MCS in the Fall. She enjoys traveling, trying to cook, and taking long hikes with the family, including her dog, Dolly. Emily is thrilled to join the board and become more involved in the Missoula community.

Treasurer

Caroline is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Missoula in 2010 after visiting friends and falling in love with Montana. She soon met her now husband Clifton and the two of them briefly moved to San Diego before deciding Missoula was the place to start their family.

Caroline is the bookkeeper for Black Coffee where she has worked since 2019. Any free time she can find is spent reading, cooking, hiking, and enjoying the little moments with her two boys Felix and Miles.

Her oldest son Felix is in his second year at MCS. His first year made such a positive impact that Caroline was thrilled at the opportunity to give back as a member of the MCS Board.

Board Member

Amanda was born in Colorado and raised in Missoula. She graduated from the University of Montana with a BFA in Ceramics, managed two galleries, and taught art before being able to start her own business where she gets to create art full time.

She and her husband, Anthony, have two girls, Halden and Wesley. They are raising them to love and appreciate the outdoors as much as their parents do–camping, biking, swimming, rafting and hiking in the summer; as well as skiing and sledding in the winter.

Amanda and her family feel so fortunate to have MCS as a large part of their lives. Amanda feels blessed to have the opportunity to give back to the teachers and staff, allowing this beautiful community to continue to thrive.

Board Member

Ben has called Missoula home since moving here as a little kid in 1985 (don’t try to do the math, he’s old). Ben received a BS from the University of Puget Sound, before embarking on what has turned into a 20+ year career in wildlife biology. Ben received his MS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, and currently works for the US Fish and Wildlife Service Grizzly Bear Recovery Program. 

Ben and his wife Kelsey are on their second kiddo at MCS: Ari (now a 2nd grader at Rattlesnake) spent his entire preschool career at MCS, and their little June Bug is in the Wolf Room.

While Ben and his family enjoy everything life in and around Montana has to offer, sometimes it feels like their biggest adventure is getting out the door in the morning. Like many others on here, Ben joined the board because it was the best way he could think to give back to a the people, school, and community that have given so much to his kiddos and his family.

Board Member

Whitney is a 5th generation, non- indigenous Montanan, and she feels excited to be apart of the MCS community once again. She was born and raised in Billings and has called Missoula her home for the last decade. Whitney is a Mental Health Therapist and works with individual adults and adolescents, couples, and groups.

She received her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance (2018) and her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2023), both from the University of Montana.

Along the way, she has spent many years performing, touring, a teaching position and later the Assistant Director role at MCS (approx. 2019- 2022). Through many transitions and challenges, Whitney has continually felt mountains of love and care from families, students, and teachers at MCS and her deepest wish is to offer back this same support.

She feels inspired by the mission of MCS, to explore, create, and care, and she hopes that her efforts and energy can continue to support this vision. Whitney enjoys spending her time trail running, baking, reading, thinking about how to successfully garden someday, playing outside with her fiancé, and fawning over any and all dogs.

Board Member

Elizabeth Venturella is momma to Vee who spends his days at school in the Otter room.

She loves to gravel bike, camp, garden, study Italian. She is teaching Vee the language of his ancestors.

Her favorite treat is popcorn. Elizabeth is stoked to be part of the board and looks forward to assisting in making the MCS experience better and better! 

Board Member

Bio coming soon!

Board Member

Bio coming soon!

Board Member

Bio coming soon!