Our Team

Bethany has spent 20+ years exploring the world of youth development. With a pre-med biology degree and a pause from the medical track, her path shifted during an AmeriCorps*VISTA year at the Stevens Youth Center, where she fell in love with afterschool programming. She’s served as the Youth Center’s Director since 2008 and has held her current role with MTAA since 2019. Her experience is further strengthened by a decade spent running the 4-H Program in Meagher County. A lifelong learner, she honed her skills through workshops, conferences, and mentors, sparking a passion for professional development in the OST community. As a National Afterschool Matters Fellow, she led a learning community on integrating social-emotional learning and trauma-informed practices - her areas of expertise—into effective behavior management. She splits her time between Bozeman and White Sulphur Springs with her husband, two daughters, and a lively menagerie of pets.

Heather brings a background in both formal and informal education, with a career rooted in environmental education and community collaboration. In her current role, Heather is leading the development of the Montana STEM Ecosystem. The initiative aims to create an interconnected network of organizations, institutions, and individuals working collaboratively to grow science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities in the state. She is committed to strengthening partnerships, supporting educators, and expanding opportunities for youth across Montana. In her spare time can be found outside recreating or gardening.

In addition to her role with MTAA, Nora serves as the Engagement and Purchasing Coordinator for School Services of Montana, MTAA’s fiscal sponsor. She has worked with young people in a variety of settings as an educator, facilitator, researcher, and administrator. Nora also holds a professional certificate in Restorative Justice and has served as a restorative justice trainer, facilitator, and researcher in Montana and abroad, where her work spanned from conducting research on student and staff perceptions of conflict resolution in Ireland, to leading the process to co-create a restorative system alongside her students in rural Montana, to facilitating restorative conflict resolution processes to support a team of educators in South Africa. Nora loves trying new recipes and practicing acro-yoga.

Rachel has been the Director of the Montana Afterschool Alliance since 2021. She is a licensed attorney with experience in juvenile justice, tribal court, civil legal services, and indigent defense. She also holds a professional certificate in Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership and is passionate about fostering constructive dialogues, convening partners to drive systems-level change, and address cross-sector community needs. In her leadership and facilitation, she consistently centers youth voice and wellbeing, ensuring their needs remain the foundation of every initiative. Outside of work, Rachel loves swimming, yoga, and exploring the world with friends and family.