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

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.

Secretary

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

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

Jackilyn grew up in Minnesota and made her way to Montana in 2013 after earning her bachelors in dental hygiene from the University of Minnesota. She has been practicing as a dental hygienist in Missoula for the past decade and loves serving the local community.

Outside of work, Jackilyn enjoys making the most of Montana’s great outdoors— whether it’s river rafting, backpacking and climbing mountains, or skiing in and out of bounds. Her favorite adventures are the mini ones she shares with her little ones.

Jackilyn and her husband, Mark, have two children attending MCS. Their son, Zaden, will be returning for his 3rd year and their daughter, Rylan, will be starting her first year in the Fall. Having both of her children at MCS has inspired Jackilyn to join the school board. She is more than happy to be able to give back and be more involved with the MCS community!

Treasurer

Colin Woodrow was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is the son of two educators, who instilled the values of education and community. After earning a Bachelors degree from DePaul University in Chicago, he made the move West to Missoula in 2009, quickly falling in love with Montana recreation and Missoula’s culture. He established roots in the community, volunteering with multiple organizations, and started a family with Erin Barstow that includes two sweet MCS kids and a mellow fluffy dog. 

Colin worked in affordable housing for the Missoula Housing Authority and City of Missoula before moving to Mountain Line in 2021. He serves as the Director of Capital Projects, Planning, and Technology at Mountain Line, overseeing large facility development, electrification, and a myriad of other strategic efforts. As the MCS Board Treasurer, he is focused on cultivating a strong relationship with the First Presbyterian Church, planning and executing capital improvements to the facility, and supporting the staff through the implementation of improved operational systems. 

When he steps away from work and board commitments, Colin is an active participant in Missoula life. He enjoys camping and exploring the beauty of Western Montana with his family, commissioning Le Kickball Missoula, and participating in the highly competitive sport of innertube water polo which should probably be in the Olympics

Board Member

Bio coming soon!

Board Member

Bio coming soon!