meet our board
Our governing board is comprised of passionate leaders in the community. We have been incredibly fortunate to have a history of the most compassionate and capable super hero board members. We are actively seeking new board members. If you are an open-minded, team player who is passionate about our mission we encourage you to apply for a board position.
president
Christian was born and raised in Missoula, MT. He attended the University of Montana and received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. In 2000, he moved to Hamilton to take a job at what is now GlaxoSmithKline, where he still works some 18+ years later as Operations Manager. He and his wife, Robin, love exploring Montana with their two sons, Knox and Ike, and in particular enjoy floating, fishing, camping and skiing. Christian is honored to be a part of the Emma’s House Board of Directors and looks forward to supporting such a tremendous organization and the critical services it provides to children in our community.
vice president
Kelly was born in Maryland but spent most of her childhood and high school years in Texas. She attended Texas A&M University, where she got a BS in Psychology. She met her husband Patrick there, and they married in 2000. They have two teenagers, Colin & Ciara. They moved to Hamilton in 2014 from Austin, Texas, In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors with her family camping, hiking, traveling and kayaking. She also loves to read. She previously worked as a counselor at a youth residential treatment center. However, since having her 1st child, she has been a stay at home parent. She spends many hours a week volunteering in the local schools and in other community groups. She is currently president of the Hamilton Middle School Families for Education parent group. She is grateful to be part of the board. Emma’s House provides invaluable services to the most vulnerable in our community, and she wants to contribute to its future.
treasurer
Drew was born and raised outside Corvallis on the family farm. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman and has a degree in Secondary Education. After college Drew and his then fiancé Lindsay (also a Corvallis native) moved back to the area and were married in 2009. Currently he wholesales lumber and helps Lindsay operate Willow Creek Physical Therapy in Corvallis. He spends most of his free time with Lindsay and their three dogs outside fishing, gardening, hiking, or hunting. Drew strongly believes in the mission of Emma’s House and feels privileged to serve on the board.
secretary
Kelly grew up in Albuquerque, NM and moved to Hamilton in 2004, after spending a few years exploring living in different areas of the Pacific NW. She met her husband, John, shortly after that and they were married in 2007. They have two daughters, Kady and Lucy. Kelly works for the Forest Service as the Dispatch Center Manager and has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from the University of Montana. Kelly and her family enjoy the local Farmer's Market, other community events, and camping at any of the beautiful locations the area has to offer. She wanted to be involved in ensuring children had a safe place to go during the most difficult times, and is honored to be a part of Emma's House.
board member
Neeltje was born in the Netherlands and moved to London, UK to obtain her PhD degree in virology. In 2013, she moved to Montana to work at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories. Neeltje has a passion for the outdoors and loves that she can combine living in this beautiful community with her career as a scientist. When she is not in the laboratory, she enjoys mountain biking, backpacking, and fishing with her husband Rick Thomas and their dogs Bodee and Lily. Neeltje strongly believes that children should be allowed to live in a safe environment and feels grateful to be able to contribute to this as a member of the Board of Directors of Emma's House.
board member
Nicolett was born and raised in the Bitterroot Valley. She earned her Bachelors in Nursing from MSU and worked as an ICU nurse at the University of Washington. After she earned her Masters in Nursing in 2008 , Niki and her husband Brad moved back to the Bitterroot Valley where she started her career in family medicine. Niki is a Family Nurse practitioner in Hamilton and enjoys providing care to the families in our community. Pediatrics and women’s care are two of her special interests. Her greatest adventure is her 4 beautiful children which at this point consume most of her free time. Her two sons Cooper and Rigby and twin daughters Sloane and Saige keep her and her husband on their toes. When she’s not chasing them around, she enjoys the outdoors including camping, biking, hiking and skiing/snowboarding. Niki is honored and excited to serve on the Emma’s House Board because it is a wonderful organization. This adventure further extends her passion for caring for and protecting children.
board member
Angela grew up in Spring Creek, NV. She attended Boise State University for her undergraduate and graduate studies in Psychology and School Counseling. She then went on to pursue her Masters of Educational Leadership from Montana State University. She currently serves as the Assistant Principal at Hamilton High School. Since her move to the Bitterroot in 2011, Angela continues to enjoy all the valley has to offer from hiking and biking, to snowboarding and cross country skiing with her family. Working so closely with Emma's House for the past 12 years as a school counselor and educator in the valley, it is an honor and privilege to serve on the Board of Directors, continuing to provide integral safety, support, advocacy and resources to children and their families.
board member
Lee grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Montana shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (Psychology - Child and Youth Care) to pursue a graduate degree in School Counseling at MSU. He met his wife Adrianna while in Bozeman, and they love spending time in the mountains and on the river with their two young boys, Henry and Sawyer.
As a school counselor in western Montana over the past 12 years, Lee is honored to work with children and families navigating significant challenges related to trauma, relationships, transitions, and their future. In recent years, Lee has also been increasingly invested in supporting providers and caregivers who support our most vulnerable populations. He is humbled to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and looks forward to walking alongside and learning from the many dedicated folks who make Emma’s House such an essential resource in our community.
board member
Lee grew up in Wisconsin and moved to Montana shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse (Psychology - Child and Youth Care) to pursue a graduate degree in School Counseling at MSU. He met his wife Adrianna while in Bozeman, and they love spending time in the mountains and on the river with their two young boys, Henry and Sawyer.
As a school counselor in western Montana over the past 12 years, Lee is honored to work with children and families navigating significant challenges related to trauma, relationships, transitions, and their future. In recent years, Lee has also been increasingly invested in supporting providers and caregivers who support our most vulnerable populations. He is humbled to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors and looks forward to walking alongside and learning from the many dedicated folks who make Emma’s House such an essential resource in our community.