Meet The Board

Executive Committee

President, Naomi Alhadeff – Missoula, MT

Naomi joins from the National Wildlife Federation in Missoula as the Regional Education Manager and the Montana Project WET Coordinator. Her passion lies in communicating with the public about our wildlife and the habitat we all share. She graduated from the University of Montana’s Wildlife Biology program and has been involved in environmental education, both in and out of the classroom, with state agencies, conservation districts, and non-profit organizations in Nebraska and Washington before returning to Montana. The National Wildlife Federation’s goal to protect our wildlife and build upon our conservation heritage blends well with her work on the Wildlife Education Team. Having worked both in and out of the classroom, she enjoys sharing her love for wildlife with kids and adults throughout Montana. She is an avid gardener, an ever-improving hunter, and an amateur thespian.

Vice President, Kyle Wonders – Livingston, MT

Kyle is currently working as the Citizen Science Coordinator at a nonprofit called Watershed Education Network, based out of Missoula. He has been involved in the environmental education field for 4 years and through this time has gained experience doing many different styles of environmental education. While discovering his passion for Environmental Education, Kyle has also been studying at the University of Montana. In the spring of 2024, he will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, with other studies in climate change studies, wilderness studies, nonprofit administration, and environmental ethics, all fields that he feels come together to make him a more effective educator.  Kyle enjoys spending time birding, backpacking, cheering on the Griz, and learning more about the world to be explored.

Secretary, Julie Gavin – Helena, MT 

Julie Gavin works as a School Improvement Specialist in the Department of Improvement and Engagement with the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Previously, she taught English Language Arts in public high and middle schools and designed children’s enrichment programming and teacher training in several states. Julie is passionate about encouraging people of all ages to uncover their passions and put them into practice within their lives. In her personal life, she enjoys reading, living an active lifestyle, and spending time with her family. She is honored and excited to serve Montana school leaders, staff, and students in her role supporting districts.

Treasurer, Chris Pavlovich, M.S. – Livingston, MT

Dr. Chris Pavlovich, Director of Program Services and Evaluation, Ripple: The Center for Education and Ecosystem Studies. Affiliate Faculty, Master of Science in Science Education Department, Montana State University. Chris Pavlovich holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Science in Science Education awarded by Montana State University. She served as a 5th grade teacher for 14 years in Livingston, Montana. Chris founded Watershed Warriors, a place-based, interdisciplinary watershed education program based on a mission of stewardship, application, and access. Her goal in science education is to engage teachers and students in place-based, project-based pedagogies to decrease the border between science and classrooms. She holds steadfast that science education is for all. She was named 2022 Montana Environmental Education Association Formal Educator of the Year; awarded the 2022 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators; awarded the Teresa Veltkamp Advocacy Award for Excellence in Indian Education in 2021; awarded Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching in 2020; recognized by the Montana Science Teachers Association in 2018 for Distinguished Service to Science Education; named Montana Watershed Teacher of the Year by the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program in 2017; and awarded Montana Educator of the Year by the American Fisheries Society in 2013.

Board of Directors

Michelle McCarthy – Helena, MT 

Michelle has been with the Office of Public Instruction since August 2015. She was a middle school science, social studies, and math teacher at Bridger Schools. She also served as their RtI and Test Coordinator. She has also been a ½ time principal/teacher in a three-room schoolhouse. As an adjunct faculty instructor at MSU-Billings and MSU Bozeman she taught undergraduate and graduate K-8 & 5-12 Science Methods and Ed Tech courses and was involved as a teacher leader in the Partnership to Reform Inquiry Science in Montana (PRISM) grant for six years. She earned her Bachelor of Science Education, SPED minor, and Master of Education at MSU-Billings. She completed the coursework for her doctorate at MSU Bozeman but never started the dissertation, so she ended up with an ABD.

Support Positions

Communications Coordinator – Heather Jameson – Bozeman, MT 

Heather joins us from a background in environmental studies and teaching. She started her career as an Interpretation and Education Ranger at Glacier National Park and has spent the last decade in the education field most recently as the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Education and Outreach Specialist for Northwest Alaska. In her current role as the Strategic Initiatives Lead for the Montana Afterschool Alliance, 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 promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities in the state. She holds strong to the belief that her experiences with the outdoors have led to her respect, curiosity and understanding of our environment. Through her service on the board, she hopes to support opportunities and resources for youth to form their own connections and sense of place in our natural world.

Heather Jameson headshot
Carolyn Taber, board member, board of the Montana Environment Education Association

Support – Carolyn Taber – Missoula, MT

Information pending…

Interested in making a difference? Join our board!

Our board meets monthly to support environmental education across Montana, with a focus on strategic planning, event coordination, and organizational leadership. Prospective board members are always welcome to attend a meeting to learn more—reach out and we’ll add you to the agenda and send the Zoom link. We’d love to hear from you! Contact our board president at meeapresident@gmail.com with questions or to RSVP. If you plan to attend, please complete the application form a few days before the meeting and submit a brief resume so we can introduce you to the board. We’ll distribute your materials to the board in advance.

Materials to Review
We encourage prospective members to review the following in advance:

Board Member Commitments

  • Engagement: Serve on at least one committee to support MEEA’s mission
  • Monthly Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00–7:15 PM (MT)
  • Fiduciary Responsibilities: Review and approve monthly financial reports
  • Annual Retreat: 2-3 days
  • Conference Support: Help organize and volunteer at our annual conference
  • Leadership: Chair at least one committee or project during your term