Presenter Biographies
Adriane Beck
Director, DES Coordinator, Office of Emergency Management, Missoula County
Adriane Beck started emergency services while attending college at the 猎奇重口, working or volunteering various jobs in fire and emergency medical services. Upon graduation, Adriane started her career as a firefighter/EMT and after 14 years in the fire service and having reached the rank of Captain, Adriane left the fire service to accept a newly created position as the Deputy Disaster and Emergency Services (DES) Coordinator for Missoula County. Serving as the Deputy DES Coordinator taught Adriane the foundations of emergency management principles related to preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery and the importance of whole community planning for emergencies. broadening her perceptions and understanding of community scale disasters and emergencies. In 2014, Adriane took the opportunity to become the Director for the Office of Emergency Management, a position she has held for the past 12 years. As the Director, Adriane oversees both Disaster and Emergency Services and 9-1-1 operations for the City and County of Missoula.
Amy Lariviere
Training Coordinator, Healthy Community Living, Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities, UM Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities
Amy “Lala” Lariviere works as a Training Coordinator for the RTC: Rural at the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities. She has a BA degree from Northern Michigan University in theatre performance.
As a theatre educator for over 25 years, she is excited to bring her education background to her position as Training Coordinator for the Healthy Community Living program suite including Living Well in the Community, Community Living Skills, Working Well with a Disability, and Facilitating Groups Training.
Amy is originally from the Detroit, Michigan area but has now lived in Missoula for 20 years. She enjoys theatre, live music, and adventuring in 猎奇重口 with her dachshund Nala.
Amy Ratto-Parks
Associate Director of Academic Assessment, 猎奇重口
Amy Ratto Parks serves as the Executive Director of the IHH. She is also the Associate Director of the Writing and Public Speaking Center at the 猎奇重口. She holds an MA in literature, an MFA in poetry, and an EdD in Education from the 猎奇重口. Her research areas include meta-cognition, writing instruction, and the psychology of writing; she writes regularly about integrating meta-cognitive strategies into classroom pedagogy. Her creative works, Bread and Water Body (2004), Song of Days Torn and Mended (2015), Radial Bloom (2018), and How to Remember the World (2019), explore the physical experiences of illness, loss, grief, and gratitude.
Ben Weiss
Senior Manager, Bicycle/Pedestrian Program Manager, Public Works Infrastructure and Mobility Planning & Engineering Division, City of Missoula
Ben Weiss is a Senior Transportation Planner for the City of Missoula, where he leads long-range planning efforts, project development, facility design, and safety promotion. He champions inclusive, safe mobility for people of all ages and abilities — conducting walk audits and other accessibility-focused work to identify and remove barriers. He has shaped key local policy, including Missoula’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, Complete Streets Policy, and the Street Types planning framework. A hands-on practitioner and advocate, Ben helps keep Missoula among the nation’s best places to bike, walk, and roll. Outside work he can be found ferrying his kids on an electric cargo bike, rafting local rivers, and experimenting with synthesizers.
Brenden Dalin
Independent Living and Recreation Specialist, Summit Independent Living
I hold a BS in Recreation Resource Management from the 猎奇重口. During my studies, I worked with MonTECH's 猎奇重口 Access to Outdoor Recreation (MATOR) loan program, providing recreational equipment to 猎奇重口ns with disabilities. I spent 9 years as a Peer Advocate with Summit Independent Living, focusing on peer support, transitional assistance, and outdoor access. My practicum involved designing a universal trail for Five Valleys Land Trust. In 2020, I completed a course in universal trail design and later assisted in managing a trail project near Placid Lake State Park. I secured a grant to extend this trail, which was completed in 2022. I now serve as the Independent Living & Recreation Specialist for Summit Independent Living, collaborating to enhance outdoor access.
Cassie Weightman / Wick
Public Policy & Grass Roots Advocacy Coordinator, Ability 猎奇重口
Cecily Whitworth, PhD
Disability Advisor, 猎奇重口 Disability and Health Program
cecily.whitworth@montanafamilyasl.org
Charity Atteberry, M.Ed.
Director, Office for Disability Equity, 猎奇重口
charity1.atteberry@umontana.edu
Charity Atteberry has been with the 猎奇重口 since 2014 and currently serves as the director of ODE. She has experience in the Alexander Blewett School of Law, the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education, and TRIO Student Support Services, and has also taught as an adjunct professor. Charity previously served as the president of UM’s Staff Senate and coordinates the Women’s Leadership Initiative. Before working at UM, she was an elementary teacher and reading specialist in Chicago.
Coley Stensgar-Mau
Special Olympics 猎奇重口 and 猎奇重口 Disability and Inclusive Health Summit Steering Committee
Coley has been involved with the Special Olympics for 10 years. He competes in alpine skiing, bowling, bocce, track and field, swimming, golf, and basketball. He loves all sports but especially alpine skiing! The biggest impact of the Special Olympics has been making friendships for life.
Connie Lewis
Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, 猎奇重口
Craig Escude', MD, FAAFP, FAADM, FAAIDD
President IntellectAbility
craig@replacingrisk.com; hilary@replacingrisk.com
Damian Chase-Begay, PhD
School of Public and Community Health Sciences, 猎奇重口
damian.chase-begay@umontana.edu
Douglas Galarus, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, 猎奇重口 Technological University
Dr. Douglas Galarus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at 猎奇重口 Technological University. Doug has 36 years of experience in systems and software engineering, information technology development, testing, implementation, management and instruction. Doug has extensive experience as the project manager, principal investigator and lead for mobile data communications systems, database-driven web sites, web site design, desktop applications, kiosk development, PDA, SmartPhone and Tablet PC –based development, and interactive CD-ROMs. At the Western Transportation Institute, Doug applied technical expertise to the development of applications for transportation safety, including improved tools for road weather management, incident management, traveler information and data communications. Doug grew a nationally recognized, award-winning program, and supervised numerous students, staff and multiple labs. Doug delivered and facilitated multiple technical training and professional development opportunities for engineers and technicians. As an Assistant Professor at Utah State University, Doug carried forward with similar research and development, with a focus on Data Science, Data Quality, Spatio-Temporal Data, Intelligent Transportation Systems and Applications of Data Science to Intelligent Transportation Systems. Now, as an Associate Professor at 猎奇重口 Tech, Doug continues forward in applying his experience to instruction and research in Computer Science, Data Science, and Software Engineering to students in his home state of 猎奇重口. Doug has taught introductory, upper-division and graduate-level courses. Dr. Galarus holds a PhD in Computer Science from 猎奇重口 State University and master’s degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics Education from the 猎奇重口. Dr. Galarus is the proud parent of three children, two of which have disabilities.
Dyani Bingham
Program Evaluator, 猎奇重口 Disability and Health Program/Tobacco Prevention Program, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Bureau, DPHHS
Faith Dawson
Disability Advisor, 猎奇重口 Disability and Health Program
Faith Dawson is a Disability Advisor with the 猎奇重口 Disability and Health Program (MTDH). She progressively lost her hearing at a young age and now communicates by reading lips and using two Cochlear Implants. Faith holds a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Youth and Family Development (now Global Youth Development) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Statistical Research Studies, both from the 猎奇重口. She is a Certified Nonprofit Professional specializing in grant writing and completed a year in the Desktop and Mobile Web Developer program at California State University.
Faith is passionate about accessible digital materials and effective communication, impacting the lives of people with disabilities, striving to participate with dignity in society. She participates in workgroups focused on technology, education, advocacy, accessible teleconference software, emergency preparedness, state park audits, and communication best practices. In her spare time, she enjoys swing dancing, hiking, and boating or kayaking on Flathead Lake.
Geoff Musti, PT, DPT, GCS
Vice President of Growth and Engagement, StationMD
Geoff Musti is a Vice President at StationMD, where he leads partnerships with state agencies and provider organizations to expand access to specialized clinical services. A Doctor of Physical Therapy and board-certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist by training, he brings extensive experience across skilled nursing, outpatient, and home health settings. In clinical practice, Geoff frequently treated individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as well as older adults.
He later transitioned into healthcare leadership at a care coordination organization, overseeing Provider Relations and Account Management while collaborating with providers across the full continuum of care and national health plans including United Healthcare, Humana, and Optum. Geoff is passionate about improving care models that help individuals thrive at home and fully participate in their communities.
Glenn Ingram
Transportation Planner, Department of Public Works and Mobility, Missoula MPO
Glenn Ingram is a Senior Transportation Planner with the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the City of Missoula. In this role, he helped develop the MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, the 30-year plan that guides investments to improve how people move throughout the Missoula area. He works on regional planning initiatives that prepare for future growth while balancing the diverse ways people travel in and around Missoula.
Greg Zadina
CEO and Executive Director, 猎奇重口 Council on Developmental Disabilities
Greg Zadina is a nonprofit and public-sector leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing community-based systems, including over 14 years in nonprofit and healthcare management. As Executive Director of the 猎奇重口 Council on Developmental Disabilities, he works to strengthen policies, partnerships, and programs that ensure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have a meaningful voice and real opportunities across the state.
Greg’s career spans direct service, program management, and executive leadership, including roles as Senior Director of Business Development and Vice President of Strategy. He has led cross-functional initiatives in workforce development, economic development, and organizational strategy—consistently focused on improving outcomes, strengthening operations, and expanding access in rural and frontier communities.
Grounded in 猎奇重口 values, Greg brings a practical, systems-focused approach to programs and services design—one that emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and long-term sustainability. He is passionate about building stronger, more responsive systems that support independence, dignity, and community belonging for all 猎奇重口ns.
Hana Meshesha, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Idaho State University - Meridian
Dr. Hana Meshesha is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Idaho State University (ISU). She has a strong interest and commitment to work on disability advocacy. Hana has been a part of school-based disability programs while she lived in Ethiopia and has worked with 猎奇重口 Disability and Health Program between 2018 - 2023. As a doctoral student and a member of the APHA, she joined the Disability Section student mentoring program and supported the process of mentoring, networking and consultation opportunities for students and professionals. Hana co-authored book chapters and peer reviewed publications on public health and disability, disabled students’ experience during COVID-19 Pandemic, and disability data during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heather Voorhees, PhD
Associate Professor, Communication Studies, 猎奇重口
Hilary Benjamin
Special Olympics 猎奇重口 and 猎奇重口 Disability and Inclusive Health Summit Steering Committee
hilaryjbenjamin1977@icloud.com
Hillary has been involved in the Special Olympics for 39 years. She is on the Missoula Diamondbacks team and competes in golf, bocce, basketball, bowling and track and field. She loves to meet new friends, exercise, and help others.
Hilary Gayton
Intellectability--on-site at the Summit
Jae Kennedy, PhD
Professor, Elson. S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washingston State University
Jean Morgan
Executive Director, Spring Medow Resources
Jean Morgan is a seasoned leader in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) field with more than 40 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and service systems across 猎奇重口. Beginning her career as a Direct Support Professional, she has held a wide range of leadership roles, including Residential Director, Training Director, Behavior Specialist, and Vice President, bringing a comprehensive, ground-level to executive perspective to her work.
Since 2020, Jean has served as Executive Director of Spring Meadow Resources in Helena, MT, where she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen services and workforce development. Throughout her career, she has collaborated extensively with providers, families, and stakeholders to shape programs and policies that improve quality of care and support statewide.
Jean is also an active Board Member of the 猎奇重口 Association of Community Service Providers (MACDS), where she contributes to advancing best practices and advocacy efforts. She is passionate about building sustainable systems that empower both staff and the individuals they serve.
Jeanie Castillo
Senior Instructional Designer, Learning Experience & Design (LEAD), Office of Educational Initiatives and Innovations, 猎奇重口
Jeanie is an instructional designer who collaborates with faculty to develop high-quality digital learning experiences and course assessment and improvement. She leads faculty trainings, develops comprehensive support resources and documentation, and assists faculty in ensuring accessibility compliance. Jeanie excels in managing design projects, leveraging eLearning tools, and fostering innovative, inclusive learning experiences.
Jennifer Sauer
Associate Director of Marketing, 猎奇重口
Jen implements and maintains digital tools and products to promote the UM brand, working with partners across campus to manage UM's digital map, the virtual campus tour, the U猎奇重口 Admissions website and several umt.edu websites, including the UM home page.
Jeremy Crowley MS, GISP, PG
Director of the Autonomous Aerial Systems Office (AASO),
Jessica Weltman, JD
Director of Institutional Compliance and ADA Coordinator, 猎奇重口 Legal Counsel and Compliance Office
Jessica Weltman joined the office of Legal Counsel and Compliance in 2023. As Director of UM’s Institutional Compliance Program, she provides strategic direction and oversight for regulatory compliance efforts. As ADA Coordinator, Jessica leads a team working to ensure that all aspects of campus programming – learning, living, working, visiting, and engaging – are accessible. In these roles she draws upon over twenty years of legal experience, nearly half of which have been in higher education. In her last role, Jessica offered statewide leadership to 猎奇重口's 16 public colleges and universities as the MUS Compliance Officer in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. Previously, as the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and the Title IX Coordinator for the 猎奇重口, she worked to stop discrimination, reduce barriers, and increase equity. In both roles, Jessica provided extensive training, conducted civil rights investigations, engaged with state and federal agencies, and brought together stakeholders to build accessible policies and processes. Prior to pivoting to higher education, Jessica led the appellate practice for the Federal Defenders of 猎奇重口 where she now serves on their Board of Directors. Jessica brings additional experience from private practice, clerking for the Honorable Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks, serving as a legal intern for a Senator on the United States Senate Judiciary committee, volunteering with Advocates for Human Rights in Nepal, and for local nonprofits in Missoula. Jessica received her J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis and her BA from Carleton College.
Jim E. Warne, MS
Warrior Society Development, LLC and Gen7 Productions; Community Engagement Director University of South Dakota, Center for Disabilities Oyáte Circle; and Affiliate Arizona School of Medicine
Joel Iverson, PhD
Professor, Communication Studies, 猎奇重口
Julia Sonnier Goar, MPH, EMT, CHES
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
Julia Goar is the Missoula Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator and a member of the Western 猎奇重口 All-Hazards Incident Management Team. Julia has her master’s in public health from the 猎奇重口 and a decade of experience in intercultural and international contexts. Julia has a wide base of knowledge through leading research and education efforts, providing direct patient care, and implementing the Incident Command System. She consistently commits to projects that advance emergency preparedness, broaden access to health care, and foster cultural humility.
Kally Barlow
Independent Living Specialist, North Central Independent Living Services
Kally Barlow is an Independent Living Specialist with North Central Independent Living Services, Inc., a role she has held since September 2024. In this position, she supports individuals with disabilities in building the skills, confidence, and resources needed to live as independently as possible and fully participate in their communities.
Before transitioning into independent living services, Kally spent 15 years as a Special Education math teacher, where she was dedicated to helping students develop strong academic foundations and problem-solving skills. During that time, she also served as a Special Education department head for seven years, providing leadership, mentoring fellow educators, and helping shape programs that supported diverse learning needs.
Kally brings a deep commitment to empowerment, advocacy, and inclusive education to her work. Her background in special education and leadership allows her to connect with individuals and families in meaningful ways, helping them navigate services, set goals, and achieve greater independence.
Kate Duran, JD
Associate Legal Counsel, President's Office, 猎奇重口
Kate E. Duran joined the Office of UM Legal Counsel in fall 2019. She received her B.S. in finance from Rutgers University and her J.D. from the University of Colorado Law School. Prior to coming to UM, Kate worked as a Deputy Attorney General (DAG) for the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General for 7 years. As a DAG, she represented New Jersey’s state institutions of higher education in all sorts of litigation and administrative matters, from employment to contract disputes. Kate also was part of the Open Public Records Act team where she defended the state in numerous matters regarding alleged failures to disclose public records and follow open meeting laws. Prior to her work at the N.J. A.G., Kate practiced criminal defense, gaining the trial experience that was necessary for her work as a DAG.
Kate is admitted to practice before the 猎奇重口 Supreme Court, Colorado Supreme Court, New Jersey Supreme Court, New York Supreme Court, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Kate currently enjoys spending free time with her partner and their 2 children exploring 猎奇重口
Laura Kneedler
Executive Director, West Mont
Laura is a dedicated Executive Leader with demonstrated success in leading organizations of all sizes. With over 15 years of leadership experience across the I/DD, health care, education, and business sectors, Laura has guided mission-driven teams through strategic growth, organizational change, and complex challenges, while staying focused on delivering meaningful impact for the community. Laura has spoken at many International and National conferences on topics such as leadership development, disability inclusion, education, and more. She is currently the CEO of West Mont, an organization that supports individuals with I/DD in Helena, MT.
Lauren Fern
Applied Arts and Sciences Chair, Missoula College; Associate Professor, Discipline Lead and Student Success Coordinator in Mathematics
Lauren Fern, a faculty member with the 猎奇重口 Department of Mathematics, recently was named a 2019 猎奇重口 University System Teaching Scholar.
Fern lectures and serves as student success coordinator in the math department. She is one of 12 faculty members across 猎奇重口 selected for the program’s inaugural class by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and the MUS Board of Regents. Those selected for this new honor develop high-impact teaching practices for student success and serve as exemplary models for others in higher education.
Lauren K. McKeague, PhD, MPA
Assistant Professor, Director MPH Generalist Program & Graduate Certificates
Lucy Galarus
Peer Advocate, Ability 猎奇重口
Lucy is a freshman at 猎奇重口 Tech who is the Vice President of the 猎奇重口 Tech Student Emergency Management Team and a senator for the Associated Students of 猎奇重口 Tech. She is passionate about disability rights for her fellow students and hopes to reduce the barriers that young people with disabilities face through her role at Ability 猎奇重口 as a Systemic Youth Peer. Lucy has launched programs such as the Good Access Is Good Business Program. She has spoken at the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) conference, where she was awarded the Linda Gonzalez Award for advocates under 30 who demonstrate exceptional advocacy in 2023, in recognition of her work with Ability 猎奇重口 and the 猎奇重口 Youth Leadership Forum Leadership Team. She has also spoken at the 猎奇重口 Youth Transitions Conference. She hopes to pursue her bachelor's degree in social work and then go on to get her law degree so that she can more effectively advocate for her community.
Mackenzie Jones, MPH, CHES
Program Manager, 猎奇重口 Disability and Health Program, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Bureau, DPHHS
Mackenzie Jones, MPH, CHES, is the program manager for the 猎奇重口 Disability and Health Program (MTDH) which is housed at the 猎奇重口 Department of Public Health and Human Services. MTDH is a CDC funded program that aims to improve health promotion opportunities and healthcare access with and for people with disability through community empowerment; policy, systems, and environmental changes; and health education. Mackenzie started working with MTDH in 2019 after she received her MPH from Indiana University in Health Education. Mackenzie is also a Governing Counselor for the Disability Section of the American Public Health Association and has been on the executive board for seven years. Outside of work life, Mackenzie enjoys trail running, playing cribbage, and performing in musical theater productions.
Maja Pedersen, PhD, MS
Assistant Professor, School of Public and Community Health Sciences
Maja Pedersen, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public and Community Health at the 猎奇重口. Dr. Pedersen’s research focuses on using community-based participatory research approaches to promote health and prevent disease in community settings, with a focus on older adult populations. She uses qualitative and quantitative research to accomplish these goals, as well as theory-based behavioral intervention and implementation science. She is the co-lead of the Growing Older Staying Strong initiative, a partnership between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Health Dept. and the 猎奇重口. Dr. Pedersen was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, and loves to spend time outside hiking, playing soccer, or cross-country skiing.
Mallory Frank
Health and Fitness Director, Special Olympics 猎奇重口
Mallory Frank is the Health and Fitness Director at Special Olympics 猎奇重口, a role she has held for two years. She earned her degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion at the University of Idaho. Mallory chose to work at the Special Olympics 猎奇重口 because of her passion for promoting inclusive health and fitness opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She is dedicated to making a positive impact on the health of athletes by fostering a supportive and empowering environment.
Margaret Keener
Supervisor, North Central Independent Living Services (NCILS)
Mark Lannen
Manager of Web Technology Services, 猎奇重口
Mark Lannen is the Manager of Web Technology Services at the 猎奇重口, overseeing the main UM website (umt.edu) and a suite of custom applications that support the campus community. WTS ensures UM's web presence runs smoothly, securely and accessibly for students, faculty and staff.
Mary Willard, MSW
Operations Director, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
Matthew Fete
Dean, The College of Health and Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor, 猎奇重口
Matthew Kaufman, PhD
CEO of StationMD
Dr. Matthew Kaufman is the CEO of StationMD. Dr. Kaufman was one of StationMD’s co-founders in 2015 and has since led the company through its successful transformation of healthcare for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He currently sits on the Board of CP State in New York State and continues to practice emergency medicine in the NYC area.
Dr. Kaufman received his MD at SUNY-Downstate and trained in emergency and internal medicine, hematology, and oncology at Northwell Health. Early in his career, Dr. Kaufman focused on leukemia research before pivoting to emergency medicine and innovation in healthcare for people with disabilities. He has served as medical director of emergency departments in the NYC area.
Max Rebholz
Wildfire Public Information Manager, NorthWestern Energy
Max Rebholz works as a Wildfire Public Information Manager at NorthWestern Energy. Based in Missoula, Max works to inform communities throughout NorthWestern Energy’s service territory about its wildfire mitigation strategies, public safety power shutoff plan, and coordinate with public safety partners ahead of such public safety power shutoff events. Previously, Max worked for Missoula County Office of Emergency Management working to assist communities within Missoula County on becoming better prepared for wildfire. Max also worked as a Public Information Officer on various all-hazard incidents such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. Outside of work, you’ll find Max out skiing, fishing, hunting and enjoying time with his wife Raeleah and their Australian Kelpie, Eddy.
Meg Ann Traci, PhD
Research Professor, Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities and School of Public and Community Health Sciences, 猎奇重口
Mike Beers
Comedians with Disabilities Act, Youth Advocacy Coordinator, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
Nina G
Comedians with Disabilities Act
Noelle Kurth, M.S.
University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies, Life Span Institute
Opal Besaw
Student and Peer Advocate, Workgroup on Campus-Based Community Living Supports, Summit Independent Living
Patrick Maddison
Executive Director, Flathead Industries
pmaddison@flatheadindustries.org
Rachel Peterson, PhD, MPH, MA
Associate Professor, School of Public and Community Health Sciences
Rachel Peterson, PhD, MPH, MA, is an Associate Professor in the School of Public and Community Health at the 猎奇重口. Her research is currently funded by the National Institute on Aging and seeks to redress disparities in healthy aging. Specifically, she employs epidemiology methods to 1) disentangle the role of social and physical environments in driving disparities in cognitive aging and brain health; 2) identify promising population-level interventions that advance health equity and improve quality of life. Prior to earning a PhD in Health Promotion Sciences, Dr. Peterson earned an MPH and an MA in International Studies and spent more than a decade working as a health educator and public health practitioner for governmental and non-governmental organizations in the U.S. and internationally.
Ray Petty, PhD
Kansas Accessible Sports
Ricky Burns
Independent Living Specialist I, Ability 猎奇重口
Ricky Burns II is a disability advocate and leader within 猎奇重口’s Independent Living community. Through his work with Independent Living programs and community initiatives, he supports efforts to expand leadership and advocacy opportunities for people with disabilities. Ricky is an ADA Coordinator and IL Specialist at Ability 猎奇重口 and is working to expand accessibility to all regions of the state. Through this work Ricky has been actively involved in accessibility projects ranging from accessible trails and safety plans to interactive accessibility maps and walk audits. Ricky has been actively involved in mentoring and supporting youth engagement, helping young people develop confidence, self-advocacy, and leadership skills. Drawing on lived experience and a commitment to peer support, Ricky works to empower the next generation of disability leaders, build more accessible communities, and strengthen connections within the independent living movement.
Rosemary Callahan
Regional Client Care Manager - Disaster Cycle Services, American Red Cross
rosemary.callahan@redcross.org
Rosemary "Rose" Callahan is a disaster response leader who turns chaos into community. As Regional Client Care Manager for Disaster Cycle Services at the American Red Cross of Idaho, 猎奇重口, and East Oregon, Rose oversees Red Cross programs that deliver direct services for health, mental health, spiritual care, casework, and disability services, ensuring that people in crisis get the care and support they need to rebuild their lives.
A proud Public Health AmeriCorps alumna and Missoula resident, Rose holds a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Physiology and Gender Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has deployed to five national disasters — including the 2025 LA Wildfires, Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Beryl, and most recently, Winter Storm Fern — and has managed the delivery of humanitarian services to countless local emergencies in 猎奇重口. At the heart of her work is a deeply held conviction: she is a humanitarian in the pursuit of justice, ensuring that everyone impacted by disasters has access to robust health and healing services.
Samantha Morigeau, PT, DPT
Interim Rehabilitative Services Division Director, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Tribal Health Department
samantha.morigeau@cskthealth.org
Samantha Morigeau, PT, DPT, is Bitterroot Salish and an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Director of the Rehabilitative Services Division within the CSKT Tribal Health Department, and a National Falls Prevention Fellow.
Dr. Morigeau co-leads the Growing Older Staying Strong (GOSS) Initiative and the Community Mobility and Pedestrian Safety (COMPS) Project in partnership with the 猎奇重口. Her work integrates rehabilitation, health promotion, and community-based participatory research (CBPR), with a focus on fall prevention, community mobility, and improving access to health-promoting environments for Native elders and individuals with disabilities on the Flathead Reservation. Her work centers community voice and culturally grounded, place-based strategies to advance safe, accessible, and age-friendly environments.
Shannon Brilz
Director of Conference and Events Services, 猎奇重口
Shannon Cole-Merchen
Bureau Chief, Developmental Disabilities Program, 猎奇重口 Department of Public Health and Human Services
Shannon Cole-Merchen is a dedicated leader with a profound commitment to public service, boasting a distinguished 20-year career with the 猎奇重口 Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). Recently appointed as the bureau chief for the Developmental Disabilities Program, Shannon brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and a compassionate, forward-thinking approach to the Department’s mission.
In her new role, she is eager to build on the program’s existing foundations while introducing a fresh vision to enhance service delivery and community integration across the state. Her leadership is defined by a desire to honor the progress of the past while driving innovative solutions for the future.
A recent transplant from the Billings area, Shannon now calls Helena home. She is currently enjoying settling into the Capital City and exploring the scenic beauty of her new surroundings. Outside of her professional life, Shannon is a devoted wife and mother to two daughters. Her household stays lively thanks to the antics of their one very happy dog.
Skylar Tibbs
Equity in Action, UM Student
skylar.tibbs@umconnect.umt.edu
Stephen Van Marter
猎奇重口 FPV and Accessible Skies
Tami Hoar, MHRN
Executive Director, Summit Independent Living
Tami Hoar is a seasoned nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of experience serving 猎奇重口’s disability community. She brings deep expertise in leadership, operations, and human resources across both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, with the majority of her career focused on Centers for Independent Living (CILs). Tami has provided oversight, reporting, and performance management for three of 猎奇重口’s four CILs and is known for building strong teams, improving communication, and guiding organizations through periods of transition.
She holds a master’s degree in human resource management and previously worked for 猎奇重口’s largest corporation, where she led complex employee relations work, including investigations, performance management, disability accommodations, FMLA administration, policy development, and staff training.
As Executive Director of Summit Independent Living, Tami fosters a collaborative, forward-looking culture grounded in mutual respect and shared purpose. She previously served as Executive Director of LIFFT in Billings, overseeing operations across an 18-county service area, and spent 10 years as Program Director at Ability MT, leading services across 14 counties.
Tami is a visible and trusted leader locally and statewide. She identifies as a person with a disability and is widely respected as an authentic and thoughtful advocate for independence and inclusion.
Teressa M. Keenan
Professor, Head of Collection and Metadata Services; Metadata Librarian and Accessibility Liaison
Teressa Keenan is professor and Head of Collections and Metadata Services at the 猎奇重口, Mansfield Library. She catalogs monographic resources, maps and media and serves as an accessibility contact for students and faculty. She is a graduate of the University of Washington (MLIS), and Wittenberg University (BA, Biology and Philosophy). Teressa is a co-instructor for the CORE Fundamentals of Cataloging course; has written and presented on cataloging, management and accessibility.
Tony Ward, PhD
Professor, School of Public and Community Health Sciences; Director, 猎奇重口 Clinical and Translational Research Center
Tony Ward is a Professor in the School of Public and Community Health Sciences at the 猎奇重口. In addition to teaching within the School, his research involves working in rural communities and schools throughout 猎奇重口, Idaho, and Alaska on air pollution (forest fires and wood stoves) and health issues. He is also the Director of the 猎奇重口 Public Health Training Center and the 猎奇重口 Clinical and Translational Research Center.
Travis Hoffman, BSW
Policy Director, Summit Independent Living
Tyler Stosich
Accessible Skies, IL Specialist and Peer Advocacy Coordinator, Summit Independent Living
Vanessa Whattam, MS, MSBA
Hospital Systems Surveillance Epidemiologist, Surveillance and Informatics Section
Vanessa is a speech-language pathologist turned epidemiologist with a passion for leveraging data to improve public health outcomes. Based in 猎奇重口, she oversees the state’s Hospital Discharge Data and Syndromic Surveillance programs, applying her expertise in healthcare data management to monitor trends and support evidence-based decision-making. Vanessa’s unique interdisciplinary background enables her to bridge the gap between clinical care and community health, allowing her to understand the nuances of patient health records.
Zachariah Rides At The Door
Program and Building Manager, Payne Family Native American Studies Program
zachariah.ridesatthedoor@mso.umt.edu