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Our Mission
The Bozeman Schools Foundation exists to cultivate community support for teachers and students in the Bozeman Public Schools, helping to secure the resources necessary to provide every student the opportunity to succeed and make a positive impact in the world.
Our Vision
An informed and engaged community committed to and invested in excellent, innovative, and caring public schools in which families feel welcome, educators feel valued, and all students are provided with the tools and opportunities to succeed.
Our Values
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Excellence
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Innovation
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Inclusivity
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Collaboration
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Community Engagement
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Sustainability
Foundation Team
Our foundation staff are the driving force behind every initiative, bringing energy, expertise, and commitment to all they do. From coordinating programs to building partnerships, their dedication turns our mission into a meaningful reality for the community.
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Laura grew up in Montana and met her husband while attending Montana State University. They have 4 children that have all graduated from Bozeman High School. Prior to joining the Bozeman Schools Foundation, she started a career in manufacturing, serving as a Master Scheduler and managing IT, Inventory, and Shipping departments. She later transitioned into education-focused roles, gaining hands-on experience in operations, technology, training, and coordinating children’s learning programs. She has been actively involved with Bozeman Schools and Parent Advisory Councils since 2003 and has seen firsthand how BSF enriches and supports educational opportunities for both students and teachers. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring creative outlets, volunteering for local organizations, is an active member and Past President of the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary, loves traveling and spending time outdoors—especially camping, hiking, and kayaking.
Jenn and her husband Eric moved to Bozeman full-time in 2016 to be closer to family. They have two children in the Bozeman School District. Jenn has served as President of the One Valley Community Foundation board since 2018, and also sits on the board of the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation, and the Kaleidoscope Youth Theater. She has been active in our schools and has served on numerous district committees. Prior to joining BSF as the Executive Director in 2021, Jenn provided nonprofit strategy, financial management and fundraising support through her consulting business. She has also taught nonprofit management classes to college and graduate level students. Her relaxation time includes skiing, stand up paddle boarding, horseback riding and cooking.
Penelope moved to Bozeman in 2019 to attend Montana State University as a Business Marketing student. She began as the Marketing and Communications intern for the Bozeman Schools Foundation in December of 2022 and joined the staff full-time after graduating in May of 2023. Using her education in marketing and expanding into a bigger role in Community and Memorial Scholarships is exactly what she hoped to be able to pursue post-college. Outside of work she enjoys being outdoors, arts and crafts, and reading.
Amelia Huba is the Program Associate with Family-School Services in collaboration with the Bozeman Schools Foundation. She originally came to Montana in 2022 as an AmeriCorps VISTA, serving two terms before beginning to work with the Foundation. Her role involves supporting vulnerable students within the district through grantwriting, advocacy, and projects which support youths in need. Amelia co-wrote the winning grant for 100 Strong's Spring Session, gaining $10,000 for the district's supplemental nutrition program. Outside of work you can find Amelia hiking with her dog or enjoying Bozeman's coffee shops with her friends.
Board of Directors
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Paige Wyatt is an academic advisor and instructor for Montana State University. Paige earned her BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah and her MSW from San José State University. Prior to entering her Master’s program, Paige served in the domestic Peace Corps – AmeriCorps – working with the medically underserved. With more than 20 years of direct service experience with young adults, adolescents, and children and families, Paige brings a diversity of experience to her work with students and her service to the community. She joined the Board of the Bozeman Schools Foundation in 2020. A native Montanan, she returned to the Treasure State in 2007 with her partner and three lively children. They can be found Nordic skiing during the winter and huckleberry hunting in Montana’s backcountry during the summer.
Roland served students and families in Washington State for 36 years as a teacher, school administrator, and Principal. He served as a School and District Leadership Coach in Washington State working in school and district improvement. Much of this work was developing strategic plans rooted in creating healthy and safe school communities with strong social and emotional systems in place. A critical piece of this work was developing authentic partnerships with all stakeholders and nurturing equitable practices and courageous leadership.
"Kristy Johns, a native Montanan and alumna of Montana State University, has spent the last 18 years raising her family under the Big Sky and actively supporting Bozeman's public schools since 2009. She brings a parent-focused perspective to public education. As a parent of four children who have grown (and still are growing) through BSD7—from kindergarten milestones to AP classes and college applications—Kristy has seen firsthand the critical role that strong, well-supported public schools play in building our thriving community. Her appreciation for qualified educators, engaged families, and supported staff drives her commitment to championing public education. In addition to her role on the board, Kristy has been a dedicated volunteer in both schools and community programs. When she’s not lending her time and energy to local causes, you’ll likely find her enjoying Montana’s outdoors—on a paddle board, a trail, or the golf course."
Bobby grew up in Texas but found his heart’s true home in the mountain west and Bozeman. In his 40+ year professional career he developed state of the art business and computing solutions for financial firms and government organizations around the world. Throughout his career, he worked closely with executive leadership in corporate strategy and new product development. Since retirement, Bobby was an adjunct professor at George Washington University and Central Wyoming College. He co-founded Bison Scholarships, which provides assistance to graduating high-school seniors pursuing a vocational education. He enjoys his work with the Bozeman Sunrise Rotary and local conservation organizations. He is an avid traveler, wildlife photographer and blogger. His photos and blogs are published on his website - www.throughmywindshield.net He loves outdoor activities in all 4 seasons and recently tried fly fishing. Bobby holds a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from The University of Texas and an MS in Information Systems from The George Washington University.
Hilary Klug currently serves as the gifted coordinator for the Bozeman School District and is a Nationally Board Certified teacher in Early Adolescent Language Arts. She earned her BA in English at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, and holds an MA in English/Writing from Middlebury College and an MA in Curriculum & Instruction from University of Montana. In her 26 years of education, she has worked in a variety of roles including curriculum and assessment specialist, literacy coordinator, and English teacher. She has presented at the Bozeman Public Library on college essay writing and has offered college application boot camps; she has also presented at state technology conferences and shared instructional strategies using technology with private and rural schools in Montana. She has served on a wide variety of district, state and national committees/task forces. Hilary and her husband Jim are proud Bozeman School District parents of three children. In her spare time, Hilary loves to spend time with her family, travel, read, and ski.
Mykal was born and raised in Montana and is a University of Montana graduate. She moved to Bozeman in 2016 and shortly after started working for Stockman Bank. She has held several different banking positions but is excited to be in lending and working with customers. She enjoys cooking, hiking on Montana’s many trails, and spending time with friends and family at the lake. Mykal lives in Bozeman with her husband and 2 sons.
Brian grew up in the Bitterroot valley and received an Electrical Engineering degree from Montana State University. During the course of his career he has worked in data communication, software development, and program management. He currently works as a Senior Business Operations Consultant with Motorola Solutions. Brian moved back to Montana in 2009 so his daughter could attend Bozeman schools and enjoy the boundless recreational opportunities available locally. Brian appreciates the opportunity to support Bozeman's schools and students through the Bozeman Schools Foundation.
Originally from the Midwest, Ann joined the Department of Education at Montana State University as a literacy educator. Her classroom teaching experience along with her doctoral work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison positioned her to teach and mentor teacher candidates and practicing teachers. The University has recognized her numerous contributions by honoring her with many teaching and service awards: the Founder’s Day Award for Faculty Excellence, the Extraordinary-Ordinary Woman Award, the Online Teaching Excellence Award, the President’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Superior Teaching, the Women’s Faculty Caucus Distinguished Mentor, and the Dorothy Aasheim Memorial Award for Outstanding Service. Over the course of her career, she has seen first-hand how teachers make a difference. Her two daughters attended K-12 Bozeman schools, and it is this commitment as a parent and educator that energizes her community and professional work. Her interests include traveling, hiking, baking, and of course, reading.
Ben Frentsos, Director of Community Impact, Greater Gallatin United Way is a graduate of MSU and earned his MPA from the University of Montana. Before joining Greater Gallatin United Way he worked for MSU Extension and was a Peace Corps Volunteer. Ben is proud to support BSF because supporting public education fosters a healthier community by promoting equal access to knowledge, which leads to better health outcomes, economic stability, and social cohesion. In 2024 Ben was recognized by the Bozeman Chronicle as a Top 40 Under 40 for his role in supporting youth programs, non-profit vitality, and community partnerships. Ben is from Kalispell and enjoys spending as much time as possible outside.
Drew Jenkins has lived in Bozeman for over 33 years. He and his wife Julie are both graduates of Montana State University. They have two children in the Bozeman School District. Drew has a dedicated career in Bozeman supporting local non-profits. He has worked as a fundraiser for: Montana PBS, The Montana Business Leadership Network, and The Serenity Ranch Foundation. He has assisted many local non-profits and businesses with a wide range of fundraising events, special promotions, and long-term branding campaigns, utilizing Digital, Radio, Television, and Print Marketing. Drew has worked locally in this capacity with: The HRDC, Aware Inc., The Food Bank, The Sweet Pea Foundation, The Montana Farm Bureau Federation, The Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation, and many more. He enjoys helping people, and community service is very important to him. He loves spending time with his family, skiing, camping, fishing, and exploring the back roads of Montana. Currently he is a Sales Manager at locally owned Desert Mountain Broadcasting/Desert Mountain Digital. He helps businesses grow their local market shares, while employing Desert Mountains’ non-profit arm, Love Bozeman, to aid a variety of local non-profits, including the Bozeman Schools Foundation.
Candace was born and raised in California and has enjoyed spending every summer of her life in Montana visiting relatives and enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Her mother is from Bozeman and father from Butte. Candace and her husband, James, always hoped to raise their children in Montana and were thrilled when the opportunity arose in 2014 to move to Bozeman. Candace is a First Vice President of Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors and has been advising clients for over two decades. Education has always been a priority for Candace because her mother is a renowned educator who instilled in her the values and virtues of learning. The greatest gift a child can receive is an education as no one can take it away from them. She received both a BS in Business Administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and an International MBA Loyola Marymount University. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools and has been active in Girl Scouts. Candace appreciates the opportunity to serve Bozeman students and parents and relishes being part of the Bozeman Schools Foundation.
Anne Keith, M.Ed. NBCT, is a Montana native. She grew up in Helena and raised her two daughters in Bozeman with her husband, Kurt. Anne served in a variety of roles in public education over her 30 year career, including: multi-age teacher, middle school teacher, Instructional Coach, K-5 principal & K-12 Interim Curriculum Director. She proudly served a seven year term on the Montana Board of Public Education. She currently mentors new rural school teachers across the state. Anne is a Nationally Board Certified teacher in Early Adolescent Mathematics and was honored as the Montana Teacher of the Year and with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching. She is passionate about empowering both teachers and students to ensure schools provide a high quality learning environment. Anne believes that public education is the great equalizer for our country and is proud to join the Bozeman Schools Foundation to support Bozeman Public Schools. Anne likes to slog (slow jog), golf, swim, ski, read, learn and spend time with her family.
Laney is a parent of three lovely girls who attend High School at Gallatin High and one in Chief Joseph Middle School. She worked at Big Sky Journal and Western Art and Architecture in a sales and Marketing capacity. Her career at the Journal and WAA has made her passionate about Western Contemporary Art. In her free time she enjoys skiing and boating with her family as well as chasing her girls around at their various sporting events. When a fellow board member approached her about becoming involved with BSF, she thought it was a great opportunity to help our schools and give back to the schools and educators who do so much for the community. This is her second year on the committee. Last year she was on the Worthy Student Scholars Committee and delivered Apple Awards to teachers and read books with the 1st graders. This year she is interested in also getting involved in the Sparks Grants and teacher holiday party. We are lucky to live in such a wonderful community with excellent schools.
Melanie N. Schell is the Managing Principal & General Counsel for Bannack Group, LLC, a Bozeman-based national nonprofit consultancy. A seasoned non-profit attorney, Melanie has extensive experience as an executive-level manager, in-house counsel, communications strategist, and planned gift specialist. She blends her knowledge of law and best practices with nonprofit sensibilities to develop mission-based solutions for clients of all sizes and all stages including medical foundations, private schools, veterans groups, university foundations, and amateur and professional sports organizations. Melanie manages Bannack’s corporate office and counsels nonprofit organizations on organizational formation, sound operational policies and procedures, compliance, communications, major fundraising initiatives, deferred giving and creative philanthropy, board training, board/staff roles, and key organizational transitions. Melanie earned her law degree from the University of Utah College of Law and a BA from Montana State University. She has lived in Bozeman for the last 16 years with her husband, Bill, and her 3 children: Ana, Megan, and Griffin.
Amy grew up in Great Falls, MT. She graduated with a degree in graphic design from the MSU school of Art. She has been a freelance graphic designer for the last 15 years. Amy has a child in the Bozeman school district and is excited to be able to be involved in her education through volunteering within the classroom and being a member of BSF. She and her partner own an apiary, keeping bees and selling local honey. When she is not outside spending time with her family and two dogs, boating, camping & hiking, you can find her in the boxing gym.
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