Meet Our Team

Glacier Institute Staff

TIP: Click on Staff member image or name to see their bio.

Anthony Nelson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Anthony Nelson

Anthony is a husband, father of three, amateur rock skipper, musician, and listener of audio-books. The highlight of his job is getting youth out to Big Creek to create lasting memories that spark a love for the outdoors; experiences he was fortunate to have in his own childhood and considers irreplaceable. Brunch meetings are a close second.

Dawn Glynn

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Dawn Glynn

Dawn grew up in Helena with a love for big skies and mountain views. She spent nine years in Germany with her husband and two children during his military service. She enjoyed exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and making memories that will last a lifetime. When military life came to an end, her family returned home and settled in the beautiful Flathead Valley.

As proud “Jeeper,” she fully embraces Montana summers. A perfect day? Driving with the Jeep top down, doors off, sunshine overhead, and fresh mountain air all around.

Email: dawn@glacierinstitute.org

Caitlin Colter

Caitlin is a true adventurer at heart, with a passion for the great outdoors that has taken her all over the world. Growing up in the beautiful town of Bigfork, MT, she was always in love with the majestic mountains that surrounded her. After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Social Services, Caitlin decided to embark on a new adventure and spent the last 6 years working in Granada, Nicaragua, where she made a significant impact on the community through her work in community development.

Now back in her native Flathead Valley, Caitlin is excited to continue exploring Glacier National Park and all the beauty that Montana has to offer.

Email: ccolter@glacierinstitute.org

Riley Dennis

YOUTH PROGRAM DIRECTOR - BIG CREEK

Riley Dennis

Riley was born and raised on his family's property at the foot of the Mission Mountain Wilderness. As a kid, he spent all his free time running around the mountains of NW Montana and Northern Idaho. Coming from a large family who is very much rooted in Montana's outdoor industries has shaped his view and love of wild spaces.

After graduating he spent time in Western Africa living and teaching trade skills. When he moved back to the US he obtained undergraduate degrees in Plant and Soil Science, as well as a Masters in Natural Resource Management. During this time he also started working for the BIA and USFS fighting wild fires all across North America. Riley is happily married to his college sweetheart and has 3 amazing kids.

Braden Dwyer

Braden is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma and went to school on a soccer scholarship at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. I graduated with a degree in Marketing in three and a half years.

Braden's passions include nature, the outdoors, and conservation paired with a skillset and education grounded in marketing. The opportunity for growth whilst keeping The Glacier Institute’s mission at the forefront is ever present and exciting.

After spending a summer season in Montana, Braden found himself in awe of the beauty within the Flathead Valley and wanted to dive fully-in. He and his family moved full-time to the area in late 2025.

Email: bdwyer@glacierinstitute.org

Elizabeth Maki

Elizabeth grew up in Montana, where wide-open skies and wild places were part of everyday life. Many childhood vacations were spent camping, hiking, and swimming in mountain lakes. These experiences sparked a deep and lasting love for the outdoors. That passion eventually led her to a career with the National Park Service, where she had the privilege of working in five extraordinary places: Mount Rainier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Glacier National Park. Along the way, she found great joy in helping others discover the wonder and meaning of these landscapes.

After a short retirement, Elizabeth joined the Glacier Institute team, continuing the work she loves by connecting people with nature and sharing the stories that make these places special. She is happiest outside, especially on or in the water, and still finds time to enjoy one of her favorite pastimes: waterskiing.

Lauren Hibbard

Field Camp Program Director

Lauren Hibbard

Lauren grew up recreating in the Wisconsin Northwoods, and fell in love with exploring the North Shore and the Minnesota Northwoods while earning her degrees in Hispanic, Latin American and International Studies with a minor in Environment, Sustainability and Geography at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Since graduating, she has worked in public, private and outdoor education. She moved to Montana to join the Montana Conservation Corps as a Crew Lead where she worked on a variety of projects throughout the Kootenai National Forest such as conducting reforestation surveys, planting Whitebark Pine and clearing trails. She is excited to share her love for the natural world at Glacier Institute, where her passions to teach, to learn and to be in nature intersect. She loves to read, play ultimate frisbee, swim, chase the northern lights and spot loons at calm lakes.

Hannah Dwyer

Hospitality Manager

Hannah Dwyer

Hannah is a proud Oklahoman, who’s love for people and the outdoors brought her to the Flathead Valley in 2025. She studied Human Communicative Theory a the University of Oklahoma and was part of the Red Bull Student Marketing Program. Hannah is passionate about indigenous stories, handmade crafts, and animals. You can find her cozied up with a knitting project in the winter or in any body of water in the summer.

Daniel Thomas

Outdoor Education Specialist 2

Daniel Thomas

Daniel spent the majority of his life pursuing the outdoors through backpacking, camping and general outdoor moseying around. He grew up in the hills of the Ozarks and the piney woods of East Texas. His passion for backpacking grew when he was 14 years old learning from many seasoned outdoor folk on how to survive in the wilderness and be skilled in orienteering, firecraft, knot tying, and general outdoorsmanship. When he was 18 he moved to Montana to deepen his outdoor skills and experience in outdoor leadership with the Endurance outdoor ministries in Lakeside Montana, where he was an outdoor educator for 8 years. He loves showing people the beauty of the backcountry and learning/teaching how to engage with the outdoors through outdoor education, and tell many stories along the way.

Noa H.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Kaden P.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Heather U.

Field Camp Outdoor Education Specialist

Beatrix F.

Field Camp Outdoor Education Specialist

Faith N.

Office Administration Assistance

Grace B.

Big Creek Outdoor Education Specialist

Colin C.

Big Creek Outdoor Education Specialist 2

Colin Cummings

Hello, my name is Colin Cummings and I am from La Grange, Illinois! Collin just graduated from DePauw University studying History and Anthropology where he found his love for outdoor education. For the last two summers, he worked in Denali National Park and then Wind Cave National Park educating visitors about the wonders of nature. In his free time, he loves playing soccer and hockey. As well, you can catch him outside picking berries and hiking to all the spectacular places in Glacier National Park.

Annaliese Youngs

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist 2

Annaliese Youngs

Annaliese Youngs grew up in the beautiful state of Washington. She spent her childhood climbing trees in her backyard, running on trails through temperate rainforests, and exploring the outdoors in the rain. After graduating from the University of Washington, Annaliese worked throughout the country seasonally until landing at the Glacier Institute last spring. As an outdoor educator Annaliese combines her passion for teaching with her passion for the outdoors in hopes of inspiring a shared desire to explore and protect our natural world.

Camden D.

Field Camp Outdoor Education Specialist

Sarah K.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Moe B.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Anna S.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Shea C.

Field Camp Hospitality Specialist

Shea Chamlis

Hello! My name is Shea Chamlis and I am from Christiansburg Virginia, ten minutes away from Virginia Tech! Currently I’m an online student at Liberty University studying computational mathematics with a focus in actuarial science. I’m a huge lover of all things outdoors, and food. On the weekends I love to work on my golf game and explore new hiking trails. I have received training from a Johnson & Wales University chef and I’m looking forward to using and improving on my culinary skills.

Willa C.

NATURE CTR Outdoor Education Specialist 2

Willa Cottrell

I grew up in Central Massachusetts where I spent much of my childhood hiking and exploring the woods and state parks nearby. I am currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in History at Mount Holyoke College. Last summer, I was a Big Creek Outdoor Education Intern at Glacier Institute and got to learn about Glacier’s ecosystems and expand upon my outdoor education skills. That magical experience inspired me to return to Big Creek this summer. In my free time, I love relaxing by the North Fork River, baking, crafting, and discovering new, beautiful views.

Kaden J.

Big Creek Outdoor Education Specialist

Miguel M.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Jared B.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Harper Y.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Elizabeth R.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Carolyn C.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist 2

Carolyn Clark

With a career in environmental education, Carolyn "retired" to MT in the summers to volunteer at Glacier National Park. She ended up a park ranger for several seasons, discovering the work GI does to support the park. She continues to volunteer as a backcountry ranger, help out at a local family farm, and this will be Carolyn’s third summer leading trips with GI day programs.

Eugene K.

Field Camp Hospitality Specialist

Gray W.

Big Creek Hospitality Specialist

Maria M.

Big Creek Outdoor Education Specialist

Quincy T.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Jenae M.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Jeremiah G.

Field Camp Outdoor Education Specialist 3

Jeremiah Gordon

Jeremiah Gordon grew up on the East coast in Western PA, where he developed a life long love of the outdoors and animals. He studied anthropology in NE Ga where he met his wife. After college, Jeremiah worked with at risk youth where he taught them how to live life in a stable environment. Jeremiah taught them much about the outdoors and animals. Some of his accomplishments include climbing Denali in Alaska, ascending 14ers in Colorado, white water rafting in Central Washington, being trained as a NOLS wilderness first responder and being an American Redcross instructor. Jeremiah currently lives in Kalispell MT and teaches middle school Science in South Kalispell. His wife also teaches Kindergarten at the same school where 3 children attend. Jeremiah has a Siberian husky who also loves to go on hikes with him and his family.

Braxton B.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Clare H.

Day Program Outdoor Education Specialist

Zada C.

Field Camp Hospitality Specialist

Aidan H.

Big Creek Hospitality Specialist

Emily T.

Big Creek Outdoor Education Specialist

Board of Directors

TIP: Click on Board member image or name to see their bio.

David Fetveit

BOARD PRESIDENT

David Fetveit

David is a third-generation Flathead native who returned to the Valley in 2005 after 10 years as a corporate executive for a national firm based in Phoenix. His background in real estate investing, business and appreciation for the local dynamics provide an extensive and unique understanding of Flathead Valley real estate markets. David is a licensed real estate broker with PureWest Real Estate, working with the same brokerage since 2007, and joining the ownership group in 2019.

David takes pride in his active involvement in the church and local community and is actively engaged in all of Montana's outdoor activities with his four boys – golf, fishing, hiking, and boating. He’s passionate about sharing Montana with those who love and appreciate what Northwest Montana has to offer.

Mike Carpenter

BOARD MEMBER

Mike Carpenter

Born and raised in South Dakota. Bachelors degree in Computer Science with a Masters degree in Management. 35 year high tech management career mostly in Minnesota. Now seasonally migrates between Montana and Florida. Fly fishing obsession, fly casting instructor, Florida Master Naturalist.

Annie Gladden

BOARD TREASURER

Annie Gladden

Annie was born in Paynesville, Minnesota, but has called Montana home since she was one year old. She grew up in Bigfork and now resides in Kalispell. As the branch manager at Wintrust Mortgage, she brings her expertise in finance and leadership to the Glacier Institute.
Deeply connected to the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park, Annie is excited to serve on the board of an organization that has such a meaningful impact on the community and the Park.
Annie and her husband, Jimmy, have been married since 2007 and are proud parents to two boys, Gage (15) and Rhodes (13). In her free time, she enjoys golfing, fly fishing, skiing, cooking, and savoring champagne on the deck at sunset.
Her favorite movie is Breakfast at Tiffany’s, though she also has a soft spot for A River Runs Through It and Casablanca.

Casey Wyckoff

BOARD MEMBER

Casey Wyckoff

Casey is a creative force, a believer in possibilities, and a motivator. As Chief Innovation Officer of LSW, he charges the team to do their most ambitious work and let their hearts lead the way. He has dedicated his professional career to understanding the role architecture can play in supporting the community, and then uniting teams behind an optimistic vision for the future.

Lance Fahrney

BOARD SECRETARY

Lance Fahrney

Decent skier, average golfer, and huge hearted. Lance came to the Flathead Valley to run the local paper and has since shifted to real estate. He volunteers much of his time for local nonprofits and gets into the mountains as often as possible.

Keith Brown

BOARD MEMBER

Keith Brown

Keith Brown brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial expertise and a lifelong passion for the outdoors to the Glacier Institute’s board. Originally from Springfield, Ohio, Keith grew up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington. He and his wife, Charlotte, have deep ties to Montana, purchasing their first home in Kalispell in 1993 and becoming full-time residents of Lakeside in 2006.
A successful entrepreneur and executive, Keith has held leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies such as Starbucks, Aon, and Egghead Computer, gaining invaluable experience across multiple industries. His strategic insights and business acumen will support the Glacier Institute’s mission to connect individuals to the natural world through outdoor education.
Keith’s connection to the Glacier Institute is personal and longstanding. His own children attended Big Creek, where he and his wife chaperoned programs. He also served on the restoration committee for Big Creek, contributed as a donor, and provided guidance for fundraising efforts. As an outdoor enthusiast, Keith enjoys hiking, fishing, archery hunting, boating, and exploring emerging technologies like VR/AR and spatial computing.
Now empty nesters, Keith and Charlotte are excited to dedicate their time and energy to causes they care deeply about. Keith’s dedication to outdoor education and leadership experience make him a valuable addition to the Glacier Institute’s board.
Fun fact: Keith’s favorite movie is Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter—the 3D version, of course!

Nancy Lundgren

BOARD MEMBER

Nancy Lundgren

A native of New England, Nancy has called West Glacier, Montana home for over 40 years. She has a Masters Degree in Education with a career focused on youth. Nancy has been a Board member of the Glacier Institute since 2013 and remembers her two daughters adventures attending camps at Big Creek. She looks forward to having her three grandchildren participate as soon as they are of age. Always attracted to the wild, Nancy’s current adventures include managing communications at various checkpoints for the annual Iditarod Dog Sled races in the Alaskan Bush and monitoring Common Loons at backcountry lakes in Glacier National Park.

Lives by “EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED”

Scott Nicholson

BOARD MEMBER

Scott Nicholson

Scott is a fourth-generation Montanan, who was born and raised on the “highline” in Chinook, Montana. Scott graduated from the University of Montana in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. After graduation, he began his career in banking in Bozeman, MT and moved his family to the beautiful Flathead Valley in August of 2021.

In my 19 years with First Interstate Bank, my passion has been focusing on the analytical side for my business clients. I strive to identify and help implement improvements and efficiencies to assist in the profitability of my clients and their businesses. I strive to be an asset for my clients and the community in which I reside.

Vacationing with my family in Glacier National Park every summer, I fell in love with the Park and still to this day consider it the most beautiful & peaceful location that I have visited.
During my free time, you will find me enjoying the outdoors with my family primarily camping, hiking or sitting around a campfire. I also enjoy golfing, fishing and hunting.

Jesse Plevel

BOARD MEMBER

Jesse Plevel

Jesse Plevel has lived, played, and worked in the Flathead most of her life. She and her husband are raising their two children in Columbia Falls. Two collegiate summers spent as an outdoor ed specialist at Big Creek solidified a lifelong adoration and admiration for the natural world. She is pleased to serve the Glacier Institute's mission to strengthen connections to the world around us.

Jesse is a REALTOR broker at RE/MAX Mountain View in Columbia Falls and finds great fulfillment in helping clients, friends, and community members on the path to and through homeownership. Jesse is involved in leadership at both the state and local levels of her Realtor associations as a board and committee member.

When she's not working or volunteering Jesse is rafting in the summer, skiing in the winter, knitting in the passenger seat while her husband drives them to kids' activities, and constantly coaxing her family into one more round of Code Names.

Jesse is driven by the idea that a rising tide raises all ships and by giving of her time, energy, and resources it will come back tenfold in a thriving and vibrant community for many years to come.

Alumni

TIP: Click on Alumni image or name to see their bio.

Mady Rigg

Mady, a life-long Flathead Valley local, is in charge of events, social media, and merch at the Glacier Institute. She studied communication at Eastern Washington University and served as a Collegiate Leadership Consultant for her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta after graduation. Mady was Miss Montana Teen USA in 2014 and Miss Montana USA in 2023! She’s an avid public radio listener, obsessed with long drives around the state on backroads, and soaking up the goodness of Flathead Lake all summer long.

Email: mrigg@glacierinstitute.org

Alex Baysinger

Alex is originally from Rockledge, Florida. As a child in a military family, she moved around a bit but spent most of her life near the sunny beaches of Florida. There she worked as an ocean rescue lifeguard for five years and volunteered at a therapeutic horseback riding facility, where she first discovered her passion for teaching. She later pursued both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Special Education at Florida State University. While in college, she also worked as an assistant horse wrangler at a summer camp near Yosemite. After graduating, she became a special education teacher for kindergarten and first grades. Having spent that summer in California, she realized she was drawn to the mountains, which led her to the Glacier Institute. When she’s not working, you can find her flipping over rocks in the North Fork river, nose deep in a book, or hiking with friends.

Carson Zundel

Carson grew up in Farmington, Maine surrounded by rolling hills and cows. He spent much of his time exploring the woods with his dog and building trails. He followed this passion for the outdoors to Vermont to find even more cows. Currently, he is in the process of completing his degree in Outdoor Education, Leadership & Tourism at Vermont State University, Lyndon. Last summer Carson worked as an intern for Glacier Institute and was given the opportunity to come back to help run the backpacking trips. He loves all things outdoors including hiking, backpacking, trail running, mountain biking, canoeing, cross country and backcountry skiing.

Colin Cummings

Collin Cummings

Clare Robinson

Clare Robinson is a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship and youth engagement in the outdoors. Originally from Philadelphia, she recently graduated from Hamilton College with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology. Clare’s work in conservation has taken her across the southwestern United States, where she worked on a range of conservation efforts and to New Zealand, where she spent much of last year working as a conservation ranger.

Clare is especially enthusiastic about creating opportunities for young people to connect with the natural world. This year, she is thrilled to co-lead the youth backpacking programs out of Big Creek, sharing her love of adventure and the outdoors. When she’s not on the trail guiding programs, Clare can be found exploring new trails, reading, or running.

Willa Cottrell

Rachel Dooley

Alyssa Drake

Alyssa grew up at the foothills of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado, where she developed a deep appreciation for nature through camping, hiking, and skiing with her family and school. During her senior year of high school, she was a part of an experiential education program that took her on trips across the country, spending ~40 nights outdoors and engaging in place based learning. This adventure solidified her passion for the outdoors. Wanting to learn more about the environment and how to protect it, she attended the University of Arizona to earn a B.S. in Natural Resources focusing on Conservation Biology. Since graduating, she has worked in the outdoor industry as a whitewater raft guide on the Colorado River and a ski instructor in Aspen. Through recreation and education, Alyssa loves sharing her enthusiasm for the natural world and inspiring others to become environmental stewards!

Zowie Caouette

Zowie is originally from New England, with her family hailing from Quebec. After graduating high school, she embarked on a 7 week long road trip visiting 25 states and 11 national parks. While she only spent 24 hours in Glacier, she fell in love with the park so much that it changed the course of her life. Returning to New England, she was now on the path to empower learners of all ages to become stewards of the natural world. She received a degree in Environmental Studies with a focus in Environmental Education at the University of Vermont. After working as an outdoor educator and Park Ranger for the Forest Service, she moved to Montana in 2021 to work for Glacier National Park as a Park Ranger in the Interpretation Department. She is excited to mentor the Outdoor Education Specialists as the Lead Educator at Field Camp. In her free time, Zowie can be found nature journaling her favorite wildflowers and fungi, backpacking in remote areas of Glacier, and playing ice hockey as a goaltender.

Noelle Alderton

Noelle grew up divided between the mountains and the sea, summering in Montana and wintering in Southern California. Her studies gained her a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability and a minor in Art. For her third season in Glacier National Park, Noelle is proud to represent the Glacier Institute, Glacier Conservancy, and Glacier National Park as a West Lakes District Interpreter. When she’s not delivering programs, you can find Noelle backpacking, paddling, running, and biking around Glacier. Occasionally, she finds time for more tranquil pursuits such as water coloring and reading, but always within sight of a beautiful lake.

Anna Hoover

Anna graduated from Hamilton College in May and is passionate about outdoor education and recreation! She has gotten to live in and explore Maryland, New York, Delaware, Arizona, and North Carolina. When she is not hiking or running, she loves reading and playing piano.

Anna is so excited for this season in Montana!

Cora Deininger

Cora is a lover of rocks, plants, and wildlife who is incredibly excited to help people connect with the outdoors in the beautiful Crown of the Continent. She grew up in Arlington, VA, but spent much of her childhood living in the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic. She dove into studying the natural world at the University of Vermont and pursued a double major in Biological Science and Geology. After she graduated, Cora headed to Alaska to guide educational hikes on the Matanuska Glacier where she discovered a passion for outdoor education. In her free time, you can find her hiking, wading in rivers, rockhounding, reading, or painting.

Jaden Yu

Jaden is from Cañon City, Colorado. Growing up, she enjoyed hiking, rafting and snowboarding with her family. She attended the University of Hawaii studying Global Environmental Science and will be studying Environmental Studies in the fall. She is continuing to pursue her passion for the Rocky Mountains with Glacier Institute. This is her first season following her internship with GI. Jaden loves to go backpacking, swimming, traveling, and art.

Maggie Lavery

Maggie Lavery grew up in West Haven, Connecticut, and her passion for travel and the outdoors led her to Colorado, where she began her horticulture career at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Falling in love with the Rocky Mountains, she continued her journey as a container gardener in St. Mary, on the east side of Glacier National Park. Currently, Maggie is completing the Longwood Gardens Professional Horticulture Program, where she will graduate in May. She is excited to return to a place she deeply loves, bringing the skills and knowledge she’s gained to contribute in new ways. She is especially excited to help others connect to the natural world the same way she has and to share her love of plants and ecology!

Shea Chamlis

Jeremiah Gordon

Carolyn Clark

Ella Yeigh

Ella was born and raised in Portland, Oregon and spent weekends and summers hiking and camping around the Pacific Northwest where she fell in love with the outdoors. After volunteering for an outdoor school program in high school, she became curious about the intersections between humans and the environment. She earned her BA in Economic and Political Science at Washington College and focused in environmental policy. After graduating she has been working as an environmental educator in Vermont and Oregon, and is incredibly excited to start a new chapter in Glacier. In her free time you can find her hiking, crafting, or reading a book by a body of water.

Jordan Windham

Originally from Alabama, Jordan moved west as a Teach For America Corps Member, where she spent two years directing a special education program in Idaho. She found the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for teaching with her love of the outdoors as an Outdoor Education Specialist with the Glacier Institute. Jordan is thrilled to be returning for a third season of sharing Glacier with others, especially the bears, the marmots, and the mushrooms! In her free time, Jordan enjoys snowboarding, crossfit, and being a graduate student at the University of Wyoming.

Mark Fessler

Mark is now a semi-retired science teacher who moved to Montana from the East Coast with his wife in 2021 to live and work near Glacier National Park (GNP). In his spare time, Mark serves as a volunteer ranger in GNP, kayaks many of the local scenic waters and is working towards obtaining his private pilot certification. He enjoys leading day programs at The Glacier Institute during which he can share his love of hiking and wildlife viewing with visitors to the park.

Genevieve Keckemet

Genevieve grew up in Seattle, WA and spent much of her childhood in the Cascade Mountains and on Lopez Island in the Salish Sea. Time spent outside gave her great comfort and a sense of connection that she hopes to foster in others. She studied environmental education and geography at Western Washington University. Shortly after graduating, she moved to Columbia Falls for a winter of skiing and her love of Montana really took hold. Genevieve is glad to be back in the Flathead Valley once again and looks forward to spending a summer exploring Glacier National Park and its surroundings. Her mission is to show others how they're connected to the natural world, inspiring them to appreciate and protect it. When she's not busy with outdoor adventures like skiing, kayaking, and biking, you'll find her getting artsy with painting or unwinding in front of the TV. With her passion for the environment and knack for education, Genevieve is a dedicated advocate for outdoor awareness and conservation.

Bryce Thayer

Bryce was born in San Diego, California, and grew up curious about the natural world. In first grade, he joined the Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Scout and spent the next ten years working his way up to Eagle Scout - developing a love for everything outdoors. Bryce then headed to Flagstaff, Arizona, earning a B.S. in Environmental Science and Communication from Northern Arizona University. After working for the City of Flagstaff right out of college, he decided that the 9-5 life was not for him quite yet and began working seasonally - including summers guiding in Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks. Now, he is SO excited to spend some time in the incredible Crown of the Continent, helping people fall in love with the outdoor world around them. When not working for the Glacier Institute, you can find Bryce mountain biking NW Montana’s incredible trails or posted at one of our cozy local coffee shops.

Baylee Goodwin

Baylee grew up among the towering pines and crystal waters of Lake Tahoe, California, where her love for wildlife and wild places first took root. She earned her degree in Zoology from Oregon State University and has since wandered far and wide, spending the last five and a half years sharing her passion for conservation and environmental education across seven states—from the marshes of Florida to the mountains of Washington.

Equal parts naturalist and adventurer, Baylee feels most at home in the great outdoors—hiking forest trails, gliding across alpine lakes on her paddleboard, or diving into the nearest body of water for a swim. This summer, she’s thrilled to be exploring the wonders of Glacier National Park, with a camera in hand to capture blooming wildflowers by day and star-studded skies by night.

Baylee’s greatest joy is helping others connect to the magic of the natural world. Whether she's leading a guided walk or swapping stories under the stars, she hopes to inspire every park guest to fall just a little more in love with nature.

Carrie Ellsworth

Carrie is originally from Denver, Colorado. Growing up, Carrie discovered her love of the outdoors at summer camp, where she discovered the power of community in the outdoors. After graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis with a degree in Political Philosophy, Carrie moved back to Colorado where she has been happily ski instructing in the winters and guiding backpacking trips in the summers. When she’s not working, you can find her playing Scattergories, cooking, and looking for a nice sunny spot to curl up in. She is looking forward to a magical Montana summer full of badly rubbed in sunscreen, sugary trail snacks, and good pals.

Hannah McNulty

Originally from the plains of Kansas, Hannah grew up surrounded by wide open skies and prairie ecosystems, which sparked a lifelong interest in the natural world. She earned her bachelor degrees in Biology and in Physical Science from Kansas State University and first joined the Glacier Institute team in 2022. Her time in Montana left a lasting impression, and after completing her master’s degree in Renewable Resources with a concentration in Biological Resources in Québec, she knew she had to return.

During her graduate studies, she focused on sugar maple trees—exploring their growth, anatomy, physiology, and seasonal phenology. This work deepened her appreciation for forest ecosystems and the intricate relationship between plants and climate. She’ll be continuing her academic journey this fall as a Ph.D. student in Plant Biology at the University of Vermont.

Now back for another summer with the Institute, she’s thrilled to dive back into the mountains and share her love for ecology, trees, and Glacier National Park!

Julia Lindau

Julia was born and raised in central Pennsylvania. Growing up surrounded by rolling Appalachian mountains, Julia's fondest childhood memories involve hiking with her dad and camping with Girl Scouts. After writing an essay in middle school about the importance of nature, Julia discovered a passion for sharing her love of nature with others, leading her to pursue a career in environmental education. She attended the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont (UVM) earning a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources.

While at UVM, Julia interned as a Nature Camp Educator at the Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT) in Middlebury, Vermont. Upon graduating from UVM, Julia continued her work with MALT as their Programs Coordinator where she managed communications, in addition to educating at their year-round outdoor youth programs. She is excited to continue her work of nurturing all peoples' relationships with the natural world with the Glacier Institute!

In her free time, Julia loves mountain biking, trail running, and hiking, all while listening to dad rock.

Megan Crouse

Jordan Windham

Liz Heneghan

Liz Heneghan, hails from Cleveland, Ohio, and holds a B.S. in Environment and Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. She spent two summers working for the Glacier Conservancy and is thrilled to continue fostering connections to the natural world. Liz is passionate about making the outdoors a safe, inclusive, and fun space for all and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the environmental field. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, swimming, cloud watching, and playing Animal Crossing. Liz hopes to inspire others to appreciate the beauty of nature and to explore the outdoors.

Sydney MacDonald

Sydney was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up with both of her parents working at the Museum of Science in Boston. This sparked a lifelong desire to learn about the world around her wanting to spend all of her time outside. She spent every summer growing up going on camping and backpacking trips with her family and spending the evenings catching frogs with her sisters. In high school she spent her summers as a camp counselor on Lake Onway in New Hampshire and hiking with friends. Sydney then headed to Rexburg, Idaho, earning a B.S. in Recreation Management with an emphasis on Tourism and Hospitality. She then completed an internship with Marriott Vacations Worldwide in Park City, Utah. Now, she is so excited to explore Montana and looks forward to whipping up some delicious food at Big Creek for our campers! When not working, you can find Sydney hitting the local trails on her mountain bike or paddle boarding with friends.

Sydney Gaylor

With a background ranging from Georgia summer camps to Mammoth Cave National Park, the Grand Canyon, and science museums, Sydney is an outdoor education specialist dedicated to connecting people with nature. She has developed expertise in guiding expeditions, creating interactive experiences, and contributing to curriculum for classroom use. Sydney is passionate about promoting environmental stewardship and fostering curiosity in learners of all ages, aiming to empower individuals and communities through outdoor education. She enjoys reading, internet sleuthing, and hammock lounging in her free time.

Izzy Krzys

Izzy was born and raised in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She grew up with an immense passion for wildlife and exploring the outdoors, which led to her pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Film from Allegheny College. After she graduated in 2022, she found herself in South Carolina working as an Environmental Educator. Between jobs, she traveled to the Glacier National Park for the first time, where she discovered nature at its finest. Izzy is so excited to have joined the Glacier Institute team to discover further what Glacier offers and allow people to connect to the outdoors on a deeper level. You can find Izzy golfing, journaling, taking photos, and looking for wildlife in her free time!

Alexis Langley

Alexis grew up living on a farm in a small town in her home state of North Carolina, where she found a passion for the outdoors. Alexis moved to Montana to pursue that passion and share her love for the natural world. She enjoys reading, journaling, and listening to music in her free time.

Yan Seiner

Yan was born in the Czech Republic and soon moved to Austria. At the age of 3, he went on his first solo hike in the woods of Vienna, much to the dismay of his parents. He has lived and hiked in the Czech Republic, Japan, Canada, and the US. He has worked as a whitewater guide, back and front county guide in Alaska, and ran an adventure travel company with his wife. In his spare time, he likes to ski, snowshoe, hike with his long-time canine companion Gunner, and watch bad sci-fi movies.

Camille Ferguson

Camille was born and raised in a small town in Ohio where she ran barefoot, rode dirt bikes, and climbed trees with her two brothers. She went to college in Cleveland, and received a BA in English from Cleveland State University and graduated summa cum laude. Camille is a published writer with poems in online and print literary magazines, and in the book Light Enters the Grove: Exploring Cuyahoga Valley National Park Through Poetry. Camille worked in Glacier National Park last year, at a restaurant in the West Glacier Village, and fell in love with the park. She was thrilled to return to Glacier this year but to get the chance to do something different, and more connected to the park, by working for the Glacier Institute. She spends her off days hiking, kayaking, doing yoga, reading and writing, and exploring Montana.

Keenan Moore

Keenan is an experienced outdoor enthusiast and professional guide, born in Hawaii and raised amid the diverse landscapes of Arizona. Having spent most of his life immersed in the outdoors, Keenan has cultivated a deep appreciation for nature. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and holds a Leave No Trace certification, reflecting his dedication to safety and environmental ethics. He will also tell you he’s a Michelin Star backcountry cook.

Kelly Minear

Kelly grew up running on the trails of beautiful northeast Iowa where she developed a passion for the outdoors. She has a degree in English Literature and Education and taught middle school language arts before moving to Montana. While in Montana she found joy in teaching others about the beauty Montana has to offer. In her free time she can be found admiring wildflowers, birding, running, skiing, or smelling ponderosa pine trees.

Mia Panado

Mia Pando

Mia was born and raised in Tampa Bay, Florida (Go Bolts), where she enjoyed exploring the local swampy parks and white sand beaches with bountiful wildlife. Soon after realizing her passion for the natural world, she earned a B.S. in Natural Resource Management & Sustainability from Auburn University (War Eagle) and moved her life out west to work in the national forests and parks. She studied Sustainability in New Zealand & Fiji and worked in Yellowstone National Park for two seasons before joining the Glacier Institutes team. Mia is passionate about getting people outside and opening their eyes to the wonders of the natural world. In her free time she enjoys paddleboarding, backpacking, birding, and listening to music.

Drew Gallant

Born and raised in the pine tree state of Maine, Drew has always had a deep connection to nature! He graduated with a Degree in Recreation Management from Springfield College, and has worked in various outdoor education settings from coast to coast. As an Outdoor Education Specialist, Drew is thrilled to welcome everyone to our national parks and public lands. His passion for national parks doesn’t stop at Glacier, he’s created a personal mission to visit all 63 designated national parks, so far he’s made it to 31!

Kiki Seiner

Kiki is a life long adventurer; even as a child she would build mountains in her backyard. She has traveled extensively throughout her native Michigan, and knows much of the landscape by heart. More recently she has come to love the mountains, the people, and the history of Montana. She organized and led trips to the Blackfeet Reservation, and learned their stories and legends.
She is a storyteller who worked for the Michigan DNR as an interpretive guide, and since has worked in New Mexico, Alaska, and Minnesota. She also has worked adventurous roles in backcountry wilderness, whitewater rivers, glaciers, and canyons.
Excited to call Montana home for this season, Kiki looks forward to sharing her stories and hearing yours!

Evan Villavicencio

Evan is from rural Colorado, where he spent his childhood exploring and discovering the natural world. Eager to continue learning, Evan went to Texas Christian University and graduated in 2021 with degrees in psychology and biology. Since then, Evan has lived and worked in Washington, Spain, Montana, Utah, and California. He cannot wait to continue to help others connect with and find their place in nature, and to share with others the intricacies and wonders of the world around us. Evan is particularly passionate about the intersection of science and art and loves to find creative new ways to study and communicate scientific ideas. When he is not adventuring outside, you can find Evan playing guitar, working on an art project, reading, or watching cat videos.

Nicolina Piccolo

NicolinaPiccolo

Nicolina was born in Spokane, Washington and spent her childhood hiking the bluffs near her house and exploring the outdoors at summer camp. She just graduated from Loyola University Chicago (go ‘blers!) with a B.S in Environmental Science and a minor in Economics, where she was able to explore topics like air quality and environmental economics through faculty aided research. She joined the GI team because she is passionate about getting others to find lasting connections with nature to take back into their everyday lives. In her free time she loves running, finding new coffee shops to read in, or sitting and chatting with friends by the lake.

Noelle Alderton

Meet Noelle! Originally from San Diego, her love for the outdoors is rooted in a childhood spent in the ocean. While at Pepperdine University, Noelle studied sustainability and art and spent a semester abroad in Argentina. After graduating in the spring of 2024, she is returning for her second season with the Glacier Institute. Her first season in the park sparked her passion for outdoor education, which she hopes to study in graduate school. While on the trail, Noelle loves to teach about plant identification, Glacier’s keystone species, and park history. During her free time, Noelle’s greatest joys are swimming in alpine lakes, ice cream outings, watercoloring native plants, and adventuring with her GI coworkers.

Gracie Jauch

Gracie Jauch grew up in Forest, Virginia, surrounded by the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, where her love for the outdoors and passion for connecting people to the environment took root. She attended the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia before earning her Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Before joining the Glacier Institute, Gracie gained diverse experiences as a collegiate track and field athlete, kayak guide, and education specialist at Lone Pine State Park. These roles reflect her dedication to outdoor education and creating meaningful connections between people and the natural world.
In her free time, Gracie can be found snowboarding, mountain biking, baking, cooking, practicing yoga, or diving into a good book. Always eager for a new adventure, she embodies the spirit of exploration and learning that drives the Glacier Institute’s mission.

Sierra Hietala

Sierra hails from Central Minnesota, and went to school at MSU Mankato and obtained a degree in Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services with an emphasis in Leisure Planning & Management. Before working at the Glacier Institute she had a full-time job as a Recreation Coordinator for a small city in MN, but decided to pursue her passion of Outdoor Education with GI. She has always had a love for national parks and nature, and is hoping to share that excitement with participants.

Alyssa Drake

Katie Brust

Katie is a published artist and ecological researcher with degrees in Medical Biology, Graphic Design and Animation. She is a Nationally registered EMT and Wilderness First Responder and is passionate about helping others learn about and enjoy the outdoors safely. Out of office, she most enjoys spending time on the water, in the air, traveling abroad, illustrating, hunting, and hiking peaks with friends. She is most looking forward to an amazing summer in Glacier and returning to skiing this Winter.

Sarah Will

Sarah is originally from Northfield, Minnesota. She spent her summers growing up reading, playing tennis, and camping with her siblings and her two science teacher parents. This time outside with family helped her fall in love with science and the outdoors. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with degrees in Spanish Studies and Earth and Space Science Education, and she also has two active teaching licensures in 5th-8th grade General Science and 9th-12th grade Geology and Astronomy. Sarah has lived in Minnesota, Idaho, Alaska, Colorado, Washington, and now Montana, where she has taught science to people of all ages. In her free time you can find find Sarah backpacking in remote areas, eating fresh fruit, and enjoying the sunshine.

We are Proud to be the Official Education Partner of Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest

Meet Our Team

Glacier Institute Staff

Anthony Nelson

Anthony Nelson

Dawn Glynn

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dawn-Glynn.jpg" alt="Dawn Glynn" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Dawn Glynn

Caitlin Colter

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/caitlyn-robertson-400.jpg" alt="Caitlin Roberson" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Caitlin Colter

Riley Dennis

Riley Dennis

Braden Dwyer

Braden Dwyer

Elizabeth Maki

Elizabeth Maki

Lauren Hibbard

Lauren Hibbard

Hannah Dwyer

Hannah Dwyer

Daniel Thomas

Daniel Thomas

Noa H.

Kaden P.

Heather U.

Beatrix F.

Faith N.

Grace B.

Colin C.

Colin Cummings

Annaliese Youngs

Annaliese Youngs

Camden D.

Sarah K.

Moe B.

Anna S.

Shea C.

Shea Chamlis

Willa C.

Willa Cottrell

Kaden J.

Miguel M.

Jared B.

Harper Y.

Elizabeth R.

Carolyn C.

Carolyn Clark

Eugene K.

Gray W.

Maria M.

Quincy T.

Jenae M.

Jeremiah G.

Jeremiah Gordon

Braxton B.

Clare H.

Zada C.

Aidan H.

Emily T.

Board of Directors

David Fetveit

David Fetveit

Mike Carpenter

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mike-carpenter-board-member-glacier-institute.jpg" alt="Mike Carpenter" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Mike Carpenter

Annie Gladden

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Annie-Gladden.jpg" alt="Annie Gladden" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Annie Gladden

Casey Wyckoff

Casey Wyckoff

Lance Fahrney

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/lance-fahrney-board-president-glacier-institute.jpg" alt="Lance Fahrney" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Lance Fahrney

Keith Brown

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Keith-Brown.jpg" alt="Keith Brown" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Keith Brown

Nancy Lundgren

Nancy Lundgren

Scott Nicholson

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Scott-Nicholson-Glacier-National-Park-400.jpg" alt="Scott Nicholson" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Scott Nicholson

Jesse Plevel

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Jesse-Plevel.jpg" alt="Jesse Plevel" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Jesse Plevel

Alumni

Mady Rigg

<img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full" src="https://glacierinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/mady-rigg-400.jpg" alt="Mady Rigg" width="400" height="400" data-eio="l" />Mady Rigg

Dawn Glynn

Caitlin Colter

Mike Carpenter

Annie Gladden

Lance Fahrney

Keith Brown

Scott Nicholson

Jesse Plevel

Mady Rigg