Staff

Partners
​(just some of them!)
Amy Cilimburg, Executive Director
Amy loves putting her passions to work leading Climate Smart, strengthening connections, initiating new programs, and building a resilient community.  She was part of the team that launched this organization and has been at the helm since its inception.  Amy has worked on climate and energy policy for the past decade, encouraging solutions at the local, state and federal levels. She did much of this through her work at Montana Audubon and by volunteering locally to help develop Missoula's Climate Action Plans. She lives in Missoula with her husband, daughter (who is away at college!), and dog. You might see her out running our trails with said dog, who keeps up just fine. Her daughter, meanwhile, runs way too fast.
​Pronouns: she/her/hers
Abby Huseth, Deputy Director
Abby joined the Climate Smart team in 2016 and is energized by being involved in a wide variety of Climate Smart's programs and community outreach efforts. She came to Missoula for the Environmental Studies masters program at the University of Montana, and loved it so much she never left. Abby attended the UN COP21 conference in Paris in 2015, and from 2015-2018 she helped launch and coordinate the Missoula-based coalition Faith and Climate Action Montana, engaging faith communities in climate advocacy. Originally from the San Francisco area, she loves Missoula's local food culture, access to outdoor adventures, and deep sense of community. She enjoys getting out and exploring with her husband and two young boys, who keep her on her toes and motivated to build a vibrant and livable future for the next generation and beyond. 
​Pronouns: she/her/hers
Shanti Devins, Program Director 
Shanti’s passion lies in communicating science creatively to effect lasting, positive change for healthier communities. She holds a master’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana, where her work focused on covering climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Now, she’s delighted to be part of the Climate Smart team to help move Missoula forward sustainably! When not in the office, Shanti can be found on the dance floor, exploring trails with her husband and their dog, or simply enjoying a fresh cup of coffee.  
Pronouns: She/her/hers


     Board of Directors

Beth Schenk, Providence
Beth Schenk, PhD, RN, FAAN is the Executive Director of Environmental Stewardship for Providence, one of the nation’s largest non-profit health systems. On Earth Day, 2020, Providence announced its goal to become carbon negative by 2030.  Beth is helping lead this effort through strategy and innovation, conservation of resources, by improving efficiency of practices and processes, and through education and research. Beth is assistant research professor at Washington State University College of Nursing. She led the development of CHANT: Climate and Health Tool, measuring health professionals’ awareness and engagement with climate change and health. CHANT has been translated to several languages and used in over 30 nations. She developed the WE ACT Framework (Waste, Energy/water, Agriculture/food, Chemicals, Transportation) to organize the extensive range of environmental stewardship, while motivating action. When time, she likes to be with her beloveds (family, friends, and pets), garden, hike, and play music. Pronouns: she/her/hers
Chris Brick, Community Member
Chris served as science director for the Clark Fork Coalition for 16 years.  She has also taught environmental science and geoscience as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana and has worked as a consultant in those fields.  Her background is hydrology, groundwater, and water chemistry, especially as it applies to the Clark Fork watershed. She is retired, and appreciates having more time to spend exploring the mountains and rivers of Montana.
​Pronouns: she/her/hers
Melissa Matassa-Stone, WGM Group
Melissa Matassa-Stone, is a Principal Engineer and Co-CEO at WGM Group, with more than 18 years of experience in the civil and environmental engineering fields. She heads WGM Group’s Environmental Division, and is a Certified Floodplain Manager and LEED Accredited Professional, specializing in environmental permitting, NEPA/MEPA document preparation, and water resources design. Melissa is a proud Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech, where she earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering, and holds a Master of Project Engineering and Management from Montana Tech. Originally from Florida, Melissa has called Missoula home since 2005. Outside of work, she enjoys all things outdoors - especially running, kayaking, and skiing - and spending time with her husband and two children. ​
​Pronouns: she/her/hers
Karen Knudsen, Clark Fork Coalition 
Karen Knudsen is Executive Director of the Clark Fork Coalition, a Missoula, Montana-based nonprofit working to build a healthier Clark Fork watershed through science-driven advocacy, community outreach, and on-the-ground partnerships in environmental restoration. In addition to her work with Climate Smart Missoula, Karen is also part of the Healthy Headwaters Working Group for Carpe Diem West, an organization that engages diverse stakeholders in developing strategies for addressing climate change impacts on water in the American West. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Colorado College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University.  In her spare time, she’s outdoors as much as possible, enjoying Montana rivers and mountains with her husband and two children.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Peter McDonough, University of Montana
Peter McDonough has been involved with the Climate Smart team since early community climate conversations. He currently serves as the program director of the Climate Change Studies program at UM, where he teaches on climate change, energy systems, and hands-on solution projects, among other topics.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Paul Herendeen, Clearwater Credit Union
Paul Herendeen is the Director of Impact Market Development at Clearwater Credit Union, where he works to advance Clearwater’s social impact mission, including work in renewable energy and corporate carbon accounting. In a previous career, he was a scientist working in soils, hydrology, silviculture, and biogeochemistry, with a focus on terrestrial cycling of greenhouse gasses. He holds a M.S. in Biological and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Virginia. Ending up in Montana was no accident, and outside of work you can usually find him outside.  
​Pronouns: he/him/his
Gwen Lankford, Sapphire Strategies, Inc
Gwen Lankford is the President/Owner of Sapphire Strategies, a strategic communications firm based in Missoula and focused on providing support for effective constituency outreach. At the heart of her work, is the goal of bringing more understanding between disparate groups. Recently, Gwen has focused on initiatives for increased sustainability, while assisting beloved communities with resiliency planning and mitigation in the midst of changes in climate. Gwen is a member of the Gros Ventre Tribe of Fort Belknap, and direct descendent of the Salish Tribe. Born and raised in Missoula, this place never ceases to amaze and empower her. Gwen is grateful to enjoy running, hiking, biking, swimming, and gardening in these Salish aboriginal territories, which her family has called home since time immemorial.
Pronouns: she/her/hers

This is a true collaborative, community effort. 


Climate Smart Missoula is collaborative. We partner with myriad non-profits, community groups, businesses, and individuals in Missoula and even around Montana. In fact, in Missoula's Community Climate Smart Action Plan, we identified over 65 entities that are current or potential partners.  Should your group be listed above? Just let us know.  ​
​

Past Staff and Leadership


Caroline Lauer, former Program Director
Caroline has moved over to Missoula County as Climate Resilience Coordinator.  We are lucky to continue to work with her on myriad project including Climate Ready Missoula, Building(s) for Future, and more.
Mason Dow, former Program Associate
Mason helped launch our local carbon offset Footprint Fund, spearheaded wildfire smoke outreach and developed new partnerships with the Missoula Food Bank, and worked on a variety of other Climate Smart efforts. He is taking some time off to enjoy skiiing and figure out what's next. Thanks for all your work, Mason!
Alli Kane
EnergyCorps AmeriCorps
​2019-2020
Sarah Luth
Health and Climate Program Coordinator
​2018
Anna Weinberg
Energy Corps AmeriCorps
​2018 - 2019
Hailey Jorgensen
Energy Corps AmeriCorps
​2016 - 2017
Max Longo
Energy Corps AmeriCorps
2017 - 2018
Becca Boslough
Energy Corps AmeriCorps
2015 - ​2016
​
​Founding Leadership Team
Bonnie Buckingham, Katie Deuel, Chase Jones, Karen Knudsen, Caroline Lauer, Bryan von Lossberg,  Nicky Phear, Meredith Printz, Eva Rocke, Beth Schenk, Andrew Valainis, Molly  White, and Laurie Yung.
Climate Smart Missoula has a strong non-discrimination policy. We would never discriminate because of actual or perceived race, physical or mental disability, color, creed, religion, gender identity or expression, age, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, or any other protected classification.