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, teenage daughter, 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, Outreach Director
Abby has been part of the Climate Smart team since May 2016 and works on a variety of programs and community outreach efforts. She completed a master's in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana in 2016. While a student, she attended the UN COP21 climate conference in Paris. From 2015-2018, Abby also coordinated a Missoula-based group, Faith and Climate Action Montana, helping engage faith communities on climate and environmental issues. Originally from the San Francisco Bay 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 boys. 
​Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kelli Littleton, Program Director
With a Masters in Architecture from Montana State University and a background in environmental design, Kelli is committed to developing locally integrated human-centric sustainable strategies that go beyond the checked box. While at MSU, she conducted research on building green community resiliency infrastructure in low-income neighborhoods; work guided by the idea that environmental health is inextricable from human health.  She is passionate about furthering Missoula's design equity and environmental justice goals.  An east-coast native, Kelli has lived and worked in Montana for the past 7 years and is actively involved in the Missoula community. On any given day, you can find her out trail running, skiing, and enjoying the Bitterroot River! 
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Mason Dow, Program Associate
Mason recently graduated from UM with degrees in Business Management and International Business, a minor in Climate Change Studies, and a certificate in Sustainable Business Practices. While a student, he worked with the Montana Renewable Energy Association and Accelerate Montana's Rural Innovation Initiative on issues around politics, economic development, energy, and climate in Montana. Mason works with Climate Smart part-time on a variety of projects, including helping launch our local carbon offset Footprint Fund. Mason works on climate action to help preserve our fantastic winters for backcountry skiing. ​
Pronouns: he/him/his


     Board of Directors

Beth Schenk, St. Patrick Hospital
Beth Schenk, PhD, MHI, RN-BC is the Executive Director of Environmental Stewardship for Providence St. Joseph Health. For decades she has worked as a a nurse scientist and sustainability coordinator for Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana. In the Providence St. Joseph Health System (50 hospitals), Beth co-chairs the Nursing Research Council, supports clinical excellence programs and leads environmental stewardship efforts.  In addition, she is assistant research professor at the Washington State University College of Nursing, where her research interest is in the environmental impacts of nursing practice. ​​​When time, she likes to spend time with her beloveds (family, friends, and pets), garden, and play hockey and 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 coordinator for 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, Past Program Director. 
Spring 2021. After 1.5 + years back at Climate Smart, Caroline has jumped 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. She is missed!
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.