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Diana Garrett, President
Diana Garrett, President of the Board, is a staff attorney in the Missoula office of
Montana Legal Services. Diana focuses the majority of her practice on domestic violence law
and is very involved with committees in both Missoula and Hamilton that work in this area and
in the area of social justice. Diana and her husband are the proud new parents of a baby girl,
and when she is not spending time with her family, Diana likes to play ice hockey, soccer, and
hike with her dogs.
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Jessica Weltman, Vice President
Jessica Weltman is an attorney with the Federal Defenders of Montana where she provides counsel for indigent individuals charged with federal criminal offenses. Jessica received her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis and her undergraduate degree in history and gender studies from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. She worked and volunteered for a number of years as a lobbyist and advocate for organizations focusing on ending violence against women. She has also been involved with literacy projects, civil rights issues and international human rights work in south asia. Jessica is excited to play a small part in fostering the work WORD does.
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Lisa Blank, Secretary
Lisa Blank is a mother of two and a UM associate professor of education. Lisa was instrumental in designing the structure for much of the online curriculum for the graduate course called “Indian Education Leadership Training.” A primary goal of the course is to encourage educators across Montana to establish collaborative relationships while they build and conduct curricula. Lisa has also received UM’s “Inspirational Teacher” award.
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Jamie Stanton, Treasurer
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Charlotte Beatty
Charlotte “Char” Beatty is a Judicial Staff Attorney. She has volunteered at the Partnership Health Center, where she helped organize a mobile mammogram van from Spokane to attend the annual Arlee Powwow. As a volunteer for the Montana Legal Services, Carlotte focused on family law cases involving victims of domestic violence. Among her many awards, Char was recently selected as the recipient of the YWCA Missoula’s Economic Empowerment of Women Award. |
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Kerrie Ghenie
An adjunct assistant professor in UM School of Social Work’s Montana Child Welfare Training Partnership, Kerrie Ghenie brings to WORD a strong background in Child Welfare and experience in medical social work. Her areas of special interest include child abuse and neglect, foster care and adoption and social welfare policy. Kerrie serves on several state and local boards and committees regarding children’s issues. |
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Vicki Howard- Rectenwald
Vicki Howard- Rectenwald’s life is intricately woven with WORD. In 2000, when she struggled to find a living wage job, she enrolled in a surveying course through WORD’s Gearing Up program and landed a job with a building contractor. When she chose to enter college, Family BASICS helped her family make the transition. Then, when she decided to take time to redefine her life goals, she served in the Literacy Support Corps. “I’m honored,” Vicki States, “to have a role in shaping the direction of an agency that played a vital role in my life.” Vicki works for the UM Bookstore while she completes her degree in Fine Arts. |
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Suzin Kratina
Families First Seasons Bereavement Programs' Program Manager, Suzin Kratina came to Missoula in 2001 from Miles City, MT, where she owned a health food store. Raised in New Jersey and New York City, she moved to Montana in 1976 for college. Starting out in pre-med, Suzin received her degree in Film & TV, Photography Option, and went back to school to get her teaching certificate in art. Currently in graduate school, her work has focused on working with nonprofits on mental health coordinated services for youth and families, grass roots organizing with Montana Conservation Voters and Northern Plains Resource Council, with Women's Opportunity and Resource Development developing programs for young women interested in nontraditional jobs and as a Family Outreach Specialist in public schools connecting parents to their children's schools. Suzin and her family (two daughters, one husband, two dogs, a cat and a guinea pig) enjoy hiking, biking, cross country skiing and canoeing in and around Missoula.
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Brook Clark |
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