Mariel Butan has been the Executive Director of Morningstar Learning Center since 2021 and has been a member of the Big Sky community since 2017. Mariel earned her master’s degree in Education Administration and has over a decade in education and nonprofit management experience. She has supported domestic and international organizations and cares deeply about using her skills and experiences to help people live better lives. Mariel was working in higher education before transitioning to K-12 and ultimately early childhood due to a desire to have more impact on this critical time in human development.

Justice is one of Mariel’s core values, and creating better opportunities for working families and their children is a major driver of her work. In Big Sky, she’s known for her tireless passion for improving access, affordability, and quality of early learning in our community. In her first year and a half at MLC, that has looked like implementing need-based tuition assistance, updating MLC’s enrollment model, and raising over $2.2m to support increased pay, housing, and professional learning for teachers.

Mariel lives in Big Sky with her partner and loves horseback riding, snow, hiking, skiing, snow, traveling, reading, cooking, and snow. Contact Mariel with questions about partnering with Morningstar, fundraising and events, and scholarships.

Laura MacPherson earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management and Outdoor Education and holds an American Montessori Society Early Childhood teaching credential. She is currently obtaining her certificate in School Management and Leadership and has been the director of a local early learning program for the past 7 years. Previously, she was a Lead Early Childhood Teacher at a preschool in Bozeman and was the Head of School at a Montessori Preschool in Big Sky. She has experience working in a multitude of childcare settings, including daycares, outdoor schools, and camps. Laura brings Morningstar experience communicating with organizational stakeholders, developing and maintaining quality programs and standards, and creating sustainable and holistic development plans. As a parent of a three-year-old, she understands the needs of working families in our community and plans to support Morningstar in offering quality early learning in Big Sky. Contact Laura with questions about enrollment, programs, employment, and licensing.

Andrea brings over 20 years of early childhood experience to MLC. She is a graduate of the College for Early Childhood Education in Sacramento, CA. She worked in a variety of early childhood settings, including working as a Toddler and Preschool teacher and is a former Infant teacher here at MLC. She has focused a majority of her career as a professional nanny, post partum Doula, and Infant and Toddler specialist. Andrea is excited to be part of the MLC leadership team and is looking forward to getting to know the MLC community again!

Originally from New Jersey, Kim moved to Big Sky in August 2022 with her husband Jeremy and their three boys. She graduated from The Culinary Institute of America with a Bachelor’s Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts Management and has since worked in many hotel pastry kitchens along the Las Vegas Strip. After having her children, her focus shifted from tiered wedding cakes to tenacious toddlers and she brings her management experience and interpersonal skills to her position as MLC’s Office Manager. In her free time, Kim enjoys baking with her kids and exploring the beautiful Big Sky community they now call home.

Stephanie Kissell grew up in Washington State and moved to Big Sky with her husband in December 2005. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education with an Elementary Education endorsement and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Literacy Specialization. She taught elementary grades at Ophir School for eight years before taking time off to raise her children.  In 2016 she became the Executive Director of Morningstar, however, she desired to serve MLC in a different capacity after the birth of her son.  Becoming a member of the board seemed a logical way to merge her passion for education with service.  She hopes that her background as an educator and as former director of MLC will be an asset to this board and to the children and families of Big Sky.

Maren Dunn Chandler is a family medicine physician and a member of the Big Sky Medical Center medical staff. Dr. Chandler has practiced in Big Sky since 2011. A graduate of Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, she completed her residency at Idaho State University Family Medicine, then practiced in rural communities in Idaho and Oregon. Dr. Chandler first became involved at Morningstar as a parent and then as a Board Member.  She values the service Morningstar provides to Big Sky’s families and enjoys volunteering on the board as a way to help meet the daycare and early childhood education needs of our community.

I am excited to be a part of the Morningstar Board as a business owner, community member and a parent. With a BS in Business from the University of Georgia, and as the owner of two businesses in Big Sky, I am looking forward to bringing my expertise to the organization. As a long time community member, I have always felt grateful to call Big Sky home. My husband and I have two children, both of which have attended Morningstar and one happy dog named Sonny (who has not). I look forward to serving my community and our children as a board member.

Marie Goode has lived in Big Sky full time since the fall of 2002 and together with her husband Mark raised their three children here. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and has nearly 15 years of experience in the business side of education. She previously worked as the district clerk at the Big Sky School District for 9 years then for almost 5 years as the business/office manager of Big Sky Discovery Academy. Marie was also a charter member of a local Early Childhood Enrichment Fund Board which was responsible for raising funds and awarding scholarships for early childhood programs. Her passion for education and children led her to serve on the Morningstar Learning Center Board of Directors. She wholeheartedly believes in and supports Morningstar’s mission and vision for the Big Sky community.

I was born while my parents lived in Big Sky, MT, but was raised outside of Bozeman.  I returned to Big Sky a few years ago to join my law firm with another Big Sky attorney and open Griffith & Cummings, PLLC.  My practice focuses primarily on contracts (business, real estate, construction and Owner Association law.) My husband works for the Big Sky School District as the IT director, where our nine year old attends school.  Before leaving Bozeman, I volunteered for and served on the Board of a number of non-profits, including Eagle Mount and Reach, Inc.  I also represent a number of Montana Non-Profits.  I hope that my experience with other non-profits will serve MLC.

Wes Hoecker owns and operates Two Pines Properties in Big Sky with his wife, Alex. Wes is an outdoor enthusiast with a commitment to facilitating community partnerships.

Ben is a husband to Kim, father to Isaiah, Dominic, Lincoln, coach of many sports, and jack of all trades. He joined Lone Mountain Land Company in 2015 with 12 years’ experience in the construction industry and a Master’s of Architecture from Iowa State University. As Director of Property Management, he oversees all of LMLC’s residential and commercial properties from Big Sky to Four Corners. Since moving to Big Sky, Ben has been actively involved in building community through service on multiple non-profit boards and committees.

Allie Epstein Poalino originally hails from the East Coast, but has called Big Sky home since 2017. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy and Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Movement Science from the University of Vermont. She currently practices as a local Physical Therapist and is the Director of Marketing at Lone Peak Physical Therapy. With her first-hand management experience, Allie understands the unique demands Big Sky places on our local businesses and workforce. Following the recent birth of her son Levi, Allie is highly motivated and committed to working hard as a Board Member at MLC to further establish childcare solutions and early childhood education for local families in our community.