Our Board of Directors

Your Voice Matters

Meet our Board of Directors, a group of visionary leaders guiding the Bitterroot Early Learning Network. Their diverse expertise and deep commitment shape our path toward excellence in early childhood education and community development. 

Join our board and help shape the future of early childhood education! Make a lasting impact in our community while collaborating with passionate leaders. Your voice matters—let’s build a brighter future together!

Erin Hurst

President

Erin Hurst has worked in healthcare for seventeen years in many roles. She currently works as a Nurse Practitioner at Bitterroot Health. Erin is excited to bring her experiences to help the non-profit grow. She is very passionate about creating healthy and sustainable habits in early childhood, especially limiting screen time and outdoor play. In her own family, she is working on promoting living life in nature with a goal of hiking all of the national parks before her daughter graduates high school.

Gabbie Coffee

Vice President

Gabrielle Coffee, with a degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences, brings extensive experience in early education to our team. Her journey includes running a home-based childcare, specializing in child-led learning, and developing a successful parent-child bonding program centered around nature and hands-on activities. Currently working in youth substance use prevention and mental health support, Gabby offers a unique perspective to early childhood education. She is committed to helping us build a stronger, more inclusive community that nurtures growth, resilience, and collective success for all members.

Andrea Evans

Treasurer

Andrea, a mother of two and the treasurer of BELN, brings her administrative and accounting skills from her work at her husband’s company, 406 Lumber Sales. Growing up in the wilds of Western Washington, she has always cherished the outdoors, a value she continues to embrace since moving to the Valley in 2013. Her personal experiences underline the importance of outdoor learning for children. Andrea is passionate about gardening, growing flowers, and is excited about her family’s new venture into mountain biking, reflecting her deep connection with nature and active lifestyle.

Daniel Ray

Secretary

Daniel and his wife Katherine are both from Western Montana and after a stint of living in Vancouver, British Columbia, moved back to the Bitterroot Valley. While Daniel works as the Community Librarian at the Bitterroot Public Library, he and his wife also run a company called SpiritWood Natural Building where they teach and consult on various natural building projects such as Rocket Mass Heaters and earthen floors. They live in Victor in a self built cob and strawbale house where they frequently play in the mud and expand their permaculture gardens.

Codie Cartwright

EKC Class Representative

Codie and her husband Marshall live in Stevensville with their 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. While she is not from Montana herself, she does have deep roots to the state, and is happy to call this great state home. She is passionate about making sure all students and parents feel welcome, and curating a welcoming environment for parents, students and teachers alike. Codie believes no two children are alike, and the differences in each should be celebrated and welcomed. In her spare time, Codie gardens, cans, quilts and keeps an eye over her chickens and geese.

Dulcie Belanger

Alumni Representative

Dulcie’s journey with our preschool began in 2002 when her oldest son enrolled, leading to her role as the lead teacher at EKC Preschool until 2021. Her passion for nature aligns seamlessly with Evergreen’s mission, especially given its location near Hamilton’s river park. What she values most about the organization is its deep commitment to the community. Over the years, Dulcie has witnessed the formation and growth of strong relationships among families, creating a nurturing and safe environment that benefits everyone. She’s seen the lasting impact of our foundation on children’s education, fostering educational integrity and a lifelong love for learning, even after families have moved on from our programs.

Scroll to Top
Skip to content