Our Staff

Whitney Dudley, an Idaho native and University of Idaho graduate, holds a BS in Psychology and Organizational Science with a Certification in Nonprofit Leadership. A mother of three, Whitney has dedicated over 10 years to schools as a volunteer, PTA board member, and classroom aide. She now works part-time on the Reading Team at Dalton Elementary and serves as the Executive Director for GTS, driven by her passion for education.

Julie Morris is thrilled to be joining the Growing the STEM team. Julie, a Whitworth University graduate with a BS in math, has been tutoring for two decades and volunteering at Hayden Meadows Elementary. After living in Alaska and Texas, Julie settled in Hayden, Idaho, in 2018. She is currently the Strategic Planning Chair and will be stepping into the Board Chair role this summer.

Rebecca Smith taught English literature for many years, most recently at Gonzaga University from 2012-2021. She has extensive experience in nonprofit development and co-founded organizations like CDAIDE, Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, and Patterson Park Public Charter School. She holds a BA from Brown and a PhD from the University of Michigan. Rebecca is the Board Chair for GTS and is passionate about developing youth leaders and reaching underserved students with academic opportunities. 

Adeline Smith, attends Coeur d'Alene High School, plays varsity tennis, works at Woops Bakeshop, is a public forum debater, and competes on the math team. A GTS co-founder, she has enjoyed coaching since 2017. Adeline loves helping students realize their potential in STEM fields and serves as the Vice President of the Board for GTS. 

Mara Thorhaug is an Environmental Health Scientist at Alta Science and Engineering. With a BA from Cornell University and an MPH from the University of Minnesota, she has worked on various environmental health projects. Mara first learned about Growing the STEM through her children’s participation in their programs. A Coeur d’Alene resident for over 20 years, Mara is passionate about educational opportunities for underserved populations and serves as the Board Secretary for GTS. 

Deirdre Lawrence, a Staff Accountant at Ednetics, Inc., was  founding board member for CDAIDE, a nonprofit supporting the hospitality industry. A 2019 graduate of Lewis-Clark State College with a BS in business administration, Deirdre has also volunteered for United Way's Day of Caring. Her commitment to community service and education drives her passion for GTS, as she believes in providing essential STEM opportunities to prepare students for the future. Deirdre serves as Treasurer.  

Nick Ebner is a Principal Engineer at ACE Solutions and a licensed engineer in 8 States, including Idaho, Washington, and Montana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Gonzaga University. Residing in Coeur d’Alene with his wife and two children, who attend Winton Elementary, Nick was inspired to join Growing the STEM through his professional experiences, believing that diversity strengthens the engineering industry. He currently serves as the Governance Chair for GTS. 

Nancy Hart was born and raised in North Idaho, she has been actively involved in the Coeur d'Alene public school system for 15 years, serving as PTO chair, school volunteer, substitute teacher, and community education activist. She graduated from the University of Idaho in 1994 with a degree in advertising. Inspired by her two daughters, one a college junior studying aerospace engineering and the other a freshman studying engineering, Nancy is passionate about her involvement with GTS. 

Derek Knudsen is the Chief Delivery Officer for Revenue.io, with a history of executive roles including CTO at Notarize.com and Alteryx. Born and raised in Coeur d'Alene, Derek has a passion for STEM that led him to earn an electrical engineering degree from the University of Arizona. Over his 30-year career, he has partnered with various STEM nonprofits, most recently at Kidstek. Derek is committed to Growing the STEM's impact on the local community and serves as the Development Chair. 

Heather Mangini is a teacher at Fernan STEM Academy in Coeur d'Alene, teaching fourth grade. With a bachelor's degree in elementary education K-8 and special education K-12, and a master's degree in special education from the University of Idaho, Heather has taught grades 2-5, special education, and advanced learning. A Math is Cool advisor for six years, she deeply believes in Growing the STEM's mission and serves as the Chair of the Human Resources Committee. 

Alyssa McLemore is the Director of Laboratory Operations for Fellow. As a clinical lab scientist, she has built CLIA laboratories for nearly ten years. Alyssa graduated from UC Davis with a BS in biotechnology and a minor in technology management. She completed the clinical laboratory science program at San Jose State University. Inspired by her son’s experiences at Hayden Meadows, she passionately supports GTS, serving as the Marketing Chair and a member of the Youth Development Committee. 

Kristin Thomas, a K-5 STEM instructor at Fernan STEM Academy, holds degrees in English language arts and education. A former Dalton Elementary PTA board member and Girl Scout troop leader, she combines her passion for public education and girl empowerment. Kristin hosted the pilot GTS Health Science Club for the '23-'24 school year, where she gained firsthand experience of GTS’s reach and impact. Kristin continues to host GTS clubs and currently serves as the Youth Development Committee Chair. 

Breland Tommerup, a dedicated Idaho educator, earned her master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. With 10 years of experience as a classroom and gifted and talented cluster teacher, she is now the Region 1 & 2 GT facilitator for Idaho. Inspired by her daughters' experiences with GTS, Breland serves as the Education Chair on the GTS Board of Directors.  

Ashley Williams, a Senior Project Manager at Welch Comer Engineers, holds a BS in civil engineering and an MS in water resources from the University of Idaho. She volunteers with the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association and serves on the advisory board for UI Civil Engineering. Ashley, drawn to GTS to foster early STEM interest, serves as the STEM Industry Chair on the GTS Board. 

Coeur d'Alene High School

Addyson Jacobson is a seniorand has been a dedicated student coach for two years. She has held numerous leadership roles, including secretary for her choir and president of the speech and debate team. Passionate about education, Addyson loves seeing kids enjoy the clubs she coaches. Serving as the Student Board Member for Lake City, she aims to represent the student voice on the board and act as a resource for coaches at her school. 

Coeur d'Alene High School

Maddox Le, a senior, is National Honor Society president and a former student coach at Fernan. Born and raised in Idaho, he enjoys traveling and is passionate about education. Maddox believes in the transformative power of education and his personal experiences with mentors. Understanding that many underserved children lack such opportunities, he has seen how STEM exposure can ignite passion and confidence. Maddox serves as a Student Board Member.

Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy

Caitlin Zent is passionate about education and community service. As a member of the National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society, Caitlin has coached three GTS programs and now serves as the Student Board Member representing her school, eager to further contribute to GTS. 

Coeur d'Alene High School

Ava Dircksen is a senior at Coeur d'Alene High School and has been involved with Growing the STEM for two years. As a Student Advisory Group Representative for CHS, she is thrilled to continue her work as a Growing the STEM Representative. An avid skier, hiker, mountain biker, and traveler, Ava is excited to work alongside inspiring leaders and make a positive impact on the lives of young students. 

Coeur d'Alene High School

Gianna Gonzalez is a junior Coeur d'Alene High School. She serves as one of the vice presidents of Key Club and is a member of the varsity swim team. With a passion for water polo and aspirations of becoming a doctor through her school’s dual credit program, Gianna is excited to contribute to Growing the STEM and give back to her community. 

Lake City High School

Payton is a sophomore at Lake City High School. She has been swimming for three years with the Coeur d’Alene Area Swim Team and Lake City, which is her favorite pastime. Excited to be a part of Growing the STEM, Payton is inspired by its mission and goals and is looking forward to the opportunities the upcoming year will bring. 

Coeur d'Alene Charter School

Kourtni Johnson is a junior at Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy with a passion for gardening and a fascination with the natural world. She hopes to major in ecology and environmental engineering in college, aiming to blend the beauty of nature with education through Growing the STEM. In addition to her interest in science, Kourtni loves to dance and finds music to be a powerful way to soothe the soul. She is excited to support and inspire the STEM community in her area. 

Lake City High School

Tessa Petersen is a dedicated student with a passion for volunteering and community growth. As the School Representative for Growing the STEM, she is committed to helping the program thrive and reach its full potential. Grateful for the opportunities GTS provides, Tessa is excited to contribute to its success and looks forward to growing alongside the program and her peers. 

Lake City High School

Will Sharon is a freshman at Lake City High School, eager to make a positive impact in his community through his involvement with Growing the STEM. 

Coeur d'Alene High School

Shayla Tyler is a junior at Coeur d'Alene High School. She enjoys skiing and swimming and plans to pursue a STEM major in college. Shayla is excited to be part of Growing the STEM, helping young students spark their passion for STEM.