CAMP MĀK-A-DREAM - Key Persons
Alexa grew up in Deer Lodge, Montana. Her goal in this life is to spread love and joy through food. She is passionate about wholesome ingredients and supporting people through local food systems. Alexa attended the Culinary Institute of Montana and have been involved with Camp for as long as she can remember. In her free time she enjoys painting, quilting, and gardening.
Dr. Maffit is a born and raised Montanan. She grew up in Helena and completed her undergraduate work at Carroll College. While attending High School she was able to volunteer at Camp Māk-A-Dream which helped ignite her passion for pediatric oncology. She earned her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and performed her residency in pediatrics at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She completed her fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon prior to moving back to Montana. While in fellowship Dr. Maffit obtained a Masters of Since in Healthcare Management, participated in research focused on the bone marrow microbiome, and served as a children's health care advocate to encourage policy changes for children both locally and nationally. When she's not at the clinic, Dr. Maffit enjoys taking advantage of our great outdoors by hiking, kayaking, biking with her family.
Job Titles:
- Health Center Manager & Nurse Educator
Elissa (EJ) has lived all over the PNW and currently calls Portland OR home base. She graduated summa cum laude from Gonzaga University with her BSN and minors in philosophy and international relations. When she's not at camp, you can find her with her nose in a book, jumping in any available body of water, or asking if she can pet your dog.
Prior to joining Camp, George has worked primarily in education, government, and the non-profit world-through which he has developed deep skills in leadership, strategy, communications, and program design. Throughout, his work has been animated by a single question: how do people change their worlds? And across contexts ranging from wilderness therapy, to university classrooms, to senior executive service in state government, the answer has been remarkably consistent: it's about relationships-deep, meaningful connections-through which people come to better understand, and to trust, just how much power they have to change their own worlds.
Originally from the East Coast, George earned a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Princeton University, where he taught for six years. He lives in Missoula, Montana with his family.
A Montana native, Jake first started as a groundskeeper and maintenance assistant at Camp in 2002. He was promoted to property manager in 2006. Jake quite literally keeps the wheels on the bus and the roof over our heads.
Jen Emendorfer-Wade Camper Manager Years at Camp: Joined in 2016 "My Camp journey started years ago when I volunteered as a concierge at Winter YAC. Camp quickly became one of my happy places and opened my eyes to what I wanted to do when I 'grew up.' I knew someday I wanted to find my place within the cancer community, helping others find their way to resources and the support they needed to make a difficult time a little easier. Thanks to a twist of fate, that place ended up being the same one that started me on this journey. I was offered a position as the Program Administrative Assistant in 2016 and have loved every minute since I emphatically accepted! "I have the pleasure of helping campers with their application paperwork and answering questions to prepare them for their adventure. I get to be among the first to greet out-of-state campers when they arrive at the airport, and one of the last to say goodbye as everyone prepares to fly home. I love chatting with everyone at the end of their week, seeing the friendships that formed or grew in only a few days, and hearing about what made Camp special for them." Jen volunteered in our foundation office in Missoula in 2001 and went to Camp her first time as a concierge for the 2002 Winter Young Adult Conference and returned for subsequent summer and winter programs for two years. A graduate from the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Jen is delighted to work closely with our program staff. Email Jen Emendorfer-Wade ×Close dialog Untitled* First Name* Last Name Email Address Question/Comments* Δ
Jennifer Benton Camp Co-Director Years at Camp: Joined in 1996 "Since first volunteering, then joining the staff in 1995, I've been fortunate enough to hold several different positions and witness countless milestones and special moments here at Camp. Whether it's watching the growth and success of our annual RATPOD cycling event, or welcoming former campers back years after their cancer to serve in a volunteer capacity, or sending someone down the zip line for the first time, magical moments happen day after day in this land of dreams. I feel fortunate to play some small part in helping those who come to Camp make memories, build confidence and form lifelong friendships." Jennifer began as a volunteer with Camp our very first summer in 1995. The next year she joined our team full time and has served in a number of roles over the years. Outside of Camp she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Oncology Camping Association, International, has served on the board for Ovarian Cancer Survivors Foundation based of Montana and volunteers with other area non-profit organizations. A graduate of Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, Jennifer immediately discovered Camp after moving out West and enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, skiing and exploring with her husband and two black labs. Email Jennifer Benton ×Close dialog Untitled* First Name* Last Name Email Address Question/Comments* Δ
Job Titles:
- Pharmacist, Oncology / Community Medical Center
Jenny is a pharmacist at Community Medical Center who is focusing on developing its oral chemotherapy program. She also has an MBA with a past career running a medical device company. Personally, she herself is a cancer survivor. And, most importantly, she is passionate about supporting programs such as Camp given her life experiences and commitment to helping others! Jenny volunteered at Camp during summer 2022 helping our Teen HUC participants check in their medications.
Job Titles:
- Financial Advisor
- Treasurer
Job Titles:
- Brand Development & Community Engagement Manager
Kelly was born and raised in Minnesota and earned her undergraduate degree from Drake University in business management. She then moved to North Carolina and began her career in finance with SBA Lending, while completing her MBA at UNC Charlotte. She moved to Missoula in the spring of 2020 and fell in love with the mountains, the people and the endless adventures. Kelly spends her free time hiking, skiing, and riding horses.
Kelsey grew up in California at the beach but moved up to the mountains in Missoula in 2016 after graduating with her BA in Sociology. She has a background of administrative roles in social work related fields. She enjoys hiking, rafting, reading, and sharing meals with friends.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Communications Manager, ALPS Insurance Agency
Before succumbing to the seven-year itch of ad agency life, Laura Churchman cut her teeth as a copywriter at Callahan Creek Marketing and Advertising in Lawrence, Kansas and Spiker Communications in Missoula, Montana. Starting in 2007, Laura worked as a Technical Writer at the University of Montana, providing technical support to the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program and the Forest Service Northern Region University. In tandem, she pounded the pavement as a freelance marketing and advertising copywriter. In fact, ALPS was one of her freelance clients before they offered her the opportunity to join their in-house marketing team in 2011. Laura is now using her marketing and writing background to promote ALPS lawyers' malpractice insurance as well as the company's risk management service arms for the legal community. Laura graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa with a BA in Journalism in 2000. Laura serves on the Board of Trustees for Community Medical Center. Laura also enjoys camping, hiking, and overnight rafting adventures on Montana's pristine rivers.
Lauren grew up in Idaho and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Social Work. She spent 8 years as the Program Director at a camp in Idaho and has been part of the Camp Māk-A-Dream team for a year. Lauren enjoys any and all sports, music, and exploring the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Business Operations & Donor Relations Coordinator
Lori was born and raised in Montana. After helping out at an Open House for Camp Māk-A-Dream in 2018, she immediately fell in love with the magic of Camp. Lori enjoys fishing, hunting, spending time in the mountains, and watching things grow in her garden.
Job Titles:
- Bookkeeping & Business Operations Coordinator
Maria Davis Thrasher Bookkeeping & Business Operations Coordinator Years at Camp: Joined in 2020 "Montana is my happy place and I am thrilled to be working behind the scenes for other cancer survivors. I truly wish it had existed to support myself and my family at the beginning of my cancer journey. I cannot wait to see it in action for all the people who need its beauty and camaraderie." Maria has an accounting degree from Siena College. She has been providing accounting services in a variety of fields for virtually all of her working life. She lives in the Sapphire Mountains with her husband and all their critters, including three horses. She spends the majority of her free time on horseback or reading a good book. Email Maria Davis Thrasher ×Close dialog Untitled* First Name* Last Name Email Address Question/Comments* Δ