Amber Shaffer (she/her)

Missoula, MT

Amber Shaffer, a proud Missoula native and enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of South Dakota, attended the University of Montana, double majoring in History and Native American Studies. During her time at UM, she served as President of the Kyiyo Native American Student Association.

Amber is deeply engaged in her community through being a leader with Common Good Missoula, where she facilitates leadership and Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization trainings. She also serves on the Missoula Food Bank’s Anti-Racism Task Force and is the interim Board President for Catalyst Montana.

Amber and her husband Bobby have been happily married for 18 years and are the proud parents of two boys, Sawyer and Noah. A passionate Northsider, Amber brings energy, commitment, and a love for community to everything she does.

Elizabeth Weaver (she/her)

Missoula, MT

Elizabeth Weaver is currently the Policy Manager at Feeding America, where she engages the Feeding America network in state-level policy & advocacy around SNAP.

Before joining Feeding America in 2021, Elizabeth worked at the Montana Food Bank Network running their SNAP/Public Benefits program. In that role she managed 1) over-the-phone assistance for families and individuals applying for SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF 2) traveling clinics offering in-person assistance in rural or underserved communities, and 3) training organizations on how to offer application assistance to their clients.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Houghton University, along with a Master of Arts in Social Justice in Intercultural Relations from SIT Graduate Institute. She has spent the last eighteen years working in the nonprofit sector both domestically and abroad, including a human rights/advocacy group, a microlending nonprofit, and a legal aid organization. Outside of work, Elizabeth loves traveling, crafting (silversmithing is her favorite), and time in nature. 

Laurie Franklin (she/her)

Missoula, MT

Laurie Franklin is Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Har Shalom, Missoula, MT. She was ordained in the lineage of Rabbi Zaman Schachter-Shalomi by ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal. She was a longtime board member of the Montana Human Rights Network and is honored to continue the work as a board member of Catalyst. In both her private life and public roles, she has been involved in issues of human rights, economic and environmental justice, and interfaith collaboration. She grows vegetables, plays bagpipes and guitar, and writes original liturgical music and poetry. She is both mother and grandmother and appreciates her neighbors and friends.

Mona Schwartz (she/her)

Bozeman, MT

Mona Schwartz works for USDA Rural Development doing statewide community engagement work, especially with Native communities. Prior to joining RD, Mona worked as a facilitator & consultant at Profitable Ideas Exchange, served as a policy advisor to a Portland City Commissioner, managed political campaigns, and did direct service nonprofit work with immigrant and refugee communities. In addition to serving on the Catalyst Montana Board, she is also currently a member of the City of Bozeman’s Economic Vitality Board. Mona grew up in Bozeman and moved home several years ago after some time working in Glacier, Peru, and Portland. She received her Bachelor’s in Political Science/International Relations from University of Montana. She speaks French and Spanish and loves spending time in the mountains.

Niki Zupanic (she/her)

Helena, MT

As the daughter of a public school teacher and a nonprofit bookkeeper, Niki Zupanic grew up in a family deeply committed to public service and supporting their community—a commitment that remains at the center of her work.

Niki started her career working for the California Legislature, developing public policy on issues as varied as campaign finance and school anti-bullying policies. Since moving to Montana in 2008, Niki has worked as senior staff for several statewide nonprofit organizations. As the Public Policy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, Niki helped secure important civil rights victories, including LGBTQ-inclusive laws and policies, criminal justice reform, and voting rights protections. Niki also served as Executive Director of the Montana Justice Foundation, where she oversaw Montana’s IOLTA program and worked to improve access to the civil justice system for ordinary Montanans. Before opening Zupanic Law PLLC, Niki was the Deputy Director & Staff Attorney at Upper Seven Law, a nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable, where she litigated constitutional rights cases. 
Niki spends her free time with her family in Helena, hiking the trails with their adopted Weimaraner, and volunteering for local entities.

Rebecca Johnson (she/her)

Helena, MT

Rebecca lives in Helena, Montana as a retiree where she actively volunteers as the Voter Services Chair for both Montana and Helena League of Women Voters. Her career mainly focused on college administration work. Her passion is protecting voting rights for all Montanans and in her spare time she loves to hike and garden.