Meet Our Staff

Kailyn is a Montana State University alumna, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance and a Master of Health Administration. Kailyn serves on Montana’s statewide Nursing Action Coalition, is the Immediate Past President of the Montana American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Chapter, and is a National Rural Health Association Rural Health Fellow.  In her free time, Kailyn enjoys spending time with her husband, two young daughters and golden retriever, traveling our beautiful state, and watching college football!

Natalie, as the Assistant Director of the Montana Office of Rural Health, brings nearly 15 years’ experience and working knowledge of rural health issues and has worked closely with rural communities and facilities to make a positive impact on rural health delivery. She provides overall grant management for the Montana Office of Rural Health and oversees implementation of hospital and clinic-based technical assistance programs and population health efforts. Natalie currently serves as President for the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH), was a National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Rural Health Fellow, and received the NOSORH Emerging Leader Award in 2011. Natalie earned her Bachelors of Science in Community Health Education from Montana State University and her Masters of Public Health from Oregon State University.

Rachel grew up in a rural community in Washington State. She moved to Bozeman to attend Montana State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting in 2013 and became a Master in Public Administration nine years later. Rachel’s role is to manage the numerous grants and contracts that flow through the office and serve as a liaison with MORH/AHEC’s partners statewide. Outside of work, Rachel spends as much time as she can in Montana’s beautiful landscape with her husband and 2 dogs.

Mandy originally hails from Havre, MT. She graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelors of Science in Cell Biology & Neuroscience and shortly after earned a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Creighton University. Mandy oversees the statewide AHEC Scholars Program. She is also the lead on the office's outreach and communication efforts. In her free time, you can find her enjoying Montana's outdoors, running half marathons, cheering on our MSU Bobcats, or traveling to new places.

Beth Ann has been working for Montana AHEC since 2010 and with the Program Office since 2015. She has worked on a number of projects related to healthcare workforce training in rural and underserved communities within the state. Beth Ann currently oversees all of the behavioral health-focused projects, which include the Montana Behavioral Health Workforce Network, the Montana Community Health Support Network, the Community Health Worker Program, the Behavioral Health Training Program, and the Montana Family Support Program.  Withroots in Harlem, Montana, she understands the struggles that many small communities face with access to quality healthcare.

Cheryl joined the staff of MT AHEC/Office of Rural Health as an Accounting Analyst in April 2015. She received her B.S. in Education from the University of Nebraska in 1993. Cheryl has many years’ experience in bookkeeping, and originally started working on campus in 2006.  Her responsibilities include reconciling multiple accounts and performing various administrative duties. A native of rural Nebraska; her hobbies include skiing, hiking, biking, golf and music.

Jake Kaminetzky grew up in Shoreline, WA and attended Montana State University, graduating with Full Honors in Political Science, Economics, and Liberal Studies with Minors in Mathematics and Statistics. He works as a data analyst, researcher, and process improvement specialist for the Behavioral Health Programs, Academic & Collegiate Programs, and the Community Health Services Development (CHSD) Project. He also manages Salesforce development initiatives for the office. In his spare time, Jake enjoys cooking, swing dancing, and playing Viola with Bozeman Symphony and the Second String Community Orchestra.

Grace graduated from Carroll College with a Bachelor’s in Public Health and Sociology and holds a Master of Public Health – Health Systems, Management, and Policy from the Colorado School of Public Health. Grace works on several communtity initiatives at the office including the REACH program, Caring For Indigenous Montanans, and evaluation work. She also creates our office's weekly newsletter. For the past decade, she has collaborated with rural individuals and communities to address the issues that are most important to them. In her free time, you can find her hiking, fly fishing, or listening to a podcast.

Sydney is a Bozeman, Montana native and a sixth generation Bobcat. She earned her Bachelor of Science from MSU in Anthropology in 2014, a Master of Public Administration in Health Policy, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Washington. She serves on the National AHEC Organization Board of Directors and is currently working on her Doctorate in Health Administration. At MORH/AHEC, she oversees the SANE Training Program, Oral Health Initiatives including Regional Initiatives in Dental Education, and workforce development in the COVID-19 Health Equity Grant. She also supports the office in publications as well as Internships. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her two dogs and cat, traveling, and spending time at her family cabin in rural Montana.

Natalee grew up in rural northwestern Montana and graduated from Montana State University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health. Natalee is passionate about making healthcare more accessible and affordable to rural communities. She is dedicated to destigmatizing mental healthcare and increasing education opportunities for behavioral health employees in Montana. At the MORH/AHEC, she works as the Program Coordinator for the Montana Family Support Program/Behavioral Health Training Program and coordinates behavioral health trainings like CHW, FBH, ASIST, YMHFA, MOAB and more! When she isn’t at the office, you can find her hiking, skiing, trail running, camping, or traveling somewhere new!

Ande grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado, then moved to Kentucky, where she attended Centre College and graduated with a BA in Anthropology and International Studies. She returned to the Rockies and worked for the Custer-Gallatin National Forest on a wilderness trail crew for three seasons, then worked at the University of Montana as a Research Technician coordinating a study on cheatgrass. She comes to MORH/AHEC with a love for Montana and a passion for helping people; her role here is to oversee technical assistance programs and assessments for small critical care facilities around Montana. In her free time she’ll be on a trail somewhere or trying a new food.

Nicole Holt graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health in 2024.She is pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Master in Education (MEd) in Adult and Higher Education from MSU. In her role,she coordinates opportunities for undergraduate nursing students through the Mobile Health Training Program and the AHEC Scholars Program. In her free time,she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, beading, cross-country skiing,and cheering on the Cats! 

Shea grew up in Polson, MT and graduated from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Microbiology while gaining healthcare experience working and interning in primary healthcare facilities. In her role as project coordinator, Shea assists with nursing initiatives including the ANEW Scholars Program, Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET), and the AHEC Scholars Program. In her free time she enjoys skiing, fly fishing, being outside, and spending time with her friends and family.

Angela serves as the Project Coordinator. This role involves the development and implementation of key planning activities to explore the possibilities for statewide public health AmeriCorps programming. Her work includes collaboration with community partners, strategic planning, and ensuring compliance with AmeriCorps guidelines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Florida and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana. When not in the office you can find Angela outside with her partner and loveable pup enjoying all the natural beauties Montana has to offer. 

Sara grew up in Wolf Point, MT (go Wolves!) on the Fort Peck Reservation, later graduating from the University of Montana with a BA in Psychology, and American University with an MPA in Justice, Law, and Society. She’s worked in public administration on and off for over 20 years. She appreciates working on a team that facilitates advancements in health and wellness throughout the state.

Fiona grew up in Boulder, Colorado before moving to Montana State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She worked in a health psychology research lab and inpatient crisis stabilization facility before moving to Baltimore to obtain a Master of Science in Public Health — Social and Behavioral Interventions from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Fiona works on community initiatives at the office including the REACH program and Senior and Long-Term Care assessment with Tribal Nations. She has spent the past 5+ years collaborating with Indigenous communities to partner on research priorities related to mental and behavioral health. Outside of work, you can find her skiing, biking, hiking, climbing, trying to learn Irish, or reading a good book. 

Reyna is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota and is in her final year of pursuing an undergraduate degree in Community and Global Health at Montana State University. She has had experience working with Proyecto SALUD, a lab on campus focused on reducing health disparities among the Spanish speaking community in the Gallatin Valley. Reyna is bilingual in Spanish and English. She is excited to be able to use this skill here at MORH/ AHEC. Reyna is committed to finding creative ways to solve the gaps in the healthcare system. In her free time she loves to hike, ski and explore with her dog Brindle.

My name is Payton Cantu, and I’m originally from Ballantine, Montana, where I grew up on my family’s fourth-generation ranch. I am currently a member of the MSU Hilleman Scholars program at Montana State University and will graduate in spring 2025 with a degree in Community Health and a minor in Human Development. I am also an active member of Sigma Alpha, a professional business sorority at Montana State University. Outside of school, I teach and coach strength and conditioning classes. In my free time, I love being outdoors, whether it’s hiking, fishing, or horseback riding.