Good news: PCEC is growing!
I am writing today to share some good news.
In March, PCEC welcomed two new part-time staff members and a new board member to our team:
Luis Islas joined PCEC’s board.
Karrie Kahle joined PCEC as our Business & Community Partnerships Director.
Sarah Stands joined PCEC as Community Resiliency Director.
This growth shows the investment the community continues to make in PCEC, and the success we’ve had in recent years in amplifying our community’s voices in support of the land, water, wildlife and people of Park County.
In 2015, I started as PCEC’s executive director working just 10 hours a week, just one of my three jobs. A year ago, we had four staff members. Today, we have a nimble staff of seven.
We have been able to grow in a way that benefits our entire community by identifying community leaders who are doing the work and giving them more tools to be successful.
The best way to put it is: We are investing in people who are invested in this community.
This is especially true of Karrie and Sarah, community leaders and committed volunteers. There is a tremendous need for community-wide planning and organization, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand their work.
Please consider a gift to PCEC supporting this amazing, talented staff who show up every day for our community.
Meet the new team below!
In Community,
Michelle
"Luis consistently shows up with kindness and authenticity, and I've really enjoyed getting to know him in both a personal and professional capacity. We are lucky to have Luis here in Park County." - Barb Oldershaw, Program Director, PCCF
Luis Islas is an avid humanitarian who was drawn to Montana for its ecological significance, outdoor recreation, and breathtaking beauty. He has long been an advocate for conservation and fostering healthier connections with the land. Since coming to Park County, Luis has quickly become a committed volunteer, including serving on the Park County Community Foundation Housing Working Group and showing up to PCEC events. In addition to his advocacy on behalf of social justice and environmental issues, Luis is also expanding our opportunities for cultural awareness here in Park County: launching a weekly informal Spanish-language coffee group and participating in our annual Dias de Los Muertos community altar.
During his time with the Peace Corps in Africa, he met with community groups, leaders, and other NGOs to discuss alternate methods for slash and burn tactics in Madagascar, such as agroforestry. His humanitarian/aid work continued when he returned stateside with the Idaho Foodbank, focusing on food insecurity within underserved areas, and life-saving work with the American Red Cross of Idaho and Montana.
Luis brings extensive experience with grassroots organizing and fundraising. He has a Master’s in Business Leadership and is currently pursuing the continuation of his studies focused on Public Health and Public Policy.
Karrie will be a great addition to PCEC staff. She is always willing to listen and consider all sides of an issue. We need folks like that in this climate of division. - Bryan Wells
Karrie Kahle was one of the first community members to roll up her sleeves and start recruiting businesses to fight proposed gold mines. We got to know her through her exceptional work as the Community Director for the Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition.
She is a member of the Park County Housing Working Group, and sits on the Upper Yellowstone River Recreation and Tourism Committee for the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group. Karrie serves as a project manager for PCEC’s community planning efforts; manages and mentors PCEC’s high school interns; leads the organizing efforts for the Yellowstone Gateway 30K race; and is working to create a coalition of business leaders promoting sustainable recreation and tourism.
In 2020, Karrie and our high school interns managed the recycling and waste station at the Farmer’s Market. They also worked with our community volunteers who sew upcycled reusable cloth grocery bags (Boomerang Bags), to transition to sewing and providing free cloth masks to thousands of Livingston residents and dozens of community organizations.
You can contact Karrie with any questions or congratulations at karrie@pcecmt.org.
"Sarah grew up in Livingston and cares deeply about this community. She is a leader, organizer, collaborator and problem-solver. She inspires others with her passion, knowledge and thoughtfulness, as well as from her own experiences and networks spanning the globe." - Jeanne-Marie Souvigney
Sarah Stands is a community advocate extraordinaire. She sits on the Livingston Parks and Trails Committee, helps lead the Livingston Bike Club, serves as the co-chair of Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council (a Northern Plains Affiliate), and, at the state level, is an executive board member of the Montana Renewable Energy Association.
Sarah leads PCEC’s Active Transportation Coalition, a community group advocating for safe, equitable and convenient transportation. The ATC works to empower Park County residents by giving them tools to advocate for people-focused infrastructure. This work includes hosting bicycle audits, community conversations with national experts and participating in local planning processes. Sarah also organizes PCEC’s weekly equity and inclusion series, where staff learn about institutional racism, and how to participate in allyship and antiracism.
As a result of her work, Livingston’s Growth Policy has exceptionally strong language around bikeability and walkability, and the city is moving forward with a Trails and Active Transportation Plan. If you are passionate about this work, sign up to be part of the ATC or consider donating.
You could almost say that Sarah was born to do this work. Her father, Tom Stands, was the vice-president of the PCEC board in the 1990s. While leafing through some old newsletters in the office Sarah came across a photo of her younger-self from in the 1997 issue illustrating an article entitled “Planning for the Future.” Little did we know that plan would be multigenerational! With Sarah’s passion for PCEC’s vision around community planning, supporting this work only makes sense.
You can contact Sarah with any questions or congratulations at sarah@pcecmt.org.