Team

JOSH VANEK (he/him)
Executive Director

Josh works to expand MCNCE’s impact across Montana and the region and ensure affiliate value in MCNCE’s programs and initiatives. He works closely with MCNCE’s Executive Board, CEO Council and Advisory Committee, staff, and partners to support MCNCE’s mission. Josh received his B.A. in political science from The University of Montana before serving in the Peace Corps in Latvia from 1997-1999. After completing Peace Corps service, he returned to Montana and served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader before joining the MCNCE staff. He graduated from the University of Washington’s Evan’s School of Public Affairs Nonprofit and National Service Management program. Contact info: email.

PETE BUCHANAN (he/him)
Associate Director

Pete oversees financial and AmeriCorps grant management, operations, auditing, and compliance. He leads the awards and scholarship programs in partnership with Serve Montana. Moreover, he advocates for communities of practice networks by supporting the MCNCE Advisory Committee and the Campus Food Insecurity group. Pete brings his experience working across U.S. and U.K. higher education systems, specializing in academic attainment and student affairs research. Most recently, Pete received an M.Sc. in Psychology from the University of St Andrews. He enjoys running, reading, music, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Contact info: email.

ADRIENNE VANHEUMEN (she/her)
AmeriCorps Program Manager

Adrienne works to provide professional support for the AmeriCorps program specialist and director by assisting in criminal history checks, time log management, and maintenance of electronic files. She is originally from southern California, where she received her Bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Religious Studies from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master’s in Cultural Anthropology from California State University, Fullerton. She walks her three huskies or reads a book in her free time. Contact info: email.

MAGGIE HANSSEN (she/her)
VISTA Program Manager

Maggie joined MCNCE as a VISTA Program Manager after graduating from Clemson University with a B.A. in economics. She is responsible for supporting the VISTA program by providing outreach to affiliate campuses, assisting with recruitment, and engaging with program members. Originally from Bozeman, MT, Maggie has a strong love of the outdoors and is passionate about MCNCE’s involvement with Montana communities all over the state. She enjoys hiking, reading, and crocheting (badly). Contact info: email.

KATE PRIMMER (she/her)
AmeriCorps Program Specialist

Kate was an AmeriCorps member with the Student Conservation Association in New Hampshire and spent three years as staff with the Florida Conservation Corps, leading and coordinating traveling trail crews and co-leading their AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team before joining MCNCE as an AmeriCorps Program Specialist. She is responsible for supporting the AmeriCorps College Coaches program by providing outreach to affiliate campuses, assisting with recruitment, and engaging with program members. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to find new hiking spots, good coffee shops, and used bookstores. Contact info: email.

HANNAH EVANS (she/her)
Finance and Operations Associate

Hannah joined MCNCE as the Administrative Associate. Born in Missoula, she grew up in Berkeley, California and moved back to attend the University of Montana where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. While a student, she spent two semesters working with a nonprofit in Thailand helping with elephant education and tourism. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog, baking sourdough bread, knitting, being outdoors and when she can squeeze it in, international travel. Contac info: email.

ISABELLA TARASOVA
Recruitment Assistant

Isabella is from Louisiana. She is at the University of Montana on a Business Track with a minor in Climate Change Studies. In her free time, Isabella enjoys exploring mountains and swamps with friends, writing, and learning new skills.