Our Staff
Our staff has grown from two to 12 employees, and we work closely with interns, AmeriCorps Fellows and work-study students from local universities. Learn more about our staff members and contact information here.
Meet the Team!
Mary Poole
Mary is the Executive Director and co-founder of Soft Landing Missoula. Since 2015, she has dedicated herself to creating a welcoming home for refugees and immigrants in Missoula. Inspired by her own experiences as a mother, Mary finds joy in connecting with families from around the world. When she's not leading her team, you can find her outdoors with friends and family.
Mary Poole
Executive Director
Molly Cotrell
As our Deputy Director, Molly leads client services at Soft Landing Missoula. With a background in history and social work, she supervises programs while keeping our budget on track. Inspired by her early volunteer experiences with refugee families, Molly has been a vital part of Soft Landing since its inception. Her favorite moments are watching families reunite and celebrating milestones like new citizenships. When she’s not at work, you can find her traveling with her husband and two kids or cozying up with a good book.
Molly Cottrell
Deputy Director
Greta Bates
Greta is the Community Partnerships and Client Programs Director at Soft Landing Missoula. She's been with the organization since its inception, growing from volunteer to staff member. Greta loves learning about diverse cultures and problem-solving with clients and partners. When she's not at work, you'll find her tending to her flower garden or camping with family.
Greta Bates
director of family support
Maria Netzloff
Maria is our Donor Engagement & Impact Director, ensuring Soft Landing Missoula has a bright future. With a passion ignited by experiences abroad coupled with working with immigrants in Montana’s agricultural system, Maria loves connecting with our amazing supporters. When she's not fundraising, you might catch her on a hiking trail or dancing.
Maria Netzloff
Donor Engagement & impact Director
Beth Baker
Beth is the United We Eat Program Manager at Soft Landing Missoula, where she coordinates vibrant culinary programs celebrating refugee chefs. After living in six countries, Beth found her home in Missoula. Her passion for this work stems from her experiences abroad. When she's not tasting menus, you can find her hiking with her dog or soaking in hot springs.
Beth Baker
United We Eat Program Manager
Lindsey Tucker
Lindsey is the United We Eat Kitchen Manager at Soft Landing Missoula. Blending her background in anthropology and fine arts with her love for food, she coordinates chef-led meals that celebrate cultural diversity. Lindsey's favorite part of the job? Witnessing the bonds formed between chefs and the community. Off-duty, she's creating art events or exploring Missoula's local food scene.
Lindsey Tucker
United We Eat Kitchen Manager
Natalia Boise
Natalia brings years of international and youth experience to her role as Soft Landing's Youth Program Manager with a background in Anthropology, teaching English in Austria, and being SLM's first intern 2017. Her favorite part of the job is getting to see students grow, from gossiping with them in middle school to helping them apply for college. Natalia's favorite SLM memory? Hopping in the Pine Creek Falls waterfall with the kids in her hometown of Paradise Valley. Off-duty, you can find her outdoors, dancing, or making art.
Natalia Boise
Youth Program MANAGER
Meli Slater
Meli is the Outreach and Communications Manager at Soft Landing Missoula. She brings her international experience and creative flair to sharing our mission with the community. From crafting newsletters to organizing events like Stories of Home, Meli loves highlighting client stories. In her free time, she's either sewing, skiing, or exploring Montana's beautiful trails.
Meli Slater
Outreach and Communications manager
Rachel Baer
Rachel has been the Community Center Coordinator at Soft Landing Missoula since 2022. Â She thrives on connecting with clients and ensuring they feel welcome through supportive services. She is the go-to problem solver for clients at Soft Landing and is the friendly face greeting visitors. An outdoor enthusiast, Rachel enjoys hiking, skiing, and cooking in her free time.
Rachel Baer
community center coordinator
Lee Winter
Lee is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Soft Landing Missoula. Equipped with a Masters in Social Work, Lee wears many hats, supporting clients in the Community Center, orienting new volunteers, coordinating client events and facilitating relationships through the Match Program. Lee's favorite part of the job? Witnessing relationship evolutions: strangers becoming neighbors becoming friends becoming family with the help of Soft Landing's long welcome.
Lee Winter
Community Engagement coordinator
Allie Ouendag
Allie blends her journalism background with her passion for community-building and advocacy. Originally from West Michigan, she now calls Montana home, where she assists with fundraising events, managing donor databases and social media fundraising campaigns. Allie approaches her work with humility, humor, and an unwavering curiosity. Her favorite memories at SLM have been watching the youth program get to do the things she loves the most like playing cowgirl at the ranch and spending time by the water.Â
Allie Ouendag
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Vivian Redding
Vivian is the Kitchen Assistant at United We Eat, bringing seven years of culinary expertise to Soft Landing Missoula. Passionate about food as a connector, she loves seeing chefs light up when people enjoy their dishes. When she's not in the kitchen, you might catch her hiking or practicing yoga.
Vivian Redding
UNITED WE EAT KITCHEN ASSISTANT
Interns, Practicum Students & Americorps
Avery Erickson
With a background in French and English literature, Avery mentors students and assists with youth activities. Inspired by global issues, Avery is passionate about promoting social equity. When she's not working with students, you'll find her hiking or making music with friends.
Avery Erickson
AMERICORPS COLLEGE COACH
Gisele Byabandi
Gisele Byabandi is a student at the University of Montana pursuing her Bachelor's in Social Work while completing her practicum at Soft Landing Missoula. She brings her passion for helping refugees and immigrants to life through lived experience. When she's not attending meetings she is helping clients apply for jobs and other paperwork that may be difficult to understand. Gisele balances her studies at the University of Montana with gym sessions, cooking, and quality time with loved ones.
Gisele Byabandi
BSW Practicum Student
Interns & Americorps Members
Welcome. Celebrate. Share.
