Whitefish Education Foundation hires first executive director

The Whitefish Education Foundation has hired Jesse Kuntz as its first executive director and appointed long-standing volunteer and board member Lisa Calaway as chair of the board.

The nonprofit organization’s mission is to enhance the quality and scope of educational opportunities for all students in the Whitefish School District.

Kuntz will play a pivotal role in guiding the organization, serving as the central hub for the board of directors while providing leadership to existing programs.

Kuntz is a 14-year veteran of the nonprofit sector and holds a master’s in public relations. She is a mother to two young sons who attend Muldown Elementary, and has been married to her husband, Jon, for 10 years.

As executive director, Kuntz will not only aid in developing the newly created position, but also in elevating what is a successful foundation composed solely of volunteer parents and community members.

“Growing up in Montana, I have first-hand experience of the immense impact a strong public school system has on its students and the surrounding community,” Kuntz said. “As a parent and resident, I have witnessed the influence WEF has in bringing additional resources that help provide an inspiring educational experience for all our students.

“I am honored to be joining this team of talented volunteers beside a supportive community that strives for every student in the district to receive a well-rounded, top-tier education,” she added. “As we delve into the upcoming school year, I thank you in advance for your ongoing support of WEF and our work with students, educators, and schools.”

CHAIRPERSON Lisa Calaway was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah. She worked in the aviation industry based out of Los Angeles and London, England, for several years before meeting her husband Geoff. After a 15-year stint in Houston, the couple moved back to Geoff’s roots in Montana where they raised their two sons, Ian and Aiden.

As a community member, Lisa has been involved in several local nonprofits and was asked to join the Whitefish PTA, now the Family Involvement Team (F.I.T.), shortly after arriving. She has served in various roles through her 14-year involvement in F.I.T. and WEF.

As board chair, Calaway will strive to ensure that all team members are working effectively together to meet the organization’s annual goals and overarching mission. Calaway says she is excited to continue WEF’s established work with WSD and find even more ways to support students and staff.

“We want to make sure Whitefish students have access to the tools that will let them reach their full potential,” said Calaway.

Longtime community leaders and board members Gayle MacLaren and Marie Russell-Shaw, will continue to provide guidance on the board.

Some of the organization’s initiatives include the Family Involvement Team (F.I.T.), Teacher Wishlist and Educational Enhancement Grants, writing coaches, math mentors, parent education series, support for students-in-need, field trips, educator training, the WSD Alumni Association and staff appreciation events.

The F.I.T. provides opportunities for families to become involved with their child’s school life, to foster shared engagement with their child’s teacher and build learning partnerships of families, teachers and the school as a whole. The F.I.T. coordinators at each school work with parents, teachers and administrators to recognize needs and organize programs and volunteers to enhance the learning of Whitefish Students.

Additionally, private individuals, families and organizations have donated funds to establish

scholarships that WEF manages and awards yearly to Whitefish High and Independent High School seniors for future education. The WEF administered over $15,000 in financial scholarships to the Whitefish class of 2023, many of which are renewable.

FIRST ON THE docket for the WEF team is their largest yearly fundraiser, Whitefish Community

Foundation’s Great Fish Community Challenge. The Challenge is a five-week fundraising campaign that inspires community-wide giving and builds awareness about the critical work of Flathead Valley nonprofits. The event brings the community together through a high-profile, collectively beneficial campaign and the Whitefish Community Foundation organizes the Challenge free of charge for participating nonprofits.

Efforts of the WEF have been made possible by relationships with loyal donors in the Flathead Valley. Funds raised in the Great Fish Community Challenge will help preserve and cultivate innovative programs and projects to enrich academic, social and emotional learning for all K-12 students in the Whitefish School District through Teacher Wishlist and Education Enhancement Grants.

The 2023 Great Fish Community Challenge runs August 10 to September 15. Learn more about the campaign and how to donate to WEF or any of the 78 participating Flathead Valley nonprofits at www.whitefishcommunityfoundation.org.

The Family Involvement Team invites all students, parents and community members to the annual Back to School Bash. This event is a community-wide celebration to welcome our students and families back to a new year of learning, activities and development. The Bash will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 5-7 p.m. on the Whitefish Middle School front lawn.