As the Director of Mini Mountaineers Learning Center, Katherine is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can learn and grow. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from The College of Idaho with a focus on education. Katherine is dedicated to supporting families in the community by providing high-quality early childhood care and building meaningful relationships with children, families, and staff. She strives to create a welcoming space where every child feels valued, supported, and excited to learn.

When she’s not in the office, Katherine enjoys spending time outdoors and with her nephew, who is her whole world and a constant inspiration for the work she does every day.

As a mother of five children, Stacy understands the importance of patience, structure, and a nurturing environment. She is dedicated to helping children feel safe and supported while encouraging their curiosity and development. Stacy’s interests in herbalism, landscape, and spending time in nature has influenced her approach in bringing a calm, grounded, and nature inspired perspective to her work.

Julie Good is an Idaho native who grew up in New Meadows, Idaho and became the Mayor of the City of New Meadows in September of 2020 after serving on City Council for 6 years. She has worked with regional and international charitable foundations and non-profit entities for over 30 years and the opportunity to be involved in community-based organizations always brings the greatest joy. She currently serves on the board of the West Central Mountains Economic Development Council, is treasurer of the Meadows Valley Public Library, and serves on numerous other non-profit and organization boards. The creation of the New Meadows Youth Center was a cause that Julie championed after finding the need for childcare was impacting local businesses and families. She has over 35 years business experience in bookkeeping and financial services as well as nonprofit and business consulting.

Shannon Fairchild is a longtime New Meadows resident, small business owner, and dedicated community supporter. Having called the area home for nearly 30 years, she raised her four sons in the heart of this mountain community and has remained deeply connected to its growth and well-being.

Shannon is the owner of Creekside Nursery; a locally rooted business focused on bringing quality plants and natural beauty to the region. Prior to that, she owned and operated The Intersection BBQ, Bar & Grill for a decade, where she built lasting relationships and a strong reputation for hospitality and hard work.

Beyond her business ventures, Shannon has been an active contributor to numerous community initiatives and fundraising efforts over the years, including support for the Fosdick and the local skatepark. Her commitment to community, combined with her entrepreneurial experience, brings a practical and heartfelt perspective to her role as a board member for the nonprofit daycare.

With more than 25 years of experience in education and the nonprofit sector, Julie brings a deep commitment to supporting children, families, and communities. Her work has centered on meeting each child where they are and creating spaces where children can safely explore their interests while developing strong social, emotional, and academic skills. Julie has dedicated her career to supporting the individual needs of every child and family, ensuring they have the tools to sustain their sense of wonder and grow into engaged community members. 

Julie holds a Master of Education and an AMI Montessori Primary Certificate, and has owned and taught in her own preschool and kindergarten. She understands that meaningful learning environments go beyond materials—they rely on skilled, supported educators who can thoughtfully guide each child’s development. She is passionate about ongoing staff training and ensuring Mini Mountaineers continues to align with best practices in early childhood education.

Outside of her work, Julie enjoys spending time in the woods and rivers of Central Idaho with her husband and their young daughter.

As the board secretary for the Meadows Valley Early Learning Foundation, Hilary believes childhood should be full of fresh air, muddy shoes, and meaningful connection. With a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and over 10 years of experience working with children, she’s spent her time supporting kids in all kinds of spaces—from childcare and after-school programs to youth camps and outdoor-based learning.

As a parent, Hilary knows that raising kids isn’t just about schedules and structure—it’s about creating space for curiosity, independence, and a sense of belonging. She brings both her professional experience and real-life parenting perspective into everything she does, always with the goal of helping kids feel seen, supported, and free to be themselves.

Hilary is passionate about building strong roots for the next generation and helping families in her community find programs that feel both supportive and authentic. She’s proud to be part of a foundation that values connection, growth, and a little bit of adventure along the way.