Staff
Dr. Stuart (Stu) Kaplan
Interim Executive Director
Years at Camp: Rejoined in 2025
Stu has been a familiar face at Camp Mak-A-Dream throughout its 30-year history. He first volunteered in 1996 and has since served in many roles—including Camp Director, Medical Director, Board Member, and Executive Director from 2005 through 2012.
Dr. Kaplan completed a clinical fellowship in pediatric oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and became a leader in the national young adult oncology movement as Co-Chair of the Young Adult Alliance at LIVESTRONG.
After his tenure at Camp Mak-A-Dream, Stu earned an MBA from the University of Amsterdam, focusing on Organizational Core Values and their relationship to culture. He went on to build a second career in the medical treatment of eating disorders and now serves as the Medical Director of Eating Disorder Services at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare—a national network of inpatient, residential, and outpatient specialty mental health programs.
Outside of work, Stu spends time travelling, rooting for the New York Mets, and working out at Orangetheory. You may also see him on stage at the Missoula Children’s Theatre, where he serves on the Board of Directors.
Stu is thrilled to help guide Camp Mak-A-Dream into its fourth decade of providing life-changing experiences for individuals living with, through, and beyond cancer.
Jennifer Benton
Camp Director
Years at Camp: Joined in 1996
“Since first volunteering, then joining the staff in 1995, I’ve been fortunate enough to hold several different positions and witness countless milestones and special moments here at Camp. Whether it’s watching the growth and success of our annual RATPOD cycling event, or welcoming former campers back years after their cancer to serve in a volunteer capacity, or sending someone down the zip line for the first time, magical moments happen day after day in this land of dreams. I feel fortunate to play some small part in helping those who come to Camp make memories, build confidence and form lifelong friendships.”
Jennifer began as a volunteer with Camp our very first summer in 1995. The next year she joined our team full time and has served in a number of roles over the years. Outside of Camp she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Oncology Camping Association, International, has served on the board for Ovarian Cancer Survivors Foundation based of Montana and volunteers with other area non-profit organizations. A graduate of Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, Jennifer immediately discovered Camp after moving out West and enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, skiing and exploring with her husband and two black labs.
Lauren Bender
Camp Director
Years at Camp: Joined in 2022
Lauren grew up in Idaho and graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in Social Work. She spent 8 years as the Program Director at a camp in Idaho and has been part of the Camp Māk-A-Dream team for a year. Lauren enjoys any and all sports, music, and exploring the outdoors.
“Camp is all about the people! It is such a privilege to meet so many incredible people at camp and hear their stories!”
Jake Wood
Facilities Director
Years at Camp: Joined in 2002
“My favorite thing about working at Camp is meeting all the great people and the view never gets old!”
A Montana native, Jake first started as a groundskeeper and maintenance assistant at Camp in 2002. He was promoted to property manager in 2006. Jake quite literally keeps the wheels on the bus and the roof over our heads.
Kelsey Werner
Assistant Camp Director
Years at Camp: Joined in 2023
"Working at a summer camp has been an integral part of my story and I am thrilled to be back in this space. I am looking forward to working with our staff and volunteers to create impactful experiences for our campers."
Kelsey grew up in California at the beach but moved up to the mountains in Missoula in 2016 after graduating with her BA in Sociology. She has a background of administrative roles in social work related fields. She enjoys hiking, rafting, reading, and sharing meals with friends.
Jen Emendorfer-Wade
Camper Manager
Years at Camp: Joined in 2016
"My Camp journey started years ago when I volunteered as a concierge at Winter YAC. Camp quickly became one of my happy places and opened my eyes to what I wanted to do when I 'grew up.' I knew someday I wanted to find my place within the cancer community, helping others find their way to resources and the support they needed to make a difficult time a little easier. Thanks to a twist of fate, that place ended up being the same one that started me on this journey. I was offered a position as the Program Administrative Assistant in 2016 and have loved every minute since I emphatically accepted!
"I have the pleasure of helping campers with their application paperwork and answering questions to prepare them for their adventure. I get to be among the first to greet out-of-state campers when they arrive at the airport, and one of the last to say goodbye as everyone prepares to fly home. I love chatting with everyone at the end of their week, seeing the friendships that formed or grew in only a few days, and hearing about what made Camp special for them."
Jen volunteered in our foundation office in Missoula in 2001 and went to Camp her first time as a concierge for the 2002 Winter Young Adult Conference and returned for subsequent summer and winter programs for two years. A graduate from the University of Montana with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Jen is delighted to work closely with our program staff.
Marissa Pax
Communications and Development Associate
Years at Camp: Joined in 2023
Marissa grew up in Wisconsin before moving to Minnesota to earn a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from the College of Saint Benedict. After working on Camp Māk-A-Dream’s summer staff for two years, she moved to Missoula to pursue her master’s at UM. When she’s not at Camp or teaching at the University, she can usually be found wandering local bookstores, tending to her plants, or hunting for her next great thrifting find.
“Working at Camp has impacted almost every aspect of my life. Whether through the connections I’ve made with others or the experiences I’ve had along the way, Camp has shown me how one community can come together and support one another in powerful, life-changing ways.”
Lori Wood
Lead Housekeeper and Facilities Assistant
Years at Camp: Joined in 2018
Lori was born and raised in Montana. After helping out at an Open House for Camp Māk-A-Dream in 2018, she immediately fell in love with the magic of Camp. Lori enjoys fishing, hunting, spending time in the mountains, and watching things grow in her garden.
"I love my job so much - I feel like I should have been here sooner!"
Emily Jensen
Development Director
Years at Camp: Joined in 2025
Emily stepped into the Development Director role in January 2026 after joining Camp as part-time support in March of 2025. A longtime Missoula resident, Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Montana and brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, grounded in a passion for the intersection of nature and community health. She is excited to support Camp’s mission and complex operations while learning from—and stewarding—the long legacy of donors and community relationships that have sustained Camp for decades. Emily is especially drawn to fundraising approaches that center trust, shared values, and community impact. First introduced to Camp as a RATPOD participant in 2019, she was inspired by the sense of belonging that defines Camp. Outside of work, Emily enjoys biking, paddling rivers, and snowboarding!
Brian Eltzer
Camp Chef
Years at Camp: Joined in 2025
One of my earliest memories is watching The French Chef with Julia Child as a child while experimenting with whatever ingredients I could reach. By 13, I was running family BBQs, and by 16 I had my first smoker and began cooking for the public. I’ve worked every kitchen position, from dishwasher to executive chef, and in 2010 I opened a small catering company with my wife, specializing in BBQ for schools, businesses, and events. In 2016, I moved from California to Illinois to care for a family member with Stage 4 breast cancer, completing degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management along the way. Since then, I’ve cooked in University dining across the country and drawn inspiration from my travels across the U.S., Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. In June 2025, I joined Camp Māk-A-Dream and immediately fell in love with its mission. Caring for survivors, caregivers, and families, and bringing them joy through food, is what I live for. If I can provide even one person a moment of happiness, acceptance, or wonder, I know I’ve done my job.
Christina Bovinette
Health Center Manager
Years at Camp: Joined in 2026
A native of the Midwest, Christina fell in love with the mountains as a teenager. More than 15 years later, she is still chasing sunsets in Montana. Before joining the team in Feb. 2026, she volunteered for 3 seasons, giving her firsthand experience with helping campers tell their stories in this pocket of paradise. Camp is also a sentimental choice based on her brother’s many summers there. Christina is fired up about health advocacy and medicine with heart. When she’s not in the Health Center, she is pursuing a Master’s of Public Health and knocking out courses in Health Sciences at the University of Montana. Christina’s favorite challenge is the next one, and she would love it if you challenged her to a thumb war.
Leta Brown
Director of Business Operations
Years at Camp: Joined in 2024
A Montana native, Leta joined Camp Māk-A-Dream in late 2024 and brings a strong operational lens and long-standing connection to Camp to her work. With experience ranging from managing Dining Services at the University of Montana to nearly two decades as business manager at Partners Creative, a former Missoula-based marketing business and longtime supporter of Camp, Leta has been familiar with Camp’s mission long before officially joining the team. She now oversees Camp’s financial and facilities operations with a focus on building a sustainable, resilient organization. Outside of work, Leta enjoys gardening, DIY projects, and time with her daughter and grandson—and brings a trusted “fix-it” mindset to keeping Camp a safe, thriving place.
Loreen Skinner
Business Operations & Donor Relations Manager
Years at Camp: Joined in 2025
Loreen joined Camp in early 2025 and plays a vital role in the organization’s daily rhythm, supporting everything from gift processing and donor records to payroll, phone calls, and internal coordination. She previously worked alongside Leta for nearly three decades at Partners Creative, giving her strong familiarity with Camp’s work well before stepping into her current role. A Missoula native, Loreen is a former Montana Grizzlies track and cross-country runner and Big Sky Conference individual champion in long-distance events. Her deep roots in the community give her a strong understanding of local happenings and needs. A mom of three, she enjoys spending time with her family and helps ensure Camp’s behind-the-scenes systems support both the people and mission at the heart of the work.