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
Housekeeping Manager
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 Coordinator
Years at Camp: Joined in 2025
Emily Jensen is passionate about the intersection of nature and community health. Although she grew up on an island in Northwestern Washington, she has lived in Northwestern Montana since 2011.
She received her Bachelor's in Social Work from the University of Montana in 2016. Jensen is most well recognized in Missoula from spending a decade working at Free Cycles non-profit community bike shop (chances are she has taught someone you know how to patch their bicycle tube). In her free time she enjoys walks with dogs, snowboarding, mountain biking, playing soccer, paddling rivers, and gardening.
Her first introduction to Camp’s work was as a participant in RATPOD 2019. Although she did the ride solo, she felt anything but alone. Emily was amazed by the sense of community the organizers, staff, volunteers, riders, and supporters were able to cultivate over the span of a day. Hearing campers' stories of resilience at the post-ride banquet instilled a love of Camp’s mission in her. She then made it a tradition to ride as well recruit others to join her.
“I’m honored to join the Camp Mak-A-Dream Team! I am excited to join a dedicated team who pours care into each logistic and detail to ensure Camp is a positive experience for those who attend.”