Board of Directors

Jo Ann Eder, First Past President of the Board of Directors

Term 2022

“RLACF is involved with so many projects that make our community such a vital, resilient place. We want to invest in people who are building interconnections for the long term.”

When asked to list special projects during her lifetime, JoAnn, a retired astronomer, answers modestly “mapping the universe.” After earning her Ph.D. in astronomy from Yale University, JoAnn was a career research scientist at the world-renowned Arecibo Radio Observatory in Puerto Rico. She also has a master’s degree in cross-cultural education from the University of New Mexico. In addition to serving as RLACF board chair, she is president of the O.P. and W.E. Edwards Foundation. Edwards is a family foundation, which grants over $2 million to nearly one hundred organizations serving youth at risk in multiple countries, states, and U.S. Territories. JoAnn was the Red Lodge Citizen of the Year in 2011. She was married to the late Bert P. Eder, Sr.

Affiliations
Current board service with Montana Community Foundation, Trust Montana, and Yellowstone Public Radio; past board service with Philanthropy Northwest, Baretooth Cupboards, and Montana Children’s Trust Fund; member of Leadership Montana.

Merv Coleman, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors

Term 2022

 “We’ve gone from a Fun Run committee to a fully-fledged organization that’s fully engaged in the community in the short time of about 10 years. Great organizations don’t just happen. It takes time, vision, leadership, and willing people to serve. We have all of that energy and then some, with Tracy and Jo Ann, board members, staff, and a host of volunteers. I am especially proud of the Fun Run but also that we are involved with youth, poverty, veterans, affordable housing, the Old Roosevelt project, swimming pool, and other aspects of community, interacting with many nonprofits. I always tell people that when I go to a board meeting, I have to take a seat belt along to stay in my chair because there are so many good things happening.”

Merv decided to be a full-time photographer more than 35 years ago after photographing wild horses as a range conservationist for the Bureau of Land Management. Lucky for us, he chose Red Lodge for his home and gallery. Among his many professional honors was the 2001 London Museum of Natural History / BBC award for wildlife portrait photography. Merv was named 1986 Red Lodge Citizen of the Year, was a founding member of both the Beartooth Front Community Forum and RLACF, and is a Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellow. In addition to his effort and leadership, he has often donated his photography expertise to bolster community projects. Merv and his wife, Lynette, have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Affiliations
Local: Red Lodge Lions Club, Red Lodge Chamber of Commerce, United Church of Christ.
Professional: Montana Professional Photographers Association, former aviator with U.S. Marine Corps.

Mark Schubert, Treasurer of the Board of Directors

Term 2023

“Being an RLACF board member gives me an opportunity to serve our nonprofit sector in what I call a broad manner. We strive to help each group succeed and build its impact.”

In addition to running his accounting firm, Mark can be counted on to lend his expertise and enthusiasm throughout the community. He was instrumental to launching the Fun Run for Charities and was a founding board member of RLACF as well as the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary (then Beartooth Nature Center) and the Red Lodge Public School Foundation. Mark helped build the original Nature Center site and local baseball / softball parks, and he raised funds to complete the new high school gym. He also raises funds for and participates in awarding local scholarships. Mark has three children and two grandchildren, and he loves the outdoors.

Affiliations
Nonprofit: Beartooth Elks Lodge, Red Lodge Community Church, Red Lodge Area Chamber of Commerce, Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, Red Lodge Public School Foundation, Beartooth Little League Board. Professional: Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Steve Hanson, Secretary

Term 2023

“The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation (“RLACF”) came to my attention shortly after moving to Red Lodge in 2012.  It seemed to me that RLACF’s reputation was that of a community organization striving to build up the community by enhancing the quality of life for all of its members, no matter what their particular interests might be, so that everyone could have a better experience living in this area.  That appealed to me.”

Steve was a lawyer in general practice for 40+ years, first in Minnesota and then in Montana/Wyoming (Billings and Red Lodge) since 1995.  Steve’s wife, Linda, taught 7^th grade Language Arts in both Minnesota and Montana, retiring shortly before the couple moved to Red Lodge.  Linda now does lots of volunteering with different committees in the Red Lodge Community Church and at Kids Corner downtown.  Steve is nearly retired from the practice of law, and he expects to spend more time doing the kinds of things he has always done in his spare time: seeing the grandkids, traveling with Linda, hiking, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ridin’ and ropin,’ and singing (in Homebrewed Harmony along with two other Board members).  Steve is the Secretary of RLACF, and he sits on the Governance and Nominating Committee.

Affiliations
State Bar of Montana, Yellowstone Area Bar Association, American Quarter Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Association, Red Lodge Community Church.  Past President of the Minnesota Distance Riding Association, Crow Wing – Aitken County Bar Association, and Enderlin (ND) Jaycees.

Kathleen Delahanty, Board Member

Term 2024

“Being a member of the RLACF Board is an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity it gives me to serve our community. It amazes me that what began as a local Fun Run for nonprofits has grown into  a big, beautiful, innovative organization that enriches and supports the people and the place of Red Lodge and the surrounding area.”

I moved to Red Lodge over 35 years ago for a summer job and have worked and played here ever since. And why not? It’s such a fun and dynamic place! Over the years, I have worked with for-profit businesses and entrepreneurs in office management, human resources, and administration. In addition, I have done volunteer work for many committees and boards in Red Lodge and hope to continue to do so.

Alan Schuyler, Board Member

Term 2024

“I serve on the Foundation board as a way to give back to the communities I live in, and I can serve as a liaison between the communities of Roberts and Red Lodge.”

We would sing Alan’s praises, but he can do it much better himself. He sang with the Anchorage Opera Chorus for decades and now sings with a local group called Homebrewed Harmony as well as the Roberts United Methodist and Red Lodge Community Church choirs. Alan returned to his family farm in Montana in 2008 to care for his parents after 30 years of regulatory compliance and environmental permitting work in California and Alaska with one of the largest U.S. energy companies. He has served on boards for organizations promoting the performing arts, preventing environmental pollution, and assisting people with HIV/AIDS. His local board service includes the Roberts Community Foundation. Alan is an avid international traveler and recently spent the summers of 2022 and 2023 (July-October) volunteering at a guest house in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Affiliations
ARCO/ConocoPhillips, Anchorage Opera Guild, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (Seattle), Green Star, Inc. (Anchorage), Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, Rimrock Opera Board of Directors (Billings), Roberts Community Foundation, Roberts United Methodist Church.

Don Redfoot, Board Member

Term 2022

“I am so impressed with the work that the Foundation does for the greater Red Lodge community.  It is so rare that a community of our size has such a resource for thought leadership, resource and volunteer development, and incubating new ideas and programs.  The Foundation is one of the things that makes Red Lodge such a special place to live.” 

Don is retired from a professional career as a public policy researcher for AARP on livable communities and long-term care issues.  Now that he is retired, an age-friendly community is a more direct and personal interest.  His skills and interests are policy development, nonprofit experience, community service, education and instruction, and outreach and advocacy.  He loves living in Red Lodge, an engaging community with opportunities for involvement for people of all ages.

Current Affiliations
Steering Committee of the age-friendly community initiative; mentor with the DSVS program in the Roosevelt Middle School; and tenor with the Homebrewed Harmony’s barbershop group.

Former Affiliations
Board member of the Pioneer Network, a national organization to promote cultural change in long-term care; founding board member and past president of the National Center for Excellence in Assisted Living; and former chair of Culpepper Garden, a subsidized housing and assisted living facility for older persons in Arlington, Virginia.

Kate Belinda, Board Member

Term 2022

“I have been enamored with the impact the RLACF has within our community. From the VISTA’s to Lunch in the Sun, this organization cares about the success of this community from the young to the old. I have seen first-hand the help RLACF can give to new nonprofits. The Red Lodge Recycling Center would not be without your support! It would be an honor to offer my time to this organization.” 

Kate works as an educator at Red Lodge High School and started the ‘Green Team’. She has experience with public relations, community service, education/instruction, and public outreach. Kate is seeking to offer insight into how RLACF can serve our local school district, engage our youth, and help make our community more sustainable. She is a hard worker and always up for a challenge. 

Affiliations
Red Lodge Recycling; Pinedale Community Theater, Vice President 2007-2010;
Nature Mapping Jackson Hole, Data Manager 2008-2010. 

Term 2022

“RLACF is a leader in our community and sets a commendable example for local organizations.  I greatly admire the passion, energy and commitment of RLACF Board and staff and appreciate that RLACF includes a diverse group of individuals at the Board table.  Our community is very fortunate to have this group support our nonprofit and, sometimes, for profit efforts.” 

Janet’s work was for many years in for-profit businesses, focusing on management and support services.  She enjoys looking at the bigger picture, brainstorming ideas, and connecting with those of similar interests.  Her skills, experiences, and interests include finance and accounting, personnel and human resources, administration and management, program evaluation, public relations and communications, education and instruction, and special events. 

Affiliations
Beartooth Front Community Forum, Red Lodge Area Food Partnership Council, BRTA Kids Ski Program. 

Stephanie Baldwin, Board Member

Term 2023

“The Red Lodge Area Community Foundation is essential to building a thriving community. I am thankful for the opportunity to help support Red Lodge’s important initiatives and be a part of the Foundation’s impactful vision.”

Stephanie Baldwin is a Carbon County native and is the Director of Human Resources, Quality, and Compliance at Beartooth Billings Clinic. Her primary responsibilities include employment practices, policy and procedure, legal compliance, and quality improvement. She sits on a wide array of committees such as Compliance, Risk/Safety, Policy, and Infection Prevention. Stephanie is also responsible for other initiatives at Beartooth Billings Clinic, such as leadership development, customer services, and employee education.

Her experience at Beartooth Billings Clinic, combined with past experience managing a small, family-owned local business, brings a uniquely-positioned perspective on the wants and needs of our community.

Affiliations
Society for Human Resource Management, American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration.

Jackie Ogg

Term 2024

Like many part-time residents, we come to Red Lodge to “unplug,” but we also realize that creating and sustaining such a vibrant community doesn’t happen by itself. I’m honored to join the RLACF and support their work to ensure the Red Lodge community spirit stays as strong and valued as its mountains, ski slopes, rivers, and fishing holes.

Jackie is a social worker by training and spent a decade working at the Greater Washington Community Foundation in DC.  During that time she developed an understanding of – and appreciation for – some of the opportunities and challenges community foundations face.  She welcomes the chance to be part of the RLACF’s exciting work.  

Affiliations
Professional: University of Maryland School of Social Work, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Southern Maryland Continuum of Care.  
Nonprofit: Board of Trustees CaringMatters, Former Board Chair for the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts.

Chris Lorash

Term 2024

“I am excited with the direction of the RLACF and have enjoyed my association with them. I hope that my contributions have been meaningful in furthering its mission and mandate. I look forward to serving in my capacity as a board member for another term with energy and enthusiasm as the Foundation moves forward.”

In his efforts to remain community-focused, Chris is a member of the Laurel School Board. It’s a position that has helped him have a meaningful impact on the Laurel Community and demonstrates his commitment to education and those who help shape young minds. He is also very involved in his church organization and works with the youth and those who lead the youth in his church. These positions have helped him develop a professional understanding of the needs in our communities. As a banker, he finds great joy in facilitating programs and lending solutions to first-time buyers and folks in the community who have a focus on those in need. Chris has had the opportunity to fund projects in the Red Lodge area through his work as a lender, and he looks forward to that opportunity in the future.