Our Staff & Board of Directors
Our Staff
Elizabeth Williams
Executive Director
Elizabeth is a mom of two, a lover of musical theater, and a firm believer in bringing laughter into parenting (though her kids are laughing less and groaning more at her jokes as they inch into teenage-hood). Iranian and Norwegian by heritage, outside of work you may find her jumping into freezing cold water for fun. She graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka, moved back to Montana in 2011, and has called Missoula home since 2016.Her career has always circled back to one thing: a passion for serving kids and families. She has taught mathematics from middle school through college level, from New York City to rural Montana and Salish Kootenai College. She's also worked in preschool classrooms from Brazil to Washington, DC to Czechia. She is trained as a lactation counselor and has facilitated breastfeeding support groups. She's also a perinatal and environmental epidemiologist, having completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. She holds an MPH in Community Health and a PhD in Public Health, both from the University of Montana.
Bobbi Roysdon
Program Director
Bobbi was raised in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley before attending Montana State University and pursuing a Bachelor’s of Psychology. After college, she spent almost ten years chasing adventure in California, Arizona, and Minnesota before returning home. Bobbi’s career has been centered around her belief that strong families build strong communities - from after school programs to residential care to outdoor programs focused on helping young survivors of trauma discover their strength and resilience. Along with her work duties, Bobbi is involved with multiple coalitions and projects focused on strengthening youth and families - including Healthy Missoula Youth, the Parent Leadership Training Institute, and the Perinatal Substance Use Network. When she isn’t acting as Program Director, you can find her hiking, mountain biking, skiing, or at the river - all with her trusty sidekick, her dog Goose.
Carly Mcguire
Family Educator & Parent Aide
​
Born and raised in Western Washington, Carly relocated to Missoula in the summer of 2024 to join The Parenting Place team and embrace Montana living.
Since 2020, Carly has worked with children and families in a variety of social work settings, including a residential treatment center and an Indian child welfare agency. Through these experiences, she has developed a deep appreciation for the power of connected communities and the importance of supporting one another through life's challenges and transitions. Carly was drawn to The Parenting Place because of its shared commitment to strengthening families and fostering meaningful community connections. She is passionate about supporting children and caregivers and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Missoula community. Outside of work, Carly enjoys creating art, spending time outdoors—gardening in the summer and snowboarding in the winter, and sharing meals, laughter, and quality time with friends and family.
Jim Thomas
Family Educator & Parent Aide
​
Jim was born and raised in Missoula, Montana where he later earned a Bachelor's degree in Theatre. He has lived in Seattle and Los Angeles working in a variety of positions centered around social work for nearly 10 years. He has since moved back to Missoula to pursue a Masters degree in social work. In his free time, Jim enjoys exercising, board games, attending music events, and coaching speech and debate."I believe children are our most important resource. There will be a time when they become leaders, teachers, and parents. By ensuring a healthy childhood, we are ensuring a healthy adulthood."
Ivy Anderson
Family Educator & Parent Aide
Ivy is a devoted mother and social worker whose compassionate, equity-centered leadership is rooted in a deep commitment to children, families, and community well-being. Passionate about abuse prevention, early intervention, and trauma-informed care, she believes strong relationships and supported families are the foundation of healthy communities. She is dedicated to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.Outside of work, Ivy enjoys Montana’s lakes, rivers, and hot springs, practices yoga, and treasures time with her teenage son and their pug, Bob. She believes that healing, joy, and small acts of care can create lasting change.
Board of Directors
Erin Nuzzo
President - MT Food Bank Network
Kelsey Davis
President Elect - Parent, Educator, and Lived Experience Expert
Danielle Darkhovsky
Tony Swartz
Parent Leadership Voice
Debby Randall
Leigh McCombs
Child & Family Services - Ravalli County
Meredith Mehne
Ashley Schleicher
Missoula Food Bank and Community Center
David Fowlkes
