Our Team

Adam Herrera is an Emmy-nominated producer, senior creative director, and communications specialist. He has led organizations with a global footprint, served as a community journalist, and spent many years fundraising for the University of Wyoming as a member of their foundation marketing team. Adam grew up on a small family farm in Michigan, and has a deep respect for the balance between nature and agriculture. He has lived in Wyoming and Utah for several years, and has travelled greatly across the wild spaces of Montana, Idaho, and Colorado. Adam has a passion for the creative arts and he and his wife are avid fly-fishers and hunters.

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Brady enjoys cooking a good meal, perusing the thrift store for little knick-knacks, and exploring the great outdoors. While earning his degree in Political Science at Boston University, Brady was involved in food security work, spending a summer administering a federal nutrition program with the New Hampshire Food Bank. He also spent a semester studying in Geneva, Switzerland, where he interned with an NGO working to bolster the diplomatic capacity of refugee groups and small states at the UN Human Rights Council. Brady joined the Northern Plains team in 2024 and staffs Bull Mountain Land Alliance as well as our Coal Task Force.

Caitlin joined the Northern Plains staff in 2016. She grew up in Maryland, where she grew to love all things rural while watching her dad raise chickens and keep bees. She attended Yale University and worked at the Western Organization of Resource Councils before coming to Northern Plains. Caitlin helps guide the overall work of Northern Plains’ organizing staff and directs the leadership development program. Her favorite part of her job is getting to introduce people to their own power and developing their leadership and confidence to participate in public life. Email: caitlin@northernplains.org

Born and raised in Western Montana, Caleb holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from the University of Montana. Since 2008, he has worn many hats at Northern Plains: Research Intern, Lead Organizer, Good Neighbor Agreement Manager, Grassroots Fundraiser, and now Fundraising Director. He uses this varied experience to guide Northern Plains’ grassroots and foundation fundraising efforts. Caleb enjoys helping staff and leaders find their full potential as fundraisers. He is an avid car enthusiast and loves sharing the beauty of Montana with his wife Kristin and two children, Nora and Ava. Email: caleb@northernplains.org

Gusty was born and raised in central Idaho and spent many summers in eastern Montana, visiting ranches where her father was working. She earned her undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies at Hampshire College. While there, she focused on environmental microbiology and community organizing as tools for adapting to a changing climate. Gusty has worked as a river guide in the Frank Church Wilderness, a volunteer coordinator at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, and as a biological technician for the Forest Service located in White Sulphur Springs, MT. Gusty enjoys exploring her backyard via skis, boats or horseback. She staffs our Sweet Grass County affiliate, Cottonwood Resource Council, and leads the Oil and Gas and Soil Task Forces. Email: gusty@northernplains.org

Born and raised in Billings, Montana, Jack spent a lot of time outdoors. Growing up he was particularly fond of the time he spent on the Stillwater River with his brothers. Jack received degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Political Science and History and always had a big curiosity for democratic reform, voting rights, and environmental issues. He joined the Northern Plains staff in July 2023, and he feels incredibly blessed to be part of protecting the landscapes that played such a big part of his childhood. Outside of work, some of his other interests include the Chicago Cubs and biking. Jack staffs the Livingston affiliate, Yellowstone Bend Citizens Council. He also assists with our clean energy work. Email: jack@northernplains.org

Jim joined the Northern Plains staff in 2018 to oversee the care and maintenance of the Home on the Range office. Before coming to Northern Plains, Jim built a robust career working in a broad range of positions from managing the supply chain for a rural hospital to groundskeeping and maintenance for Stockman Bank. Originally from the Big Sky State, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Montana, with an emphasis in Chinese language and culture.

Jordan joined the Northern Plains staff in 2024, after moving from Portland Oregon. He received his BA in International Political Economy from the University of Puget Sound. While there, he became passionate about food system transformation, agroecology, and sustainable economic development. Inspired by his studies, he spent two seasons working on small scale farms in Washington state and Ireland. In his free time, Jordan is an avid musician and jazz drummer. He enjoys reading, a good game of backgammon, and anything outdoors. He is excited to work alongside Montanans and explore this beautiful state.

Josiah grew up in Billings and began working at Northern Plains in 2025. He has worked on electoral campaigns at the municipal, state, and federal levels, and has served as an aide in both state and federal government, most recently for U.S. Senator Jon Tester. His work focuses on leadership development and supporting members in discovering their agency and power to create change. Outside of work, he enjoys trail running, collecting records, and watching films with his fiancée at the Art House in Billings.

Karen joined the Northern Plains staff in 2010. She grew up in Billings and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Montana State University – Billings. Before coming to Northern Plains, Karen was a longtime network technician for Qwest and also worked in printing services for an office supply store. She has long been an active community volunteer. Karen performs a wide range of jobs to keep the office running smoothly, coordinates printing & mailing jobs, and works with a large team of volunteers. She enjoys photography/Photoshop, stained glass, creative home projects, and baking. Email: karen@northernplains.org

Maggie has been with Northern Plains since 2013, starting as a Community Organizer and later serving as the Director of Organizing and Campaigns and Director of Mission Engagement. Born and raised in Wyoming, she has undergraduate degrees in biology and environmental sciences from Gonzaga University and a master’s degree in public administration from Montana State University. Maggie’s an avid gardener, backpacker, and baker. Email: maggie@northernplains.org

Michael grew up in Kyiv, Ukraine. He went to school in Illinois at Olivet Nazarene University and graduated in 2016 with a BA in philosophy and religion. He worked in the arts-focused, nonprofit space for several years in Seattle, but most recently moved to Billings from the small town of John Day, Oregon where he worked as a saw filer for two years. He started work with Northern Plains in May of 2022. He staffs our Yellowstone County affiliate, Yellowstone Valley Resource Council, and our Laurel Methane Committee. Email: michael@northernplains.org

Paula hails from Lewistown, Montana and earned a bachelor’s in business administration at the University of Montana. Prior to coming to Northern Plains in 2011, she performed accounting and administrative work in the private sector. Paula oversees Northern Plains’ day-to-day accounting, transactions in the bank and brokerage accounts, and handles state and federal reporting requirements. Email: paula@northernplains.org