Our Staff
Meet the Families First Learning Lab Team! These experienced and dedicated people bring their passion for enriching the lives of families to work every day. Whether you’re looking for advice for helping a teething toddler or a testing teen, or your family seeks fun experiences to learn through play – these are the people who are there to listen, teach and create programs that are helpful, safe and inclusive of all families.
Hannah Zuraff Executive Director |
Hannah graduated with her Masters in Public Administration, with a focus in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Montana. She has degrees in Psychology and Sociology: Inequality and Social Justice, which fuel her passion for making a difference in our community and in the lives of the families FFLL serves. Hannah is currently a student in the PhD of Public Health and the Masters in Social Work program at the University of Montana where she hopes to focus her studies on intergenerational trauma in families and public health impacts. She is very passionate about partnering with other organizations to provide a coordinated approach to social services in Missoula and surrounding areas.
Hannah is particularly interested in impacting generational poverty, empowering women, and educating families in order to strengthen the likelihood for positive life outcomes later on. In her spare time, Hannah is with her dogs, Gunner and Bentley, exploring Western Montana. Email Hannah. |
Cody Meyer Family education Director |
Cody graduated with his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Montana in 2019, and he is currently working towards his Master of Social Work. He has spent his last year working with children in the school setting which has driven him to want to work with more families throughout Western Montana. Cody is especially interested in breaking the wheel that is generational poverty, and working towards a world where every individual has the same opportunities despite income.
Cody also enjoys rooting on the Griz, being with his family, and getting outdoors as much as possible. In the winter you can catch him in the mountains snowboarding with his wife, and in the summer he’ll be at the river with his dog! Email Cody |
Katie Little child enrichment Director |
Katie joined Families First Learning Lab in 2018. Before working for the organization, she volunteered on the Families First Board of Directors. Katie has been in Missoula working for Non-Profit Organizations for almost 20 years. Her biggest passion is spending time with kids and families, especially her own two children.
Katie’s hidden talent is fort building or, so her son thinks. She loves the magic of play, especially when it comes from the minds of kiddos. Katie can’t wait to explore and dream up fun with you and your family. Be on the lookout for our our new mobile exhibits! Email Katie |
Dylan Wright WELLNESS COORDINATOR |
Dylan Wright is currently completing his Master’s degree in school counseling at the University of Montana. He is currently serving two internships simultaneously. In School Counseling, the completion of his internship will enable him to graduate with Montana state certification to work in schools. His second internship is with Families First Learning Lab where he spends a majority of his time working on The Montana Happiness Project curriculum, including research and development. Dylan also has nearly thirty years of experience in professional theatre. Since 2000, he has worked with the Missoula Children’s Theatre International Tour. He trains, teaches, and coaches college graduates for the tour project to ensure they have the skills needed to bring joy, success, and pride to children and adults in communities across all 50 states and overseas. When taking a break from all the “irons in the fire,” Dylan relaxes with long bike rides, and by spending time with his very supportive wife and daughters. Email Dylan
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Jessica Carrol Receptionist |
Jessica is new to Missoula and is so excited to be apart of the city and the FFLL family! Jessica relocated from beautiful Bend, OR and is currently attending University of Montana, go Griz! She is continuing her education in the biological sciences program and loves exploring her new campus.
Jessica is passionate about animal welfare programs and women in science organizations. Her goal is to be a fun, positive, and productive addition to the community. In her free time she enjoys hiking, fishing, and exploring western Montana! But she always has time to sit down with a good book at the end of the day. Email Jessica |
Audrey Kearns Child enrichment Coordinator |
Audrey graduated from the University of Montana in 2018 and has pursued art teaching for the past 3 ½ years. She has been all over the Northwest living up on the highline in Glasgow Montana, to near the Columbia Gorge in Stevenson, Washington. Montana has been her home since 2005; and, deep down, she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Audrey has always enjoyed bringing out the creative spark in kids through art. She loves that every child is different in the way they create and she encourages being unique and different. She enjoys working with charcoal on raw wood surfaces and has managed to create her own business inspired by many of her own personal art pieces! Audrey strongly believes life is too short to not go after things that set your soul on fire. When she's not making art, she enjoys hiking, exploring new towns, road trips, or just kicking back on the couch watching a good show or movie with her two dogs. Audrey is excited to be working with Families First Learning Lab and promises to be as helpful, positive, and creative as she can for you and your little ones for all your arts and crafts needs! Email Audrey |
Austin Tompkins Child enrichment staff |
Austin joined Families First in December of 2021. He graduated from the University of Montana in 2016 with a degree in English teaching and has recently returned to the University to pursue a master's degree in the same program. Life has taken him from the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest, decks of Alaskan commercial fishing boats, volcanic jungles of Panama, historic cities of Europe, and the tropical paradise of New Zealand, but nowhere has ever felt more like home than Missoula, Montana.
Austin is a passionate reader, writer, and learner, and is excited to encourage growth through play and engage with the wonderful community here. He looks forward to helping all families and kids have access to creative fun and learning opportunities. When not at work or school, he enjoys exploring Western Montana, snowboarding, flyfishing, or playing tabletop RPGs with old friends. Email Austin |