Our Team
2025-2026
MT ALPHA CYCLING IS A 501(C)3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY JAMIE TERRY AND KRISTINE AKLAND IN 2012. WE WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEER RUN BOARD AND COMMITTEES. A THANK YOU TO ALL INVOLVED!
EXECUTIVE Director / RACE DIRECTOR
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Jenna TomielloI likes riding bikes! It took me a while to find it, but cycling is my one true joy (cycling... and my baby girl Willa, my husband, and my dog). I thinks pickles are the best trail snacks, and pickle juice the magic race elixir. My favorite rides almost always include giant climbs on gravel bikes, probably getting lost once or twice. If you're racing cyclocross, I'll give you a hand-up while yelling at you to "ride your bike already." I became the Executive Director of MT Alpha in 2022, after over 15 years of non-profit work with educational programming and management, and is excited to be here.
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Intermediate COACH
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MaryJane (MJ) MartinI joined MT Alpha in 2016 as a way to connect with a new community and get involved with cycling after moving to Missoula. Through Alpha, I've had the opportunity and privilege of coaching junior mountain biking, after-school flagship programs, and our women's clinics. As a PMBI certified coach and the MT Alpha head coach, my goal is to offer women and juniors of all abilities an opportunity to safely practice MTB skills, ask questions, and explore new ways to ride their bike.
Personally, I enjoy gravel, long trail rides, and rowdy park days. When I'm not on the bike you can find me adventuring with my dog Ruth, knitting hats, and handing out treats and shots at our local cyclocross races! |
JUNIORS DIRECTOR
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KRIS LITZMy bike is my happy place, and I'm especially at peace when I'm in the backcountry or on a trail-with-a-view. As a mom, wife, teacher, and adventurer lover, I believe bikes are powerful tools for building confidence and connection. As an educator and mentor, I am especially passionate about empowering young girls and women+ on the trail, helping them explore new places and build their feelings of self worth. And, perhaps the best part of being involved with MT Alpha, is being part of a biking community that is always supportive and always fun. When I'm not in the classroom or coaching, you'll find me where the wildflowers grow, often exploring new places with my husband, our daughter, and our two fluffy dogs. |
CO-RACE DIRECTOR - Bandita
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MEGHANN SCHROEDERMeghann started with The Dusty Bandita on its second year, and her love for the race has grown since then! When MT Alpha took over the race in 2025, Meghann was the first person asked to be co-race director, and it's been a joyful ride having her work on this race in such a big way.
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ASSISTANT-RACE DIRECTOR - Bandita
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SARAH KASSEMSarah joined The Dusty Bandita's crew in 2024, volunteering with the original group of women who started the race, and again in 2025 with the MT Alpha direction. In 2026, Sarah will be assisting at a higher level as Assistant Race Director!
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Board Of directors
These volunteers pour their love and time in organizational management, development and oversee MT Alpha and its committees. They ensure the organizations mission and values are maintained, while also pushing for continued growth.
PRESIDENT
CHRISTINA ANABEL
A native New Yorker, I grew up riding my bike through the streets of my rural hometown, but my bike tires never touched a trail until I moved to Utah where a friend convinced me to try mountain biking. When I moved to Missoula, I joined MT Alpha, looking to meet some like-minded folks. Riding with MT Alpha, I met a lot of women riders who were all over the spectrum in ability. I attended the clinics and learned the basics of bike-body positioning, braking and how to choose a line. I look forward to seeing everyone out on the trail and hopefully continuing MT Alpha’s legacy of promoting camaraderie and confidence in women riders!
CHRISTINA ANABEL
A native New Yorker, I grew up riding my bike through the streets of my rural hometown, but my bike tires never touched a trail until I moved to Utah where a friend convinced me to try mountain biking. When I moved to Missoula, I joined MT Alpha, looking to meet some like-minded folks. Riding with MT Alpha, I met a lot of women riders who were all over the spectrum in ability. I attended the clinics and learned the basics of bike-body positioning, braking and how to choose a line. I look forward to seeing everyone out on the trail and hopefully continuing MT Alpha’s legacy of promoting camaraderie and confidence in women riders!
VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY
MEGAN ANDREWS-SHARER
I've been volunteering with MT Alpha since 2021. I got hooked planning the annual MTB clinic -- the camaraderie of 80 women riding bikes in whatever weather Montana offers in May is an experience like nothing else. I think MT Alpha is a unique group due to their accessibility and inclusivity. Plus, I'm a nonprofit nerd. I look forward to contributing my fundraising, data, and operations skills to my favorite organization!
MEGAN ANDREWS-SHARER
I've been volunteering with MT Alpha since 2021. I got hooked planning the annual MTB clinic -- the camaraderie of 80 women riding bikes in whatever weather Montana offers in May is an experience like nothing else. I think MT Alpha is a unique group due to their accessibility and inclusivity. Plus, I'm a nonprofit nerd. I look forward to contributing my fundraising, data, and operations skills to my favorite organization!
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TREASURER
LAUREN COSTA I grew up in Missoula biking around town with friends. When I became a member of MT Alpha in 2023, I rekindled that love for biking and gained more biking friends than I ever could have imagined. I started road biking in 2019 and have since expanded my love of cycling to include gravel, mountain biking, and cyclocross. Over the past two years, I’ve been an active member of the club, participating in clinics and group rides and experiencing firsthand the supportive, confidence-building community MT Alpha creates for women+, girls, and non-binary riders. I bring a professional background in accounting and finance and currently work for a software company, where I partner across teams to support strategic and operational decision-making. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on the MT Alpha Board and am excited to give back to a community that has played such a meaningful role in my cycling journey. |
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DIRECTOR
LEAH THOMPSON As a lifelong mountain biking enthusiast, I discovered MT Alpha in 2023 as the perfect way to connect with a community of adventurous people. In recent years, I’ve also developed a passion for gravel riding and have enjoyed leading several gravel rides for the Alphas. I’m excited to support MTAlpha’s mission and contribute to this inspiring cycling community. |
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DIRECTOR
KAYLA MCCORMICK What’s better than riding bikes? Riding with other rad folks! For years I would venture out on the trails by myself. While it is always thoroughly enjoyable, there really is nothing like sharing the stoke with someone else. I’ve never met a bike I didn’t have fun on. I grew up riding BMX with my brother and started riding MTB during college in Houghton, Michigan. Since becoming a member, my eyes have been opened to the amazing world of gravel and road and I haven’t looked back. I run my own graphic and web design business and had the privilege to use my skills to design the recent brand refresh and fresh new kits for MT Alpha. Thank y'all for making them look so rad! |
DIRECTOR
JILL ALBAN
Jill has lived and played in Missoula since 2004. She is the owner of Ahead by 11, a digital marketing studio helping brands execute paid marketing across Google and Meta. She has a 15-year background in marketing and has served both nonprofits and small businesses. Jill is an endurance athlete who loves nothing more than a long day spent climbing on her road or gravel bike or bagging a peak by foot.
JILL ALBAN
Jill has lived and played in Missoula since 2004. She is the owner of Ahead by 11, a digital marketing studio helping brands execute paid marketing across Google and Meta. She has a 15-year background in marketing and has served both nonprofits and small businesses. Jill is an endurance athlete who loves nothing more than a long day spent climbing on her road or gravel bike or bagging a peak by foot.
Thank you to past board members: Co-Founder, VP & President - Kristine Akland (2012-2022), Co-Founder - Jamie Terry (2012-2020), President - Katie (Rogotzke) Foote (2012-2020), Secretary - Jen Bardsley (2012-2015), Vice President & Director - Bri Lui (2012-2022), Secretary & Director - Meg Whicher (2015-2021), Treasurer & Director - Lauren Olsen (2014 - 2022), Trail Director - Natalie Wagenbrenner (2020-2022), Director - Caroline Lurgio (2020-2022), President - Louisa Berkey (2022-2025), Britt Peterson (2023-2025), Kandiss Anderson (2024-2025).
