Board of Directors

Kathy Nelson is a retired OBGYN physician who grew up in the Flathead Valley and later returned there to join her father’s medical practice. She was in private practice in Kalispell for 25+ years.  Over the years she has hiked extensively in Glacier National Park and neighboring wilderness areas.   Two highlight trips  for her were The Northern Traverse in Glacier with her daughters and a six day back packing trip through the Bob Marshall with friends and family.   A favorite local place to recreate is Herron Park outside of Kalispell, where she appreciates the work MCC crews do to maintain the trails.

While working with medical students and residents, she was continually impressed with the idealism, compassion and dedication these young people demonstrate.  She is just generally impressed with the young people she meets and is happy to be part of an organization like Montana Conservation Corps that is devoted to youth and their desire to make the world better through the preservation of natural places and public land.

She graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology, attended medical school at the University of Washington, and completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin.  While most of her time was spent caring for patients in the office and hospital, she also served on a number of medical boards.  A professional highlight for her were two medical mission trips to Majuro, an atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Kathy lives in Kalispell with her husband Chris.  She has two adult daughters.  She enjoys running, cycling, skiing, gardening, playing bridge and spending time with friends and family.