Board Officers

Helen Pelster, President, is a software engineer and the mother of two small children.  Helen and her husband, Javier Castellar, have lived in Truckee for 9 years and she has been a KidZone Museum volunteer for four years.  Helen brings to the Board her industry experience leading energetic and effective software teams.  She joined the Board because she feels that children from families of all income levels should have the opportunity to learn through exploration and discovery at KidZone Museum.

Shelly Wright, Treasurer, is the VP/Manager of the local Plumas Bank office. Shelly has a 30-year background specializing in business banking and marketing.  She moved to Truckee in 1990 with her husband Lee and two children, Amber and Ian.  Shelly's goal is to assist the KidZone Museum achieve its goal to provide early childhood development tools for the young children of our Truckee-Tahoe communities.  She assists with the KidZone Museum's finances and the development of new revenue sources along with enhancing existing programs.

Elaine Baier, Secretary, moved to Truckee in 2002.  At the time, her children were 4, 3, and 1 years old.  Her children spent many days playing and learning about the world at KidZone Museum! Elaine graduated with a multiple subject teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Prior to the births of children, she spent six years teaching in the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley. She is looking forward to giving back to a great organization.

Executive Director

Carol Meagher, Executive Director, has lived in Truckee for 13 years with her husband and two daughters. Carol began with the KidZone Museum first as a volunteer, and then as Executive Director.  Carol’s degree (BFA) from California College of Arts and Crafts and her experience as a teacher at Albuquerque Academy help her contribute to the design of creative learning experiences at the Museum.  Carol’s education in Spanish Language and Latin American Studies, at Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico and Middlebury College Language School, has helped her in planning programs that engage our Latino community. Carol is working on securing a permanent location for the Museum.

Board Directors

Amy Burke joined the board on July 8, 2010. She is the mother of two young children and has been a long supporter of the KidZone Museum. Amy owns and operates the Runway Cafe at the Truckee Airport.

Matthew Gustafsson completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Davis. After a few years working as a researcher at the U.C. Davis Cancer Center in Sacramento, he headed to Loma Linda University School of Dentistry where he graduated with his D.D.S degree and a residency in pediatric dentistry. In 2008, Matthew and his wife Erica decided that Truckee is a great place to raise their young boys and set up Matthew’s dental practice, Truckee Pediatric Dentistry. Mathew joined the Board because, like KidZone, he believes health, wellness and education of children should be a top priority for any community.

Beth Pascalli Hirsh has an extensive background in medical sales and is the mother of two small children.  Beth has been involved with School Readiness Development, coordinated the KidZone Musuem’s Annual Fundraiser and is currently Vice President of King’s Beach Elementary PTO.  Her goal for the Board is to assist in building the bridge within our community and with business partnerships to reach our vision for the future - a permanent facility for KidZone Museum!

Larissa Martinez-Morlett joins the board with a background in community relations and service. As a partner with Starbucks for 9 years, Larissa has had many opportunities to be involved in the community. Larissa and her young son moved to Truckee from San Diego in the Fall of 2008, excited to join a tight-knit community. One of her first introductions to what Truckee has to offer its children was the KidZone Museum. She and her son, Nikolai, love spending time at the Museum, connecting with each other and other families while exploring, discovering, and learning together.

Andy Mond is the proud father of two girls, ages 3 and 9.  Nineteen years ago, Andy moved to Truckee after graduating with a degree in communications from Emerson College in Boston.  Andy’s specialty is events and marketing, with over 14 years experience producing local and national events for Red Bull, ESPN, and The Village at Squaw Valley. He just wrapped up his first season managing “Truckee Thursdays” with his new company, Independent Events.  His girls love the KidZone Museum and when asked to join the board he saw it as an opportunity to give back to the community. Andy will help the KidZone Museum produce effective fundraising events.

Jay O’Hanlon is a mother of two, a 30-year resident of Truckee, and the Director of the IT department at Tahoe Forest Hospital District for over 25 years. Jay brings financial, technological and operational management skills to the Board. Jay joined the board because she believes the early years are crucial in the development of children. She believes the KidZone Museum provides opportunities for every child in our community to play, learn and discover in a safe, nurturing environment. Jay enjoys taking her grandchildren to the KidZone. She likes to read, travel and living in Truckee.

Jennifer Standteiner is a busy mom of three with a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and TESOL (Teachers of English to Students of Other Languages) and a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Finance and International Business.  Now working from home as a corporate business manager for local companies, she was an ESL teacher in the TTUSD and Washoe County School District for several years.  She is a Spanish-speaker who brings her organizational skills, educational background, creativity and enthusiasm to the Exhibits Committee with each incoming museum installation.  She joined the committee and board to help incorporate a mulitcultural perspective into the museum’s exhibits and programs to foster a more inclusive community.

Sue Steph has been involved in the training, facilitation and development of people for over 25 years through her career in the YMCA.  Sue moved to Truckee with her family in 2006, and wanted an opportunity to get involved with a local youth service organization.  Since her son, Zachary loves the KidZone Museum and its programs, Sue thought that joining the KidZone Museum Board would be a good way to share her time and expertise with the community.  Currently, Sue serves as the part-time Training Specialist for the YMCA of San Francisco, and is also the owner of Spiral Healing in Truckee.  She lives in Glenshire with her family, and enjoys traveling and all the outdoor adventures the Sierras have to offer.