Originally from Philadelphia, Joellen was raised in a big family that loved being outside. Joellen left the east coast to earn her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Notre Dame and went on to obtain a master’s in environmental studies from the University of Montana in 2004. Joellen has dedicated her entire career to social impact work, helping mission-driven organizations develop capacity and messaging for broad impact. Her career has spanned work in affordable housing, community agriculture, education, and economic development. Joellen enjoys mountain biking, skiing, running, and paddleboarding in the great wilds of Montana with her husband and two sons.