Board of Directors
The Headwaters Academy Board of Directors is responsible for the overall vision and long-term planning for the school. The majority of members serving on our Board have firsthand knowledge of the value of the school, as several have had students who attended the school. Board members also include community and business leaders. HWA has a well-rounded team of Board members dedicated to the school and its continued growth and success.
Julianne Williams
President
Julianne brings over 25 years of experience in hotel management, fundraising and community building to the board. Moving to Bozeman in 2006 Julianne has dedicated her time volunteering in the classroom, school- parent associations and several Bozeman school district committees. Julianne also served on the Museum of the Rockies board of directors and children’s task force that focused on the development of the Children’s Discovery Center. A mother to two boys both graduates of Headwaters Academy. Julianne is a true believer that a small supportive school fosters relationships and supports confident, capable students who will become our next leaders. Julianne joined the board in 2019 and is dedicated to the growth and governance of Headwaters Academy and to the community it serves.
Kevin Cook
1st Vice President
Kevin was born and raised in the Gallatin Valley and is a fifth generation Montanan. He graduated from Belgrade High School and went on to get a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Montana State University. Growing up in the valley allowed Kevin to learn to love all the outdoor activities that our area offers and he continues to enjoy skiing, hunting and hiking in the area. Kevin has been working in the family business, Gene Cook Real Estate, since 2001. Gene Cook Real Estate is a leading local real estate company and has been a fixture in the community since 1971. Kevin oversees the development of residential and commercial properties as well as managing the family's real estate investments. Active in the community, Kevin is a member of the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce, Prospera Business Network and YPO. Currently he serves as a board member for First Security Bank, North Seventh Urban Renewal District and the Belgrade School Foundation. Kevin and his wife Heather have two children, Tori and Lindsay, both graduates of Headwaters Academy.
Tanya Cunningham
2nd Vice President
Tanya and her family have been proud to call Bozeman home since 2009. Tanya and her husband Peter are the proud parents of four HWA alumni. All four of their children look back at their time at Headwaters fondly and formed some of their closest friendships here. As a former Headwaters parent, she understands the inner workings of the school that make it such an exceptional place. She is excited to serve on the board and give back to the school that played such an integral role in her kids’ lives. Tanya grew up in Indiana and attended Ohio State University. She practiced in the area of recruitment and HR compliance for over 25 years with national consulting firms before retiring to become a full-time volunteer and mom to teenagers and her crazy dogs.
Nina Jaeger
Secretary
Nina and her family called Bozeman home from 2003-2013 and are elated to have returned in 2022 after living and working in Jakarta, Indonesia (three years) and Philadelphia (nearly 6). The family joined the Headwaters community in 2009 when they were seeking a smaller and rigorous, yet nurturing, middle school experience for their oldest son. After he graduated in 2011, Nina joined the board to contribute some of her fundraising and advancement expertise as a way of giving back to this unique learning community. A commitment to educating the whole child, fostering educational access, and opening doors to higher education continues to be what drives Nina in her volunteer and professional life. She is a founding Board member of Horizons at SCH in Philadelphia, a summer enrichment program for K-8 children from under-resourced schools, and an active community volunteer for human rights, health equity and pro-democracy efforts. Nina works in advancement for Montana State University Alumni Foundation.
Mike Halat
Treasurer
Mike is a long-time supporter of independent education in the Gallatin Valley. He has served the Headwaters community for several years with his technical and business expertise. Mike is the founder of Omega Biologicals, a consulting laboratory in Bozeman where he works with proteins used in the diagnosis of human disease. Mike lives in Bozeman with his wife Barbara and has one son a graduate of Headwaters.
Larry Bartel
Director
Larry has been involved in education in a variety of capacities. He was the Director at Knightsbridge Schools International in Porto Montenegro, Physics Instructor at Colegio Menor in Ecuador, previous Head of School at Headwaters Academy, Principal at Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy, Physics Instruction at W.J.Palmer High School, and summer block instructor at Colorado College. He is excited to be part of the outstanding HWA educational community again. Larry likes the outdoors and traveling the world, and he now resides part-time in Montana and Colorado.
Aimee Dendrinos
Director
Aimee moved to Bozeman with her family in 2017 after living in steamboat springs, CO and Cheyenne, WY. Her older son, George, started 6th grade at headwaters in 2021. After a brief stint as an attorney, she served as the Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer for Cheyenne regional medical center. While in steamboat, Aimee served on the board of steamboat springs Montessori charter school, where she gained an appreciation for learning opportunities outside of the traditional public education model. Aimee enjoys watching her kids swim, yoga, hiking, and skiing when it’s 25 degrees and sunny, preferably with no wind.
Roland MacNichol
Director
Roland, served students and families in Washington State for 36 years as a teacher, school administrator and Principal. He served as a School and District Leadership Coach for Washington State working in school and district improvement. Much of this work was developing strategic plans rooted in creating healthy and safe school communities with strong social and emotional systems in place. A critical piece of this work was developing authentic partnerships with all stake holders and nurturing equitable practices. He is excited to serve the Headwater’s community and help nurture and support the excellent work being done at the school.
Cate Wright
Director
Cate believes that a strong school community filled with engaged families gives students a deep sense of security, a safe platform for social and academic growth, and the tools to realize their full human potential. This has led her to be an active participant in her childrens' educational experiences, taking on volunteer roles in art, admissions and fundraising, and now serving on the Headwaters Board of Directors. Cate has a professional background in public relations and marketing and - fun fact - she worked as the Assistant Accessories Editor at Seventeen Magazine, where she learned more than she ever wanted to know about prom jewelry. Cate is passionate about progressive education and feels strongly about a school experience that addresses the health of the whole child: body, heart and mind. Cate's daughter has flourished at Headwaters and she hopes her work with the Headwaters Fund and the Board of Directors will ensure that many other children experience the same growth.