Board of Directors

Discovery Board of Directors

Discovery is run by a Board of Directors made up of current and previous Discovery families and interested community members. Responsibilities include support of the Executive Director, who manages the day to day business of the organization, as well as oversight of financial and legal aspects of the business.

Current Board members include:

Marybeth Sampsel
Board President

Year started on Board – September 2017

Professional Background – Attorney / Partner at Measure Law, P.C., practicing primarily in the areas of family law and domestic relations.

Connection to DDC / Why DDC – “3 of my four kiddos (Effie, Josie, and Dewey) have attended Discovery and I am counting down the days until my littlest (Paulie) can join them. I chose DDC for its exemplary staff, many of whom have been there for 10 or 20+ years. I knew that if the staff were dedicated to their work environment, they would be dedicated to caring for my child.”

Sherrie Smith
Board Member

Year started on Board – August 2017, after retiring from The Nurturing Center

Professional Background – BS degree in Child Development. Has worked in a variety of early childhood

settings, including as Director of licensed center in Minnesota, as Family Support Specialist for young children with disabilities, and as a teacher, supervisor, and trainer for Head Start. She moved to the Flathead from Helena in 2009 where she worked as Professional Development Specialist and Supervisor at The Nurturing Center.

Connection to DDC / Why DDC – “…got to know (staff) and program as their STARS (to Quality program) coach as part of my work at The Nurturing Center and… was immediately impressed with the level of quality early childhood programming Discovery offers!”

Dawn Rauscher
Board Member

Year started on Board – January 2015

Professional Background – Associate Professor at Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) where she is the program director for the Graphic Design and Web Technology programs.

Connection to DDC / Why DDC – “All three of my kids – Axel, Cordelia, and Duke have attended Discovery Developmental Center. We love the professional, fun atmosphere DDC provides where kids can explore through play!”