Our founding board consists of a small, yet powerful team dedicated to making a positive impact on the Northwest community.
Melody Alderman, President, is a digital and marketing professional who has worked in lead roles with companies such as Microsoft and Disney. She is also a published writer whose work has been seen on Oprah.com, Thrive Global, and YourTango. Due to her own difficulties with reading at an early age, childhood literacy is incredibly important to her. She was born and raised in North Idaho and has a love for her community that will ensure The MONARCH TRAIN instills a lifelong love of learning in future generations.
Marie Marchand, Secretary, served as a nonprofit executive director for eight years focusing on fundraising, public relations, and community building for small and mid-sized organizations. She successfully led a $600,000 capital campaign to build a community kitchen and cafeteria for families experiencing homelessness. Marie has served on the boards of directors of the Bellingham Boys & Girls Club and NAMI Whatcom, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She currently leads communications and public relations for the Bellingham City Council and is host and co-producer of Bellingham Voices on BTV. She is a graduate of The Iliff School of Theology and Naropa University. She is passionate about using her time and talent to transform the world and spread kindness.
Sandy Delbridge, Vice President, is a lifelong resident of North Idaho. She was born and raised in Shoshone county and has dedicated her life to servicing the community she calls home. For the past twenty-five years, Sandy has worked alongside law enforcement as an employee of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department. She currently serves as the supervisor for the driver’s license division and considers her work with the community to be one of her greatest joys.
Heather Willoughby, Treasurer, has spent most of her entire life living in both Kootenai and Shoshone county. Following graduation, she pursued a career in cosmetology. After a decade helping people look and feel better on the outside, she decided to take on the toughest job there is. She became a stay at home mom to two incredible little boys. Today, Heather is excited to be a part of The MONARCH TRAIN and give back to the community she calls home.
Brooke Justis, Board Member, grew up in Wallace, Idaho. She now lives in Coeur d’Alene with her husband and their two adorable children. She works at Washington Trust Bank as a Senior Credit Analyst. Brooke joined the board of The MONARCH TRAIN because she believes in the importance of childhood literacy and wanted to make a difference in her community.
The MONARCH TRAIN 