Ann Heilman: Executive Director
            In July, Ann joined the Learning Lab as the organization’s new executive director. An Idaho native, Ann has spent 23 years in public service with the State of Idaho, most recently as administrator of the Division of Human Resources for Governor Dirk Kempthorne from 1999 to 2006. She directed the State Personnel System and provided consultation on HR management to the governor and legislature. In addition to her HR leadership roles, Heilman spent many years with the Department of Health & Welfare in social work, planning and research, and social services administration and management. Heilman also brings Learning Lab her previous experience in nonprofit management   She was program manager for the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo, North Dakota, and later served as the Executive Director of the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead.  

               Ann is Boise State University alumni, and a devoted member of the Bronco Nation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s in Public Administration at BSU. She and her husband are longtime Boise residents and have two daughters. 

Christi Graff:  Education Director
            Ms. Graff received her BS degree in Biology and Human Ecology from the College of Idaho and has taken post-graduate classes in teacher education at Boise State University.  Before being hired as education director, Ms. Graff was a Learning Lab volunteer tutor. 
           Ms. Graff has been the Education Director at the Learning Lab since July 1992, supervising educational staff, the overall operation of classes, outcome measurement and data collection, placement of students, and volunteer tutors. She also assists in evaluating and implementing new curricula, and has primary responsibility for maintaining the Lab’s computer hardware and software.  She continually monitors Learning Lab classes to ensure that both students and volunteers are achieving their goals and receiving maximum benefits from the Learning Lab programs. 

Martha Strong:  Adult Education Coordinator
            Ms. Strong has been associated with the Learning Lab since 1992 serving as President of the Board of Directors in 1994.  She directed the development of the Lab’s first strategic plan and also volunteered as a Learning Lab tutor.   Ms. Strong was a member of the Lab’s Advisory Board until June 1999 when she began her employment as education coordinator.
            Ms. Strong received her B.S. degree in Bacteriology and Public Health from Washington State University in 1974.  In 1995, she returned to school at Boise State University and earned an Idaho State Secondary Teaching Certificate. 
            Ms. Strong has been an active volunteer in the community.  She supervised the volunteer program at White Pine Elementary and Boise High Schools and served as Volunteer Coordinator Chairman for the Boise School District.  In addition, she was the President of the Boise School Volunteer Advisory Board.  Ms. Strong is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Boise.  She chaired the literacy, project development, and strategic planning committees and served as Community Vice-president for the League.

Juana Nolasco: Family Literacy Coordinator

            Ms. Nolasco joined Learning Lab in 2007. She holds two bachelor’s degrees, in communications and Spanish, from Boise State University. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies at Iowa State University. Ms. Nolasco was the site coordinator for the Treasure Valley Even Start Family Literacy program in Caldwell in 2003. She has also worked as an instructor at Boise State University in their Adult Basic Education program, and was a Peace Corps volunteer in Russia.

 Erica Crockett:  Adult Educator
            Ms. Crockett holds a B.A. in Philosophy and English with writing and linguistic emphases from Boise State University. While at BSU she was named a “Top Ten Scholar” and wrote a weekly editorial for the school’s newspaper.         

            Ms. Crockett previously worked for Boise Public Library and has tutored university students in English and assisted ESL students studying writing and grammar.

Cecile Ferguson:  Adult Educator
           Ms. Ferguson holds a B.S. in Sociology from BSU and an M.S. in Adult and Organizational Learning from the University of Idaho, Boise. Before coming to Learning Lab, Ms. Ferguson worked as a school resource aide and in Special Education. As part of her Master’s program, she developed a community education program on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 in conjunction with the Horseshoe Bend School District. Ms. Ferguson's primary focus has become lifelong learning in the adult education arena.

Deborah DeSousa:  Family Literacy Preschool Educator and Adult Educator
          Ms. DeSousa received her BA in Elementary Education (K-8) from Boise State University.  She joined the Learning Lab staff as a preschool and adult educator in September 2003.  Prior to joining the Learning Lab, she taught 5^th grade for five years.  While attending college, Ms. DeSousa was a summer school site coordinator for preschool through sixth grade and tutored children at Community House and various elementary schools in Boise. 
          Ms. DeSousa is also a twenty year member of the United States Navy, eight years on active duty and twelve years in the Reserves.  She is in the process of obtaining her early childhood endorsement. 

Joy Haffner:  Family Literacy Infant/Toddler Educator
            Ms. Haffner joined the Learning Lab staff in January 2006 as an intern from the University of Idaho. She was hired as a family Literacy and Office Assistant in April 2006, where her responsibilities include assisting in the preschool and infant/toddler classrooms, providing age-appropriate curriculum, as well as assisting the Office Manager with various tasks. She was promoted to Family Literacy Infant/Toddler Educator in May 2007.

            In May 2006, Ms. Haffner graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Idaho, earning a B.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Child Development/Family Relations option, as well as a minor in Sociology. She is currently working toward her master's in Education and Early Childhood Studies at Boise State University. Ms. Haffner has worked in a variety of setting with children, ranging from birth to twelve years old, but she has found her true passion lies in early childhood.

Vanessa Crockett: Early Childhood Assistant

            Ms. Crockett joined Learning Lab in 2008.

Stephanie A. "SAM" McCurdy, Development Director
            Ms. McCurdy is responsible for all aspects of annual and long-range fundraising for the Learning Lab, as well as marketing and public relations duties.  She brings Learning Lab her 12 years experience as an accomplished marketing and communications professional with a proven track record of creating and managing brands and client relationships.

           Ms. McCurdy's broad skill set has afforded her the opportunity to wear many hats during her career, including brand creator and messaging strategist, project manager, copywriter, talent wrangler and EMMY-nominated producer and video editor for a diverse group of products and clients. Before coming to Learning Lab, she worked for several television stations throughout the Pacific Northwest, most recently as a Creative Services writer/producer/editor at Seattle’s #1 station, KING Television. A Portland native, Ms. McCurdy studied journalism at the University of Oregon and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Lewis & Clark College.

Stephanie Larrondo:  Office Manager
            Ms. Larrondo joined the Learning Lab in July 1997.  She earned a B.S. degree in Business Finance from the University of Idaho in 1978.  After graduation she worked for Morrison-Knudsen Company in construction accounting for five years.  She worked for a private accounting firm in 1993 and 1994.  Ms. Larrondo has developed considerable expertise with our administrative software programs including Microsoft Office and Quickbooks Pro.  Her duties also include bookkeeping, student billings, administrative support to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, coordinator of the solicitation letter campaign and volunteer coordinator for administrative volunteers.
            Ms. Larrondo has been an active volunteer in her children’s schools and at St. Alphonsus Festival of Trees.  She currently volunteers for the Bishop Kelly Booster Club.