Our Team

Executive Team

Frances Hardee

Director of Operations

Fran graduated from Eastern Montana College with a B.S. in Business Administration (emphasis in Accounting) and completed several courses in the M.B.A. program at Arizona State University. As Director of Operations, Fran oversees the financial, payroll, and IT functions within MDSC. Fran has over 34 years of accounting and management experience in a variety of private and not-for-profit entities in Arizona and Montana. Fran strives to develop and maintain a strong financial position for MDSC while maintaining the quality and integrity of services for clients and staff of MDSC. In her non-working hours, Fran enjoys reading, gardening, and Netflix binge-watching.

Claire Phinney

Director of Business Development

Claire received her M.A. from Pacific Oaks College in Human Development with emphases in Nonprofit Leadership and Conflict Transformation. Her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington was in Early Childhood Education and Development, with minors in Psychology, Anthropology, and Women’s Studies. After spending some years teaching at the preschool level, Claire moved into the nonprofit sector serving children and families where she has remained ever since. Since moving from Seattle to Missoula in 2009 to start a family and be nearer to her own, Claire has worked in a variety of nonprofit roles – from direct service through executive management and many stops in between. Her pride and joy are her two boys, who delight and inspire her every day. When she is not working, Claire enjoys gardening and longs walks to the river with her favorite good boy, a chocolate Labrador named Fergus.

Jennifer Manzanera

Director of Human Resources

Jennifer received her M.B.A. degree from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in Human Resources from Miami University in Oxford, OH. Jennifer brings to MDSC over 17 years of progressive human resource experience working in both non-profit and for-profit organizations across several industries including Hospitality, Healthcare, Advertising and Manufacturing. Prior to starting her career in HR, Jennifer spent 10 years opening and managing restaurants across the US. This background in operations allows her to bring a unique perspective to the HR role. As the Director of HR for MDSC, Jennifer will focus on team development, fostering relationships and facilitating change. Jennifer recently moved to the mountains of Montana from the South Carolina shore with her husband and 3 children. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading and attending her kids various sporting events.

Amy Conover

Director of Services

Amy received her B.A. in Peace and Justice and Conflict Studies at Goshen College in Indiana. Time as a victim offender mediator and coordinating a program designed to support juvenile offenders helped her hone her skills in restorative justice and helping people find their voice. Amy also coordinated a wraparound program that expanded her understanding on how to collaborate and problem solve as a team. After acquiring her Master’s in Education at Indiana University and several years teaching, she moved to Montana with her family and became the Staff Development Specialist at MDSC. Her vision for services is to help clients have their best life possible and doing it in collaboration and support of everyone that touches their life. Amy enjoys everything that Montana has to offer: hiking, biking, floating, and exploring!