Steinmetz new Havre Public Schools ed foundation director

The Havre Public Schools Education Foundation announced it has a new executive director with Krystal Steinmetz taking that position effective July 1.

"After serving on the (education foundation) board of directors these past two years, I'm looking forward to supporting the foundation and our school district in a much larger capacity" as executive director, Steinmetz said in a release. "The (foundation) has a long tradition of supporting our schools and we're looking to broaden that impact in the coming years."

Steinmetz, who served on the foundation board for the last two years, succeeds Amanda Meyer, who resigned as executive director of the organization in February. Meyer is working with Steinmetz and the education foundation board to ensure a smooth transition, the release said.

With a background in nonprofit fundraising and grant management as well as media and public relations and marketing, Steinmetz comes to the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation from the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, where she worked the past five years as the director of marketing and special events.

"Our board was thrilled when Krystal accepted the position of Havre Public Schools Education Foundation executive director," foundation board chair Kyle Leeds said in the release. "Not only is Krystal already familiar with our foundation and passionate about its mission, but she brings a wealth of nonprofit sector knowledge and experience that we're confident will help propel our foundation to the next level."

Originally from Great Falls, Steinmetz grew up in Missoula, earning a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Montana. She moved to Havre in 2004 and in 2006 married Steve Steinmetz, a Havre High graduate in 1996 and owner and general manager of Havre Ford. Together they have two children, Moriah, 13, and Sam, 10.

Steinmetz previously worked as the director of community planning at Bear Paw Development in Havre, assisting local governments along the Hi-Line with grant writing and project planning and management.

In her new role as executive director of the Havre Public Schools Education Foundation, Steinmetz will coordinate and oversee all Havre Public Schools Education Foundation activities, including operations, fundraising, events, scholarships, grants, communications and volunteer and board coordination, all with strategic guidance and direction from the foundation board of directors, the release said.

"I'm excited to work with our awesome board, in partnership with Havre Public Schools, to find new and innovative fundraising plans that further boost student scholarships and help with the district's educational needs and school campus projects," Steinmetz said in the release.

Steinmetz serves on the Friends of Montana PBS Board of Directors. She is a member of the Montana State University-Northern Community Orchestra, and previously served on the boards of the H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum and United Way of Hill County, the release said.