ABOUT
ENGAGE is comprised of next generation individuals aged 18-35 who care about Wyoming, whether they’re a life-long resident, new to the state, or living elsewhere throughout the world. The power of the movement is with those making impacts in their communities through the avenues they are passionate about - economic growth and diversification, community revitalization or enhancement, civic engagement, lobbying and policy, or any other means that strengthens quality of life and the longevity of our beloved state.
TEAM
Amber Savage
President
Amber Savage, native of Lovell, WY, and UW grad, has worked with the American Red Cross in Disaster Response for the last 5 years and is currently the Executive Director for
Central Utah, currently residing in the Salt Lake City area.
Amber’s passion is in improving quality of life and has stayed deeply connected with Wyoming’s efforts in this work. The inherent lack of stoplights and traffic, and the prevalence of wide open spaces and “cowboy spirit” are Amber’s favorite parts of Wyoming!
Audrey Jansen
Chief of Marketing
Audrey is a Laramie native and a UW graduate with a deeply rooted love for this state.
She currently works as a market researcher for the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network and is grateful that this position allows have to have a positive impact on Wyoming's economy.
Casey Terrel
Deputy Chief of Logistics
Casey is an attorney with Crowley Fleck PLLP located in
beautiful Sheridan, Wyoming.
Casey loves that those who live in Wyoming share a "can-do" spirit that allows them to confidently face any challenge in our ever-changing world.
John Strandholm
Deputy Chief of Data Management
John grew up in Sheridan, graduated from UW with a BA and MS before going to Washington State University for his Ph.D. in Economics.
He now lives in Greenville, SC and is an assistant professor of Economics at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
John considers Wyoming to be home, and he loves the hardworking attitude and passion Wyomingites have for Wyoming, as well as the outdoors.
Madison Mankin
Vice President
Madison is an attorney who lives on her husband’s 122-year-old ranch in southern Campbell County.
She loves everything that Wyoming has to offer from the open spaces to the accessibility of leaders in the state.
She feels fortunate to have been raised and educated in Wyoming and that she gets to work and raise her family in our beautiful state.
Mikole Bede Soto
Chief of Outreach
Mikole Soto is from Sheridan, Wyoming and has recently returned to the area as an
associate attorney with Chapman, Valdez, & Lansing.
Mikole is proud of the state she calls home because of its culture, opportunities, people, and outdoor living, and she is passionate about ensuring the state's future progress.
Allison Connell
Chief of Planning
Allison grew up on her family's ranch just outside of Sheridan.
After graduating from the University of Montana, she moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for Senator Barrasso, then Senator Enzi, and then Representative Lummis. She returned to Wyoming for law school and will graduate with her Juris Doctor in May, 2019.
Allsion always knew that Wyoming was her home, even after several years away. She is so happy to be able to pursue her career in this wonderful state, and be a part of building Wyoming's future.
Amber Pollock
ENDOW Council ENGAGE Liaison
Amber Pollock is a co-founder and partner at her family owned and operated distillery, Backwards Distilling Company in Mills, Wyoming. Backwards makes award winning, small-batch spirits from scratch and distributes products through Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and California.
Amber grew up in Casper, WY and graduated from the University of Wyoming with her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Music Education.
After three years teaching elementary general music for Natrona Country School District #1, Amber left the classroom in 2013 to pursue starting the distillery with her parents and brother.
Amber is responsible for directing marketing, customer and community relations, and the tasting room and cocktail program at Backwards. She is passionate about the food/beverage and hospitality industries and has gained experience in that field in her role with her company. She travels the state extensively, doing sales and working with bars and restaurants on menu development and special events.
Amber was instrumental in the founding of the Wyoming Distillers Guild and served as the organization’s first president. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors for the Guild. She is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Casper Area Economic Development Alliance and was recently elected to the national board of the American Craft Spirits Association and serves there as the Co-Chair of the Education Committee.
She sits on ENDOW Executive Council representing the ENGAGE demographic.
Chase McNamee
Chief of Strategy
Chase grew up on a farm/ranch outside of Shoshoni, Wyoming, and he could not have asked for a better place to grow up. He truly loves the outdoors and Wyoming's adventurous and independent spirit!
Chase attended the University of Wyoming, where he earned a B.A. in History and Master's in Counseling, before moving to NYC with his wife, Megan, to begin a doctorate in Higher & Postsecondary Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.
While attending TC, He works in institutional advancement and fundraising as the Associate Director for Stewardship & Development Strategy for Bank Street College of Education.
Shannon Wilson
Chief of Data Management
Originally from Casper, Shannon worked for Wyoming's delegation in the House of Representatives in Washington, DC.
She is currently studying Computer Science at the
University of Maryland.
Jasmine Varos
Deputy Chief of Marketing
Jasmine is a Specialist of Systems and Technology at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne Wyoming.
She was born and raised in Cheyenne and enjoys calling the state home again after traveling during her husbands time in the Army.
She is passionate about young students in Wyoming and has spent over a decade involved with youth in the state. From violin lessons to career exploration, Jasmine enjoys enriching student's lives.
Jonathan Updike
Founder and President Emeritus
Jonathan Updike, MD, MPH, is a Wyoming native and University of Wyoming graduate who calls Banner home.
He currently lives in Palo Alto, California, where he is completing residency in general psychiatry at Stanford Health Care.
He loves how Wyoming- its people and scenes- has inspired him to dream and to achieve those dreams.