Meet Peyton Olson
Hello! I am grateful and excited to be joining the MEIC team as the Administrative and Development Assistant. I was born and raised in rural northwestern Minnesota. I grew up in the countryside, and nature was my playground as a kid. The experiences of my younger years sowed the seeds for my love of nature, and that love has flourished into adulthood.
I received my Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota. While I pursued my degree in management, I found ways to get involved that would reflect my personal interests, one of which being the Students for Sustainability club. I’ve carried with me the understanding that environmental consciousness is relevant in all fields throughout my career. When I moved to Montana earlier this year, I wanted to combine my experience in administration with my passion for the environment.
In my new role at MEIC, I provide help in any area I can, taking bits and pieces off of the full plates of Cari, Julie, and Katy. While I’m just starting to dive into my work here, it has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside the admirable staff of MEIC and connect with our committed members. My knowledge of Montana’s history and landscapes is growing, and I embrace the respect that this land and culture deserves. I am honored to be involved with an organization that is tackling some of Montana’s greatest challenges and is steadfast in protecting our right to a clean and healthful environment.
Meet Matthew Passini
Hello, everyone! I am incredibly humbled to be able to help the MEIC during the upcoming 2023 Legislative Session as the Legislative Assistant. As the son of a military man, I had the privilege of living in a wide variety of cities and states in the northern, southern, and eastern parts of the U.S.. When I first moved to Big Sky Country, I was simply awestruck at the beauty of Montana. Seven years have passed, and to this day I feel the exact same. Take it from a transplant: we have something very special here!
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Truman State University in northeast Missouri. During my time there, I was part of the leadership for the environmental club and also spent a semester working in the Missouri House of Representatives during their legislative session. After a stint in community banking, I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in the Department of Public Administration and Policy at the University of Montana.
I joined MEIC because it established that the right to a clean and healthful environment is a fundamental constitutional right of all Montanans. MEIC diligently advocates for an issue to benefit all living things in this great state. Article IX of the Montana Constitution states, “Each person shall maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment in Montana for present and future generations.” I am honored MEIC has given me this opportunity to fulfill my constitutional duty to you, dear readers.
This article was published in the Dec. 2022 issue of Down To Earth.
