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Our Team

Bluum is a nonprofit organization helping Idaho become a national model for how to maximize learning outcomes for children and families.

We are committed to ensuring that Idaho’s children reach their fullest potential by cultivating great leaders, replicating high-performing school models, and taking risks to develop new approaches so all Idaho students have access to a great education.

Meet the people dedicated to serving some of Idaho’s finest school leaders in helping them educate and support their thousands of families and students.

Amy Hukkinen

DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL GRANTS & SUPPORT

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Amy Hukkinen

Director of Federal Grants & Support

Amy Hukkinen is Bluum’s Director of Federal Grants and Support, focused the nonprofit’s private and federal grant initiatives, including oversight of a $22 million Charter School Program (CSP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. She developed and implemented Bluum’s grant administration and technology systems, drawing on her background in system improvement and cross-functional project management. Her experience has helped guide several rounds of federal grant competitions.

Amy’s education journey began as a low-income student in Neptune Township’s Launch (Honors) Program, where she was nurtured by inspiring teachers and exposed to integrated, advanced learning environments—experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to education.

She has taught in rural districts and brings the perspective of a parent whose children have attended parochial, public, and charter schools. Most recently a middle school teacher in Idaho, Amy began her teaching career with Teach For America in Hawai‘i, where she focused on ensuring academic success. Her teaching experience spans grades 4–12 in special education, science, math, and English.

Amy holds a B.S. in Business Administration Management and an M.S. in Professional Security Studies from New Jersey City University. A proud graduate of Brookdale Community College, she now finds purpose working in education nonprofits that align with her own academic and career path. She is a member of Cohort 8 of the PiE Leadership Institute.

Annie Edwards

FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER

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Annie Edwards

Finance & Operations Manager

Annie Edwards is a Finance & Operations Manager at Bluum, and a proud Idaho native.

After high school in Idaho, Annie attended Gonzaga University and obtained a BA in Accounting.  When in Spokane briefly, Annie worked with the Hospice of Spokane, where she was first introduced to non-profit finance work.   After returning to Idaho and prior to joining Bluum, she served as Finance Manager with St. Alphonsus Health System and has held several finance-related roles in her nearly 20 years with the organization.

She has always felt a pull to non-profit work and is thrilled to expand her experience into the world of education at Bluum. She has grown committed to supporting the success of education and children in her home state of Idaho, a mission she holds dear to her heart.

Outside of work, Annie has two teenagers that keep her on her toes.  You’ll often find her driving to activities around the Treasure Valley, cheering them on in their many adventures. She has also always been active in her own team sports, but most of her free time these days is embracing watching her own kids in theirs. Annie enjoys watching the Zags play basketball, hiking in the foothills, music festivals, and being with family and friends.

Ashley Cotton

DIRECTOR OF COLLABORATION & PARTNERSHIPS

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Ashley Cotton

Director of Collaboration & Partnerships

Ashley Cotton serves as the Director of Collaboration & Partnerships at Bluum, managing the day-to-day operations of the entire team, coordinating school visits, and planning all logistics for Bluum events. Ashley spent her undergraduate years at Kansas University with a double major in Latin American Studies and Spanish. She then went on to receive her master’s at Texas A&M in political science. Ashleys connection to public charter schools began at a young age, when she graduated from Alicia R. Chacón International school in El Paso, Texas. During her master’s program, she spent significant amounts of time publishing research on international politics in Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Beyond her work at Bluum, Ashley is a military spouse and is the lead Key Spouse for the 391st MHAFB Key Support Group. Fluent in English, Spanish, and conversational Russian, Ashley’s life is a reflection of her commitment to strengthening communities, empowering Idaho’s students, and supporting those who serve. Recognized by the Idaho Business Review as one of the state’s Most Accomplished Under 40 in 2025, she brings both passion and purpose to her work.

In her free time, Ashley loves spending time with her dog named Pickle, her husband Chris when he isn’t deployed, and volunteering with the Junior League of Boise.

Cole Skinner

FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER

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Cole Skinner

Finance & Operations Manager

Cole Skinner is a Finance & Operations Manager at Bluum with a background in finance, accounting, and technology. He manages payrolls, financial reconciliations, supports financial forecasting, and ensures compliance with state and federal reporting for multiple high performing public charter schools around Idaho. He also reviews and assists with funding requests for the over 32-million dollars in Federal Charter School Program funding awarded to public charter schools in the Gem State.

Cole’s career started at Boise State University as a Financial Technician, providing financial support and guidance to a variety of student clubs and organizations. Prior to Bluum he worked for a corporate domain registrar, facilitating various client requests, and working with domain registries around the world. Cole earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Grand Canyon University and is currently pursuing an MBA from Oklahoma State University.

Outside of work, Cole enjoys all the great outdoor activities that Idaho has to offer. He enjoys exploring the mountains with his wife Allie and two labradors.

Desiree Rivera

SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

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Desiree Rivera

Special Education Program Development Specialist

Desiree Rivera serves as the Special Education Program Development Specialist for Bluum and is a passionate advocate for inclusive education. She began her journey as an Extended Resource and Behavior Program Special Educator in the Caldwell School District. She later served as the Special Education Director at Elevate Academy. Being part of Elevate’s founding years was a pivotal chapter in her career, reinforcing her belief in innovative, student-centered approaches to education.

After firsthand navigating the steep learning curve of starting a special education program, Desiree is passionate about helping other directors avoid any pitfalls faced early on. Her goal is to support educators in focusing their time and energy on students by equipping them with everything needed at the start to build strong, compliant, and student-focused programs.

Her path into education was sparked when her own children began school, inspiring her to pursue higher education as an adult. Desiree holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Boise State University. She is a proud mother of two, and after experiencing personal loss in 2023, finds renewed purpose in supporting schools and students through impactful work.

When she’s not working, she enjoys reading, camping, exploring the outdoors with her family, spending time with her four dogs, and has recently discovered a newfound love for golf.

Jennifer Ribordy

SPECIAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

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Jennifer Ribordy

Special Education Development Director

Jennifer Ribordy is Bluum’s Special Education Development Director, bringing over 25 years of experience spanning every level of K-12 special education. She has served as a special educator, educational diagnostician, district trainer, and special education programming consultant for a district serving more than 40,000 students. Her career has given her a deep understanding of how to meet diverse student needs while building and sustaining high-quality, school-wide special education programs.

Jennifer began her career in Texas, working in both rural and urban districts, and gained valuable insights into varied educational landscapes. As a proud Idaho native, she was thrilled to return to Boise to advance inclusive education in her home state.

She holds a B.A. in Special Education, Secondary Education, and Psychology from the University of Idaho, an M.Ed. in Special Education/Educational Diagnostician from Sam Houston State University, and a certification in Educational Leadership from Idaho State University.

At Bluum, Jennifer partners with leaders to strengthen special education programs, providing strategic guidance, system-level expertise, and instructional planning support. Her leadership has driven several key initiatives, including launching a Special Education Fellowship Program, creating a Special Education Leader Community of Practice, and establishing a Medicaid Billing Department that has collectively helped schools secure over $2 million in reimbursements.

Jennifer also contributes nationally through organizations such as the Center for Learner Equity and the NICE Coalition, shaping policy and advocating for equity and access at scale.

Keith Donahue

DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL STRATEGY & OPERATIONS

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Keith Donahue

Director of School Strategy & Operations

Keith Donahue is the Director of School Strategy and Operations for Bluum. He has over 11 years of charter school leadership experience to work for Bluum’s network of partner schools. Prior to his career in the education sector, Keith spent 12 years in the legal profession.

Keith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder and his Juris Doctor from Lewis and Clark School of Law in Portland, Oregon. Keith has extensive experience advising government clients, drafting legislation, and ensuring compliance with state and federal law. He also has experience managing government programs, including securing funding, overseeing budgets, managing employees, and meeting program milestones.

He has served 11 years in various roles with Sage International School of Boise, joining first as a founding board member prior to Sage opening its doors to students. Keith then transitioned to Development Director for four years. In this role, Keith was responsible for Sage’s fundraising activities, grant writing, and the financing, purchase and redevelopment of Sage International’s Boise Campus. Keith then assumed the role of Executive Director, where he oversaw the strengthening of Sage International’s finances, operations and academics while also directing the launch of a second school, Forge International School in Middleton, Idaho.

Keith is excited to help school boards and leaders successfully launch and grow innovative schools that bring high-quality educational choices to K-12 students across Idaho.

Laura Swift

FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER

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Laura Swift

Finance & Operations Manager

Laura Swift is a Finance & Operations Manager at Bluum. She’s moved around a great deal, and even lived overseas twice, but considers Idaho to be home.

She comes to Bluum with 13 years’ experience in accounting and finance from various industries including nonprofit, higher education and fintech. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from Boise State University.

Laura is thrilled to be diving into the world of K-12 school finance and learning about what makes each school experience unique. When she’s not shuttling her two kids to various sports and activities, Laura enjoys spending time with family and traveling every chance she gets.

Lauren Tassos

FINANCE & OPERATIONS MANAGER

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Lauren Tassos

Finance & Operations Manager

Lauren joins the Bluum team as Finance & Operations Manager. She’s spent the majority of her life in Idaho, having grown up in the Hailey and Boise areas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Gonzaga University and a master’s degree in teaching from Pace University.

Lauren has 9 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, the majority of which was spent leading the development and donor relations department for the Idaho Community Foundation in Boise. She’s served more than 10 years in the field of education, including two years as an 8th grade teacher in the Bronx as part of the Teach For America New York region, four years as fundraiser and chief of staff for Teach For America Idaho region, and most recently four years leading operations and finance for local charter Future Public School, a school for which she is was proudly a founding parent and board member.

Outside the office Lauren and her family of four, including kids Sam and Katie, can be found camping, hiking, and exploring Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. When she can find a moment to sneak away, Lauren loves to read and is an aspiring runner.

Marc Carignan

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

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Marc Carignan

Chief Financial Officer

Marc Carignan is the CFO of Bluum, bringing a blend of corporate and non-profit experience in finance, accounting, information systems and management. As Bluum’s CFO, he oversees accounting, financial reporting, grant management and school back-office support.

Marc earned his BA in business management from California State University, Fullerton

His career started in 1993 as a CPA at Grant Thornton LLP, where he spent seven years auditing non-profit and for-profit entities. Before joining Bluum in late 2014, Marc spent fourteen years as a hands-on finance, information systems and operations manager for several manufacturing companies.

Natalia Miller

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST

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Natalia Miller

Accounts Payable Specialist

Natalia Miller is Bluum’s Accounts Payable Specialist, and an Idaho native. Born and raised in Boise, a chance encounter while rafting the Payette River led her to a twenty-one-year career with The Boise Co-Op, managing their Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable.

Natalia is thrilled to be working for a company whose main purpose is to improve the lives of Idaho’s children, and is honored to be working with people who continually inspire her.

Nicole Thurgood

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

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Nicole Thurgood

Director of Operations

Coming Soon!

Terry Ryan

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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Terry Ryan

Chief Executive Officer

Terry Ryan is the CEO of the Boise-based education nonprofit Bluum and Board Chair of the Idaho Charter School Network. He leads efforts to double the number of students in Idaho’s high-performing public charter schools and oversees Bluum’s strategic and operational activities, including overseeing an $8,63 million annual budget. He coordinates all activities with key partners like the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and many Idaho public charter schools.

Terry is responsible for Idaho’s $25 million federal Charter School Program (CSP) grant, which is Idaho’s second CSP grant managed by Bluum. Before Idaho, he was Vice-President for Ohio Programs and Policy at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute from 2001 to 2013. He began his education career as a teacher in Poland and worked with the Polish Ministry of Education on civic education issues. In the 1990s, he served as research director for the UK-based 21st Century Learning Initiative.

He has served on various educational councils, task forces and boards, including Idaho Governor Brad Little’s “Our Kids, Idaho’s Future” education task force and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Policy Advisory Council, the CAEP Commission and the boards of GEM Prep Innovation Schools and American Classical Schools of Idaho. Terry is a published author, has been a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, and a 2008 Aspen Institute/Pahara Fellow.

Sarah Meskin

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS 

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Sarah Meskin

Director of Communications

Sarah Meskin serves as the Director of Communications for Bluum. Born and raised in Danville, California, she spent several years volunteering for different educational nonprofits through the National Charity League. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration Management along with double minors in Nonprofit Management and Human Resources at Boise State University.

During her time at Boise State, she worked for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and served as the Vice President of Community Relations for Tri Delta. Sarah spent a few years as an assistant teacher at a Montessori in Boise, which is where she first began to deeply understand and love the idea of school choice in the Gem State.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, doing anything that involves being outdoors, and going on mint chocolate chip ice cream runs.

Join Our Team

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Board of Directors

The governing body of individuals who are committed to our mission and want to see Bluum suceed.

Toby Prehn

A10 Capital

Joe Bruno

Building Hope

Marcia Aaron

Charter School Growth Fund 

Renita Thukral

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Joe Forney

Cold Chain, LLC

Todd Lindsey

Boise Management

Conrad Freeman

Vectra Bank

National Partners

Excel in Education

Website

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

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U.S. Department of Education

Website

National Charter Schools Institute

Website

Charter School Growth Fund

Website

PIE Network

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Building Hope

Website

The City Fund

Website