STEM Team

Dee Mooney is the Administrator of Idaho STEM Action Center. She has retired as the Executive Director of the Micron Foundation and Sr. Director of Micron’s global philanthropy programs. Since 2006, Mooney had driven Micron’s strategic giving programs, focused on collaboration efforts to develop meaningful programs that connect Micron’s people, programs and resources to community and educational partners around the world.

Under her tenure, Micron had provided nearly $200 million in global grants to a variety of causes to drive social impact through investing in stem education and careers, driving upward mobility and cultivating giving and volunteerism among Micron team members and in Idaho’s communities.

Mooney holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in industrial psychology from University of New Haven.

Francine McGrew has worked in state government for over 20 years. Francine earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Saint Mary’s College of California and her master’s in public administration with specialties in public personnel policy and budgeting from CSU, Northridge. Prior to joining the STEM Action Center in 2023 and before moving to Idaho, she worked as a Fiscal and Administrative Manager for California’s Desired Results and Desired Results access sponsored federal pass-through programs from California’s Department of Education, Child Development Division coordinating logistics and monitoring the projects multi-million-dollar budget. After moving to Idaho, Francine worked for several different state agencies including: DFM, Industrial Commission, and DHW before taking a break to help with a small, local computer repair company. Feeling the pull back to state service, she finally settled at the Idaho Transportation Department for over 10 years. There she spent a good portion of her time as the Operations Manager for Enterprise Technology Services handling a myriad of duties including asset management, infrastructure and department purchasing, personnel, strategy, and budget.

Francine has been just on the outskirts of the Idaho STEM arena for many years. Her favorite moment was watching her daughter and the rest of the 8th grade team win the State Science Olympiad in 2019 and travel to the National Competition at Cornell University where one of the team’s entries took 6th place among very tough competition. She also supported the building of a STEM wing at Bishop Kelly High School that now houses VEX and First robotics teams made up of BK students as well as many from other area public schools.

Francine is an avid soccer fan and player and serves the Idaho soccer community by coaching both U7 and U17 girls. She is the team manager for the Bishop Kelly Men’s Soccer Team as well as a registrar for a local club. She can be found most days watching her son play at the competitive club level and high school. Her family is also active in the Foreign Exchange Host Cultural Program through the US State Department.

Meliah was born and raised in Idaho. She recently graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music with an emphasis on Musicology/Music History. Similarly to music, she feels finance and accounting require attention to detail as well as understanding and analyzing patterns, which she enjoys. When Meliah is not working or pursuing academic enrichment she is either playing my flute or enjoying the great outdoors with her two labs, Kimber and Sky! Meliah recently got into backpacking and has a goal to go on one weekend trip a month. When Meliah is not hiking or backpacking you can find her exploring anywhere near water while her pups enjoy a swim.

Halle, a native of Las Vegas, has been a resident of Boise for the past three years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and brings with her extensive experience in administrative and supportive roles. In 2023, she became a part of the STEM Action Center, driven by her commitment to fostering opportunities for Idaho educators and industry partners in STEM fields, thereby paving the way for a prosperous future for the state. In the summer she loves to ride bikes on the greenbelt and float the river.

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Branzell is a lifelong advocate for expanding educational opportunities across the state. She holds a Master’s in Education from Idaho State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Brigham Young University–Idaho. Currently she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology at Idaho State University. A state-certified K–12 educator, Branzell brings a rich blend of classroom experience, technology integration, and statewide program leadership to her role.

Before joining the STEM team, she served as Director of Digital Literacy at a non-profit in Denver, Colorado, where she led the state’s largest digital navigation program. The program focused on building digital skills, improving device access, and strengthening community learning pathways. Her work reflects a passion for designing innovative educational experiences that help learners thrive in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Outside of her professional work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family in Boise, exploring local events, supporting the arts (and playing her French Horn and Piano), and finding new books to read!

Amanda Paterson has worked in education for over 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University and has held leadership roles spanning classroom teaching, curriculum development, district-level coordination, and community partnership initiatives.

Before joining the Idaho STEM Action Center, Paterson worked in Texas leading programs, designing curriculum, supporting teacher growth, and creating initiatives that connected schools, students, and communities. Her work consistently focused on innovation in education and on helping every student feel capable, valued, and prepared for the future.

In her role as Computer Science Program Manager, Paterson focuses on expanding computer science and STEM pathways across Idaho, supporting educators with resources and professional development, and strengthening the state’s future workforce pipeline.

Outside of work, Paterson enjoys exploring Idaho with her family, connecting with her community, and celebrating life’s small moments. She believes that the little joys and connections each day create a bigger impact and add up to something truly magical. One principle that has stayed with her from her teaching career is that in STEM, she was not just helping students navigate the day-to-day; she was helping them think for the future. They are our future, and every small moment of curiosity, learning, and discovery contributes to the bigger picture of the world they will shape.