Meet The Board
Sami Pack-Toner
President
Sami joined the team in 2019 while recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery. Paddling was a great exercise option while other activities weren’t an option. Sami and her family live in Marysville. She loves backpacking, skiing, rock climbing, weightlifting, and of course paddling. She is currently training for a triathlon. Being out on the water is one of her favorite places to be, and getting to paddle with teammates and friends just makes it even better! Dragon Boating - Go Buzz!
Emma Whitehead
Vice President, Coach
Emma grew up in Washington, DC, and North Carolina. She began dragon boating in high school when she joined the Capital City Dragons. After high school, she paddled with her mom’s team while home from college, then join the Helena Dragon Boat Club in 2019. Emma has raced in dragon boat festivals in the US and Canada. When she’s not paddling, Emma enjoys baking, traveling, skiing and spending time with her boyfriend and their two cats.
Lizzie Maixner
Treasurer
Lizzie moved to Helena in 2017 from Florida, however she has lived all over the country and is originally from Alaska. She started Crew rowing in Daytona Beach and just loved it, so when she moved to Helena, she was looking for something similar and found Dragon Boating. She has been with the Helena team since 2021. She loves the outdoors, anything on the water. She has 3 children and has been married for 18 years. Her youngest was born in Helena, MT and she plans on staying in Helena for many many years.
Sarah Erb
Secretary
Sarah Erb has called Helena home for the last 18 years, where she owns a graphic design startup and raises her two and four-legged children. She has always found solace in nature, and is often found unwinding on the water - taking her SUP board out for yoga or meandering down the Missouri in a brightly colored kayak. Along with water sports, she enjoys volunteering, creating locally inspired art, reading over a good brew, and tackling trails at midnight. This year, Sarah is pleased to serve as Secretary to the board on her first season with the Helena Dragon Boat Team.