Dr. McLain has a PhD in History from Montana State University where her research focused on the history of illicit drug controls in the United States. Her background includes work with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of Justice on domestic and international counter-narcotics and crime prevention programs. She works as a consultant with local communities and organizations to build and fund substance use prevention and justice sector programs. Dr. McLain currently manages the Montana Community Action Network, supporting ten nonprofit organizations working to combat poverty across Montana. Her area expertise includes rule of law programming, Central America security sector, community policing, international drug policy, poverty reduction programs and community action.