MEET THE TEAM

KACY HOWARD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kacy Howard was born and raised in the Flathead Valley. After attending university in Oregon, Kacy taught English internationally in South Africa before returning to the Flathead. She has a formal education as a Secondary English teacher, but found her true passion working in community mental health. After 10 years working in the children’s mental health system, Kacy transitioned to Executive Director at the Nate Chute Foundation in 2017. Kacy is a certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) instructor and is a nationally certified school suicide prevention specialist through the American Association of Suicidology. In her free time, Kacy enjoys skiing, rafting, and traveling with her family. click directly

KATE BERRY

PROGRAM + OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Kate began her journey with the NCF 3 years ago as a board member and trainer and took her involvement to a new level when she joined the staff in November of 2019. Since earning a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Montana, Kate has worked extensively with young people, educators, and community members to help build connections and increase resiliency and support for vulnerable populations. Kate will further her education by pursuing a Master of Social Work through Florida State University. Kate is a certified instructor in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) and both Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid. In her free time, she loves to read, cook, walk her dogs, and play board games with her family.

NICCI DANIHER

DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Nicci has deep roots in the Whitefish community and is so grateful to be back in her hometown after 3+ years living and working as a mental health therapist in Australia. After taking a professional break to start her family, she joins the team with a Master's Degree in Advanced Clinical Social Work from Columbia University, as well as a Master's in Infant Family Practice from Arizona State University. She is a certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) instructor. Nicci spends most of her free time hanging out with her husband and two young daughters exploring outside. Her favorite season in Montana is summer when she and many of her extended family live together on Flathead lake playing on the water.

OUR BOARD

TERRY CHUTE

SWCA CONSULTING | BOARD CHAIR

Terry Chute started the NCF 21 years ago, after his son died by suicide, with the intent of reducing suicide in our community. He serves as the board chair, and ensuring the long-term viability of the Foundation is at the top of his bucket list. Semi-retired, he spends his time between Whitefish, Helena and Green Valley, AZ and loves spending his free-time gardening, camping and hanging out with family and friends. If he could grant the world one gift it would be compassion -- specifically the ability to see things from another’s perspective.

SARA STRAKA

EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS | VICE CHAIR

Another born and raised local, Sara Straka, finds herself happiest hanging out with her partner and their two dogs out in the woods or floating a river. The 2020 Whitefish Winter Carnival Duchess of Lark, she finds that volunteering and serving as an ambassador to Whitefish comes as second nature. During the day you’ll find her working at Edward Jones Investments and at night she’s the bright smile greeting you as front-of-the-house manager at Last Chair. She would love to gift the world patience, both for others and one’s self, and would like to someday see all seven new Wonders of the World.

JANE KOLLMEYER

RETIRED FOREST SERVICE | BOARD SECRETARY

Jane Kollmeyer, the board’s secretary, founded the NCF with her husband Terry as a way to channel her grief in the wake of losing her step-son. Although she’s retired from the U.S. Forest Service, you will still find her recreating in the great outdoors camping, hiking and bird watching. In addition to the NCF, Jane serves on a number of other boards and fills her cup by offering a helping hand. She is thankful for her good health, her friends and family. She values equanimity in tackling life’s problems.

TROY BRACKEY

PARK SIDE CREDIT UNION | BOARD TREASURER

Troy Brackey joined the NCF board to spread awareness and compassion after watching all three of his children lose a friend to suicide and struggle with the subsequent grief. Troy was drawn to the Flathead Valley for the variety that our four seasons offer, but would someday like to live on an islands. There, he could go for long swims -- his favorite activity -- and hangout with his dogs all day, though he would likely miss his wonderful team and the amazing culture he works in everyday as the CFO at Park Side Credit Union. Troy would like to see people practice more patience in their lives, to slow down and be present.

LAUREN ELLINGSON

NOTICE CUSTOM BOARDS | NCF BOARD MEMBER

Lauren Ellingson is a Whitefish native who went to high school with Nate. Lauren joined the board in early 2018 and she is enjoying contributing in a deeper and more meaningful way. Lauren and her husband spend most of their time raising their two children and crafting custom snow, surf, and wake boards with their business, Notice Custom Boards. When life gives her a spare moment, you’ll likely find her getting back to her roots and enjoying the outdoors with her own children.

DEVEN ROBINSON

NORTH VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | NCF BOARD MEMBER

Deven Duus Robinson, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and Montana native, finds being involved with NCF a no brainer—his professional skills combined with a deep seeded desire to increase suicide prevention, makes it a perfect match. His friends would likely describe him as a bit of a workout fanatic who is happiest when he can spend time socializing while simultaneously being active outside mountain biking, running or boating. If Deven could wave a magic wand and give a gift to the world it would be the power of resilience.

Mike McCracken

Pin & Cue | NCF Board Member

Mike McCracken comes to the NCF board with a desire to make the Flathead Valley safer for future generations. When he’s not working as a financial advisor or running the Pin & Cue, you will find Mike hanging out with his two young boys, Sean and Weston, and his wife Holley, who is expecting a baby girl in November 2020. While skiing Switzerland is high on his bucket list, he is currently happy skiing at the Whitefish Mountain Resort, which is where he heads when he needs a pick me up. His tenacity to never give up, along with his fierce loyalty to people and causes that are meaningful to him, will serve the NCF board well into its future.

Jennifer Cloutier

Big Mountain Commercial Assoc. | NCF Board Member

Jennifer Cloutier is a non-profit leader in the Valley, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Big Mountain Commercial Association and supporting various other local organizations. She finds inspiration in Maria Montessori and wishes she could grant the world the ability to be open-minded. Often found on the trails exploring the outdoors, Jenny greets friends both new and old with a warm smile. Her non-profit knowledge will serve NCF immensely and we are pleased she chose us to further her desire to see mental health destigmatized.

Susan Sherman

Couselor, Kalispell Middle School | NCF BOARD MEMBER

Susan is a school counselor at KMS, and is passionate about helping students learn healthy skills to cope with the stressors that can come along with adolescence, including learning, relationships, navigating emotions, family, and growing up. Suicide prevention is one of the areas that she feels particularly dedicated to. When she’s not helping shape the minds of tomorrow, Susan can be found mountain biking, rock climbing, nordic skiing, or hanging with her husband, adult children, and friends. She also enjoys doing art! Susan is inspired by young leaders such as Malala Yousafszi, Greta Thunberg, and Emma Gonzalez, and if she could give the gift of one value to the world, it would be empathy.