MEET THE TEAM

Kacy Howard
Executive Director

Kacy is a life-long mental health advocate specializing in youth and community suicide prevention and resilience and has spent 15 years working in behavioral health and education. Driven by her core values of Growth, Compassion and Family, Kacy is a skilled facilitator and educator who provides safe spaces and practical skills for navigating difficult topics and conversations with authenticity. Kacy is a nationally certified school suicide prevention specialist through the American Association of Suicidology, a Question Pursuade Refer (QPR) trainer, and a certified Gracious Space trainer through the Center for Ethical Leadership.

Nicci Schellinger Daniger, MSW, MAS-IFP
Development Director

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.

Jenny Cloutier
Program Manager

Jenny was born and raised in the Flathead Valley. After graduating from the University of Montana she worked as a Montessori Instructress in Bozeman before returning home. She has employed her Masters of Education and Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership in support of a variety of local and regional organizations. She is a certified QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) instructor.

In her free time Jenny loves teaching about avalanches, sliding on snow, and paddling the rivers and lakes of her homeland.

Ann Marie Bowlus
Education Manager

Simply put, Ann Marie loves experiential education! Since 2016, Ann Marie has worked within the field of conservation and youth development in the Flathead Valley. With a passion for empowering young people, Ann Marie is eager to support the Nate Chute Foundation in suicide prevention. Ann Marie grew up in Central California with a desire to build strong, sustainable communities. She graduated with a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and invested time post-college finding her path to resiliency skill building with youth. Ann Marie is a certified Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) instructor.

When Ann Marie isn't working she often bakes bread, eats tacos, and continues to explore all that Northwest Montana has to offer with her friends, family and Dexter the dog.

Corrie Holloway
Community Outreach Coordinator

Corrie has been a resident of the Flathead Valley since 1997. She moved here just after college where she pursued a degree in Outdoor Leadership and Education. She proceeded to spend the next 15 years guiding backpacking trips in Glacier National Park during the summer, while working Ski Patrol on Big Mountain in the winters.

When not exploring the great outdoors, Corrie enjoys quality time with family and friends, traveling, painting, skiing, and hiking. She finds fulfillment in her work with the NCF, where she loves being able to promote mental wellness and community connection. In her free time, Corrie is dedicated to bringing an interactive museum for families to the valley.

OUR BOARD

Sara Straka Callihan

EDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS | board CHAIR

A born and raised local, Sara Straka Callihan, finds herself happiest hanging out with her husband Jason and their dog Cannon out in the woods or floating a river. Sara graduated from Whitefish High School in 2003 and from the University of Notre Dame in 2007. She moved back to the mountains after college and spent many years at the helm of local restaurants. In 2017, she transitioned to the financial services industry and now serves clients as a Branch Office Administrator at Edward Jones, although you occasionally will still find her moonlighting at the Last Chair Kitchen & Bar some evenings. The 2020-21 Whitefish Winter Carnival Duchess of Lark, she finds that volunteering and serving as an ambassador to Whitefish comes as second nature. If she could grant the world one gift it would be patience – with others and especially with oneself.

terry chute

SWCA CONSULTING | outgoing 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.

Devin Robinson, NP-C

Logan Health WHitefish BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | Vice Chair

Devin Robinson is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and Montana native who 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.

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.

Danelle reisch

retired | BOARD TREASURER

Danelle Reisch was the business manager for the Whitefish School District for 25 years and is a graduate of Whitefish High School. With time on her hands following retirement, she determined the Nate Chute Foundation would be a good organization to support with her time and energy. In her spare time she knits, sews, gardens and spends time with her recently retired husband, Jack, skiing, hiking, camping and doing what retired people do.

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 wakeboards 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.

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.

NIKKI REED

LIBRARIAN, Whitefish high school | NCF BOARD MEMBER

Nikki Reed is a passionate learner and eternal seeker, which fits well with her work as a high school Language Arts teacher, a mother of two teens, and a human on this planet. When she’s not in the fresh air with family and friends, she’s reading, taking classes, collaborating with groups, listening to podcasts, and buying too many books. She is continually awed by all the inspiration in our world that is often right under her nose! Her interest in the NCF is based on her personal experience with depression, addiction, and recovery. She firmly believes people can change when they feel a sense of belonging and connection. She senses that NCF provides this space for many in our community and beyond, and she’s thankful to be involved.

SUSAN SHERMAN

COUnSELOR, Kalispell middle school | NCF BOARD MEMBER

Susan Sherman 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.

Jenna Gilliland

Insured Titles | NCF BOARD MEMBER

Jenna finds groundedness and belonging in the outdoors, and recently made Montana home with her husband, three children, and many animals. As the current Business Development Manager for Insured Titles, Jenna is confident in her skills in business economics and management will support NCF's growing programs. Jenna is passionate about education and supporting youth mental health, which guided her to serving on the NCF board.

Dan gagen

Strategy and Marketing Consulting | NCF BOARD MEMBER

Dan is driven to eliminate the stigma around mental health and wellness in our community. Having lived in other mountain towns in the West, Dan has a deep understanding of the disturbing suicide and mental health-related statistics that are unique to the mountain states. His professional experience in marketing, brand, and general management across many industries is valuable to NCF as we continue to grow to meet the needs of the community. Dan lives in Whitefish with his partner Paul and smiling Australian Shepherd, Jack.