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KACY HOWARDEXECUTIVE DIRECTORKacy 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.
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NICCI DANIHERDEVELOPMENT DirectorNicci 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.
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Rachel WinthropEducation + Outreach ManagerBorn and raised in Southern California, Rachel relocated to Whitefish in pursuit of fresh air & beautiful powder days! Rachel is passionate about mental healthcare, and in addition to working at the Nate Chute Foundation for suicide prevention, she is a current grad student working towards her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California. Rachel is a certified Talk Saves Lives (TSL) instructor through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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KATE BERRYCertified TrainerKate 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), Talk Saves Lives, 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.
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OUR BOARD
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TERRY CHUTESWCA CONSULTING | BOARD CHAIRTerry 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.
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SARA STRAKAEDWARD JONES INVESTMENTS | VICE CHAIRAnother 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.
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JANE KOLLMEYERRETIRED FOREST SERVICE | BOARD SECRETARYJane 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.
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TROY BRACKEYPARK SIDE CREDIT UNION | BOARD TREASURERTroy 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.
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LAUREN ELLINGSONNOTICE 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.
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DEVEN ROBINSONNORTH VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | NCF BOARD MEMBERDeven 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.
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Mike McCrackenPin & Cue | NCF Board MemberMike 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.
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Jennifer CloutierBig Mountain Commercial Assoc. | NCF Board MemberJennifer 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.
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NIKKI REEDLIBRARIAN, WHS | NCF BOARD MEMBERNikki 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.
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SUSAN SHERMANCOUSELOR, KMS | NCF BOARD MEMBERSusan 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.
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